Notre Dame Football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher (54) picks up Chris Tyree (25) after he scored during the 2022 Playstation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame’s Chris Tyree (25) runs for a touchdown during the 2022 Playstation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY Sports /

Yet another former top-100 recruit, Chris Tyree was one of Notre Dame’s top signees in the 2020 class and he showed why he was so highly valued right away.

Tyree played behind 1,000-yard rusher Kyren Williams in 2020 and still put up 496 yards and four touchdowns on 6.8 yards per carry. He looked like a budding star behind Williams and although he struggled a bit in 2021 — and so did Williams early on — he still has the look of a breakout candidate. He finished with 222 yards and a touchdown on 4.0 yards per touch.

Entering his junior season, he should have full control of the backfield with Williams entering the NFL draft, but he may also find himself splitting carries with Logan Diggs and Audric Estime. He needs a big offseason to prove that he deserves the bulk of the carries.

Notre Dame needs the 2020 version of Tyree to return and if he does, he’s going to be the Irish’s next 1,000-yard rusher, following Williams’ footsteps.

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