Notre Dame Football: Braden Lenzy the X-Factor for the 2021 Irish offense
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame Football team lost a ton of talent at wide receiver this offseason, but Braden Lenzy could lead a dynamic group in 2021.
Last season, the combination of Javon McKinley and Ben Skowronek led the Notre Dame Football program in terms of the wide receiver position. The two players combined for over 1,200 yards receiving, hauling in over 70 passes, and scoring eight touchdowns.
With both leaving for the NFL, signing as undrafted free agents after the 2021 NFL Draft, the Irish will need someone to step up and assume the role of WR1. Austin Davis is a good candidate, after finishing third among wideouts in receptions last season, but it could be Braden Lenzy who steps up and becomes a real X-Factor for the Irish.
Lenzy appeared in only three games for Notre Dame last season, catching seven passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, but a hamstring injury really limited what he does best on the field, and that is taking the lid off the defense.
Notre Dame Football needs the best of Braden Lenzy
In 2021, Lenzy will be healthy, and all signs point to him playing a big role on this Notre Dame offense. He has the speed and deep threat ability to be a real weapon for Jack Coan and this passing game, giving the Irish more than just Michael Mayer in the passing game.
Notre Dame already has a tremendous backfield led by Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree, and Mayer is one of the better young tight ends in the country. If Lenzy can lead an inexperienced, but dynamic group, causing havoc on the outside, it will really open up rushing lanes for Williams and Tyree, while opening up the middle of the field for Mayer.
Lenzy, Davis, and Kevin Austin Jr. are all upperclassmen, and they will be tasked with leading a group with some exciting true freshman like Lorenzo Styles Jr., Deion Colzie, and Jayden Thomas. The time has come for Lenzy to be the player the Irish were hoping for when they signed him as the tenth-best player at his position in the country back in 2018.
Overall, the offense does have question marks along the offensive line, at wide receiver, and even at quarterback as we enter June. However, the talent upfront will be fine, and Coan is a proven winner at the FBS level, so if Lenzy can step up and take this wideout group to the next level, this is going to be a special offense to watch.