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Notre Dame Football: Which Freshman Can Start in 2017?

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) and head coach Brian Kelly run onto the field before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) and head coach Brian Kelly run onto the field before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football had one of the country’s best 2017 recruiting classes, but which of these freshmen can start this season?

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While many people believed C.J. Holmes would have some sort of impact on the running game this season, a shoulder injury may keep him as a redshirt for his first year. Their two incoming defensive tackles, Darnell Ewell and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, could also be in the discussion. But the name that may surprise people is Kofi Wardlow.

Wardlow, the defensive end out of Washington D.C., has less football experience than most high school kids. Stepping on a field for the first time only two years ago, Wardlow became a high school star during his first year as a football player.

As Notre Dame’s last signee, Wardlow was and is considered a project with a ton of potential. But, if he continues to shine, he may be the pass rusher the Fighting Irish and defensive coordinator Mike Elko have been looking for.

There’s no question Notre Dame needs to upgrade their pass rush. Last season, the Irish finished with 14 sacks, ranking 117th in the FBS. With their added depth on the defensive line, though, they’re hoping to turn a forgettable defensive season, one of the worst in program history, into a solid comeback.

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In just his second football season ever, Wardlow racked up 84 tackles, 28 of them for loss and 9.5 sacks. Not bad for an average high school senior let alone a player entering his second year of experience.

While Wardlow isn’t on campus just yet, he is still participating in Matt Balis’ offseason workout plan. As we’ve all seen from the results of Te’von Coney on Twitter, the program is definitely working. At 230-pounds during his commitment, Wardlow may have already started to put on weight. If he hasn’t yet, he will once he gets in the weight room in South Bend.

https://twitter.com/TevonConey/status/850792923394342912

Don’t sleep on this kid. He’s a three-star athlete that’s played football for two years. Yes, he may be a project because he needs to learn more of the game, but in college, that education will come nonstop. He’ll be a full-time student to the game during his freshman season and coaches are going to give him chances because they’ll be working with him so much.

Wardlow may be the first freshman to get his chance in the starting lineup. He’ll be battling with sophomores, Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara and Adetokunbo Ogundeji, and could very well be prepared to take over as soon as he steps on campus.

“Whether I do, it’s up to Coach Elston and them,” Wardlow told ND Insider’s Eric Hansen on the possibility of starting. “So I go in with the mindset, ‘I’m ready to play, ready to start, ready to contribute to the team.’ Then, whatever happens, happens.”

Be prepared for Wardlow. He’s a real under-the-radar player who is just beginning his football career. Don’t be surprised if he turns out to be the best player in Notre Dame’s 2017 recruiting class. He’s got great pass rush ability and fills a void the Irish desperately need fixed.

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Wardlow could shock a lot of people this season. Just don’t say you weren’t warned if he starts to dominate on this Irish defense in 2017.

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