Notre Dame Football: 5 players who must step up in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Drue Tranquill #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumbled punt in the second quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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With the regular season less than 100 days away, here are five players who must step up for Notre Dame football in 2018.

For head coach Brian Kelly and his Irish squad, the 2016 season served as quite the crossroads. Notre Dame would go 4-8 in that season, with things looking particularly bleak in the wake of quarterback DeShone Kizer’s impending draft decision. With changes along the coaching staff and a junior quarterback with no starting experience, it was time for some players to step up.

And step up they did, as quarterback Brandon Wimbush and his offense hit the ground running early in the season. Likewise, the Irish defense was revitalized under new defensive coordinator Mike Elko. The majority of the team stepped up for the rebuild, but the Irish will need all hands on deck if they want to make a playoff push this season.

The College Football Playoff will always be the standard at Notre Dame. The Irish bring in some of the best talent in college football year after year and won’t be contend with being mediocre for very long. That necessitates a few new faces taking on bigger roles each successive season.

Here are five players who will be relied on the most to get things done in 2018.

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