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Notre Dame football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections

By Jordan Alexis

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 13: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Notre Dame offensive depth chart projection

Notable Losses: The Irish will have to replace two of their best playmakers in running back Dexter Williams and wide receiver Miles Boykin. Williams was the team’s game-breaker on offense and despite missing four games still rushed for 995 and 12 touchdowns. Boykin led the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns so replacing that production is not easy.

QB: Ian Book, Senior / Phil Jurkovec, Sophomore

Even though Ian Book ended the season on a rough note in the college football playoffs, his starting spot should be secure. It was Book’s play that helped get Notre Dame to the CFP in the first place, so there’s no real reason to consider a change. He was one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the nation during the 2018 season and broke the school record for completion percentage with 68.2. The only problem moving forward is that Notre Dame quarterbacks have had a checkered past in their second years starting under Kelly. Deshone Kizer and Brandon Wimbush regressed mightily in their second year, so Kelly and the offensive staff need to make sure this is a blip and not a trend. Behind Book is the highly touted Jurkovec who will be an intriguing player to watch this summer to see if his passing mechanics have improved.

RB: Jafar Armstrong, Junior / Tony Jones Jr., Senior

The drop off from Dexter Williams to the next running back in 2018 was pretty steep and with Williams gone to the pros this position group has more questions than answers. Armstrong became a non-factor once Williams returned from suspension and also dealt with some injuries while Jones Jr received even less time and did not touch the ball by season’s end. There is no clear-cut leader at this time, but Armstrong has the upper hand going into spring.

WR: Chase Claypool, Senior / Javon McKinley, Senior

WR: Chris Finke, Senior / Lawrence Key lll, Sophomore

WR: Kevin Austin, Sophomore / Michael Young, Junior

Unlike running back, the wide receiver group looks like it will be able to weather the loss of its leader Miles Boykins. Claypool was the second leading receiver on the team and did decide to return for his senior season as did Finke. Expect them to be the main two guys in the passing game to start with former four-star Austin as the last starter of the trio. Austin’s potential is very much still there despite not doing a ton his freshman year. Young is the primary backup to watch as he showed a couple of flashes that hopefully become more consistent this season.

TE: Cole Kmet, Junior / Brock Wright, Junior

Alize Mack is gone, but that merely opens the door for Cole Kmet who is being regarded as the next best guy to come out of the Notre Dame tight end factory. Kmet suffered an ankle injury last season, but he’s full go in 2019. At 6-foot-six and 258 pounds, he as all the size you could want, and with the way Notre Dame develops the position, perhaps you could hear his name among draft gurus this fall if he balls out. Wright is no slouch either, but he has also had his troubles with injuries too.

LT: Liam Eichenberg, Senior / Jarrett Patterson, Freshman

LG: Aaron Banks, Junior / Dillan Gibbons, Junior

C Trevor Ruhland, Senior / Luke Jones, Sophomore

RG: Tommy Kraemer, Senior / John Dirksen, Sophomore

RT: Robert Hainsey, Junior / Josh Lugg, Junior

Going into 2019 the offensive line will be far more experience and should improve because of it. Things were rough for this group when they went up against Clemson in the playoff, but that can be said for every O-line that faced the Tigers in 2018, including Alabama. The offensive line needs to be able to compensate for uncertainty at running back and allow Book to take significant strides in his second year. And just like 2017, they get an early season matchup against Georgia that will put this group to the test right away.

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