Notre Dame football: Predicting five breakout players for 2016

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Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) is tackled by cornerback Shaun Crawford (14) in the second quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaun Crawford

Last fall camp, Crawford, then a true freshman, was expected to receive plenty of playing time as the nickel back in Notre Dame’s defense. Then he tore his ACL in practice and was done for the season. Even into this spring, he was limited in how much he could do.

But with a redshirt year behind him, Crawford is back to full speed now and should compete for the second cornerback spot behind Cole Luke. With the departure of KeiVarae Russell for the NFL, it’ll be all hands on deck for the Irish corners, and Crawford’s spot is by no means assured, as he will have to best Nick Watkins, Nick Coleman and Devin Butler.

Crawford does have the advantage of being one of, if not the fastest player on the team, and his smaller frame (he’s 5-foot-9) doesn’t mean he doesn’t have big hit ability. Even if he does miss out on the starting corner job, he’ll still be looked to as a nickel back, and he has the talent and potential to strengthen Notre Dame’s wobbly pass defense.

Next: Offensive threat

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