Notre Dame Fighting Irish Roster 2019 Irish Roster

For offense, Notre Dame lost quite a bit as last year's top two running backs, Josh Adams and Deon McIntosh are both gone. Right now, this particular position has senior Dexter Williams and Tony Jones Jr. ready to step in to contribute. Jones Jr. is still a work in progress but started to improve as the season moved along, averaging about six yards on each carry. Meanwhile, Williams would provide veteran experience, but he'll need to stay healthy. He was sidelined with numerous injuries during the 2017 campaign.

Receivers Equanimeous St. Brown and Kevin Stephenson are also gone. While the two big-play threat receivers are no longer available, two exciting juniors are. Chase Claypool has size at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, along with an impressive 64 percent catch rate. Miles Boykin started to step his game up towards the latter part of last season. He's also big at 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds. Boykin, a four-star recruit, can easily put together some highlight reel receptions for a bunch of yards in a hurry.

Brandon Wimbush continues at the quarterback spot this season. He was just a 49 percent passer last season and suffered a meltdown against Miami that has stood out since then. He threw for a total of 1,870 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. While Wimbush isn't the ideal passer, he has shown his ability to gain rushing yards as he had 804 of them last year with 15 touchdowns on the ground. As he enters his senior season, fans are hopeful for improved passing efficiency coupled with his mobility as a rushing option.

The team had a strong offensive line to help protect their backs and Wimbush last season, but this season brings potential issues. Two of the best linemen, Nelson and McGlinchey, are no longer part of the team. Seniors Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher will be there with plenty of starts between them. Guard Tommy Kraemer will build upon his last season's freshman experience. Sophomores Robert Hainsey and Liam Eichenberg will probably be heading up the tackle position this season.

The defense is where Notre Dame's strength lies yet again. In fact, it could be one of their best defenses since the days of Manti T'eo. Six of Notre Dame's top eight players from last year will return to the defensive line. Almost every defensive back will return, as will four of their six linebackers. It's a nice group of solid defenders who ranked among the nation's best in 2017.

Navy transfer Alohi Gilman has also joined the team's defense and could be their starting free safety. In 2016, Gilman impressed as a freshman and will look to continue the upward progress with the Irish. Notre Dame was ranked amongst the top 10 teams in terms of passing defense last year. This year they might be just as good, with plenty of depth as the backups may be as good as those who started in the secondary last season. Cornerback Julian Love is back for his senior year after ranking second in the nation in passes defended.

The biggest issue the defense really has is play disruption at certain positions. That could be addressed by junior players Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara. If they can build upon the combined 10 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks they achieved last season, this aspect of Notre Dame football could be just fine.

Based on a mix of exciting young talents and senior leadership, this will once again be a team to watch. Their biggest issues that fans will be focused on will be how well the offense and special teams can perform. Defense is not considered a major problem ahead of their latest season. It won't be surprising to see Notre Dame rattle off at least another 10-win season for head coach Brian Kelly, but will they over or underachieve?