On the Still Independent Podcast this week, J.B. Long and I took a stab and what Notre Dame's depth chart might look like this fall. There still are inevitable changes coming to this -- for one, we don't know if Corey Robinson will play again or not -- and plenty of players here will have an opportunity to carve out playing time during summer workouts and preseason camp.
Listen to our podcast here, and check out how the depth chart could shake out below with some quick thoughts:
Quarterbacks
1. DeShone Kizer (Redshirt sophomore)
1A. Malik Zaire (Redshirt junior)
2. Brandon Wimbush (Sophomore)
3. Ian Book (Freshman)
Given coach Brian Kelly said last month he'll probably have to make a gut decision on who Notre Dame's quarterback will be, the slight edge here goes to Kizer given he has more experience than Zaire.
Running backs
1. Tarean Folston (Redshirt junior)
1A. Josh Adams (Sophomore)
2. Dexter Williams (Sophomore)
3. Justin Brent (Redshirt sophomore)
3A. Tony Jones (Freshman)
3B. Deon McIntosh (Freshman)
Ideally, Notre Dame will be able to redshirt Jones and McIntosh at the bottom of what looks like an awfully strong segment of the depth chart.
X (field) receiver
1. Equanimeous St. Brown (Sophomore)
2. Kevin Stepherson (Freshman)
3. Javon McKinley (Freshman)
Z (slot) receiver
1. C.J. Sanders (Sophomore)
1A. Corey Holmes (Redshirt sophomore)
2. Torii Hunter Jr. (Redshirt junior)
W (boundary) receiver
1. Torii Hunter Jr. (Redshirt junior)
2. Corey Robinson* (Senior)
2A. Miles Boykin (Redshirt freshman)
2B. Alize Jones (Sophomore)
3. Chase Claypool (Freshman)
Hunter has the ability to play all three receiver positions and will be moved around quite a bit, especially if Jones slides over from tight end and carves out more of a role as a receiver.
Tight end
1. Durham Smythe (Redshirt junior)
1A. Alize Jones (Sophomore)
2. Nic Weishar (Redshirt sophomore)
3. Jacob Matuska (Redshirt junior)
Smythe is the most complete tight end Notre Dame has, but both Jones and Weishar have good receiving skills.
Left tackle
1. Mike McGlinchey (Redshirt junior)
2. Jimmy Byrne (Redshirt sophomore)
3. Tommy Kraemer (Freshman)
3A. Liam Eichenberg (Freshman)
Left guard
1. Quenton Nelson (Redshirt sophomore)
2. Trevor Ruhland (Redshirt freshman)
Center
1. Sam Mustipher (Redshirt sophomore)
2. Tristen Hoge (Redshirt freshman)
These three offensive line positions appear pretty well locked down by McGlinchey, Nelson and Mustipher. McGlinchey and Nelson are Notre Dame's two most experienced returning offensive linemen, and uniting them on the left side should provide a major boost to Notre Dame's pass protection and run blocking efforts.
Right guard
1. Hunter Bivin (Redshirt junior)
1A. Colin McGovern (Redshirt junior)
2. Tristen Hoge (Redshirt freshman)
3. Parker Boudreaux (Freshman)
Right tackle
1. Alex Bars (Redshirt sophomore)
2. Hunter Bivin (Redshirt junior)
2A. Mark Harrell (Graduate student)
3. Tommy Kraemer (Freshman)
3A. Liam Eichenberg (Freshman)
Of this group, Bars looks the most likely to start, with Notre Dame preferring to slot him at right tackle. Bivin, McGovern and Hoge battled during spring practice to replace Steve Elmer at right guard, with that competition likely extending into the middle of August camp.
Check out our complete analysis of the offensive depth chart here, and check back Thursday for a look at the Irish defense.