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Notre Dame Football: Five X-Factor Players for 2016

By Greg Hadley

Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Stepherson (29) attempt to catch a pass as safety Ashton White (26) defends in the first quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. The Blue team defeated the Gold team 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Stepherson (29) attempt to catch a pass as safety Ashton White (26) defends in the first quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. The Blue team defeated the Gold team 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (16) runs the ball against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. (16) runs the ball against Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Torii Hunter Jr., Sr. WR

Not only did Notre Dame lose Will Fuller to the NFL, the Irish lost one of his would-be replacements, Corey Robinson, early this summer when he retired due to concussions. Oh, and the team’s No. 2 and 3 receivers are gone too.

Hunter is the team’s top returning receiver, both in terms of yards (363) and touchdowns (2), but he has a lot of production to make up for. Fuller was the best wideout Notre Dame has had since Jeff Samardzija and bailed out his team and quarterback on more than one occasion.

That doesn’t mean Hunter needs to be as good as Fuller was last year. But he has to be close. The Irish just don’t have many options behind him. Sophomore Equanimeous St. Brown is the only other receiver left on the roster with a catch last season. Once known as “Tight End U,” Notre Dame’s best receiving option along the line is now Alize Jones, who is inexperienced and still learning.

The tools are all there. Hunter possesses blazing speed and strong hands, as evidenced by his excellent 50-yard catch in the spring game. He’s worked his way back from injury and earned plaudits from his teammates and coaches for his toughness. Hunter’s pure athleticism is evidenced by the fact that he also plays for the Fighting Irish baseball team.

Now he needs to put it all together and shine in the spotlight.

Next: Josh Adams

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