Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1158434
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2019 23 Seldom does a recruiting haul turn out exactly what it was supposed to be when it signed. The 2016 class was expected to provide the roster with a boost along the lines and the skill positions — and it did just that. At least nine of the 16 remaining players are forecasted to be starters this season, and several more will be rotation figures. The Fighting Irish are looking to win at least 10 games for the third straight season — some‑ thing that hasn't happened since 1991‑93 — and this senior class will be the anchor if that is to occur. DOMINATING THE EDGE Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Notre Dame's defense as the fourth‑ best pass rushing squad in the nation last season, and the 2016 ends were the driving force behind that success. The five ends from the class com‑ bined for 142 of the team's 262 quar‑ terback pressures, and 16 sacks. Ju‑ lian Okwara led the way, finishing seventh nationally with 61 total pres‑ sures (QB sacks, hits and hurries). With Okwara and classmates Dae‑ lin Hayes and Khalid Kareem back in the fold this fall, the Irish are also the lone Power Five team to return three ends PFF ranked in the top 25 in run‑ stop rate in 2018. Impacting the game both with their pass rush and ability to handle the run is what truly makes the Irish ends a dynamic group, and the 2016 class comprises the entire two‑deep at the position. Okwara is poised for a monster season, and NFL Draft analysts Dane Brugler of The Athletic and Mike Renner of PFF both projected him to be a first‑round in their most recent 2020 mock drafts. Always known for his pass‑rushing prowess, Okwara became an all‑around standout last season, leading the Irish defensive line with 26 run stops. Hayes and Okwara formed a re‑ markably potent tandem at the drop end position, combining for 89 quar‑ terback pressures and 45 run stops. PFF ranks Hayes seventh in run‑stop rate among all returning Power Five ends with at least 150 run snaps. Kareem was a first‑year starter last fall, and he made his presence felt immediately, registering five pres‑ sures, four run stops and a sack in Notre Dame's 24‑17 season‑opening victory against Michigan. After an outstanding spring, Kareem is expected to build on his 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks from last fall. Another senior end who had an outstanding spring and is off to a hot start in the fall is Adetokunbo Ogundeji, who is expected to com‑ bine with Kareem to give the defense the same one‑two punch at strong‑ side end as Okwara and Hayes pro‑ vide at the drop position. That quartet forms arguably the top defensive end rotation in the country. The group is so skilled that there is even talk that a fifth end from the class — Jamir Jones — could end up redshirting this season to provide depth to the position in 2020. BOOK'S TIME TO SHINE Flipping quarterback Ian Book from Washington State was barely a blip on the radar when it happened. Notre Dame had just landed Ri‑ vals100 passer Brandon Wimbush in the 2015 haul, and at the time the Irish were in good shape with a num‑ ber of top signal‑callers in the 2017 class. Book seemed like nothing more than a solid depth player. Book has far outplayed his prep ranking, and he has become one of the marquee members of the class. How well he performs this season will go a very long way toward determining how potent the Irish will be in 2019. Book proved to be a dangerously ac‑ curate quarterback last season, which shouldn't be a surprise for someone who was recruited to run Mike Leach's offense. What was a bit surprising was how effective he was using his legs to do damage in vital situations. ESPN's No. 33 player in college football heading into the 2019 season, Book is coming off a season in which he set a school record by completing 68.2 percent of his passes. If he can make a few more plays down the field, he could vault the offense into a strato‑ sphere it hasn't seen in a long time. Players Signed: 23 Players Available in 2019: 16 (Four-star cornerback Julian Love declared for the NFL Draft following the 2018 season; four-star offensive lineman Parker Boudreaux transferred to UCF; four-star safety D.J. Morgan is a graduate transfer at Connecticut; three-star safety Spencer Perry transferred to South Alabama; three-star safety Devin Studstill is a graduate transfer at South Florida; three-star running back Deon McIntosh was kicked off the team fol- lowing the 2017 season; and three-star wide receiver Kevin Stepherson was kicked off the team following the 2017 season) 2016 Recruiting Rankings: No. 12 by 247Sports, No. 13 by Rivals and Scout, and No. 16 by ESPN Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Ian Book* QB 6-0 212 The former three-star recruit has emerged as the crucial cog in the offense. Chase Claypool WR 6-4 229 Finally tapping into his immense potential and is set to shine as a senior. Liam Eichenberg* OL 6-6 305 A talented blocker who just needs more consistency to become a standout. Jalen Elliott S 6-0½ 210 Went from overlooked and unranked to a three-year starter and a captain. Daelin Hayes DE 6-4 266 A steady edge player who was the line's best run defender last season. Jamir Jones DE 6-3 255 A special teams starter and depth figure at linebacker and end during his career. Jonathan Jones* LB 5-11 225 Positive leader who will be a multi-year special teams starter. Tony Jones Jr.* RB 5-11 224 Has been a steady backup and now has a chance to break out as a senior. Khalid Kareem DE 6-4 265 Powerful edge player who is poised to become a dominant player in 2019. Tommy Kraemer* OL 6-6 319 Enters the season as Notre Dame's most experienced blocker. Javon McKinley* WR 6-2 220 Former top recruit has not made a catch in his first three seasons. Adetokunbo Ogundeji* DE 6-4½ 253 Emerged as a key rotation player last fall, but he is just scratching the surface. Julian Okwara DE 6-4½ 248 One of the nation's most productive edge rushers in 2019, registering 61 pressures. Troy Pride Jr. CB 5-11½ 194 Elite speed and length allowed him to dominate late in the 2018 season. John Shannon* LS 6-2 225 Three-year starter as the team's short and long snapper. Donte Vaughn CB 6-3 212 Injuries have held him back, but a starting spot is his for the taking in 2019. * Eligible for a fifth season in 2020 Senior Class Review