Notre Dame Football: Miles Boykin ready to take next step in 2018

There’s no doubt that Notre Dame football has the talent level necessary to compete for a berth in the College Football Playoff this year. Who can step up?

Notre Dame football lost a few wide receivers following the conclusion of the 2017 campaign, especially like standout 2018 NFL Draft prospect Equanimeous St. Brown. Up next for them to be  a primary target in the passing game is the tall rising senior receiver Miles Boykin.

Much like St. Brown, Boykin has the height and hops to be a target that the Fighting Irish quarterback can toss 50/50 balls to and expect him to bring it down. Whether that starting quarterback ends up as Brandon Wimbush, Ian Book, or Phil Jurkovec, he’ll likely be able to rely heavily on Boykin outside.

Last season, Boykin caught 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. His yards per reception, at 21.1, was the best on the team last year. The combination of Boykin’s ability to chew up yards after the catch and use his physical tools to beat opposing defensive backs makes him a special talent for Notre Dame in 2018.

Moreover, Boykin is actually the most productive returning player in the Notre Dame receiving corps this year. A fellow rising sophomore wide receiver in Chris Finke is the next up in terms of returning production at the position for the Irish in 2018. Although, Finke had just half the amount of receptions that Boykin hauled in a season ago.

The main thing to watch for the Irish in the passing game early in the season is the ability of the top two receivers to take some pressure off a new look ground game. The offensive line also has two very important pieces to replace in Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson.

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If guys like Boykin and Finke can step up in a big way this fall, then the projected starter in the backfield in Dexter Williams can have more room to run. And, the offensive line will have more time to get comfortable blocking in front of a guy like Wimbush or Book. The importance of Boyking stepping up huge this season cannot be overstated.