Five Notre Dame Football Players Who Need To Step Up In 2015

By Andrew Hall | May 26, 2015

Everyone knows Jaylon Smith, Sheldon Day, Tarean Folston, Will Fuller and Cole Luke. Fans (and probably their coaches too) expect a certain level of performance from these players. The upcoming Notre Dame football season does not depend on these players. The fate of the 2015 Notre Dame football season rests on the shoulders of five players who need to become stars like Smith, Day and Folston.

1. C.J. Prosise

Prosise will be the trendy pick to be Notre Dame’s best player in 2015. The Senior Slot Receiver/Running Back from Petersburg, Virginia showed his ability to make the big play in 2014 and during spring practice in 2015. Prosise scored on a 50-yard touchdown rush against LSU and a 78-yard touchdown reception against Navy. If Prosise shows that big play ability on a regular basis, Notre Dame’s Offense may be unstoppable with Malik Zaire, Will Fuller, Tarean Folston and others.

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2. Max Redfield

Since Redfield arrived on campus in 2013, fans and coaches have waited for him to become the 5-star player Notre Dame recruited from Mission Viejo, California. He flashed his ability on a few occasions. However, he performed more like 3-star player who is afraid of contact. Redfield has the ability to be a sideline-to-sideline Free Safety. If he can become a 5-star player, Notre Dame’s Defense can be extremely aggressive.

3. Durham Smythe

With speedster Will Fuller and matchup nightmare Corey Robinson dominating the outside, Junior Tight End Durham Smythe should have ample opportunities to slash the opponent’s Defense over the middle. Although he played in 13 games, Smythe only caught one pass last year. The Junior Tight End needs to step up and carry on the tradition of “Tight End U”. If he does not, Freshman Tight End Alize Jones will surpass him quickly.

4. Greg Bryant

Greg Bryant, like Max Redfield, is failing to live up to his 5-star potential. After an injury during his Freshman season, Bryant rushed for 289 yards on 54 carries with 3 touchdowns. The Junior from Delray Beach, Florida will have get more carries this year. Bryant needs to turn those opportunities into production. His issue is simple. Bryant tends to dance more than needed. If Bryant finishes runs, he will be a solid option along with Tarean Folston.

5. Jarron Jones

Jones continues to recover from a Lisfranc injury. When healthy and “locked in”, Jones is one of the best players on Notre Dame’s team. He can dominate the middle in a fashion similar to former Notre Dame Nose Guard Louis Nix. Can Jones properly recover from his injury to be fully prepare on September 5th? Will Jarron Jones be the type of player like he was against FSU?