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Notre Dame Football: The Top 5 – Ranking 2020’s Most Impactful Players

By Andrew Hall

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers avoids a tackle by Daelin Hayes #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers avoids a tackle by Daelin Hayes #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

5. Daelin Hayes

Best Ranking: No. 4

Worst Ranking: No. 16

Hayes suffered a season-ending injury against Virginia in 2019. Luckily for Notre Dame and Hayes, only four games occurred which allowed him to use a redshirt season and return for the 2020 season. Hayes, now a captain, is leading Notre Dame on and off-the-field.

The Graduate student from Ann Arbor, Michigan gives the Irish plenty of position flexibility along the Defensive Line. He begins the season as the starting Vyper in Clark Lea’s defense. However, Hayes can definitely be utilized at the Strongside Defensive End as well as along the interior in passing rushing situations.

Hayes’ best season occurred in 2017 when he finished with 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He posted similar stats in 2018. Last year, he was likely on his way to a tremendous season before he suffered his season-ending injury.

This season, Hayes finds himself the elder statesman among numerous talented Notre Dame Defensive Ends. How will Hayes put the numbers that he did in 2017 and 2018? His position flexibility should give him enough opportunities on-the-field. However, with so many talented players at his position and a history of injuries, Clark Lea and the Notre Dame coaching staff may feel content with giving Hayes a series off frequently.

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