Notre Dame Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018

3. Alohi Gilman, S

Alohi Gilman, a hard-hitting safety who made a name for himself as one of Navy’s leading tacklers, transferred to Notre Dame before sitting out a year due to NCAA regulations. Gilman brought plenty of upside to what appeared to be an inexperienced secondary and, according to Kelly, would’ve been a starter had he not been forced to sit out for the entirety of the 2017 season.

However, with the Irish secondary exceeding expectations as of late, Gilman’s role on the team is much more vague than when his transfer was announced last June. With safeties Nick Coleman and Jalen Elliott expected back as starters, Gilman will have to prove himself worthy of taking one of their spots if he wants to cement himself as an every-down defensive back.

In addition to sitting behind Coleman and Elliott, Gilman will first have to fend off Devin Studstill, Isaiah Robertson, and Jordan Genmark-Heath as the primary backup. Gilman should be a few steps ahead of the sophomore Studstill, but the emergence of Robertson and Genmark-Heath as potential starting candidates will give defensive coordinator Clark Lea much to think about.

All things considered, Gilman has everything it takes to solidify himself as a starting safety for the Irish. However, there are other alternatives for him should he fail to do so. For example, Gilman could make a great rover should Drue Tranqill be moved inside to cover for the losses of Nyles Morgan and Greer Martini. Either way, look for Gilman to flourish regardless of where he ends up.