JD PicKell spotlights two key positions for Notre Dame in 2023

The 2022 college football season just ended not too long ago. But that’s not stopping On3’s JD PicKell from breaking down the top teams in college football for next season. Recently PicKell took a hard look at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, spotlighting two key positions for them in 2023.

“From an honest perspective, the wide receiver position could be a make-or-break spot. Because you have the quarterback, you have all the things to set up the deep pass plays,” said PicKell. “You still got to have the personnel to make it happen.

“Two guys I’m looking at very closely here; Lorenzo Styles, someone they’re waiting on at the receiver position to take that next step if he can. If he could be that field stretcher for you, that’d be awesome. They want him to step up and be that alpha wide receiver. I don’t know how much he’ll factor in in the fall, but someone to keep an eye on, Jaden Greathouse. 4-star wide receiver. Played a really high level of football in Texas. He’s someone I’m excited about. That was a big get for Marcus Freeman as well on the recruiting trail. He could be a player for them…the bottom line is he’s a phenomenal talent and can help you. Whether it’s this year, next year, he can help you.”

Last season for the Fighting Irish, the top receiving threat was star tight end, Michael Mayer. Mayer finished the season with 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. His stat line was more than double that of any of the wide receivers on Notre Dame’s roster. But with Mayer opting to declare for the NFL draft, that will leave a large whole of productivity for another fighting Irish pass capture to step up and fill.

Along with wide receiver, PicKell believes there is an equally important position on the defensive side. And that is on the defensive line. And he knows just the man that needs to step up in order for Notre Dame’s defensive line to be dominant in 2023.

“The other position I’m looking at, the defensive line. You lose Isaiah Foskey, (an) absolute dog for the fighting Irish. You bring in Javontae Jean-Baptiste from Ohio State. Everything else behind him, for the most part, they’ve got a lot of production coming back. But the defensive line, to be that calling card once again, I think is very important for Notre Dame to take that next step.

“So, keep an eye on those position groups: receiver and defensive end. Defensive end or defensive line rather, just set the tone in the trenches. Receiver position, to set the field and capitalize on having Sam Hartman. If you can’t stretch the field, it’s going to be hard to take advantage of having a talent like Sam Hartman.”

Notre Dame enjoyed another solid recruiting class this season and has bolstered the roster through the NCAA transfer portal. Now all second-year head coach Marcus freeman has to do it’s put the pieces together and make them work for a run into the college football playoffs in 2023. something Notre Dame and freeman was likely one loss away from this past season.