Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons the Irish will struggle in 2020

3. A potential defensive letdown for Notre Dame football

Last season, Notre Dame’s defense was solid for the most part. It had one of the best secondaries in the country as Troy Pride Jr., Alohi Gillman, Shaun Crawford and Kyle Hamilton made up one of the most formidable secondaries.

Though the Irish suffered a lot of injuries to their front-seven, their pass rush was solid as well. Led by Khalid Kareem, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and often-injured Julian Okwara, they got to the quarterback early and often. Just ask Bryce Perkins.

Where the Irish struggled was against the run. Their worst performance came against Michigan when they gave up over 300 yards. It did not get better.

This season, the entire secondary save Kyle Hamilton is gone. The pass rush, save Owusu-Koramoah is gone. They have to replace their entire secondary, pass rush and need to improve against the run.

Transfers Isaiah Pryor from Ohio State and Nick McCloud from North Carolina State will help a thin secondary, but they need to find more pass rushers and get better against the run up front.

If they don’t, it is going to be difficult against elite competition.