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Notre Dame football: 5 Irish who won’t be underrated for long

By Daniel Morrison

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players run on the field during player introductions before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players run on the field during player introductions before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs a touchdown against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 14: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs a touchdown against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: 5 Irish who won’t be underrated for long

Kevin Austin Jr., Wide Receiver

It’s no secret that Notre Dame football has struggled at wide receiver recently, and that lack of talent compared to other elite schools like Alabama makes it difficult to keep up in big moments. Kevin Austin Jr. is the junior who can change all of that. Austin missed the entire 2019 season, due to a suspension for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

He came back for the 2020 season, having done everything that he needed to do to get ready for Notre Dame, before getting injured and only able to play two games in 2020.

So, what is it that makes Kevin Austin Jr. one of the most underrated players on Notre Dame’s roster? After all, he only has six catches during his entire career.

Well, it starts with everything he’s been through. Someone who has been around the program for years knows what matters at Notre Dame, how to work, and how to succeed. He learned through the fire of a suspension that he stuck through at Notre Dame instead of transferring out and then he fought through injuries to get to where he is now.

Make no mistake, Austin is going to be hungry to prove himself.

The other thing that has to excite you about Austin is his raw talent. This is a player who was recruited heavily by teams like Clemson and Auburn. Notre Dame doesn’t usually get the wide receivers that they want. A phenomenal athlete with good size for a wide receiver, there’s a reason that when he has played he’s averaged 18 yards a catch. He’s an athletic deep threat who can stretch the field in a way Notre Dame hasn’t been able to in years.

Austin is a great bet for his natural athletic ability and the experiences that he has been through. There is a lot to be excited about.

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