Notre Dame Football: 5 freshmen who could become instant starters in 2018

Call me crazy, but I truly believe four-star freshman quarterback Phil Jurkovec has what it takes to be a first-year starter for Notre Dame in 2018. It may not happen right away with Ian Book and Brandon Wimbush returning, but the 6-foot-5, 215-pound freshman could show that he’s the best long-term option for Notre Dame instantly.

Book will be a junior and Wimbush will be a senior and if Brian Kelly wants to build this team for the long-run, he has to at least consider starting the four-star quarterback who he dubbed the best in the country in the 2018 class.

The Gibsonia, Penn., native is listed as the fourth-best dual-threat in the class and No. 83 overall prospect, giving Wimbush and Book a run for their money. Jurkovec has the highest ceiling of the group, but will Kelly trust a freshman to start right away?

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Like I said, it may not happen in Week 1, or even in Week 6, but I do believe Jurkovec will get a chance to prove himself as the starter sooner or later. He has the arm strength, accuracy and dual-threat ability to make Notre Dame’s offense that much more effective.