Notre Dame Football: 5 early bold predictions for 2018 season

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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass against the LSU Tigers in the first half of the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Phil Jurkovec makes serious push for Brandon Wimbush’s job

Notre Dame has a problem on its hands heading into the 2018 season. The Fighting Irish have two quarterbacks with starting experience on the roster and one more coming in with the 2018 class who could compete right away.

Brandon Wimbush started most of the 2017 season under center for the Irish while Ian Book also got some snaps. Neither was overly impressive through the air as Wimbush completed under 50 percent of his throws and Book had four touchdowns and four picks.

According to Laken Litman of the Indy Star, Brian Kelly is hoping for a strong quarterback competition between Wimbush and incoming freshman Phil Jurkovec.

Jurkovec is the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class and No. 67 player overall, according to the 247Sports‘ composite. He held offers from some of the nation’s top programs, but picked Notre Dame.

In 2017, I’d expect Jurkovec to seriously push for the starting job and potentially split snaps in the first few weeks with Wimbush. He has the arm talent, speed, athleticism and IQ to become one of the best young passers in the nation. Kelly thinks he’s the nation’s top quarterback recruit for a reason.

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