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Notre Dame Football: 3 players who’ll make an impact in 2018 spring game

By Andrew Miller

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gets tackled short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gets tackled short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Much of the talk surrounding the Notre Dame football program in 2018 falls on the receiving corps, who is replacing its best producer from last year in Equanimeous St. Brown. The Irish also have to replace their top tight end from 2017 in Durham Smythe, who is likely a later round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

A pass catcher expected to step up in a big way starting in spring drills is rising senior tight end Alize Mack. As he could never quite find his way in the past two years, Mack finally has a chance to emerge as one of the top targets in the Notre Dame passing attack.

Last season, Mack caught 19 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. He does have the type of talent and physical tools to rack up at least 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns in a potential breakout 2018 campaign. Mack needs to prove what he can do starting in spring practice.

Next: The case for each Notre Dame quarterback to start in 2018

Whether Mack falls on the squad led by Book or Wimbush, he’ll be targeted quite a few times. He won’t get as good of a chance to make an impact on the coaching staff during the course of the off-season as he will in the spring game. Mack needs to make the most of that opportunity.

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