Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: Phil Steele CFP preseason top-10 rankings for 2021

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Even though the Notre Dame Football program is losing a ton of talent this offseason, that does not mean that the cupboard is barren. In fact, after seeing a group that won over games go, there is still a lot to be excited about next season in South Bend, including some young players who will have the opportunity to step up.

The running back room is loaded, as Kyren Williams is fresh off a 1,000-yard season, and Chris Tyree returns to take some of the load. Also, true freshman Audric Estime and Logan Diggs are exciting prospects, while at tight end, the Irish may have the best player in the country at the position in Michael Mayer, entering his true sophomore season.

Upfront along the offensive line, there are a lot of question marks, as four-fifths of the starting lineup is gone, but there is a ton of depth, and guys who got a lot of experience last season. At quarterback, Jack Coan likely steps in as the starter, replacing Ian Book, who left the school with the most wins in Notre Dame Football history.

On defense, stars like Daelin Hayes, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Ade Ogundeji will all head to the NFL, but talent remains. Kyle Hamilton is one of the best safeties in college football, there is veteran leadership at defensive tackle and linebacker, and Marcus Freeman is considered the best assistant hire in college football, joining the Irish as defensive coordinator.

Overall, the talent is there, now they just have to get it done on the field. One publication feels that will be the case, ranking Notre Dame Football within the top-10.

Phil Steele ranks Notre Dame Football No. 7 entering 2021

In their preseason rankings, Phil Steele took a look at the top-10 schools entering next season, and the Notre Dame football team came in at No. 7 overall. That is some pretty great praise for this program, and it is a testament to the level of talent they built up in terms of depth, and the solid recruiting class they have coming in.

Sure, some big names have gone on to the NFL, but Brian Kelly and his staff will have a lot to work with, and after a ten-win season in 2020, the expectations in South Bend are not going to change. This is a program looking to close the gap between them and the elite teams like Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State, all teams ranked ahead of them by Phil Steele.

Next. Notre Dame Football: 11 prospects invited to Scouting Combine. dark

Overall, Alabama is No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Notre Dame lands at No. 7, and North Carolina, Iowa State, and Cincinnati round out the top-10.  This is an outstanding group of teams, and it will be interesting to look back and see how everything shaped up in 2021 when all is said and done.

Home/Notre Dame Football