After losing 31-14 to Alabama, Brian Kelly begins the task of rebuilding Notre Dame football and preparing for the 2021 season.
Notre Dame football head coach Brian Kelly needs to replace a significant amount of players next season, including multi-year starting quarterback Ian Back. Although Notre Dame needs several players to step up in 2021, the coaching staff built significant depth during the recent Irish resurrection.
New starters will have received substantial playing time before kicking off the season against Florida State next Fall.
Draft declarations, injuries, recoveries, and graduate transfers could impact who starts for the Fighting Irish. Aaron Banks, Tommy Tremble, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah all declared for the NFL Draft, and those are all key players for the program. However, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Kurt Hinish plan to return next season, as Hinish will take advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic.
While the offense will benefit from continuity under offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, the alignment of the defense could alter dramatically in 2021. The Irish recently hired a new defensive coordinator to take over for Clark Lea, who took the head coaching job at Vanderbilt, and he is a good one.
Marcus Freeman was the most sought-after defensive coordinator prospect in college football, and he decided on South Bend over LSU. The defense could change a bit in 2021, for example, the “rover” spot might change, and this alteration could leave some players without an ideal position.
Whether or not the NCAA allows spring practice could have a major impact on the starting lineup as well. If Notre Dame is not allowed to practice this spring, more experienced players have a leg up on younger, more talented players. Only a few players have a firm grasp on their positions like Kyren Williams at running back and Kyle Hamilton at safety.
Here is a way-too-early preview of Notre Dame’s projected 2021 lineup.
The Fighting Irish offense features 8 players with starting experience.
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees needs to remake the Irish offense in 2021. The team loses Ian Book, Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Banks, Tommy Kraemer, Robert Hainsey, Tommy Tremble, Ben Skowronek, and Javon McKinley.
Replacing these eight contributors will be difficult.
- Quarterback: Jack Coan
Brendon Clark, Drew Pyne, and Tyler Buchner were slated to vie for the starting quarterback spot over the spring and summer. However, Jack Coan jumps the line and starts for the Irish.
- Running Back: Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams will need to find other ways to make a tremendous impact as he did in 2020. With a newly formed offensive line, Williams will not have massive holes to run through.
- Left Tackle: Jarrett Patterson
Although Jarrett Patterson started at center this season, left tackle is his best position. Patterson replaces Eichenberg in 2021 and gives whoever is under center a talented player protecting their blind side.
- Left Guard: Dillan Gibbons
Dillan Gibbons returns to Notre Dame for his fifth year. Against Florida State, Gibbons replaced Banks when he slid over to left tackle after Liam Eichenberg suffered an eye injury.
- Center: Zeke Correll
Zeke Correll started two games last season, North Carolina and against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. He would have played against Syracuse and Clemson if he did not suffer an ankle injury. Correll played well in two starts and will only get better.
- Right Guard: Quinn Carroll
The second guard position is up for grabs. If Notre Dame decides to go with size at the position, Quinn Carroll fits the bill. Andrew Kristofic, John Dirksen, or Rocco Spindler could also fit here.
- Right Tackle: Josh Lugg
Josh Lugg was Notre Dame’s sixth-best offensive linemen in 2020. In 2021, Lugg can play at his best position of the right tackle and should be a cornerstone on this offensive line.
- Tight End: Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer made a huge impact during his freshman season at Notre Dame. He finished the year with 42 receptions for 450 yards and two touchdowns. He is a guy who the new quarterback is going to rely on heavily in 2021.
- Wide Receiver (W): Kevin Austin
Kevin Austin is a potential game-changer at the wide receiver position. However, his game-changing ability has been on the bench with numerous injuries and suspensions. If he is healthy and ready to go in 2021, he could have a breakout season.
- Wide Receiver (X): Branden Lenzy
Brenden Lenzy lost his starting position due to injury in 2020. McKinley and Skowronek were used instead of Lenzy, but he can bring lots of speed to the field and will have every opportunity to be a starter in 2021.
- Slot Receiver (Z): Avery Davis
Avery Davis took the slot receiver position by storm last season, paving the way for what should be an excellent 2021 campaign. The real competition in 2021 will be between Davis and the second tight end for who is one on the field more often.
New defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman brings energy and a great pedigree to South Bend.
Despite losing a lot of starters in 2020, the Notre Dame defense depth is still strong. The group can play multiple players along the defensive line.
The true test is in the secondary where recruiting misses leave the Irish extremely thin.
- Strongside Defensive End: Justin Ademilola
Justin Ademilola registered 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss during the 2020 season. He moves into a starting spot this year with the departure of Ade Ogundeji, who is going to be a good one at the next level.
- Defensive Tackle: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa returns to Notre Dame for his fifth season in an Irish uniform. He is an extremely productive and disruptive player, and last year, he collected 17 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss.
- Nose Guard: Kurt Hinish
Kurt Hinish opted to use a free year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the pandemic. He helps bolster the inside of the Notre Dame defensive line.
- Weakside Defensive End: Isaiah Foskey
Isaiah Foskey is the most talented defensive linemen on Notre Dame’s roster. He finished the 2020 campaign with 20 tackles and five tackles for loss. Foskey should grow into a true playmaker in 2021 with more playing time.
- Strongside Linebacker: Jack Kiser
With new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman putting his own spin on the defense, it is unclear what the rover position will become in 2021. At Cincinnati, the Bearcats started a smaller linebacker who was listed at 5’10” and 205 lbs. This could bode well for Isaiah Pryor who was working at the rover spot behind Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
- Middle Linebacker: Drew White
Drew White returns to anchor the Notre Dame defense in 2021. He will continue to be productive, like last season, White made 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two passes defended, and two quarterback hurries.
- Weakside Linebacker: Shayne Simon
Marist Liufau could also start at this position, as the spot was mainly shared by Shayne Simon and Liufau for the entire season. Simon is the more traditional linebacker and is a safer bet.
- Field Cornerback: Clarence Lewis
Clarence Lewis surprised Notre Dame fans and coaches by leapfrogging older teammates and seizing the second cornerback position. He will only continue to get better in his sophomore year.
- Free Safety: Kyle Hamilton
By far, Notre Dame’s best player on defense is their All-American safety. Kyle Hamilton led the team in tackles in 2020 with 63 total stops. He will definitely be the leading tackles in 2021.
- Strong Safety: DJ Brown
The Fighting Irish could look to add a graduate transfer at the safety and cornerback positions. If not, DJ Brown is the logical choice to replace Shaun Crawford at the spot next to Hamilton.
- Boundary Cornerback: Philip Riley
There are no great options at the cornerback spot. If Notre Dame cannot secure a graduate transfer at the cornerback position, Cam Hart, Tariq Bracy, Caleb Offord, Ramon Henderson, Philip Riley, Ryan Barnes, and Chance Tucker all will get a chance to start. All but Hart and Bracy are freshmen or redshirt freshmen, but Riley played against great competition in Florida and is probably ready to start for the Irish.