The Notre Dame football program has question marks on the offensive side of the ball. Here, we look at one per position group heading into 2022.
We are getting closer and closer to August, and that means the Notre Dame football team will soon start ramping up their practices heading into their Week 1 matchup against Ohio State. For the Irish, questions remain on both sides of the ball, but it is the offense where the biggest ones still need to be answered.
Here, we look at each offensive position group, laying out one major question.
Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022
Quarterback: Who Starts?
Last season, graduate transfer Jack Coan stepped on campus and took the vacant starting job almost immediately, as it was clear he was the right guy to replace Ian Book. Now, with Coan gone after a one-year stint, the battle rages on between Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne, two very capable signal-callers.
The Blue-Gold game was supposed to answer this question, but Pyne struggled, and Buchner did not even play. You can expect both men to get a ton of reps this summer heading into the huge matchup against Ohio State, but if I were Marcus Freeman, this is one question I would want to answer before all others.
Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022
Running Back: When will Logan Diggs return?
While Kyren Williams was clearly the feature back for the Irish last season, one true freshman captivated Notre Dame football fans. That player was Logan Diggs, who was outstanding in a backup role for the Irish in 2021 and had more than a few highlight-reel plays, including leaping over a Virginia Tech defender.
After the season, it was pretty clear that he would get a shot to be the team’s starting running back in 2022, but he was injured in a big way during the Blue-Gold Game. On his fourth carry, Diggs tore his labrum, had to have surgery, and now is not going to be ready for the Ohio State game.
That leaves Tommy Rees and company with the question of who the starting running back will be against the Buckeyes. Audric Estime is a true sophomore who runs with a punishing style, and Chris Tyree has that game-breaking ability as well. With Jadarian Price also injured, this could be a two-headed monster in Week 1.
Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022
Wide Receiver: Is there enough depth?
During the 2021 college football season, Kevin Austin stepped up in a big way for the Notre Dame football team, leading them in receiving yards from the wideout position. In 2022, we are going to need someone else to step up, but more importantly, guys are going to have to stay healthy, as there are serious depth issues.
Braden Lenzy and Avery Davis are two veterans who return to the fold in 2022, and we all saw how explosive Lorenzo Styles Jr. could be last season. The true freshman had a breakout game in the team’s loss in the Fiesta Bowl to Oklahoma State, and I believe he will emerge as the WR1 for this roster in 2022.
Jayden Thomas is another wideout from Styles recruiting class who was highly rated, and all signs point to him possibly cracking the starting lineup. Tobias Merriweather did not get an early jump on his college career, so there could be some growing pains there, while Deion Colzie is another young wideout who will need to step up.
If the young wideouts can emerge, depth should not be an issue.
Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022
Tight End: Mayer and then who?
Since emerging as a star during his true freshman season, tight end Michael Mayer has rounded into arguably the best tight end in the country. With that rare combination of size, speed, and catching ability, Mayer is a Maxwell Award finalist this season and could end up taking home the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end.
OUtside of Mayer, however, questions remain as to who is going to step up and be that No. 2 Rees needs for this offense. Kevin Bauman was recruited in the same class as Mayer and is a freak athlete as well, but he has never really been counted on going into his third season with the Irish.
The position group also took a hit when Mitchell Evans had to have foot surgery, so he is not going to be available at the start of the 2022 college football season. If the Irish are going to have depth at the position behind Mayer, Bauman has to step up, and hopefully, Cane Berrong is healthy enough to make an impact as well.
Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022
Offensive Line: Will the same 5 from the Fiesta Bowl start?
The Notre Dame football program is known for developing elite offensive line prospects for the NFL, and this year’s group is a special one. All five starters from last year’s Fiesta Bowl are back, thanks to Jarrett Patterson forgoing being a possible Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for one more go-around in South Bend.
With all five returning, the only big question is whether or not all five will be the starting group in Week 1 against Ohio State. If healthy, we know Joe Alt and Blake Fisher are going to be the offensive tackles, and Patterson is entrenched as the starting center, but offensive guard could get a little interesting.
Notre Dame football: Recruiting continues to flourish into July
The Notre Dame football program is putting together elite classes for 2023 and 2024, as recruiting continues to flourish under Marcus Freeman.
Andrew Kristofic and Josh Lugg are slated to start at the two offensive guard spots, but Rocco Spindler was an elite recruit last year and could fight for a starting job in Year 2 on campus. When all said and done, these three are going to battle for the two starting spots, and Spindler could make some serious noise.