Could 2019 Be a Turning Point for Notre Dame Football?
By Ben Belden
After back-to-back solid seasons, Notre Dame football may be showing hints that the 2019 season could be a turning point for the Irish.
For Brian Kelly, the re-build of the Notre Dame football program has been discussed ad nauseam. After a rough 4-8 season, Kelly tore the program nearly to its studs and built it back up.
The re-build has gone about as well as one could (or at least should) be reasonably expected. In the past two years, the Irish have amassed a record of 22 wins and 4 losses, reaching the College Football Playoff along the way. What they haven’t been able to accomplish is a meaningful win in the postseason.
The Citrus Bowl was a nice start, but let’s face it: It’s not the end game that makes most Notre Dame fans particularly ecstatic.
Notre Dame needs to find itself in contention for national championships sooner rather than later. And while last December may make it seem as if the Irish are light-years away from serious title contention, the reality is that the Irish could be on the verge of getting over the hump.
For evidence, look no further than the performance of Notre Dame athletes at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Recruiting isn’t likely going to change drastically. More than likely, Notre Dame can’t become a pipeline of five-star recruits any time soon. What it can become is a place that develops the four-star talent that it does land better than anyone else.
From the outside, it seems that the Irish are well on the way. Just ask Miles Boykin, who clearly did not skip leg days during his time in South Bend.
The way that Notre Dame players performed at the scouting combine is indicative at the high level of physical and mental development that goes on in South Bend. Take a look at Miles Boykin’s stats: Through his first three years at Notre Dame, Boykin caught 18 passes. One year later, he lead the Irish in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns and is one of the best receiver prospects in this draft.
Next. Spring Practice Raises Questions for the Irish Defense. dark
Maybe the Irish won’t land the best recruits (although the success of players like Boykin might help them land a few more), but they can develop the ones they have. The evidence points to the fact that the Irish are doing that pretty well following a re-build from two years ago. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Irish get over the hump in year three.