Notre Dame Football: 3 biggest 2021 offseason questions for Irish

2. Can the Irish get some production from the receiver position? 

It seems as if Notre Dame’s coaches, coordinators, writers and fans have waited for years for Braden Lenzy to be the Rocket Ismail of this generation finally. Lenzy was injured much of the season once again for Notre Dame.

It was clear that against elite competition, Notre Dame’s wide receivers were ineffective.

The Alabama game was indicative of Notre Dame’s lack of production on the perimeter. While DeVonta Smith had seven catches and 130 yards, Notre Dame’s receivers totaled eight catches and 106 yards combined. This is a question that Notre Dame goes into yet another offseason needing to answer.

Here are some receivers that could produce for the Irish on the perimeter.

• Lorenzo Styles Jr.: Styles is a true freshman with great ball skills and wonderful football speed. Styles high-points the ball and runs away from defenders. If Kelly and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees have recruited the way they say, Styles is the type of talented player to take snaps away from veterans.
• Jordan Johnson: Johnson was supposed to be a splash player last season, but injuries and immaturity kept Johnson off the field last season. If he’s healthy and grown-up, Johnson has elite ball skills and the speed the Irish have lacked.
• Kevin Auston: Austin is arguably the most talented receiver on campus. He didn’t get to show it because of a nagging injury that didn’t get healthy. A 1-2 punch of Austin and Johnson could be trouble for opposing defenses next season.

This could be the best receiver room Notre Dame has had since Brian Kelly has been in South Bend. It is up the Kelly and Rees to have the scheme math the talent.