Recently the Twitter handle of Big Game Boomer released what they believe is the biggest liability for each of the Power 5 schools. In their estimation Notre Dame’s is the offensive line.
The Biggest Liability For Every School This Season pic.twitter.com/Qn5CD0vMm3
— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) June 23, 2021
It’s hard to disagree with that, after seeing four of the five starters from last year head off to the NFL. Jarrett Patterson is the only holdover from the 2020 season and while there is still a ton of talent on the various positions on the offensive line, they’re very green. Don’t forget about getting Marshall transfer Cain Madden, the All-American only strengthens the group.
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With some talk about true freshman Rocco Spindler and Blake Fisher having a chance to start, you can see where Big Game Boomer is coming from. I don’t see it that way, in my estimation the offensive line will have some growing pains, but should be fine as the season progresses. The biggest area of concern in my mind would be the wide receivers.
The leading WR in terms of yardage, Javon McKinley is gone to the NFL. As is the touchdown leader from last year Ben Skowronek. You might be thinking about Michael Mayer, well he’s a tight end and although a great threat, not as a wide receiver.
Avery Davis is the leading returning receiver with just 24 catches for 322-yards and 2 scores. Braden Lenzy is the second leading returning receiver, he had just 7 receptions last year for under 100-yards.
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The difference is that the talent on the offense line is just green, they don’t have much experience. The same can’t be said about the wide receiver group. Multiple players will need to step up and in my eyes, this position group posses the biggest liability for Brian Kelly and the Irish this fall.