Notre Dame survives stumbles through Syracuse: 5 instant takeaways

Notre Dame started slow but won easily against Syracuse on Saturday. Here are 5 takeaways from Senior Day in South Bend.

2. Best defensive player of the Brian Kelly Era?

I try not to be hyperbolic, but I’ve been thinking this for quite some time and Saturday proved to be no different.

Quick, answer this: Who is Notre Dame’s best defensive player of the Brian Kelly era?

There are some great ones and I’m not trying to take anything away from anyone else, but the more we see Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the more I think that is the right answer.

I’ve thought he was what Jaylon Smith could have been at Notre Dame if he had been used better (not to say Smith isn’t on the very short list), and as great as Manti Te’o’s year was, he got a lot of praise that should have gone to an incredible defensive line in front of him.

Owusu-Koramoah did it again Saturday, forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble, and again showing off his speed in coverage.

It would be an utter shock if Owusu-Koramoah didn’t enter the NFL draft next spring, where he seemingly continues to only improve his stock.

Icing on the cake for Ian Book…