Notre Dame Football: Take Brandon Wimbush Heisman expectations as nothing more than overhype

Notre Dame football quarterback, Brandon Wimbush, is quietly making his way into the 2017 Heisman race.

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It seems that the hype of Notre Dame football has taken another step, as a first-year starting quarterback, Brandon Wimbush, has been tagged as a Heisman dark horse for 2017. If overcoming a 4-8 season wasn’t enough, the Fighting Irish now have to live up to Heisman expectations. That’s a lot for a first-year starter to endure.

I’m sure Wimbush is ready, though. No college athlete comes into a year looking to be mediocre. For Wimbush, though, he’s taking on the world in South Bend, and with even the slightest misstep, he can let the entire Notre Dame fanbase down.

Yes, he’s already had two years of development with Brian Kelly and DeShone Kizer, but a Heisman expectation and a College Football Playoff run may be too much to live up to. Let’s keep it realistic and understand that Wimbush is an incredible quarterback, but if he wins the Heisman take it as a bonus, not an expectation.

He could easily do it. He’s the leader of an offense with more weapons than Notre Dame has had in years. If they can return to the AP Poll and work their way into the College Football Playoff discussion, Wimbush’s name will be a hot topic.

You don’t need to necessarily break records or have the greatest season ever to win the Heisman. All you need to do is win and impress week after week. Seeing what Notre Dame has done this spring, that’s a strong possibility for the Irish’s new quarterback.

Wimbush is going to be exciting. So exciting that he wins a Heisman could be a stretch. With some impressive games, a 70-yard touchdown run or two, and a winning record, and Wimbush could pull this off.

Keep expectations high for this kid, but let’s be real. Brandon Wimbush is going to be a freak this season, he’ll easily be a contender for the Heisman, and Notre Dame is going to win… a lot of games. Don’t look at it like they have an instant Heisman and a National Championship before the season starts.

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Let it play out. Take each win as just that; a win. When these extras start happening, and this team starts working their way into the top four, that’s when we can look for more. Until then, remember, this is a 4-8 team who has a lot to prove.

They will prove it, don’t take it wrong. But until they do, don’t overhype every storyline you hear.