2018 Notre Dame Football Roster: Top 25 Players
1. DT Jerry Tillery - Thank God Tillery decided to come back for his senior season because all reports out of camp is that he has taken his game to an All-American level. Tillery will need to be double teamed and although his stats won't be eye popping he will be the guy who helps pad the TFL stats for his teammates.
2. CB Julian Love - What's not to love about Love? The returning 2nd Team All-American showed he had lockdown ability on the outside last year while also taking a few picks to the house.
3. LB Te'von Coney - Coney only started 7 games last season but still led the team in tackles and TFLs. He has been working on his coverage skills this offseason and should have a tremendous senior season. Like Tillery it was a tremendous boost for 1st year DC Clark Lea to get a player of Coney's talent back.
4. OG Alex Bars - Overshadowed by the greatness that was Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey the last two seasons I expect Bars to continue ND's success on the offensive line by becoming an All-American this season.
5. LB Drue Tranquill - You couldn't ask for a better captain or leader than 5th year senior Tranquill.
6. OC Sam Mustipher - The "QB of the offensive line" is expected to be one of the top 3 centers in the nation.
7. DE Daelin Hayes - At full health it's time for the junior to finally shine and live up to his 5-star billing out of high school. I expect plenty of QB pressures from Hayes.
8. QB Brandon Wimbush - If he gets rid of the yips Wimbush will have a Heisman worthy season. If he doesn't? Well he could always run for another 14 touchdowns.
9. CB Troy Pride - Pride has become almost a 1A/1B corner with his teammate Love this offseason camp. Don't be surprised if he earns All-American accolades.
10. OL Robert Hainsey - As a true freshman Hainsey stepped in and took half the snaps at right tackle last season.
11. WR Miles Boykin - Who could forget his game winning catch vs LSU? From all reports it's helped boost Boykin's confidence and he should be Wimbush's #1 target this fall.
12. DE Julian Okwara - Like Daelin Hayes I expect Okwara to burst out this season and become a force on the "Lea"gion of Doom.
13. WR Chase Claypool - Claypool is a top 10 talent he just needs to put forth the focus and dominate during his junior season.
14. S Alohi Gilman - The transfer from Navy is expected to start after having to sit a season because the NCAA is retarded. A ball hawk ND didn't have last season at safety I expect Gilman to get his hands on leather plenty thanks to some pressure from his defensive line teammates.
15. DE Khalid Kareem - The former Bama commit is ready to break out this season while splitting time with Hayes and Okwara.
16. K Justin Yoon - He's gonna become ND's all-time leading scorer this fall. YOOOOOOOOOON!
17. RB Jafar Armstrong - Who you ask? The converted WR is following in the foot steps of CJ Prosise and has drawn comparisons to Theo Riddick by Brian Kelly. I'm expecting him to be starting by mid September and a 1000 yard season is not far fetched.
18. OL Tommy Kraemer - The 5-star is ready to start after splitting time with Hainsey last season at right tackle. The scary thing is ND is so loaded on the line it's not a given Kraemer starts.
19. TE Alizé Mack - Mack has been quite the enigma since he's arrived at ND. The rising senior has faced suspensions, questionable hands and was even eyeing early entry to the NFL despite a lackluster junior season. Much like Wimbush if he puts it all together he's unstoppable.
20. CB Shaun Crawford - Just two years ago Crawford was probably a top 5 talent going into the season. Unfortunately the injuries have taken their toll and he's lost his starting corner job. But he is the starting nickelback and has big time playmaking ability in the defensive backfield as witnessed in games vs Texas and Michigan State.
21. TE Cole Kmet - Kmet could shoot all the way into the top 10 with a big sophomore season if Alizé doesn't produce. Kmet when he's not throwing heat on the mound for the baseball team has built himself into a freak of nature under Balis's strength program.
22. P Tyler Newsome - Yes the punter is on the list. The senior captain has gotten more steady every season with his booming leg and is a tremendous locker room presence.
23. RB Tony Jones Jr. - I'm not as high on Jones as some are but he's expected to be the starting tailback vs Michigan. The key will be keeping him healthy especially with Dexter Williams facing a 4-game suspension to start the season.
24. OL Liam Eichenberg - He might not even start this season but Eichenberg is another road grader and the 5th offensive linemen on this list.
25. RB Dexter Williams - Juice has never had more than 8 carries in a game but when he does get the ball he's electric. Problem is he can't stay away from the weed or pick up the blitz thus limiting his play time.
