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Notre Dame Football: Projecting the 2018 Lineup (Offense)

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Josh Adams #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Josh Adams #33 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Although the Notre Dame football team still needs to play one game this season, many look to 2018 as the next shining hope for a possible national championship run. If experience indicates anything, the Irish position themselves nicely for a run at the College Football Playoff.

Quarterback

This position probably sways whether or not Notre Dame actually competes for the College Football Playoff in 2018. Despite a poor performance by Brandon Wimbush, the roster does not present better options for the signal-caller. At least, that option is not ready. Phil Jurkovec might become a great player but 2018 will not be that day.

Depth: Wimbush*, Book, Jurkovec, Davis

Running Back

The order of the depth chart position likely depends on Josh Adams. Several reasons exist on both sides of the argument for whether Adams should stay or go. Adams still has not shown he is able to run for an entire year. On the flip side, Running Backs only can take so many hits.

Tony Jones Jr. and Dexter Williams stand ready to take over for Adams if he does depart. The players behind him may alter or shift before the 2018 season. Freshman Running Back CJ Holmes was arrested recently for shoplifting. There is a strong chance that Holmes does not return to South Bend.

  • Depth: Jones, Williams, McIntosh, Smith

Wide Receiver

With the possible departure of Equanimeous St. Brown and the likely dismissal of Kevin Stepherson, Notre Dame’s Wide Receiver position does not jump off the page.

At the end of the day, St. Brown needs to return to South Bend after a lackluster Junior season.

Freshman Wide Receivers Braden Lenzy and Kevin Austin probably play a huge role in 2018.

  • Depth (X): Claypool*, Lenzy, McKinley

  • Depth (W): St. Brown*, Boykin, Austin

  • Depth (Z): Young, Finke, Sanders

Tight End

At the beginning of the season, everyone expected Alize Mack to look like an NFL player. The possibility of him leaving seemed real. Mack might leave Notre Dame but not for the NFL.

Nic Weishar already announced that he will return for a 5th-year. Along with current Freshman Cole Kmet and Brock Wright, these players look like the crew for 2018.

  • Depth: Kmet, Weishar, Wright

Next: 30 Things All Notre Dame Fans Should Do Before They Die

Offensive Line

The left side of the Irish Offensive Line departs for a bright future in the NFL. Four Notre Dame starters return for the 2018 season. Who secures the last position along the Offensive Line? Liam Eichenberg jumps right into the mix as the best option for Notre Dame.

  • Depth (LT): Eichenberg, Lugg

  • Depth (LG): Bars*, Banks

  • Depth (C): Mustipher*, Ruhland

  • Depth (RG): Kraemer*, Gibbons

  • Depth (RT): Hainsey*, Mabry

A grand total of seven starters on offense return to South Bend in 2018.

*Represents returning starter

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