Notre Dame football: Players who need big Fiesta Bowl to help draft status

4 of 4

Nov 6, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) runs for a touchdown after a pass reception in the second quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Players who need big Fiesta Bowl to help draft status

Kevin Austin Jr., Wide Receiver

The wide receiver group was another position that had a lot of questions heading into this season, as it was filled with veteran guys who could not stay healthy, and a trio of true freshmen. The Irish needed someone to step up and fill the role of WR1 in 2021, and Kevin Austin Jr. was certainly up for the challenge.

Austin became a favorite target of new quarterback Jack Coan, hurting teams across the middle, and with the deep ball, giving Notre Dame a real threat in the passing game. That helped open up the run game for Kyren Williams and company in the second half of the season, making the Irish multi-faceted on the offensive side of the ball.

SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 11: Newly hired Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach Marcus Freeman is introduced during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Purcell Pavilion on December 11, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Notre Dame football Game Saturday: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State odds and prediction for Playstation Fiesta Bowl

The Notre Dame football team takes on Oklahoma State in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, and here are the early odds and prediction for the bowl game.

Last year, we saw Ben Skowronek go on Day 3, and I believe that if he does declare for the NFL Draft, that is where Austin would go in 2022. However, he may be best suited to come back for one more season, as the team is lacking depth for the 2022 season at the position group, further bolstering his draft status with another solid year.

Home/Notre Dame Football