Notre Dame Football: Projected two-deep 2018 depth chart

With just a short time left until the return of college football, here’s a two-deep depth chart as Notre Dame football awaits their Week 1 matchup vs. Michigan.

In the wake of a disappointing finish to the 2017 season, some are quick to forget that last year was expected to be a rebuild, let alone a legitimate title run. Regardless, head coach Brian Kelly once again failed to suppress what will go down as yet another late-season collapse, a streak that has plagued him ever since the team’s 2012 National Championship loss to Alabama.

However, this season does not offer as many excuses as the last. Yes, the team has suffered its fair share of losses (Morgan, Martini, McGlinchey, Nelson, Adams, etc.), but then again, who hasn’t? More importantly, quarterback Brandon Wimbush is now in his second year alongside offensive coordinator Chip Long, leaving little margin for error among Kelly’s critics.

Additionally, first-year defensive coordinator Clark Lea has shown all signs of deploying a defense very similar to that of last year. With the excuses of jitters and first-year miscues aside, it’s time for the rubber to meet the road. With Kelly’s seat potentially getting hotter, here’s who he’ll trust to get it done for him in 2018.