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30 college football players with the biggest shoes to fill in 2018

By Nicholas Ian Allen

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Baker Mayfield
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Baker Mayfield /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) leads the offense back onto the field during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) leads the offense back onto the field during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Shoes to Fill: Quenton Nelson/Mike McGlinchy

The Notre Dame offensive line was widely considered the best in the country in 2017, and as a result, earned the Joe Moore Award given to the top unit nationally. Tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson, both of whom were named First Team All-Americans by the Associated Press, are also potential first round NFL Draft picks.

McGlinchey and Nelson formed one of the best offensive line duos in the nation last year and helped pave the way for running back Josh Adams to have a career year. However, the pressure is on Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars and Tommy Kraemer to make sure those guys aren’t missed too much in 2018.

The Irish will also have a new offensive line coach. Jeff Quinn was recently named as the replacement for Harry Heistand, who joined Matt Nagy’s staff with the Chicago Bears. Quinn, the former head coach at Buffalo, was promoted from his offensive analyst position and has been on Brian Kelly’s staff for four years.

All told, rebuilding one of the best units in all of college football is one of the most difficult tasks any FBS team will face this offseason. Kraemer is a good starting point, however, and Hainsey should step into the starting lineup as well. That leaves Liam Eichenberg, Josh Lugg and Trevor Ruhland as the top candidates to start in 2018, though others will be in the mix. The Fighting Irish might also pursue a graduate transfer, such as Calvin Anderson, who started three seasons at Rice and is currently a free agent.

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