Counting Down the Irish | 6-10

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. 

Jamie and I team up to make ISD’s list and we covered our top five players yesterday: Counting Down the Irish | Top 5

Today, we’ll take a look at 6-10. Notre Dame’s beat didn’t have any surprises, but it definitely differed a touch from how ISD saw it. NBC Counting Down the Irish 6-10

NBC Results (6-10)
10. RB Chris Tyree
9. DE Isaiah Foskey
8. WR Kevin Austin Jr.
7. QB Jack Coan
6. LB Drew White

ISD went with:
10. RB Chris Tyree 
9. OL Blake Fisher
8. DT Jayson Ademilola
7. QB Jack Coan
6. WR Kevin Austin Jr.

Let’s start with Tyree. He could have been higher and he could have been lower. Kyren Williams is going to get the bulk of the work and rightfully so, but Tyree proved last year he’s more than capable of playing at this level and being a dynamic playmaker. Some thought he couldn’t run between the tackles and he proved them wrong in the season opener. 

We expect Tyree to take the next step forward, which could be a ton of fun to watch as he’s one of the fastest players in America. He’ll be on the field with Williams more and don’t forget he almost broke a few kickoffs. Tyree is a weapon despite being the No. 2 running back. 

Yes, Blake Fisher hasn’t played a game at Notre Dame. Yes, he’s a true freshman. Yet, Fisher is an elite talent and taking first team reps in the spring at left tackle was a statement in itself, but taking them about three practices into his career might have been even more telling. 

Most had him penciled into a guard spot and he could very well end up there at Notre Dame or at the next level. However, Fisher’s intelligence and footwork might have been overlooked by those folks at the the end of day. Notre Dame’s OL fraternity is harder on each other than any other position as there are high expectations, so it might be telling more than a handful of folks told us Fisher was a three-year player...in the spring. Think about that for a second. 

Jayson Ademilola has flashed over his first three years at Notre Dame. You’ve seen the explosion and the ability to rush the passer, but we think he shows off his entire game this fall. He’s a guy that does every well and with Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa bumping outside, it allows more reps for Ademilola. 

Marcus Freeman’s scheme will likely allow his defensive linemen more chances to shoot gaps and that’s one of Ademilola’s strengths. This list was done before Thursday’s scrimmage and the first play was a Jayson Ademilola tackle for loss. 

Jack Coan didn’t come to Notre Dame to sit the bench and the Irish didn’t take him for depth. The position is in need of experience and a veteran presence and Coan provides exactly that. Will he better than Ian Book? That remains to be seen as Book had his flaws, but there is no denying he did everything well. 

Can Coan do everything well and maybe something great? That’s what Notre Dame needs to get to the next level. If Coan can provide Notre Dame with a consistent deep ball, limit turnovers and not take sacks, then his ranking could easily go into the top five. 

Kevin Austin Jr. There isn’t much to be said. He’s a kid people are tired of hearing the media and coaches hype up because he has essentially missed the last two seasons. Austin did Austin things during Saturday’s scrimmage and he’ll be a game wrecker if he’s on the field. 

Notre Dame needed a playmaking No. 1 receiver last year and Austin can fill that void. 

NBC’s Counting Down the Irish
1. S Kyle Hamilton
2. RB Kyren Williams
3. TE Michael Mayer
4. C Jarrett Patterson
5. DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
6. LB Drew White 
7. QB Jack Coan
8. WR Kevin Austin Jr.
9. DE Isaiah Foskey
10. RB Chris Tyree 

ISD’s Counting Down the Irish
1. S Kyle Hamilton
2. C Jarrett Patterson
3. RB Kyren Williams
4. TE Michael Mayer
5. DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
6. WR Kevin Austin Jr.
7. QB Jack Coan
8. DT Jayson Ademilola
9. OL Blake Fisher
10. RB Chris Tyree