Notre Dame football: Five potential breakout players on offense in 2020

5. Braden Lenzy

Braden Lenzy was a highly sought after recruit out of the state of Oregon. He initially committed to Notre Dame before flipping his commitment to Oregon, and then ultimately switching his commitment back to the Irish.

Speed has never been a concern for the former high school track star. However, Lenzy needed to put on the additional size and strength needed to win battles against collegiate defensive backs. He was redshirted his freshman season, which allowed him to added some of the necessary size and strength.

Coming into his sophomore season, Lenzy was somewhat buried on the depth chart and there were still questions about whether his size and strength would allow him to succeed at the college level.  As a result, he was used sparingly at the beginning of the 2019 season.

However, after he broke out in a game against USC last season, where he would break off a 51-yard run for a touchdown at a crucial moment in the game, Lenzy showed flashes of the game-changing abilities that he possesses.

While injuries would hamper his playing time between the USC breakout game and the end of the season, Lenzy would become an explosive offensive weapon for the Notre Dame football team in limited action.

In nine games in 2019, Lenzy would have 11 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an exceptional 23.1 yards per catch. He was equally impressive in the running game where he would have 14 rushing attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an insane 15.4 yards per carry.

Braden Lenzy comes into the 2020 season as a dynamic player that Brian Kelly and Tommy Rees can use in a number of different capacities. He poses a threat as a wide receiver on deep vertical routes as well as screen passes underneath. In the running game, Lenzy has proven he is a home run threat on jet sweeps. There have also been rumors that Notre Dame is considering utilizing the electric wideout in the return game.

Regardless of where Lenzy lines up on the field, if Notre Dame can get the ball in his hands, he is a threat to take it to the house for a score. Given what we saw from him in limited action last season, one has to believe that with an offseason to prepare, Lenzy will undoubtedly play an integral role in the Irish offense in 2020, something Notre Dame football fans are undeniably excited for.