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Notre Dame football: Draft-eligible players we would like back in 2022

By Brad Weiss

Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) stiff arms Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets safey Tariq Carpenter (2) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) stiff arms Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets safey Tariq Carpenter (2) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football Jarrett Patterson
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Jarrett Patterson #55 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish snaps the ball during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Draft-eligible players we would like back in 2022

Jarrett Patterson, Center

With Tyler Buchner likely being the starting quarterback in 2022, if he can beat out Drew Pyne and incoming freshman Steve Angeli, one key player returning would be fifth-year center, Jarrett Patterson. Patterson was the only returning starter from the 2020 offensive line that was a Joe Moore Award finalist, and though it was rumored he could play guard or tackle in 2021, he remained at center.

That kind of versatility would go a long way at the next level, but the best-case scenario for Marcus Freeman and Tommy Rees would be for Patterson to return for one more season in South Bend. Buchner is going to want stability along the offensive line in Year 1 as the starter, and with the emergence of Joe Alt, and Blake Fisher coming back to be bookends at tackle, Patterson in the middle would be key.

All five of these guys coming back would be the perfect scenario for Freeman and his staff, but a few are possible Day 1 and Day 2 picks. Overall, I could see some draft-eligible players return for another season, especially Patterson, but if they grade out high, they are likely finished in South Bend this year.

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