Notre Dame Football: 3 players with most to prove in 2020
By Dante Pryor
2. Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame football
The Irish come into this season looking for someone to take over the EDGE rushing duties. Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara — both in the NFL — leave 10.5 that must be replaced.
Like many positions for the Irish, there are a lot of talented albeit inexperienced, pass rushers for Notre Dame. Though Daelin Hayes has been a rotational player most of his time in South Bend, he is the veteran of the group.
The fifth-year senior was supposed to get a lot of snaps last season. The plan was to have this three-headed pass rush hydra of Hayes, Kareem and Okwara. It did not quite happen that way.
Both Hayes and Okwara battled injuries last season. This season Hayes is healthy and ready to lead what should be a deep pass rush group. The big question is whether or not he can be the alpha pass-rusher.
This pass rush group includes Ovie Oghoufo, Isaiah Foskey and Justin Ademilola. Potentially, this group has all the tools to wreak havoc all season long.
The room is crowded but needs someone to take the lead. That is what this list and the entire narrative surrounding the Irish are all about this season. There is as much talent around South Bend as there’s been in a long time; who is going to take the lead.
You hope it is your veterans.