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Notre Dame Football: Which Irish alumnus would have biggest impact in 2020?

By Ben Belden

SOUTH BEND, ID - NOVEMBER 05: Safety Tom Zbikowski #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away on a punt return as Antonio Reynolds #89, Demetrice Morley #20 and Brad Cottam #86 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers close in on November 5, 2005 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Tennessee 41-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, ID - NOVEMBER 05: Safety Tom Zbikowski #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away on a punt return as Antonio Reynolds #89, Demetrice Morley #20 and Brad Cottam #86 of the University of Tennessee Volunteers close in on November 5, 2005 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Tennessee 41-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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1. Raghib “Rocket” Ismail

PALO ALTO, CA – OCTOBER 7: Raghib Ismail #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish plays in an NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 1989 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – OCTOBER 7: Raghib Ismail #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish plays in an NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 1989 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

As famous as Ismail was at Notre Dame, plucked straight out of the late 80’s and put on to today’s roster, Rocket would have an even greater impact for the 2020 installment of the Irish.

In the same vein as the aforementioned Zbikowski, Rocket would, without a doubt, be a bolster for the Irish on special teams in the return game. In three years at Notre Dame, Ismail scored 6 times in the return game alone, which obviously played a major part in his legendary nickname.

If you look at Ismail’s numbers from scrimmage at Notre Dame, it’s easy to wonder how he was unable to get more touches.

Under Brian Kelly, the Irish have utilized the running back and wide receiver hybrid position to perfection multiple times. The likes of Theo Riddick and CJ Prosise thrived in such a role.

Ismail never got more than 99 touches in a single season (1990). Of those 99 touches, 32 were receptions, and 67 were rushes. In all, Ismail average 12.5 yards per touch in 1990. It’s hard to imagine what he could have done with more opportunities–opportunities he could get in a Brian Kelly offense.

Next. Linebacking is a position of consistency for Irish. dark

In an era of wide-open, fast-paced, get-your-players-into-space offense, Ismail would thrive and his big-play ability would be an unbelievable fit for the Irish offense.

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