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Notre Dame Football 2021: Most Impactful Players, No. 15-11

By Jack Leniart

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (41) and defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola (57) pressure Clemson Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (41) and defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola (57) pressure Clemson Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (5) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Kurt Hinish #41 and Jonathan Jones #45 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sack Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Kurt Hinish #41 and Jonathan Jones #45 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sack Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football 2021: Most Impactful Players, No. 15-11

No. 14: Kurt Hinish, Defensive Line

Kurt Hinish was a three-star prospect from Pittsburgh and a member of Notre Dame’s 2017 recruiting class. He joined the Irish at a time when the depth chart for the interior defensive line positions was unusually thin, and because of that, Hinish was able to see the field right away.

As a true freshman in 2017, he appeared in 12 games and recorded eight tackles. In each of his subsequent seasons at Notre Dame, Hinish has made measurable improvements.

In 2018, he played in all 13 games and accounted for 13 total tackles and one and a half sacks, and then became a full-time starter for the Irish during the summer of 2019. In the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he started every game for Notre Dame.

In 25 games, Hinish had 34 tackles, four sacks, two quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble.

Had he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, Hinish likely would have been drafted. Instead, he decided to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted to student-athletes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I think there is a good chance that HInish will be named as one of the team captains for the 2021 season. He is one of the most experienced players on the roster and also one of the grittiest.

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