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Notre Dame Football: 3 biggest questions heading into 2020

By Dante Pryor

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Troy Pride Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lines up on defense during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 23: Troy Pride Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lines up on defense during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019, in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. How much better will the defense be?

Last season, Notre Dame’s defense was hit hard by the injury bug. Julian Okwara, Daelin Hayes and Shaun Crawford were among the defensive players that missed significant time due to injury.

Hayes was the most significant injury because he was the plug in the middle of their run defense. Their run defense suffered without him in the middle as well. The Irish surrendered almost 15 more rushing yards per game than they did in 2018. The positive is the Irish had to play a lot of younger inexperienced players last season.

This season, much like last, the Irish are dealing with a lot of attrition. They have to replace a lot of high-end, NFL-caliber talent again. The hardest-hit group was the secondary; they have to replace their entire starting secondary from last season.

Kyle Hamilton and TaRiq Bracey are two young guys that saw a lot of action last season and they added Ohio State transfer Isaiah Pryor as well.

Though the rush defense might improve, the pass rush is in the air. No Julian Okwara or Jamir Jones this season. That is 10.5 sacks from last season’s team. One hope is that four-star Rylie Mills can step in and produce.

The cupboard is not bare, just inexperienced.

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