Marcus Freeman new DC

[poewelch84]

This was the guy I was hoping for now we will see how he does when he has more talent and more resources to recruit talent.

 

[desert heat]

The 2021 Way-Too-Early college football top 25

Will we see heavyweights like Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State fall back in 2021? Can programs like Georgia, North Carolina and Texas A&M close the gap in their conferences? We break it down in our Way Too Early Top 25.

www.espn.com

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15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish​

2020 record: 10-2 (9-0 ACC)
Projected returning starters: three offense, six defense, two special teams

Projected losses: OT Liam Eichenberg*, G Tommy Kraemer, G Aaron Banks*, OT Robert Hainsey*, QB Ian Book*, WR Javon McKinley, WR Ben Skowronek*, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah*, SS Shaun Crawford*, DE Daelin Hayes*

Key additions: QB Jack Coan, QB Tyler Buchner, TE Cane Berrong, G Rocco Spindler, WR Deion Colzie

Outlook: With their 31-14 loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One, the Fighting Irish fell to 0-7 in BCS or New Year's Six bowl games since 1998 and have been outscored by 161 points in those games, with all seven losses by at least 14 points. While the Irish have been very good under coach Brian Kelly, they're still not at the level of Alabama (along with just about every other FBS program).

The Irish will have a face-lift on offense, starting at quarterback. Coan, a Wisconsin transfer, will battle Buchner, Drew Pyne and Brendon Clark for the starting job this spring. Notre Dame has good pieces on offense to build around, including tailbacks Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree and wide receivers Braden Lenzy and Jordan Johnson.

Four starting linemen are gone; center Jarrett Patterson is coming back from a broken foot. Kelly hired Cincinnati's Marcus Freeman to replace defensive coordinator Clark Lea, who left to become Vanderbilt's coach. Freeman will have to rebuild the defensive line and find more depth in the secondary.