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Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, Honorable Mention

By Jack Leniart

SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: The mural at the Hesburgh Library, commonly known as "Touchdown Jesus" is seen on the campus of Notre Dame University before a game between the Norte Dame Fighting Irish and the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: The mural at the Hesburgh Library, commonly known as "Touchdown Jesus" is seen on the campus of Notre Dame University before a game between the Norte Dame Fighting Irish and the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Kobay White #9 of the Boston College Eagles makes a 39-yard reception down to the one-yard line against TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Kobay White #9 of the Boston College Eagles makes a 39-yard reception down to the one-yard line against TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football 2021: 25 Most Impactful Players, Honorable Mention

Honorable mention No. 2 and 1

  • 2. Tariq Bracy, Defensive Back

Tariq Bracy was a three-star prospect from Milpitas, California and a member of Notre Dame’s 2018 recruiting class. During his true freshman season, Bracy appeared in eleven games and recorded 18 tackles and a forced fumble, and his role has grown in each of the two subsequent seasons.

Bracy played in 12 games during the 2019 season and finished the year with 32 tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and six pass break-ups. In 2020, he finally won a starting job. Bracy started six games for the Irish that season before he was surpassed by true freshman Clarence Lewis.

Although Lewis is the favorite to be the starting field corner for the Notre Dame defense in 2021, Bracy is not far behind. Regardless of who the starter is, Bracy should be heavily involved in the secondary rotation.

  • 1. Marist Liufau, Linebacker

Marist Liufau missed the cut for the top-25 by the slimmest of margins. The player ranked 25th on the final list had an average ranking of 23.50, and Liufau had an average ranking of 23.75.

If more ballots had been submitted, Liufau could have ended up in the final top-25.

After seeing minimal playing time as a true freshman in 2019, Liufau cracked the linebacker rotation during the 2020 season and recorded 22 total tackles and a half-sack. He will again be competing with Shayne Simon for the starting weakside linebacker job. Even if Liufau does not win the starting job, he still figures to play a big role for the Irish defense.

Next. 5 Notre Dame football players drafted in four-round 2022 NFL mock draft. dark

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