Notre Dame Football: 3 Reasons Chris Tyree will play a bigger role 2021
By Jack Leniart
![ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Running back Chris Tyree #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the football over the defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Running back Chris Tyree #25 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the football over the defense of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/097a09318e7a3ad48155e87ae5ddd839df82328b4c8040f52d8fb478e3df19df.jpg)
Notre Dame Football: 3 Reasons Chris Tyree will play a bigger role 2021
The departure of quarterback Ian Book
During the 2020 season, starting quarterback Ian Book ran the ball 116 times for 485 yards and nine touchdowns. A good amount of those rushing attempts came on designed quarterback runs, something that is likely not to happen with the 2021 Irish offense.
Notre Dame’s starting quarterback in 2021 will likely be Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan. While Coan did occasionally scramble for a first down during his time as the Badgers’ starting quarterback, he does not have the athleticism that Ian Book has, though he does do a nice job protecting the football.
The rushing attempts that were given to Ian Book last season will be divided amongst the running backs. Since Kyren Williams already had a substantial workload last season, Chris Tyree will likely take the majority of those excess carries.
The combination of all these factors creates an opportunity for Chris Tyree to gain some national recognition during his sophomore season.