Notre Dame football: 3 newcomers who’ll have biggest impacts in 2023

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football are bringing in some big-time talent in the 2023 class and the transfer portal.

The Irish look like one of the best teams in the country heading into the season, but they’ll be forced to find some new leaders on the defensive line, a new top target in the passing game, and a new quarterback to step up for the departing Drew Pyne.

Freeman addressed all of those needs in the portal and via the 2023 class.

Which newcomers will have the biggest impacts?

Javontae Jean-Baptiste never really got going at Ohio State, finishing his Buckeye career with 51 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. He flashed his potential, but never really got the opportunity to do it full-time on that defensive line.

Now that he’s at Notre Dame, he’ll be a starter on the defensive line, helping to replace Jayson and Justin Ademilola which isn’t going to be easy, but he’ll be capable.

Jean-Baptiste has really good size at 6-foot-5 and about 250 pounds and I could see him becoming a star on that defensive line in just a short amount of time. He has all the physical tools and I think the change of scenery and learning under Marcus Freeman and that defensive-minded staff is going to help tremendously.

I think we’ll see Jean-Baptiste approach all of his career numbers in just one season with the Irish on that defensive line.