Notre Dame football: Irish OL named a 2022 breakout player
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team should be one of the best in the country this upcoming season, but to be so, some players have to break out in a big way.
We are getting very close to the start of the 2022 college football season, and for the Notre Dame football program, this is a year of high expectations. Sure, they have a brand new head coach, as well as a daunting schedule, but the Irish are loaded, especially up front along the offensive line.
One key cog for the Irish offensive line this season will be Blake Fisher, a redshirt freshman who earned the starting left tackle job as a true freshman last season. Unfortunately, Fisher was injured during the team’s first game, a win against Florida State, and did not return until the bowl game against Oklahoma State.
In a recent piece by Athlon Sports, Fisher was named one of the top-50 breakout players ahead of the 2022 season, and for good reason. Fisher will be an anchor for one of the country’s best offensive lines If the Irish are to do anything special, they need a big season from the redshirt freshman.
Notre Dame football is expected to be elite along the offensive line
All five starters return for the Irish along the offensive line, including both Fisher and Joe Alt, who could be the best offensive tackle tandem in the country this season. Notre Dame football has a brand new quarterback, and some depth issues at both running back and wide receiver, so having an elite offensive line will be crucial in 2022.
One other player named on this list was George Takacs, a former tight end for the Irish who will be playing for Boston College this season. His quarterback, Phil Jurkovec is a former Notre Dame football player as well, and now that he is not backing up Michael Mayer anymore, Takacs could be one of the better tight ends in the ACC in 2022.