Notre Dame football: 3 Duke players to watch on offense against the Irish
By Matt Clark
Noah Gray
When the Duke Blue Devils come to South Bend on Saturday, the Notre Dame football team will undoubtedly be game-planning for senior tight end Noah Gray. The 6’4″ and 240-pound Gray was a 2nd team All-American and 2nd team All-ACC player last season, after recording 51 receptions for 392 yards and three touchdowns.
The 51 receptions were the second most receptions amongst all Power 5 tight ends. Gray was the clear cut favorite target of former starting quarterback Quentin Harris. With what is expected to be a more prolific ariel attack by Duke, with Chase Brice at quarterback, and a stronger supporting cast, opposing defenses won’t be able to key in on Gray as easily as they have been able to in past seasons.
Gray, who was recently named as a Duke team captain, was also named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and John Mackey Award watchlists. He is expected to be drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the top tight ends in the nation.
Duke has stated that they want to open up the vertical passing game this year. If Gray can have success catching passes in the middle of the field, he will certainly allow head coach David Cutcliffe to exploit defenses vertically, if they put too much focus on containing Gray across the middle.
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As a result, Notre Dame’s starting linebacker group of Shayne Simon, Drew White, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will have to be vigilant to not allow Gray to dominate the middle of the field for the Blue Devils. If they are able to contain him, it will take away perhaps the most dangerous weapon that Duke has, and should result in a successful game for the Notre Dame football team.