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College football rankings: Post-spring Top 25 – Clemson, Alabama vie for top spot

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame (12) Ian Book (QB) runs away from USC (56) Jordan Iosefa (LB) during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame (12) Ian Book (QB) runs away from USC (56) Jordan Iosefa (LB) during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • Notable Losses: Julian Love, Jerry Tillery, Te’von Coney, Miles Boykin, Dexter Williams, Alex Bars, Drue Tranquill, Alize Mack, Brandon Wimbush (transfer)
  • Notable Returners: Ian Book, Julian Kowara, Troy Pride Jr., Chris Finke, Chase Claypool, Jalen Elliott, Khalid Kareem
  • 2019 Recruiting Class Ranking: 15th

Despite the fact that the then-undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish proved every doubter correct in the College Football Playoff as they were picked apart mercilessly by the Clemson Tigers, Brian Kelly’s team certainly still showed impressive things throughout their run to that point. However, big changes are about to come for the Irish in the 2019 season.

The biggest thing that the Fighting Irish will have to contend with is the losses that they suffered on the defense. While Notre Dame will have six starters from the 2018 season coming back on that side of the ball, the five guys that are now gone were hugely important for them last season, specifically guys like cornerback Julian Love, linebacker Te’von Coney and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.

Even still, where Notre Dame was able to take a massive step forward last season was on offense after Ian Book was installed as the starting quarterback on offense. While that move ultimately led to Brandon Wimbush, the man Book replaced, transferring to UCF, Book clearly gives the Irish offense far more upside, especially with a weapon like Chase Claypool returning to school.

The Fighting Irish definitely need guys on defense to develop in offseason practices to help fill holes and need the offensive line, particularly a strong group of incoming freshmen, to grow as well. Having said that, Notre Dame has the pieces to compete for another berth in the CFP.

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