Notre Dame Football: Writers Make Season Predictions
![SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: The macot, cheerleaders and players forthe Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 04: The macot, cheerleaders and players forthe Notre Dame Fighting Irish run onto the field before a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium on November 4, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 48-37. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/88b360c0a950741edf2c79410e5ccfea95d2f8f8afefd53684c5fa11493eb2ac.jpg)
Most Improved Player
CN: Nick Coleman — I was hesitant to say this at first because we haven’t seen him on the field, but the coaches have been singing his praises all summer and fall. He should be a huge asset on the back-end as a senior.
CM: Brandon Wimbush — Sometimes the easy answer is the right answer. Wimbush will greatly improve from last season. Maybe not enough for me to predict him as the Team MVP, but I expect huge improvement nonetheless. We know he can make plays with his feet, but if he can improve his completion percentage simply to the mid 50’s there will be a lot to look forward to this season.
JS: Brandon Wimbush — I think the Wimbush we saw in the Spring game is what we’ll get all season. If that’s the case, it will be a special year for both Wimbush and the Irish.
SM: Alize Mack — The tight end position will go back to being one of the best units on the team this season, and it starts with Mack. He wasn’t as bad as portrayed last season, but his on-field production will show up in that stat sheet much more often in 2018. I expect him to be great receiving and blocking tight end.
NE: Chase Claypool — No one fits this description more than Chase Claypool. The coaching staff wasn’t pleased with his overall effort, production or concentration last season, but as we enter the 2018 season, things seem to have clicked for the junior wideout. Chip Long and Brian Kelly have brought his name up numerous times without being asked about him, which is usually very telling. Claypool is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the country, and if he has truly hit that next level, we could be looking at a Team MVP candidate.