Notre Dame Football: 3 breakout candidates for 2021 season

May 1, 2021; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) watches during warm ups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2021; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) watches during warm ups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) avoids a safety as Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) defend in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) avoids a safety as Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) defend in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s hard to believe that Isaiah Foskey was once considered one of the top tight end prospects in his recruiting class, but Notre Dame recruited him as a defensive end.

Turns out, Foskey is a budding star on the defensive side of the ball.

Foskey had himself a decent sophomore season with the Irish as he saw his snaps increase, collecting 20 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He looked like a capable end and a guy who’s on the verge of a special career in South Bend.

The 6-4, 257-pound end has the athleticism and size necessary to be a major contributor on the defensive line and help this defense get back to its dominant ways.

A duo of Foskey and Justin Ademilola is going to be frightening for opposing offensive lines and the edge will have plenty of explosion.