Notre Dame Football: Projected pre-spring game 2018 depth chart
By Jacob Wilson
Wide Receivers
Starting outside receivers: Chase Claypool, Miles Boykin
Starting slot receiver: Chris Finke
Backups: Michael Young, Javon McKinley
With the departures of Equanimeous St. Brown via the NFL Draft and Kevin Stepherson due to off-the-field issues, things have opened up along the Irish receiving corps. Junior Chase Claypool (29 receptions, 402 yards, and two touchdowns) will fight with senior Miles Boykin (12 receptions, 253 yards, and two scores) for the No. 1 spot while Chris Finke takes over in the slot.
In regard to who will figure in as backups, sophomores Michael Young and Javon McKinley currently hold an advantage over their freshmen teammates. However, with Micah Jones, Braden Lenzy, and Kevin Austin coming in hot, the backup roles could get congested really quickly. Freshman Lawrence Keys III also factors into the team’s depth in the slot.
Tight Ends
Starting tight end: Alize Mack
Backups: Cole Kmet, Nic Weishar, Brock Wright
If you’ve been a steady supporter of senior Alize Mack throughout his Notre Dame career, then congrats, because it seems as if he will have yet another season of little competition. If you’re tired of seeing him as a starter game after game, then I’m afraid you’ll have to wait another year. Either way, it seems as if the job is once again Mack’s to lose.
Saying that there is little competition isn’t a slight to those beneath Mack, but rather a comment on the perfect timing that has seemed to work in his favor. Fifth-year Nic Weishar should still be in the mix once he recovers from injury and sophomore Cole Kmet might be ready for his breakout season. As for Brock Wright, he’ll likely operate as the team’s primary blocking tight end sooner than later.