Notre Dame Football: 5 biggest concerns for Fighting Irish in 2019
By Dakota Cox
3. Ian Book’s growth
Ian Book was one of the better quarterbacks in 2018, but he was usually seen as a game manager. That’s usually not a good thing for starting quarterbacks to receive the “game manager” tag, but it wasn’t a bad thing for Notre Dame last year. They were talented at the skill positions, and they needed a guy that would execute the game plan.
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However, they will need more from Book in 2019. Without his top receiver and running back, more of the offense will focus on him. He will also get the entire summer as the starter, so this will certainly be his team. Last season, he filled in for Brandon Wimbush, so it took a while before the team was truly his. Now, he will definitely be the guy for the Fighting Irish.
Book had 19 passing touchdowns with seven interceptions in 10 games for 2018. This is certainly efficient, but it’s not necessarily the volume that will work in 2019. Book will have to take some risks in the passing game as he expands past the first 10 yards. He needs to be able to throw the deep ball accurately and consistently.
Last season, he relied on his receivers to turn short passes into long gains. This year, he will have to convert deep passes down the field.
Not only will he need to grow and develop on the field, but he will also have to grow as a leader off the field. Book was a great leader as a junior, but the game changes as a senior. In tough environments on the road, Book will be the guy for his team. He will have every set of eyes watching it, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.