Notre Dame Football: 3 biggest concerns heading into 2022 season

Notre Dame football enters the 2022 season as one of the nation’s top teams but there are still some reasons for concern.

Entering the 2022 season as one of the best teams in the country, Notre Dame football has plenty of reasons to be excited about a new era.

But there are also reasons for concern.

Sure, Notre Dame will probably be a top-10 team to start the season, but the Irish, led by brand new head coach Marcus Freeman, are not perfect.

Let’s look at the biggest concerns heading into the season.

Honorable Mention: The quarterback battle has not yet been settled and the Irish will be relying on an unproven starter.

3. No clear No. 1 rusher

Notre Dame is losing two-time 1,000-yard rusher Kyren Williams with the lead returning rusher being last year’s backup quarterback Tyler Buchner. That can’t be too calming.

Returning are both Logan Diggs and Chris Tyree who each rushed for over 230 yards last season with four total touchdowns but neither eclipsed 5.0 yards per carry. Audric Estime is also on the roster and the Irish are bringing in four-stars Jadarian Price and Gi’Bran Payne with the 2022 class who could add some serious depth.

But the lack of experience in the run game has to be concerning.

Will the Irish trust Tyree who really burst onto the scene two years ago or will they go with Diggs who had a nice freshman season in 2021? It’s never a good sign when your lead returning rusher is a quarterback.