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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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GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Chris Brown #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Wide receivers

Starting Receivers: JR Equanimeous St. Brown, Kevin Stepherson, Chris Finke

Much like the defensive tackle position, the wide receiver corps is extremely fluid. St. Brown is the lone lock at the position. After him there will be a multitude of players gunning for starting roles. This position battle will no doubt be one of the more exciting ones as the summer comes to a close.

Kevin Stepherson impressed last year as he reeled in 25 passes for 462 yards. That should be enough to secure a starting spot if Miles Boykin can’t distance himself. Chris Finke should fit in nicely in the slot position. His size and speed allows for him to escape tacklers.

Backups: JR Miles Boykin, JR C.J. Sanders, SO Chase Claypool

The distance between Boykin and Stepherson is razor thin in my opinion. The battle could really go either way. Both have different skill sets, making it possible that the No. 2 wide receiver may be a position run by committee.

The do-it-all playmaker in Sanders will likely handle backup duties alongside sophomore Chase Claypool. However, Claypool may surpass Sanders on the depth chart as the latter will be busy handling kick and punt return duties.

Tight ends

Starting Tight Ends: JR Alize Mack, GS Durham Smythe

Alize Mack, perhaps Notre Dame’s most hyped prospect, will come into his junior year a whole year removed from live action. After being suspended for the 2016 season, Mack’s college career took a large step back.

Smythe was not quite able to take advantage of Mack’s absence, and neither were any other tight ends on the roster. Now, Mack will return to the field with the opportunity to be molded into the role created for him.

Mack has more upside than any other tight end on the team and hoped to make that clear come football season. Smythe, in his last year with the Irish, will continue to operate on the goal line and in two tight end sets.

Backups: SR Nic Weishar, FR Brock Wright

Similar to the dynamics of most other positions, the backups at the tight end position are balanced between youth and experience. Nic Weishar figures to get in the most time should an injury occur. However, highly rated freshman in Wright may also be in line for some time if the season gets out of hand like it did last year.

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