Notre Dame football: 5 players poised to have breakout seasons in 2020

Notre Dame football: 5 Fighting Irish players poised for breakout seasons in 2020

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after an interception during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2. Daelin Hayes | DE | Redshirt Senior

As a sophomore at Notre Dame, Daelin Hayes started to show his potential of the menace he could be on the line for Notre Dame. That carried into his junior season but he still never exploded into the star defensive player that Irish fans hoped for.

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Primed for a breakout senior season, Hayes suffered a devastating early-season injury and only got to see the field for three games. Thanks to a medical redshirt though, Hayes will return to South Bend hoping to make this season the one where he breaks out.

It is difficult to argue against Hayes becoming the stud pass rusher on the defensive line for Notre Dame in 2020. He has the experience having played 34 games in an Irish uniform already as well as the stats to back it up. His best season came in 2017, where he made 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He continued that solid play in 2018 however, making 32 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

After a year of watching his teammates on one of the best defenses in the country in 2020, Hayes is ready for a second shot at his senior season and ready to show NFL scouts that he has what it takes.

That last chance attitude that Hayes will surely take into the upcoming college season should be enough to prime him for what could have been in 2019. A breakout season at the defensive end position and getting the attention of NFL scouts.

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