Notre Dame Football Predictions: Meet Our Explosive Freshmen

Notre Dame football fans will look back on these days attempting to identify the constellations on the field.  Constellations, you say???  Yes, so many highly touted four and five star recruits will line the field for the Irish that the fans will be forced to name their constellations. 

They’ll name them by their championships and accolades just as they named the stars who came previously, but have long since faded.

In the constellations of 1988 and 1993, fans remember the stars of Brown, Bettis, Rice, Stonebreaker, Rossum, Ismael, Culver, Watters, and so on.  They were the stars of the past whose constellations are ever etched into the minds of travelers seeking the Holy Land of College Football. 

Those stars guided fans to the Golden Dome, but the light has since faded.  Now, it’s time for travelers to follow the constellations created by a new set of stars.  It’s time to know their names and recognize their future.

No. 19 Aaron Lynch (6’6, 265 lbs)

It’s likely you’ve already heard of Lynch, even if you haven’t been trying.  A defensive end who early enrolled in the Spring to learn the defense, Lynch showed his unbelievable speed in the Blue-Gold game, regularly dominating an Irish offensive line that’s among the most experienced in the nation. 

He’s a special talent who beat his teammates not only off the edge, but from the interior line, a feat difficult for most rush ends.  Lynch will single-handedly stop read option plays from the shotgun due to his uncanny ability to change direction. 

He can crash the line to tackle the running back or change direction, AFTER CRASHING, to chase down a quarterback who decides to keep the ball.  Lynch is the North Star of this recruiting class, the brightest in the sky.

No. 7 Stephon Tuitt (6’6, 295 lbs)

While it’s easy to give Lynch all of the accolades due to his early introduction to Irish fans in the Blue-Gold game, Stephon Tuitt will anchor the defensive line as the strong side defensive end opposite Lynch.  He didn’t enroll early, but he certainly brings the same amount of talent at his position that Lynch brings to his. 

Tuitt is already a man among boys while having four years to train in Paul Longo’s strength and conditioning program.  Manti Te’o says Tuitt already looks like a football player, a nice accolade from a former five-star athlete who became an instant starter for the Irish as a freshman.  Look for Tuitt in former five-star recruit Jimmy Clausen’s No. 7 jersey, standing at 6’6, 295 lbs. 

You can also look for him crushing opposing running backs, or on top of unsuspecting quarterbacks.  Tuitt may be the man finishing the play when opposing players run from Lynch on the other side.  You’ll be excited to see this man-child early in the Irish season, likely during the South Florida game.

No. 16 Davaris Daniels (6’2, 185 lbs)

If Daniels’ YouTube video is any indication, we’ll see Irish quarterbacks throwing jump balls to him regularly.  Daniels can jump through the roof, as they say. 

A star wide receiver out of Chicago, Daniels will bolster the Notre Dame football team by providing much needed depth to a receiving corp that was forced to start true freshman Tai’ler Jones only a year before. 

With a 4.45 forty-yard dash, Daniels will be an excellent downfield threat, even if he only stretches the defense to allow one-on-one coverage with Michael Floyd or underneath passes to Theo Riddick whose moves in open space are unprecedented. 

Daniels may be a role player this year, but he’s a future star in the mold of Rhema McKnight, but with better hands and a better ability to get open.  Look for Daniels to have explosive games when opposing defenses double team Floyd and cover Riddick and Eifert underneath.

No. 4 George Atkinson III (6’2, 200 lbs)

The Irish are thin at running back, so expect to see Atkinson on the field often, especially if Wood or Gray goes down with an injury.  Atkinson is on the roster with his twin brother Josh, a cornerback, both sons of former Oakland Raider George Atkinson II. 

While Atkinson is only listed as running 4.52, his ability to run in pads is much more explosive.  He’s a true burner who initially appeared to be a wide receiver who could stretch a defense downfield.

Due to necessity, he’s listed as a running back and will be just as explosive from that position.  He’s magical in the Tim Brown mold.  Is Atkinson our next Heisman trophy winner? 

Despite an absence of the same extraordinary praise afforded Lynch and Tuitt, Atkinson is one to keep an eye on in the future, because he plays football fast, which will only benefit him and Notre Dame football in the future.

No. 58 Troy Niklas (6’6, 250 lbs)

Brian Kelly couldn’t hide his surprise when he discussed Troy Niklas.  Recruited as a tackle and defensive end by all programs recruiting him, the Irish have chosen to put Niklas at linebacker.  He’s rangy like a defensive end, but he’s fast and agile in a special way that you can only find every five to 10 years. 

Due to his wingspan and his incredible speed, he shrinks the field, making the spread offense less effective.  Watch for Niklas on the blitz while watching him in coverage.  His agility at linebacker will make him a household name by next year when Kelly and defensive coordinator Bob Diaco are finally able to benefit from him using his full potential. 

Not sure if this analysis is correct?  Go look at his videos to understand why it was such a coup to steal him from USC’s backyard on signing day.

No. 5 Everett Golson (6’0, 185 lbs)

Has Tony Rice been reincarnated?  Doubtful, because Everett Golson has an accurate cannon for an arm to go along with his uncanny speed. 

In his No. 5 jersey, Golson looks a lot like Armando Allen, but a much more explosive athlete considering he’ll be in command of the Irish offense sooner, rather than later. 

It’s likely Kelly may use Golson’s talents in the Wildcat or as a kick returner this year.  If not, you’ll be relieved that he has another year of eligibility to show off his talents.  Golson isn’t your typical “athletic” quarterback, though. He has infinite patience and would rather make proper reads or let his receivers improvise to get open. 

If he has to run, however, Golson will amaze you with his quick feet and speed.  The closest comparison, today, is a refined Denard Robinson.  When Golson’s day comes, you’ll have reason to be optimistic that the Irish will bring home the National Championship once again.

These are Notre Dame football’s future stars.  Know their names, because you’ll soon know their accolades.  There are plenty of other talented freshmen in this class that will give you reason for hope, but these five are special. 

Some may note that five-star recruit Ishaq Williams was omitted.  His omission is only due to his unrefined talent.  He has plenty of skill but has yet to reach the level of his classmates.  Ishaq deserves as much respect as all of the other freshmen, because he’ll be an integral part of our true return to glory. 

Though stars of former legends have faded, new stars are emerging.  It’s finally time for sustained excitement surrounding the Irish program, once again.  Celebrate!  These guys will bring Notre Dame football back from the brink of oblivion.