Counting Down the Irish | Top 5
NBC Sports writer Douglas Farmer asks the Notre Dame beat for a list of the top 25 most impactful players on the Fighting Irish roster.
With the help of my good buddy Jamie Uyeyama, the list has been set and there was very little debate this year on the ranking. Yes, in past years, Jamie sometimes has some questionable decisions where I have to set him straight.
The top five most impactful players according to the Notre Dame beat: Counting Down the Irish: Notre Dame’s top 5, featuring at least four possible All-Americans
1. Safety Kyle Hamilton
2. RB Kyren Williams
3. TE Michael Mayer
4. C Jarrett Patterson
5. DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Jamie and I had all five, but in a slightly different order:
1. Safety Kyle Hamilton
2. C Jarrett Patterson
3. RB Kyren Williams
4. TE Michael Mayer
5. DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Let’s start with Kyle Hamilton.
It’s a no-brainer. When you’re projected as a top 10 pick (or even top 5 by some), you’re an elite player. Hamilton is elite in every aspect of his life as he’s shown with selective NIL branding, but also a GPA over 3.0.
On the field, what can’t he do? He’s lined up on the edge to rush the passer, but also dropped 20 yards into coverage. He’s played Nickelback. He’s played linebacker. And then you get to this natural position at safety and he allowed Clark Lea to run wild schemes with him in zone and man.
Jarrett Patterson has quietly turned into one of the top offensive linemen in the country. The California native would likely be a hot name if he hadn’t played with four guys (Robert Hainsey, Aaron Banks, Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer) that are on NFL rosters.
He could very well be the top center in America and that’s why Brian Kelly and his staff are keeping him there. There is also great leadership from Patterson as he has the respect of everyone in the offensive line room.
The No. 2 ranking is based on much more than the fact he could play all five positions, but losing Patterson would be an immense loss. Last year, the Irish got away with it because they had those four NFL talents on the roster, but in 2021, it’s a far different offensive line and one that lacks experience.
Patterson is not only Notre Dame’s best offensive lineman, but he’s the most valuable.
Kyren Williams became a household name over the course of last season. The long touchdown run to start the Clemson game caught everyone's attention and he’ll be back for more this year.
The fact Williams is a threat in the passing game is why he’s ranked at No. 3 for ISD as Tommy Rees will likely get creative in how he gets the ball to his star (and Chris Tyree). That’s not to downplay Williams’ excellent blocking, but with an inexperienced line, the St. Louis native has shown the ability to create space and get loose, which will likely be very valuable early in the year.
Then you look at Williams’ leadership. He’s a vocal leader and one that doesn’t hide his emotions on his sleeve. He was born to lead. Williams has an upbeat personality, but also one that won’t be afraid to call anyone out when needed and that’s valuable in 2021 as the Irish lost two-time captains Robert Hainsey and Ian Book.
Michael Mayer is a unicorn much like Kyle Hamilton. Elite players shine early in their career and Mayer shined all of last year. The Kentucky native can do it all and that’s how you become Notre Dame’s No. 1 tight end as a true freshman.
Mayer has elite ball skills, while being athletic to hurdle defenders or make them look like pawns with his stiff arm. He can play multiple spots and isn’t isolated to one tight end role. Mayer can definitely improve his blocking, but for a freshman, he wasn’t liability and at Tight End U, you aren’t getting on the field unless you can block.
In 2021, Notre Dame has many unknowns at receiver and while the talent is there to be explosive, Mayer will likely be the No. 1 option in the pass game to start the year - if not the whole year. You can build a pass game around Mayer and that can’t be said for many tight ends.
Defensive end Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa. First off, ISD would like to send our condolences to the family as MTA’s father passed away as head coach Brian Kelly announced on Thursday.
On the field, MTA is a high effort guy. He’s not the most talented or an athletic freak, but he gets his job done and done well. Notre Dame has had a top run-stopping defense over the last few years and a large part of that goes to MTA. He’s stout against the run as he can shoot gaps and hold the point of attack.
It’s somewhat unknown how productive he’ll be moving to defensive end, but from all accounts this spring, the move was seamless and there was little thought to it. Now, I don’t expect him to get Khalid Kareem in terms of pass rush from that position, but there’s a good chance he’ll have a big impact and he’s a guy you can bump inside on third down as well.
The experience, leadership and production mean too much to this team for him not to be in the top 5.