Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: Ranking who will be most impactful in 2020 (15-6)

By Jack Leniart

ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the second half while playing the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the second half while playing the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action on defense 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: Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action on defense 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) /

13. Adetokunbo Ogundeji (Defensive End)

Best Ranking: 7

Worst Ranking: 21

Ade Ogundeji flew under the radar a bit as a high school player and as an underclassman at Notre Dame. He was a three-star prospect out of Walled Lake, Michigan and a member of the 2016 recruiting class.

As was expected, Ogundeji took a redshirt his first year in South Bend. He did see the field a handful of times in 2017, but it was mainly in games where Notre Dame had already built a comfortable lead.

The 2018 season was when we got our first real look at the talent and potential of Ogundeji. After two years in Notre Dame’s strength and conditioning program, Ogundeji added nearly 30 pounds to his frame. He worked his way up to second string on the depth chart and began making significant contributions to the defense.

Ogundeji finished the 2018 season with 22 total tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass break-up, half a sack, and a quarterback hurry.

The following season, Ogundeji was still second string on the depth chart; however, he was trusted with an expanded role in Notre Dame’s defensive line rotation. He finished the 2019 season with 34 total tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 4.5 sacks, and five quarterback hurries.

Qgundeji will step into a starting role for the first time in his college career this upcoming season. I think he will make the most of that opportunity and make a case to be a mid to late-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish