Notre Dame Football: 3 Upperclassmen who must step up in 2022

These three Notre Dame football players must step up if the Irish are to make a move in 2022. 

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are in the midst of their best era of football since Lou Holtz was head coach.

Notre Dame football has eight top-10 finishes, seven 10-win seasons, two College Football Playoff appearances, and a BCS Championship game appearance in the last decade.

This run of success should continue under new head coach Marcus Freeman. The former defensive coordinator is invested in recruiting to Notre Dame and the continued development of the players. This season could be tremendous for the Irish. This team is one of the more experienced teams in the country.

The Irish get offensive tackle Blake Fisher and interior lineman Michael Carmody back from injury. Carmody can move around either to guard or center. Expect the Irish to start six upperclassmen (juniors, seniors, or graduate players) on offense, and all 11 starters on defense are upperclassmen.

Upperclassmen permeate the two-deep as well. Notre Dame football has juniors, seniors, and graduate students either part of their rotation or as quality backups. With so much returning experience and talent, the Irish have to be on the shortlist for teams contending for the College Football Playoff.

Here is a closer look at three upperclassmen who need to step up this fall.