Notre Dame football: 5 bold predictions for Irish in October

1. Chase Claypool establishes himself as Notre Dame’s No. 1 receiver

After a 2016 campaign that saw wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown record 58 receptions for 961 yards and nine scores, the junior came into this season seemingly solidified as the team’s number one. However, he has struggled greatly up to this point, recording only 14 receptions for 202 yards and two scores. He is now on pace for only 484 yards this season.

While sophomore Chase Claypool has only logged 108 receiving yards himself, he has really come into his own as of late, recording just one less reception than St. Brown over the last two weeks. With St. Brown failing to clearly establish himself as the team’s number one, Claypool has carved out a nice role for himself heading into the midway point of the college football season.

What doesn’t show up on the stat sheet is Claypool’s big-play ability. His touchdown catch last week was impressive, but it has been his play outside of the end zone that has truly showcased his development. While St. Brown is the more fundamentally sound receiver, Claypool has found ways to spark this offense in ways the former has failed to.

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With classmate Kevin Stepherson still in Kelly’s doghouse, Claypool will have all the opportunities needed to carve out the number one role should St. Brown continue to falter. This season has been full of surprises up to this point, but a late-season surge from Claypool may not be too far from reality.