Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame football: 3 new faces that will make a major impact in 2022

By Brad Weiss

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Notre Dame football
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 18: A Notre Dame football flag is seen before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 18, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team has some incredible players returning in 2022, but these three new faces could make a major impact this season.

The 2022 Notre Dame football team is getting closer and closer to kicking off their season, a year that will begin with a major matchup against Ohio State. That should be a top-5 battle between two national powerhouses, a game that will have some serious College Football Playoff implications.

Here, we look at three new faces for the Irish that will have to make a major impact if they hope to make the CFP in 2022.

Notre Dame football: 3 new faces that will make a major impact in 2022

Chris Smith, NT

A graduate transfer from Harvard, Chris Smith has been better than expected for the Irish and should play a huge role along the defensive line in 2022. Defensive line coach Al Washington recently told the press that he is a ‘block of granite,’ which is incredible praise for a player who is coming off dominating in the Ivy League.

Smith was named First-Team All-Ivy League this past season and could beat out Jacob Lacey for the starting nose tackle job. The Notre Dame football team should have an excellent pass rush this upcoming season, and a talent like Smith in the middle will go a long way in letting the defensive ends do their thing on the outside.

Home/Notre Dame Football