Outland Trophy watch list 2017: 5 favorites to win
By John Buhler
Mike McGlinchey
Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
So what if Notre Dame had a terrible year last season? The Fighting Irish have done a phenomenal job of signing and developing offensive line talent under head coach Brian Kelly. Zack Martin stars at guard for the Dallas Cowboys. Ronnie Stanley won’t be Jonathan Ogden for the Baltimore Ravens, but he’s certainly going to be their franchise left tackle going forward.
The next offensive lineman with Notre Dame roots we’ll have to pay attention to is offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey. Even in a miserable 4-8 campaign last year, McGlinchey was one of the better players on that terrible Notre Dame team. Playing in a pro-style offense under Kelly only helps his NFL Draft stock.
Entering 2017, McGlinchey will be a redshirt senior for the Fighting Irish. His frame and starting experience out on the edge might make him the second member of his extended family to go in the top-10 of an NFL Draft. His cousin is none other than Atlanta Falcons MVP quarterback Matt Ryan.
Notre Dame is a national brand if there ever was one in college football. Expect NBC and the national media to fawn over McGlinchey in his final year in South Bend. If the Fighting Irish flip their regular season record to just 8-4, McGlinchey will definitely be in the mix to win the Outland Trophy in 2017.