Is The Notre Dame Offensive Line Underrated Heading Into 2018?

A lot of people around the country are assuming significant regression for Notre Dame’s offensive line play heading into the 2018 season.

Listen to national talk shows and read articles from outlets around the country and you’ll hear the same thing: Notre Dame’s offensive line is going to take a step back in 2018.

This knee-jerk, lazy assumption being made by talking heads and opposing fans nationwide stems from the losses of Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey — two top ten NFL Draft picks in 2018 — and the departure of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. One writer even ranked Notre Dame No. 21 on his Associated Press Top 25 ballot, based largely on a “rebuilt” offensive line.

Granted, when most programs lose that sort of talent both personnel and coaching-wise, there may be a decent amount of dropoff in production. That said, Notre Dame’s offensive line is in much better shape that people are giving it credit for.

Starting at center, Sam Mustipher returns to lead the unit. He was solid last season and is projected to be one of the best in the country at his position — evident in his inclusion on both the Rimington Award and Outland Trophy Watch Lists. He was also named as a preseason All-American by Athlon.

At guard, Alex Bars returns as a starter after an outstanding 2017 sophomore campaign. Like Mustipher, he too is on the Outland Trophy watchlist and was named a preseason All-American by The Sporting News.

Tommy Kraemer’s name is getting kicked around by NFL Draft gurus as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick in 2020 as a tackle. He’ll likely line up at guard for Notre Dame most of the time in 2018.

At offensive tackle, you are looking at two guys in Liam Eichenberg and Robert Hainsey who possess rare athleticism at the position. Both are former 4-star recruits who have paid their dues, gotten some experience and assumed their full-time starting roles right on schedule.

So basically, Notre Dame’s “rebuilt” offensive line will consist of a starting five of at least three sure-fire NFL Draft picks and two 4-star recruits. The vast majority of college football programs in the country would love to have a “rebuilding” situation like the Irish have.

If anything, the fame and notoriety garnered deservedly garnered by Nelson and McGlinchey in 2017 and all during NFL Draft season seems to have raised the expectation bar for offensive line play at Notre Dame.

Will the unit be just as good as it was in 2017? That’s tough if-not-impossible to say at this point. But one thing is almost certain — the Irish offensive line will once again be one of the best in the country. The unit will likely be the last place you look if the 2018 Fighting Irish fail to contend for a College Football Playoff berth in 2018.