Notre Dame Football: Top 5 spring 2019 breakout candidates

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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4. Jacob Lacey, DT

Lacey, one of the Irish’s highest rated 2019 recruits, is in a prime position to earn substantial playing time as a true freshman. With both Jerry Tillery and Jonathan Bonner departing from the team in 2019, defensive coordinator Clark Lea will be tasked with replacing a significant amount of production with little depth.

Lacey, a native of Kentucky, will join a defensive tackle unit that includes 2018 contributors such as Kurt Hinish, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, and Jayson Ademilola. Of those three, Hinish was the most involved while Ademilola saw some time of his own and Tagovailoa-Amosa missed nearly the entire season with a broken foot.

Needless to say, the Irish boast very little interior experience outside of Hinish. Both Ja’Mion Franklin and Hunter Spears have been battling injuries while former four-star recruit Darnell Ewell has transitioned back to defensive line after serving as offensive line depth in 2018.

Hinish, the favorite to lock down the starting nose guard job, is very likely the only player between Lacey and a starting role along the defensive line. Kelly has praised Lacey’s frame and preparation as a freshman, hinting that he’s in line for significant playing time as long as he continues to progress this spring.

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