Top 5 Defensive players Notre Dame football will face in 2020

Ian Book and Co. will face some top-notch defenders as they navigate the 2020 Notre Dame football schedule.

The 2020 Notre Dame football season will be here before we know it. This season, Ian Book will lead what should be another very talented — yet green — offense.

That offense will be tested against some of the better defensive players in the nation.

Here are, in no particular order, the Top 5 defensive players Notre Dame football will face in 2020.

Jaylen Twyman, DL, Pitt

Twyman is projected by some as a preseason All-American heading into the 2020 season. He is a disruptive force on the interior line for the Panthers, and he has the ability to cause serious problems for the Irish o-line. He logged 10.5 sacks in 2019.

Victor Dimukeje, DE, Duke

Dimukeje was one of the best edge rushers in the ACC in 2019, piling up 8.5 sacks on the year — with all of them coming after Oct. 1. He was shut out in that department against Notre Dame in that department last season. He’ll look to change that in 2020.

Paris Ford, DB, Pitt

Ford proved to be one of the better defensive backs in the ACC in 2019. He had 90 total tackles to go along with 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The kid is a playmaker who could give Notre Dame receivers and tight ends fits in 2020.

Carlos Basham, DL, Wake Forest

Basham could be a first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as he has the size and athleticism to play inside or outside on in most schemes. He logged 11 sacks in 2019, and he’d love to get a couple against the Irish in 2020.

Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

Adebo is one of the very best cover corners in the country. During the 2019 campaign, he defended 10 passes and intercepted four.  During the two seasons of his college career, He has eight interceptions and 27 passes defended. He’s a guy who whose presence changes how opponents attack through the air.