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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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Sam Mustipher

Center Sam Mustipher, another Irish captain, has been playing under the shadows of many Notre Dame greats along the offensive line. Two of those greats, Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, both fell within the first ten picks of the 2018 NFL Draft. However, playing under these shadows never bothered Mustipher, but rather gave him great confidence in his role on the team.

However, it will now be Mustipher and teammate Alex Bars who will be tasked with leading the Irish offensive line in the wake of Nelson and McGlinchey’s departures. Both Mustipher and Bars have been named team captains and should be suitable replacements, at least in terms of leadership.

Mustipher is extremely talented and was great friends with Nelson during his time at Notre Dame, so perhaps we may see a similar jump in Mustipher’s game as well. However, we’ll have to see how Mustipher performs without the safety net of Nelson and McGlinchey to his left. Mustipher’s development this season will be crucial to Notre Dame’s success on the offensive line.

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