Notre Dame football: Breakout candidates-Defense

While 2019 starters Kurt Hinish and Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa return, Jayson Ademilola and Jacob Lacey will look to expand on their roles from last season. Both played major snaps as backups, and it could be argued they have a higher upside as a duo.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say they will pass the incumbents in 2020, but it should come as no surprise if one or both enter into a legitimate timeshare or actually does end up a starter. This is a great problem to have. Gone are the years that Notre Dame struggles to go four deep in the trenches, and defensive line coach Mike Elston deserves a ton of credit for his recruiting efforts.

Ademilola, entering his third year in the program, was quietly dominant at times last year while on the field – consistently getting into the backfield and creating negative plays for opponents. Lacey, a sophomore, would have played regardless if it was out of necessity in 2019,  but the defensive staff is thankful he was ready to go as a true freshman. Year two should only provide further evidence of his maturity physically and mentally at such a young age.