Tyler Buchner, Drew Pyne high on 2022 Notre Dame offense, receivers: ‘I think we’re going to be really good’
The 2022 Notre Dame offense is somewhat of a dichotomy.
There is ample inexperience, but there is also great confidence. It’s an odd coupling, especially in college football. Allow me to explain.
When Notre Dame takes the field on Sept. 3 in Columbus in front of what will surely be in excess of 100,000 people, they will trot out a first-time starter under center.
Sophomore Tyler Buchner and junior Drew Pyne have a combined 68 collegiate pass attempts and five passing touchdowns between themselves. But there seems to be little panic. Buchner exudes a noticeable confidence, while Pyne’s veteran presence is nothing but calming.
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Then there is the receiver group, one which exemplifies this dichotomy perhaps more than any other position group on the team. Four scholarship wideouts on the Irish roster — Avery Davis, Braden Lenzy, Joe Wilkins Jr. and Matt Salerno — are using their fifth or sixth years of eligibility. Davis and Wilkins are returning from ACL and MCL tears, Lenzy has been plagued by more minor injuries throughout college, and Salerno is a former walk-on.
Then there are two true sophomores, a redshirt freshman and a true freshman in Deion Colzie, Lorenzo Styles, Jayden Thomas and Tobias Merriweather. Colzie and Styles had just 28 catches and one touchdown last year.
There are no players in between the two age groups, although the transfer portal remains an option. There are more questions here than perhaps elsewhere on the offense, but there is confidence in the fact that the elder group will provide much-needed depth while the underclassmen break out.
Buchner, Pyne preach confidence in WR group
Despite the circumstances with just eight scholarship wideouts, both Buchner and Pyne are taking an optimistic approach. There are talented, hard-working and (some) experienced players returning at receiver. That’s what they need to see. Oh yeah, and they have a new position coach who has lit a fire under the players in Chansi Stuckey.
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“I’ve seen a group that works really hard,” Pyne said. “Coach Stuckey came in here, and they got right into the film room. They’ve worked really hard off the field but also really hard on the field. Those guys are in there with (Stuckey), and they can’t stop talking about how great he is. It really shows on the field.”
Buchner took a more comprehensive approach in his offensive comments, but he, too, began with the wideouts.
“We return a lot of receivers, running backs — Logan Diggs, Chris (Tyree), Audric (Estime),” Buchner said. “We’ve got studs up front and some guys who can make plays outside.”
Two of those “studs” are rising sophomore offensive tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher. They have a combined 10 starts between them, but again, there is that confidence despite that inexperience. These two will play on Sundays.
Buchner didn’t even mention All-American and likely first-round 2023 NFL Draft pick Michael Mayer, who will be critical to Notre Dame’s 2022 success, and he closed with an emphatic statement.
“I think we’re going to be really good.”
