Notre Dame: Claypool was Offensive Player of the Camping World Bowl
Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool finished his college football career with a terrific performance.
You know Notre Dame had a good day offensively when it’s difficult to choose who the offensive player of the game was. Too often this season there was only one good option, or even no worthwhile options. *Cough* Michigan *cough*.
Instead, both the performances of Tony Jones Jr. and Chase Claypool deserve recognition. Jones ran for 135 yards on 11 carries. He also found the endzone for an explosive score, and was less than a yard from another. As for Claypool, he had 7 catches for 146 yards, and a brilliant touchdown catch along the sideline.
It was nice to see Jones get going, and Tommy Rees establish the run better in his play calling than Chip Long had this season. Thankfully, Ian Book wasn’t forced into being the teams leading rusher again. It was good that Book was able to create on the ground all season, and keep the offense balanced, but it’s best when that production comes from a running back.
With all that being said, Chase Claypool was the offensive player of the Camping World Bowl.
Claypool was a dominant force, and Notre Dame is unlikely to have a receiver of his caliber for a long time. His 1st quarter touchdown catch made a simple statement: Iowa State’s defense doesn’t have the athletes to hang with Claypool and the Notre Dame offense.
As a downfield blocker, Claypool doesn’t get the credit he’s due. He works to find blocks downfield, and once he’s on a defender, they never seem to get away. It helps spring running backs loose on the second level.
By demanding double teams, Claypool makes it easier for every other Notre Dame receiver to get open, because they’re virtually ignored by the opposing team’s safeties. He made everyone around him better.
In a lot of ways, Claypool deserves to be offensive player of the Camping World Bowl as a lifetime achievement. He was the best player on this Notre Dame team all season — without a doubt.
If none of that is worth offensive player of Camping World Bowl in your mind, and if Tony Jones Jr’s performance is still more worthy in your mind –well, you’re wrong. Claypool averaged 10.5 more yards per touch than Jones.
Next. Wu was DPOG vs Iowa State. dark
That’s why Claypool won Camping World Bowl MVP, and was the best Offensive Player of the Camping World Bowl.