Notre Dame’s receiving corps will face its biggest test of the season against Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. For most of the year, JaVon McKinley is the leader of a group that never had a breakout star, which is a consequence of losing so much talent there from the season before. McKinley didn’t even score a touchdown until the Irish’s final game of the regular season. He’s more likely to be the receiver who gets the offense down the field and not necessarily finishes drives off.
The Crimson Tide have no concerns at receiver thanks to the presence of DeVonta Smith, a Heisman Trophy finalist and the first at his position to be named AP Player of the Year. With fellow Heisman finalist Mac Jones running the offense, Smith has had more than enough opportunities to prove he’s the best at what he does at the collegiate level, and he’s met every expectation. The only disadvantage he has against McKinley is at yards a catch, but even that is only by a couple of yards. Objectively, no Irish receiver belongs anywhere near the same breath as Smith, and unless the secondary can figure out some way to bottle him up, he’s going to treat the AT&T Stadium turf like he’s going for a nice run in the park.