Notre Dame football: Ian Book begins pro career against an old friend

The Notre Dame football team will be well-represented on Saturday night, as Ian Book opens his pro career against some familiar faces.

The New Orleans Saints kick off their 2021 preseason on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens in a matchup that does not have much rivalry to it. However, for fans of the Notre Dame football program, this is a game to definitely circle on the schedule, as it will be the first of former quarterback Ian Book‘s NFL career.

For Book, a fourth-round pick of the Saints in 2021, this starts a new journey for him, one that will happen due to his prowess for the Irish. The all-time winningest quarterback in program history, Book is a leader of men, and he has already been turning heads in his first NFL training camp.

When Book lines up under center tonight against Baltimore, however, he will kind of feel like he is at a Notre Dame football practice, as a familiar face will be across from him. Daelin Hayes was a fifth-round pick of the Ravens during the 2021 NFL Draft, and both men helped the Irish to an undefeated regular season in 2020.

Hayes is battling to move up the depth chart at outside linebacker for the Ravens, and it will be good to see him back in action on Saturday.

Notre Dame football star turning heads in camp

Book has been turning heads in camp this summer, and Sean Payton has been impressed with his accuracy. The battle for the starting quarterback in New Orleans is raging between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, two guys who have had some success at the NFL level but are not in stone as long-term answers for the Saints.

With a strong rookie season, Book could figure into those long-term plans.

Notre Dame football: 3 defensive players who must step up in 2021

The Notre Dame football team should be solid on the defensive side of the ball, especially if these three players step up in a big way.

Overall, this is a game that you should definitely have your eyes on as a Notre Dame football fan, as the expectation is Book is going to see a lot of time. He is trying to lock down at least the No. 3 quarterback spot over Trevor Siemian, and all signs point to that being the case as the preseason kicks off for New Orleans.