Notre Dame Football: 2020 Offensive regular season awards

Notre Dame Football: 2020 Offensive regular season awards

Best “Newcomer” Award

Several new players burst onto the scene in 2020, including freshman tight end Michael Mayer, graduate transfer Ben Skowronek, and freshman running back Chris Tyree. All three players made a tremendous impact.

Freshman running back Chris Tyree backed up Williams for most of the year, carrying the ball 67 times for 459 yards and three touchdowns. He finished third on the team in rushing, just behind Book, who had 465 yards. His contributions helped give Notre Dame’s running back room dept, and it gave the Irish another home run threat.

However, he has done most of his damage against lesser competition. Against Clemson and North Carolina, Tyree has a combined four carries for 12 yards.

Mayer, the freshman tight end from Covington Catholic, does not play like a “newcomer.” He looks and behaves like a junior. When he stepped on campus, he immediately became Notre Dame’s best receiving tight end, and during the regular season, he caught 30 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns.

Northwestern transfer Ben Skowronek topped them all. After suffering a hamstring injury against Duke, Skowronek missed time, but he came back with a vengeance against Pittsburgh, catching two passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns. In eight games, Skowronek caught 21 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns. When he progressed, the Irish offense really started to come alive with a balanced attack.

Mayer would normally win this award if it were not for a graduate transfer like Skowronek who truly changed the complexion of the Irish offense.

Best “Newcomer” Award: Ben Skowronek