Notre Dame Football: Breaking Down the Irish's Offensive Weapons

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Among its offensive skill positions, Notre Dame football returns the vast majority of its 2014 production, losing only a backup running back and a starting tight end.

In judging the Irish offensive skill-position weapons—those at the disposal of quarterback Malik Zaire—Notre Dame’s depth is striking.

The Irish, though, will be without junior running back Greg Bryant to begin the regular season, according to multiple reports. On Monday morning, Irish247’s Tom Loy reported that Bryant would be suspended four games.

So what else might the Irish have in 2015?

Proven Headliners

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There are, of course, the proven playmakers, such as running back Tarean Folston and wide receiver Will Fuller, who have produced regularly for the Irish.

As a sophomore, Folston rumbled for 889 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The solidly built back improved on a true freshman campaign in which he nearly reached 500 yards on the ground.

Fuller took a different route to top-playmaker status. After a quiet rookie season, Fuller turned in the best statistical sophomore season by a wide receiver in Notre Dame history. His 76 receptions went for 1,094 yards. But the most impressive stat was Fuller’s 15 touchdowns, tied for the most in any one season in program lore.

The Irish know exactly what they have in Folston and Fuller. Sure, there’s room to grow. But expect these two to key the offense around Zaire.

Second-Tier Past Production

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The wide receivers room inside the Gug on campus is well stocked. Wideouts Corey Robinson, Chris Brown and Amir Carlisle, along with wide receiver/running back C.J. Prosise, all provided solid second-level production for the Irish in 2014.

Robinson (40 receptions, 539 yards, five touchdowns), Brown (39-548-1) and Carlisle (23-309-3) all had their moments as receivers and secondary options for quarterback Everett Golson.

Prosise (29-516-2) did too, flashing his ability as a big-play speedster out of the slot. Now with Bryant reportedly sidelined to begin the season, Prosise likely will be called upon to continuing delivering as a running back, as he did in the spring.

But of these rising upperclassmen, who takes the next step in 2015?

Bryant, by the way, hasn’t been as productive as this quartet, though he did rush for 289 yards last season.

Young and Unproven

Credit: 247Sports

Notre Dame’s glut of skill-position players resides in this category.

Take tight end, for example. Durham Smythe’s one career seven-yard reception is Notre Dame’s only returning production at the position. While the redshirt sophomore is poised to step into Koyack’s vacated starting role, sophomore Tyler Luatua, redshirt freshman Nic Weishar and true freshman Alize Jones are talented options.

In the backfield, Dexter Williams figures to be the more game-ready of the two true freshmen. Williams was the No. 11 running back and No. 94 overall player in the class of 2015, while fellow back Josh Adams checks in at No. 26 and No. 304, respectively.

Wide receivers Torii Hunter Jr., Corey Holmes and Justin Brent have a full depth chart ahead of them, and freshman wideouts Equanimeous St. Brown, Jalen Guyton, Miles Boykin and C.J. Sanders arrived on campus last month.

Notre Dame doesn’t need lightning strikes from all of these young talents right away. But if a few—say Jones, Williams and Hunter—supply key plays in doses, the Irish offense can take the next step.

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting stats and information courtesy of 247Sports.com and all quotes obtained firsthand. Star ratings reflect 247Sports composite rankings.

Mike Monaco is the lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.