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Notre Dame Football: Top Defensive Players Irish Will Face in 2018

By Jack Leniart

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines***Brad Robbins #3 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 16: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines***Brad Robbins #3 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Air Force Falcons at Michigan Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Chris Godwin #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a 72-yard touchdown reception against defensive back Iman Marshall #8 of the USC Trojans in the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Chris Godwin #12 of the Penn State Nittany Lions makes a 72-yard touchdown reception against defensive back Iman Marshall #8 of the USC Trojans in the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team will face a some of the best defensive players in the nation in 2018.

Notre Dame football had one of the better offenses in the nation in 2017. They ranked 12th in offensive efficiency, 24th in yards per game and 22nd in points per game.

Four players (Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, Durham Smythe, Equanimeous St. Brown) from Notre Dame’s offense were selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, including two in the first nine picks. Then, shortly after the draft concluded, Josh Adams signed a deal as an undrafted free agent.

Heading into 2018, there are plenty of questions surrounding the Irish offense. Naturally, those questions start with the quarterback position. Brandon Wimbush is the heavy favorite to be named as the starter, but an open competition will continue through fall camp.

Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars were named as captains earlier this Spring. The duo will anchor the Notre Dame offensive line next season with hopes to recreate the success that position group had in 2017.

There are a plethora of talented pass-catchers and running backs on the roster, but, for the most part, they are either inconsistent or unproven. Those are the position groups where we are likely to see the most variance.

This next iteration of the Irish offense will have to get caught up to speed quickly because they open the season against a team with one of the best defenses in the country, Michigan.

Notre Dame will face plenty of challenges in the upcoming season. Here are the top-10 defensive players they will have to face.

Honorable Mention: Lavert Hill (CB, Michigan), Iman Marshall (CB, USC, pictured above), Brian Burns (DE, FSU)

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