5 Breakout Candidates for Notre Dame Football in 2021

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Avery Davis (3) catches a pass in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

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Zeke Correll will be counted on in a big way in 2021. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football breakout candidates: Zeke Correll, OL

After starting center Jarrett Patterson suffered a season-ending foot injury late in the season, Zeke Correll stepped up and started vs North Carolina before suffering a lower-body injury himself. He missed the Syracuse and Clemson game but returned against Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

Correll looked solid in the interior during his two starts and perhaps the most impressive testament to his play was his physicality and ability to hold his own vs the Crimson Tide. With Patterson most likely moving to tackle heading into 2021, Correll will be the starting center for an Irish offensive line that will look drastically different from last year.

At 6-3, 300 pounds, Correll is one of the most talented returning offensive linemen for the Irish and will be a key component to the success in the trenches next season.

With a few starts now under his belt and another off-season upcoming to get bigger, faster, and stronger, I expect Correll to put together a huge season for the Irish and help lead the way for Kyren William’s sophomore campaign.

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