Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: Top 3 breakout candidates for spring 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Deion Colzie (16) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Deion Colzie (16) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

This one was the most obvious choice for the top spot to me. Tyler Buchner came to Notre Dame as a top-100 recruit and expectations were very high for him, but he didn’t get much playing time in 2021. He did see the field along with Jack Coan and Drew Pyne, but the former is gone and Buchner is now the projected starter.

Brian Kelly used Buchner a lot in running packages because he was one of the better dual-threat recruits in the 2021 class and he actually finished with more rushing yards (336) than passing yards (298) last season. He had three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns but it was clear his decision-making needed work as he had three picks as well.

With Coan gone, everyone is expecting Buchner to step up and take over as QB1 and he should be able to do that but he needs a big spring and I think he has one for the Irish.

Notre Dame was severely lacking good quarterback play in 2021, but I think a sophomore Buchner can change that in 2022.

Next. NFL Mock Draft 2022: Super Bowl weekend edition. dark

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish