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Notre Dame Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection

By Jacob Wilson

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hauls in a third quarter touchdown over cornerback Gareon Conley #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hauls in a third quarter touchdown over cornerback Gareon Conley #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – OCTOBER 26: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish line. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – OCTOBER 26: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish line. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line

Starting Tackles: GS Mike McGlinchey (LT), SO Tommy Kraemer (RT)

Mike McGlinchey, in his fifth season with the Irish, is the greatest lock on this roster. It’s not far-fetched to assume he will likely be Notre Dame’s most valuable player on the offensive line this season. McGlinchey was placed on both the Outland and Lombardi Trophy lists last year. He figures to be watched even more closely over the course of this year.

Kraemer, perhaps Notre Dame’s best prospect on the offensive line, will battle classmate Liam Eichenberg for the starting spot. Early indicators would point to him coming out on top. He was given the nod in the Blue and Gold game.

Backups: GS Hunter Bivin (LT), SO Liam Eichenberg (RT)

Hunter Bivin is a veteran at the position and will likely be first in line to receive snaps should McGlinchey be sidelined. Eichenberg, as mentioned above, should backup Kraemer. That is, if he doesn’t take the starting spot for himself. Right tackle will be an interesting position to follow in South Bend as the season draws near.

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Starting Guards: SR Quenton Nelson (LG), SR Alex Bars (RG)

Much like McGlinchey, both Nelson and Bars are expected to start barring significant injury. Nelson and Bars acted as much needed anchors along the line, each starting in all 12 games last season. Nelson is the better of the two and figures to fall in the first couple of rounds of the NFL draft when he declares.

Bars is a little further behind in terms of development but will likely have similar expectations pushed on him by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Both of these players will be trusted to hold down the fort on the interior. They should have no problem doing so given what we have seen out of them up to this point.

Backups: GS Hunter Bivin (LG), JR Trevor Ruhland (RG)

With the majority of the line’s youth falling on the left side, Bivin will be called on to serve as the backup for both left guard and left tackle this upcoming year. Ruhland will provide solid depth behind Bars and should look to start next year should either Nelson or Bars depart.

Starting Center: SR Sam Mustipher

Sam Mustipher also started every single game last year. He should be given that same opportunity this year. Mustipher played on the scout team in his first season with the Irish and functioned as a backup center in 2015 before being thrust into the starting role last season. His time as a starter came with some bumps and bruises but the coaching staff claims he has ironed out most of the kinks.

Backup: JR Tristen Hoge

Hoge is a junior out of Highland high school who has played minimal time in a Notre Dame uniform. However, he has shown great versatility over that time as he backed up both center and guard last season. With another year under his belt and a more well-defined role being carved out for him this season, it’ll be interesting to see if he ends up giving Mustipher a run for his money.

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