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Notre Dame football: Way-too-early breakout candidates for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 15: Tobias Merriweather #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown reception with teammates against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 15, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 15: Tobias Merriweather #15 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown reception with teammates against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 15, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime (7) runs the ball past South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Sherrod Greene (44) in the fourth quarter in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime (7) runs the ball past South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Sherrod Greene (44) in the fourth quarter in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports /

OK, look, I get it. Audric Estime rushed for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry last season and we could probably call that his breakout year, but I think he’s capable of so much more. I think we’re going to see him contend for a Doak Walker Award this season as the nation’s top running back.

When Notre Dame stole Estime from Michigan State on the recruiting trail, there was a reason Spartan fans were in shambles and Brian Kelly was fist-pumping: this dude is the real deal.

Estime has tremendous size and he’s very difficult to bring down at 6-1 and 215 pounds. He’s a load for defenders to handle and if you think a defensive back is going to be able to bring him down in the open field, you’ve got another thing coming.

The growth we saw from Estime between his freshman and sophomore seasons was massive and I think it’ll be even bigger from his sophomore to his junior year. This is the type of running back that could push for 1,500 yards and 15-20 touchdowns, especially if he’s given an adequate amount of reps.

Estime will be splitting some carries with Logan Diggs, but he should be the workhorse in 2023 and I think he could do some special things.

If you thought last year was impressive, wait until this season.

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