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Notre Dame Football: 3 Bold Predictions for 2020 Season

By Connor McJunkin

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after an interception during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after an interception during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish speaks to his line in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Chris Tyree Will Lead Notre Dame in Rushing Touchdowns

Depending on who you ask, this isn’t as bold of a prediction as some might think. The running back position is a big question mark heading into 2020. After losing Tony Jones Jr. to the NFL and the only notable experience returning is an injury-prone Jafar Armstrong, the position is up in the air.

Explosiveness is the run game is something that was sorely lacking in last year’s offense. After being spoiled by Josh Adams in 2018 and Dexter Williams in 2019, the drop off in big plays in the run game last year threw off the rhythm and style of offense the Irish are accustomed to running.

Now enter Chris Tyree, a true freshman who was the No. 1 all-purpose back in the country coming out of high school according to 247Sports.

The knock on Tyree coming into college was his size, and after beefing up to a solid 190 pounds, his size and explosive abilities surpass any other running back on the roster. In a season that will feature multiple backs taking handoffs, with no clear-cut #1 back, having the explosive gene will immediately make him a favorite to get touches and work his way into a bigger role in the offense.

It’s also exciting to see Tyree getting touches and producing early on in pre-season camp for the Irish – highlighted by two touchdown runs shown in the below snippet from practice this week.

While the returners on the roster include Armstrong, Jahmir Smith, C’Bo Flemister, and Kyren Williams, it’s easy to stand out when you can do things those guys cannot.

Should Tyree become a more important factor in the offense, he will be getting touches behind one of the best offensive lines in the country and can use that explosiveness to score anywhere on the field.

I’d be surprised if anyone this season had the type of success that Dexter Williams had in 2018 with his 12 scores, but I do not find it out of the question for Tyree to find the endzone 7 or 8 times and lead the team.

Only time will tell, but the abilities of Tyree are real and he has a great chance to make a name for himself as a true freshman.

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