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Notre Dame Football: 2019 Mid-season Superlatives

By Nathan Erbach

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Tony Jones Jr. #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Tony Jones Jr. #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – OCTOBER 27: Helmets of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish near the bench area in the 2nd half against the Navy Midshipmen at SDCCU Stadium on October 27, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

Newcomer of the Year

Preseason Pick – Tie between Kyle Hamilton and Jarrett Patterson 

I think the only thing wrong with our preseason selection was making this a tie. Patterson is a red-shirt freshman starting at center and performing well considering everything I just stated. He is also getting better with each snap.

All of that said, Kyle Hamilton is special — probably more special than we ever really realized. I will continue to say this until it is understood by all (and maybe it already is), but he is the best athlete Notre Dame has had since Jaylon Smith. He is a surefire draft pick — assuming he stays healthy — after his junior season. Our staff realizes this, and Hamilton received 8 of the 9 votes for the Newcomer award. The only writer that said differently was Ryan Palmeri, but that is because he had him as his breakout player.

As a true freshman who did not enroll early, Hamilton is sixth on the team in total tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions. He’s been so good that the Notre Dame coaching staff essentially plays a 3 safety set the majority of the game, with Hamilton as the single-high safety. He might be the newcomer of the year this season, but next year he is a front-runner for Team MVP.

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