Notre Dame football: Is it Rocco Spindler time in South Bend?
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program is dealing with an injury to Jarrett Patterson, so it could be time for Rocco Spindler to join the starting lineup.
The 2021 recruiting class for the Notre Dame football program was a special one, a group that included three players ranked in the top 100 in the country per 247Sports.com. Blake Fisher was the top recruit, ranked No. 55, but right behind him was Rocco Spindler, the No. 60 ranked player in the country.
Not only was Spindler ranked No. 6, but he was considered a top-3 interior offensive lineman in both the country and the state of Michigan, which was impressive. In fact, many believed he would step on campus and become a starter instantly, just like Fisher did, but that did not happen, and he played sparingly as a true freshman last season.
Now, entering his second season in South Bend, Spindler has a golden opportunity to nab a starting job, this after Jarrett Patterson was lost for the next few weeks due to injury. He will have to stave off Andrew Kristofic, who was terrific last season within the Irish’s rebuilt offensive line, but he certainly has the talent to do so.
Notre Dame football has strong depth along the offensive line
Losing a player of Patterson’s caliber, especially ahead of a top-5 matchup with Ohio State would have devastated most programs. Sure, it hurts, but the Irish have a ton of depth along the interior of their offensive line and have always had a next-man-up mentality.
Either Spindler or Kristofic should be able to do the job until Patterson gets back, and that includes against a tough Ohio State defensive line.
Kristofic was a top-100 recruit as well, so he is also a very talented player, one who had some big moments for the Irish last season. However, Spindler could be the better long-term prospect for the Irish, and when all is said and done, I believe he will be the one between Joe Alt and Zeke Correll against Ohio State at left guard.