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Notre Dame Football: Which Offensive Players Will Make Preseason Watch Lists?

By J.P. Scott

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Tony Jones Jr. #34 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with Alex Bars #71 after scoring a touchdown against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Tony Jones Jr. #34 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with Alex Bars #71 after scoring a touchdown against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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In Part II of a two-part series, we look at a handful of Notre Dame football offensive players who could see their names on the “Watch Lists” of some of college football’s most prestigious awards in 2018.

During these dog days of Spring and Summer, the days without football seem to drag by slowly. Months without Notre Dame football seem like years, and all we have to keep our minds occupied and football appetites satisfied are the thoughts of what could come during the 2018 season.

In a couple more months, college football’s most prestigious individual awards will begin releasing their annual “Watch Lists” — the players most likely to perform well enough to be in contention for the respective rewards.

In all likelihood, several Notre Dame football players will see their names on these lists. Yesterday we took a look at the defensive players and awards. Today, we dive into which offensive players could be named as well as the awards they’ll be competing for.

Brandon Wimbush, QB

Wimbush enters the 2018 season as one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. That — combined with being the starter at Notre Dame — is likely going to land him on both the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award watch lists. Both awards are given to the nation’s top overall player. You’ll also probably see his name on the Davey O’Brien Award watch list. That one is given to the nation’s top quarterback.

Chase Claypool, WR

Based on his stats last season and the show he put on during the Spring game, don’t be shocked to see Claypool’s name on the Biletnikoff Watch List. That award goes to the nation’s top wide receiver.

Miles Boykin, WR

Boykin also has a very good chance at making the Biletnikoff Watch List. Anyone who watched the bowl game against LSU last season saw the potential, and knowing he’ll replace Equanimeous St. Brown won’t hurt his chances.

Alize Mack, TE

This is all about potential, but Mack has an outside shot at showing up on the John Mackey Award watch list. The Mackey goes to the nation’s best tight end.

Sam Mustipher, C

Mustipher made the Rimington Award watch list a season ago and he’s a lock to make it again this year. That award goes to the top center in all of college football. He’ll also likely see his name on the Outland Trophy watch list. That award goes to the top interior lineman in college football — offense or defense.

Alex Bars, OL

Bars has a decent shot of appearing on the Outland Trophy watch list based solely on the integral role he’ll play on the Irish offense line.

Liam Eichenberg, OT

Eichenberg will be one of the top offensive tackles in the country and is basically a lock to appear on the Outland Trophy watch list.

Next: Which Defensive Players Will Appear on Preseason Watch Lists?

Justin Yoon, K

Yoon made the Lou Groza watch list a couple of years ago. There’s a good chance he makes it this season as well, coming off a year where he was perfect on both extra point attempts and field goals inside 40 yards.

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