Notre Dame Football: Final report card for 2019 season

Overall offense grade: B

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a solid season offensively. They finished 13th in the country in scoring averaging 36.8 points per game. The criticism of the offense was it lacked speed and dynamic playmakers on the perimeter. However, when the Irish were executing offensively they were as methodical an offense as there was in the country.

They didn’t have many explosive plays, but they were constructed to be a chunk offense. Not only that, one of their most explosive players, Jafar Armstrong, was hampered by an abdominal injury all year and didn’t contribute as expected.

Offensive standouts:

Ian Book, QB1: Much of the criticism of Ian Book is unwarranted. He is who he is: a tough-minded player with grit that can make a play or two. Despite the detractors, Book finished with 3,034 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He was also the team’s second-leading rusher with 546 yards and four touchdowns.

Cole Kmet, TE: Cole Kmet was one of the premier tight ends in the country this season with 43 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns. His performance this season led to his decision to enter the NFL draft this year.

Chase Claypool, WR: Chase Claypool was Book’s go-to receiver this year leading the Irish in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Book found Claypool when Notre Dame needed to convert a third down, or in the red zone when the Irish needed six.

Position report card

Quarterback: B-

The aforementioned Book was much maligned this season despite completing 60 percent of his passes. If you were to compare him to recent quarterbacks, Trace McSorely is a name that comes to mind. Both were smaller quarterbacks with grit and toughness, but limited athleticism. Book has a good arm, but not great; he can run, but won’t ever be mistaken for Lamar Jackson.

The term “game manager” is akin to the Scarlett A, and Book is a bit more than that. The game manager attributes he does possess is he takes what the defense gives, and won’t make the costly mistake. He’ll make a play for you every now and then as well. He made some key third down runs against Virginia Tech for example.

We’ll see the kind of season he has with a healthy Jafar Armstrong back next season and the speedy young receivers they’ve recruited.

Running Back: C+

Tony Jones Jr. would be considered a pleasant surprise if he wasn’t a desperately needed one. After Armstrong was injured, his season was derailed. Jones Jr. was the only running back that contributed anything of note.

Sophomore running backs C’Bo Flemister and Jahmir Smith did not contribute much of anything. Each had fewer than 50 carries and neither broke 200 yards or five yards per attempt. Jones Jr. was spectacular at times and pedestrian at others — being the bell cow was never the plan for him anyway. This group should have been better, but injuries got in the way.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: B-

This was a solid group led by standouts Cole Kmet and Chase Claypool. Chris Finke’s regression in the slot and Tommy Tremble’s lack of experience led to their lower grade here. Not only that, their younger receivers were not consistent contributors in the passing game. This group of receivers was very good at moving the chains on certain downs and distances.

Not only that, Claypool and Kmet were good in the red zone.

The critique on this crew — and it’s warranted — is their lack of speed. They didn’t have a dynamic playmaker on the perimeter and that hurt them on third and long and when they needed to take a shot downfield to keep defenses honest.

Offensive Line: B+

The offensive line was the strongest part of Notre Dame’s offensive unit. They paved the way for the run game and were 12th in sacks allowed this season. They didn’t have a Quenton Nelson-type star on this offensive line but blocked well as a group.  Their strength was pass blocking, but they got better as a run unit as the season went on.