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Notre Dame football: 3 spring game breakout candidates for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the start of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the South Carolina Gamecocks at TIAA Bank Field on December 30, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the start of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against the South Carolina Gamecocks at TIAA Bank Field on December 30, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Saturday marks the second Notre Dame football spring game with Marcus Freeman in charge and the excitement is building to see the talented freshman class mix with the veterans and some transfers. This Notre Dame team could be special.

Sam Hartman will catch everyone’s attention on Saturday as he’s the current star of the show at quarterback, but there are some young guys who I think will break out.

Which Irish players will have breakout performances on Saturday?

With the injury that Cam Hart suffered in 2022, Jaden Mickey had a chance to step up this spring while the senior recovered. Hart is coming back for his fifth season and he’ll be the starter at cornerback alongside Benjamin Morrison who broke out as a freshman, but Mickey is fighting for a spot as the No. 3 cornerback.

From all accounts, he’s had a really solid spring and he’s taken advantage of the opportunity that he was presented because of Hart’s injury.

As a freshman, Mickey played in 11 games and had nine total tackles but wasn’t really a huge force on the defensive side of the ball. I think that’ll change this season as the former four-star cornerback is going to have a big spring game on April 22 and show that he deserves to be not only on the two-deep, but slotted into that No. 3 role.

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