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The Five Best Offensive Players Notre Dame Will Face in 2016

By Bobby Norell

Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2016 Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. Stanford defeated Iowa 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The former Notre Dame recruit is arguably the most explosive athlete on the schedule. Smith-Schuster has great speed, size and hands. He’s the complete package at wide receiver. Smith-Schuster had a huge sophomore season as he was top five in the nation in receiving yards with 1,454. He also chipped in with 10 touchdowns. Last season we saw Smith-Schuster burn the Irish for six catches, 139 yards and a touchdown. The most impressive thing about his 2015 campaign was that he played the last seven games with a broken hand and still put up big numbers. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to having a new quarterback throwing to him this season.

Our friends at Reign of Troy are saying Smith-Schuster has a real possibility of breaking USC’s all-time receiving yards and catches records, and for good reason. Smith-Schuster is just 1,447 yards away from that from Marquise Lee’s receiving yards record and 109 catches away from Robert Woods catches record. Those are some lofty numbers for Smith-Schuster to chase, but as talented as he is its not out of the realm of possibility.

Most early mock drafts have Smith-Schuster going in the first round and in the top ten. Most also have him as the best wide receiving prospect in the 2017 draft. He’ll be the best receiver the Irish face all season.

Next: Christian McCaffrey

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