Notre Dame football needs several offensive players to break out after the bye week to reach their potential
Notre Dame football had a momentary break of action this week, resting their bodies, getting healthy, and continuing to try and improve this team. After five games, we can fully evaluate the good, the bad, and the troubling moving forward. That’s the job of the Irish staff this week. If this Notre Dame team is […]
Notre Dame football had a momentary break of action this week, resting their bodies, getting healthy, and continuing to try and improve this team. After five games, we can fully evaluate the good, the bad, and the troubling moving forward. That’s the job of the Irish staff this week.
If this Notre Dame team is going to hit their upside, they will need several players to step up and potentially breakout. That is especially true on the offensive side of the football. Here are the players that this team will need most coming out of the bye to take a step forward.
WR Jaden Greathouse
One of the most important storylines during the Louisville game that wasn’t talked about enough is the breakout of Greathouse, who had by far his best game of the 2024 season so far. Coming into the contest, the sophomore had just nine receptions for 79 yards. Greathouse ended the game against the Cardinals with four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Beaux Collins has been the best wide receiver for Notre Dame so far this season. Outside of him, the Irish need some wide receivers to step up. For those who still have hopes for the passing attack, Greathouse is an important key for it to trend upward. Out of the options on the offense, the Texas native is the easiest projection to be a high volume pass catcher. If he’s playing his best football, that should make it easier to invest into more opportunities to put the football in the air.
TE Mitchell Evans
This one is a little bit of cheating, but that’s okay. Evan’s isn’t a breakout technically, but his impact hasn't been felt this season yet. In five games, Evans has hauled in just 10 receptions for 82 yards. That is in comparison to his 2023 season, where he made 29 receptions for 422 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.6 yards per reception. Evans did that in just eight games.
When Evans is at his best, he is a middle of the field target that can be a bit of a safety blanket for a quarterback. Without him, this offense loses that floor. Evans needs to continue to get healthy, and be a bigger part of this Notre Dame offense. His presence, and big frame, allow this group to function more consistently.
OT Anthonie Knapp
There have been a lot of conversations centered around the left tackle position, and whether this bye week would be an opportunity to assess the state of the position. Knapp has had some good moments as a true freshman, but has had the typical moments you would expect from a player who lacks experience. Left tackle is a position of high importance for every football team, and needs to be constantly evaluated.
While there may be evaluations this bye week, I do believe that Notre Dame will stick with Knapp. His growth during the second half of the season is going to be so important for this team to hit its upside. Knapp doesn’t need to be perfect, but they do need him to be better. Show growth every week and this offense will continue to get better.
