Notre Dame football season preview 2020: Record predictions, depth chart analysis, breakout players

Notre Dame football breakout players to watch

Despite the circumstances surrounding this season, the Irish want to change the narrative about who they are as a program. Kelly has raised the floor of the program. Their floor is nine wins. However, Kelly and his staff want to move into the realm of the elite.

If they are to change the narrative about who they are, these players have to break out and have big seasons.

Offense

Braden Lenzy – The redshirt junior needs to have a big season for the Irish. One thing that has kept the Irish from moving into the class of the elite — other than monsoon-like rainfall — is the lack of an explosive perimeter playmaker.

Lenzy needs to become that playmaker. He has sprinter speed; as a redshirt junior, he’s been with the program four years and should be ready to step in and play. What will help him is the graduate transfer receiver, Ben Skowronek?

The Northwestern transfer is an excellent reliable possession receiver. That frees Lenzy to stretch the field and make plays with his legs without the pressure of being the chain mover.

The Offensive Line – This group is going to be a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. They are not as good as the Mike McGlinchey, Quinton Nelson group as far as individual talent, but they are as good a collective as you will find in the country.

The O-line is a veteran group with all five linemen in the program for at least three years and four redshirts in the group. They are starting two seniors at tackle and guard Tommy Kraemer is one of the best in the country.

If Notre Dame’s young running backs can’t get off this season, it won’t be because of the offensive line.

Chris Tyree – Tyree is too fast and too versatile not to see the field this season. He is one of the fastest freshmen in the country. Jafar Armstrong will start at running back, but the running backs behind him have yet to establish himself. Not only that, but you could also line him in the slot and have a running back next to Book.

Defense

Kurt Hinish – The senior 0-technique from Pittsburgh has to have a big season if they want to see any improvement in their run defense. Hinish has to occupy blockers at the point of attack to keep his linebackers clean and force one on one matchup along their defensive line.

If Hinish can’t establish the line of scrimmage, the Irish run defense will struggle.

Daelin Hayes – Hayes is looking to have a big season coming off of an injury-plagued 2019. He is the focal point of the pass rush this season. He’s the senior and he has to be the leader of the defense this season.

Isaiah Pryor – If there is anything that Ohio State transfer Isaiah Pryor brings to the Irish is depth. He will battle Houston Griffith for the starting job at safety. Pryor needs to have a breakout season because they need him to have a big season.

Pryor next to Kyle Hamilton as two physical, ball-hawking safeties will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators.

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