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2016 Preview: Notre Dame Eyes First Playoff Appearance

By Shawn Spencer

Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field to start the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Players

There were seven Notre Dame prospects selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the Irish lost another seven or eight who played significant roles last year. The Irish always have strong recruiting classes and this year many of those recruits will be tested early on.

No matter who the quarterback is in 2016, he’s going to have a new look offensive line. Two of the best offensive linemen in college football last season, Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin, are now in the NFL. Mike McGlinchey, a potential first-round pick in his own right, will shift from right tackle to the left tackle position vacated by Stanley. Sophomore Sam Mustipher is currently atop the depth chart at center, replacing Martin.

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Notre Dame’s top two recruits from the class of 2016, Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg, will bolster the offensive line in a year or two, but aren’t expected to see meaningful snaps barring injury this season.

The drop-off shouldn’t be as bad at two other positions; running back and defensive tackle. Running back C.J. Prosise and DT Sheldon Day were both selected in the draft, however former starters are set to regain their jobs at both positions. At RB, Tarean Folston is in line to take over the bulk of the carries. He led the Irish with 889 yards on the ground in 2014 before tearing his ACL in the season opener last year.

At DT, Jarron Jones is slated to take over for Day. In 2014, Jones started 11 games and finished second on the team with 7.5 tackles for a loss. He would miss the final three games that year with a foot injury and all of 2015 with a torn MCL. He would make it back in time to play a few snaps in the Fiesta Bowl, but was a non-factor.

Just like the offensive line, the defensive secondary will undergo almost a complete overhaul. KeiVarae Russell was the only defensive back drafted, however safeties Elijah Shumate and Matthias Farley have also departed. There’s still plenty of experience with Cole Luke at cornerback and Max Redfield and Avery Sebastian at safety, but who’s going to start may not be known until the season opener.

Luke appears to have solidified his spot as the number one CB, but the other three positions are up for grabs. Shaun Crawford, Nick Coleman and Nick Watkins will battle for the CB spot opposite Luke, while Redfield and Sebastian will be challenged by Devin Studstill and Drue Tranquill at safety.

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