Notre Dame Football: Dark Horse Candidates For The 2017 Season
Notre Dame has many talented players on their roster who are ready to emerge.
The Irish have many players who you can pencil in as big producers in ’17.
Offensively, you can count on Equanimeous St. Brown, Josh Adams and Brandon Wimbush to do be things with the ball behind a great line anchored by future NFLers – Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey.
Defensively, things aren’t quite as clear but you know that Nyles Morgan, Jerry Tillery and Drue Tranquill will all be key contributors.
Let’s have a look at players who are flying under-the-radar and may emerge as difference makers for the Irish this year. Players who aren’t being talked about often in message boards or fan sites.
Offense
Dexter Williams
Last off season, Williams put in a ton of work. He re-transformed his body, becoming much more explosive and seemed to have acquired another gear.
Early in the season, he showed outstanding talent with some productive carries. He accelerated quickly and showed that he had some dynamic traits that will make him a dangerous back in the future.
Brian Kelly applauded Williams early in the year after he had had a solid performance. For whatever reason, he didn’t see the ball enough to make an impact for the rest of the year.
Of course, Tarean Folston was still a part of the backfield. This year, Dex will be the clear-cut number two. With the way they use Josh Adams as the work horse back who takes a lot of big hits, Williams will be counted on to provide offense for probably 7-12 carries per game.
That number could certainly increase as the season goes on for a number of reasons.
Keep an eye on Dexter Williams. I’m expecting him to emerge as a play maker in ’17.
Javon McKinley
Many fans seem to have forgotten that Javon McKinley came to Notre Dame as one of the most prolific wide receivers in the country.
As well as being an Army All-American, he holds 3rd place in career receiving yards in CIF Southern California Section history with 3,596 yards to go along with his 38 career receiving touchdowns.
McKinley wasn’t able to surpass senior Torii Hunter for the starting X postion, obviously, and he apparently had some problems with drops in summer camp. That said, he was able to get separation and find ways to get open.
Unfortunately, McKinley suffered a broken fibula in October. He missed the rest of the season but will be 100% for April. I expect McKinley to show up to spring camp with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and ready to get back to his superstar form.
I believe he has the talent to be a productive member of the Irish offense in ’17.
Chris Finke
With depth being slim at the slot position, as well as C.J. Sanders having kick returning duties, former walk-on Chris Finke should get many opportunities to see the field.
Finke isn’t the biggest or flashiest player, but if defenses don’t show him respect, he will burn them.
Finke is a dangerous player in that regard. He has sneaky speed and runs crisp routes. With so many big names on the offense drawing attention, Finke should find himself open often when he’s in the game.
He had a great showing against USC at the end of the ’16 season and put points on the board for the Irish. I expect him to build on that success through the off season and look to put together good numbers this year.
Defense
Khalid Kareem
The once Alabama commit – Khalid Kareem, was a highly coveted recruit. He had an outstanding 37 sacks in his last two season of high school football.
He did play as a true freshman but not enough to make an impact or truly develop.
He did get his feet wet though.
He will not only be hungry to start blowing up the backfield, Kareem will have plenty of opportunity to not only see the field, but possibly even start at strong-side defensive end, given Isaac Rochell has moved on to the NFL.
Kareem has great size at 6’4, 275 pounds. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him show up at 285 pounds – a great size for the position. He has great length and technique as well as an array of traits you want to see in a defensive end.
If he puts it all together and shows up on September 2 in great shape and a determined attitude, he could end up being an explosive end in Elko’s defense.
Donte Vaughn
At 6’3, 195 pounds, the Tennessee native has a great frame for his position, one that gives him a great advantage in coverage.
There is a plethora of talent at the position, the only thing in his way of being a clear-cut starter.
Nick Watkins and Shaun Crawford will be returning as talented upperclassmen cornerbacks with starting experience.
Fellow sophomores Julian Love and Troy Pride Jr. will also be returning and looking to crack the two-deep.
Vaughn showed last year that he was more than just a 6’3 corner. He was tested as a true freshman and he showed that he can compete athletically as he has the technique and mindset to provide Notre Dame with a shutdown corner.
Whether or not Vaughn starts this year remains to be seen. That said, I truly think Vaughn will emerge as a star for Notre Dame in ’17.
Elijah Taylor
Taylor got his opportunity to show what he had during the final game of the year against USC, one of the best offensive lines they faced all season.
He managed to shed blocks and break free from the line several times as well as hold the point of attack with his solid strength.
Taylor has very little body fat. Some said he was around the 275 pound range late in the season, which is a little light for a defensive tackle. Hopefully he can show up against Temple 290+.
He will be a junior this season and should have a solid skill set ready to put to use. With Jarron Jones leaving for the NFL and questions about Daniel Cage’s health, Elijah Taylor should work his way into the 2 deep at one of the defensive tackle spots.
Which tackle position he plays will depend on how he develops physically. He likely won’t get a look at nose tackle if he’s still in the 275 pound range.
This one will be interesting to see. I think this is Taylor’s year to shine.
Must Read: Film And Analysis From Thursday's 6 Recent Irish Offers
There are a few freshman every year who surprise people by being consistent and relevant contributors. For example, I expected Julian Love to either redshirt or play in a very reserved role.
By the end of the season, he was arguably Notre Dame’s best defensive back and was getting the start, week after week.
This year, I expect at least one Julian Love – true freshman-type season out of one of the members from the ’17 class.
A few names come to mind that may be too good to keep off the field.
Darnell Ewell, Brock Wright, Cole Kmet and C.J. Holmes.
Click here for NDinsider.com article on Darnell Ewell and his plans at Notre Dame
If they get the opportunity, they have the talent to make big plays.
There are also a few true freshman that I could see surprising people if given the opportunity.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Isaiah Robertson and Kurt Hinish.
Those three have special traits I notice on film that I could see helping the Irish this year. If the strength and conditioning staff as well as their positional coaches can get them ready, I could see them being solid contributors as they play positions with questionable depth.