Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Players of the Brian Kelly Era

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
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Notre Dame football
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 14: Will Fuller #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 14, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 28-7. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

4. Will Fuller, WR

*Flash Gordon them song plays* This man can fly.

It’s hard to miss the talent that Fuller brings to the football field –unless you blink. As a true freshman in 2013, he saw action in all thirteen games — including three official starts.

Fuller had a breakout season in 2014. He had 76 catches for 1094 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15 receiving touchdowns tied the Notre Dame single-season record. The following year, Fuller racked up 1258 yards receiving on only 62 catches.

His speed and deep-threat ability made the job of first-time starter DeShone Kizer much easier in 2015.

Fuller declared for the draft after his junior season and was selected in the first round with the twenty-first overall pick.

Notre Dame football
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 21: Damon Knox #93 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes against Ronnie Stanley #78 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 21, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 17-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

3. Ronnie Stanley, OT

Stanley is another piece of evidence in Notre Dame’s case to be named “O-Line U.” At 6-5, 315 lbs, he has the prototypical build NFL scouts look for in an offensive tackle.

Like most offensive tackle prospects in college, Stanley started off at right tackle. After limited playing time as a freshman, he started all thirteen games at that position in 2013.

Stanley made the transition to left tackle before the start of the 2014 season and started every game at that position over the next two years. He then entered the 2016 NFL Draft where he was selected in the first round with the sixth overall pick.