As one season ends and another is on the verge of beginning, there is always a time to look ahead at which collegiate stars could dominate this level and make their move to the next. CBS Sports Barrett Sallee did just that a few days ago, ranking the top 32 NFL draft eligible NCAA stars. Sallee made it know that his list was not in any way a very early 2021 NFL mock draft or a “big board”, rather a collection of the best players who could move on to the next level next year.
There was only one Fighting Irish on Sallee’s list, offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg, who landed just outside the top 10 best projected players in the NCAA for next year at 11. Sallee had some very high praise for the Notre Dame lineman saying:
“The Fighting Irish have become known for churning out great offensive linemen, and Eichenberg is the next in line to make a splash in the NFL Draft. He’ll be an anchor of one of the best offensive lines in the country in 2020.”
It is very well known that the Irish will return all 5 starters on the offensive line, along with QB Ian Book, while having to replace the rest of the offensive talent. Games a won in the trenches and with Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer leading the charge, the Irish have a leg up on the competition.
Speaking of their opponents for next year, Sallee also ranked numerous players on the upcoming schedule that Notre Dame will face. Clemson will bring star QB Trevor Lawrence, ranked 1st, RB Travis Etienne ranked 7th, LB James Skalski at 23, and WR Justyn Ross, 28th, clearly a loaded Tigers squad. The USC Trojans had three players on Sallee’s list, DL Jay Tufele checked in at 21, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown was 24th, and WR Tyler Vaughns barely made the list at 31st. One more opponent had a player ranked inside the top 32, Duke’s DL Chris Rumph II was right behind Eichenberg at 12.