Notre Dame football: Irish offensive line will be elite again in 2021
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program may have lost a lot of talent along the offensive line, but they will once again be an elite unit in 2021.
The Notre Dame football program has produced plenty of elite offensive linemen in recent years, as they have become known as “Offensive Line U.” Last season alone, the Irish sent four of their five starting offensive linemen to the NFL, three through the draft, and one as an undrafted free agent.
That kind of talent is hard to replace, but the Irish are doing just that this offseason and the group could be outstanding once again in 2021. They have All-American talent on the interior, and on the edges, they have players who should be able to step into starting roles and compete at a high level this season.
The combination of Jarrett Patterson and Cain Madden at offensive guard is almost unfair, and they will lead a new starting five in South Bend that should have no problems creating solid pass protection, as well as clearing holes for their deep group at the running back spot.
Notre Dame football will dominate the trenches in 2021
Notre Dame football will likely start a true freshman at left tackle, a move that could bring some growing pains, but also one to be excited about. Blake Fisher has arrived on campus and looked nothing like a first-year college student, and he should be able to successfully take the baton from Liam Eichenberg, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Josh Lugg is likely to start opposite Fisher at right tackle, and Zeke Correll will take over from Patterson at center. Another true freshman, Rocco Spindler is likely to be the first guard off the bench, and he is someone who could end up being an All-American talent down the road as well.
Patterson and Madden will be the best offensive guard tandem in the country, and Correll showed himself to be a very capable center last season. If the tackles can step up, and Fisher is a proven player as a true freshman, this is a group that should stand as one of the elite once again in 2021.