Notre Dame football needs the best of Kevin Austin Jr. in 2021

There was a time when Kevin Austin Jr. was a premier recruit for this Notre Dame football program, as he was one of the top-100 players in the country coming out of North Broward Prep in Florida. A dynamic playmaker, Austin was expected to come in and be the eventual WR1 for quarterback Ian Book, but his career has gone sideways since he landed in South Bend.

After playing sparingly as a freshman, Austin missed his entire sophomore season, though he was expected to be the top guy on the depth chart heading into last season. However, he had to have foot surgery in the summer and then re-injured his foot during the regular season, as Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley took over as the top options at wideout for Book.

As he enters his senior season, he is going to need to not only produce, but lead a young group of wideouts coming in.

Notre Dame football needs a big year from Kevin Austin Jr.

The Notre Dame football program brought in some elite talent at wide receiver this recruiting class, adding the likes of Lorenzo Style Jr., Jayden Thomas, and Deion Colzie. All three have the opportunity to produce as a true freshman this Fall, but Austin is going to play the biggest role in this passing game this Fall.

There still is no word as to who will be the starting quarterback, though Jack Coan likely has the inside track, so a vet has to step up at wideout. That could be Austin, who had so much promise heading into his collegiate career but has still yet to put a complete season together.

Braden Lenzy is another guy who will have to step up for the Irish in 2021, and he has the playmaking ability to take the lid off a defense at any time. However, if Austin can finally stay healthy, and lead this group when you look at the talent at running back and tight end, this offense has a chance to be special even with all the losses upfront along the offensive line.