Notre Dame Football: The Most Dangerous Player on Every Team the Irish face in 2019

As always, there are high hopes for the Notre Dame football season. That said, it’s never too early to take a look at some people who could make life pretty difficult for the Irish in 2019.

As you bounce around your favorite Notre Dame football sites, you’re going to find endless coverage focused on Irish players and coaches. That’s great, but let’s not forget that there are 12 teams preparing to give Notre Dame all they can handle in the 2019 season.

Each of those teams has at least one player capable of making life difficult for the Irish on game day. Here are the most dangerous players on every team Notre Dame faces this coming season.

Hassan Hall, Running Back, Louisville

Hall is a shifty speedster who can beat you for home runs as both a running back and a receiver. He’ll cause some matchup problems in coverage, and it doesn’t take much for him to hit top speed if he finds a crease in the line. He only had 402 all-purposes yards on 82 touches last year, but his usage should increase this season.

Marcus Williams, Tight End, New Mexico

Williams is more of an oversized receiver than he is a tight end from a physical standpoint. For that reason, however, he may demand more than just a linebacker covering him. He found the end zone three times last season, and will be one of New Mexico’s top options if they get in the red zone.

D’Andre Swift, Running Back, Georgia

We saw the Irish get gashed on the ground a couple of times in 2018. Swift is about as good as they come. He ran for 1,049 yards and ten touchdowns last season while splitting carries with Elijah Holyfield.

Bryce Hall, Cornerback, Virginia

Hall is one of the better corners in the ACC — if not the country. His size, length and speed give him the ability to match up with and subsequently shutdown any receiver on Notre Dame’s roster. He had 21 passes defended in 2018.

Andrew Clair, Running Back, Bowling Green

Clair is a dangerous scat back who also thrives as a receiver. He’s small, so he can get lost behind the line of scrimmage and pop off for long runs or cause coverage lapses. He had 804 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.

Michael Pittman Jr., Wide Receiver, Southern Cal

At 6’4″, 225 pounds, Pittman is about as physically imposing of a receiver as you’re going to see at the collegiate level. He caught seven passes for 91 yards against the Irish last year and will be the No. 1 option in the Trojan passing game this season.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Wide Receiver, Michigan

People-Jones is probably the most polished receiver the Irish will face in 2019. He can beat you over the middle or on the deep ball. He has a knack for getting open when the Wolverines need it most, and will be the top target when Michigan needs to move the chains.

Houshun Gaines, Defensive End, Virginia Tech

Gaines went down with an ACL injury in 2018, but not before he logged 4.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. He is an absolute disruptor off the edge who can ruin a play in the backfield before it develops.

Deon Jackson, Running Back, Duke

Jackson is a big, physical back who can move chains and kill clock as well as anyone in the country. If Duke can keep the game close, stopping Jackson in that regard becomes paramount. Actually doing so is another story. He’s also a capable receiver. Jackson piled up 1,100 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in 2018.

Malcom Perry, Quarterback, Navy

Navy’s best athlete usually plays the quarterback position, and head coach Ken Niumatalolo has retooled the offense to cater to Perry’s skills in 2019. Prepping for Navy is always a chore, but the degree of difficulty is increased when an athlete like Perry is under center. He ran for over 1,000 yards in 2018.

AJ Dillon, Running Back, Boston College

All the 6’0″, 250-pound Dillon has done during his two seasons of college football is rush for 2,697 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s a load with speed, and he’ll be a handful for the Irish defense in what could very well be some frigid temperatures.

Colby Parkinson, Tight End, Stanford

At 6’7″, 240 pounds, Parkinson is a massive target for quarterback KJ Costello and a serious matchup problem for every team Stanford faces — including Notre Dame. He caught 29 balls for 485 yards and seven scores in 2018. Don’t be shocked to see all of those numbers increase in 2019.