Notre Dame Football: 5 breakout players to watch in 2018
By Jacob Wilson
1. Tommy Kraemer, OT
The Irish are sure to experience some growing pains on the left side of the offensive line after the departures of Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson, but the emergence of tackle Tommy Kraemer should help lessen the blow.
After spending the entirety of his freshman year on the scout team, Kraemer started in all but one game this season, helping to hold down the right side of the line alongside teammate Alex Bars. Kraemer entered the college football scene as a five-star prospect, unanimously ranked within the top five tackles in the 2016 class.
Kraemer struggled at certain points this season, but 2017 as a whole should be considered nothing but a positive. With a few more years left to improve his game, Kraemer will have the ability to follow in the footsteps of McGlinchey, Nelson, and all of the greats that have emerged from Notre Dame’s historically rich offensive line.
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If Kraemer hopes to take this path for his career, it’s best that his breakout year comes soon. With such a successful 2017 under his belt, look for the sophomore to take leaps and bounds in 2018. While the departure of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand will sting, Kraemer’s resiliency should allow him to take it in stride and put together a satisfying 2018 season.