Notre Dame and Clemson had outstanding seasons, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals before falling to Alabama and Ohio State, respectively. Now, both must look to replace important players and will turn to recruiting for help. Here's a look at how the Fighting Irish and Tigers are restocking their rosters for 2021. We will update this story with Alabama and Ohio State after their seasons end.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame made a run at its first national title since 1988 with a talented and experienced roster. Among the consistent starters, more than a dozen were rated as four-stars coming out of high school and among those starters, nearly half were seniors this season. While a great season fell short of their ultimate goal, attention shifts to the future as the Fighting Irish are poised to replace several key contributors. With the NCAA freezing eligibility this season and potential early draft entries still to be announced, circumstances could change in spots, but here's a look at how Notre Dame is prepared to reload for the 2021 season from recruiting.
Offense
Big shoes to fill at QB
Finding a difference-maker at quarterback is no easy task and Notre Dame is about to lose one of the best in its storied history. The winningest QB for the Fighting Irish, Ian Book has been the driving force of this unit since taking over during the 2018 season. No current QB brings much experience or has a start under his belt. 2020 ESPN 300 QB Drew Pyne looks to be in the best position to take over this role. He was a polished prospect with a quick release who had a productive high school career and could maintain a bit of the running threat that Book supplied. Pyne, while still very limited, did see action during his freshman season. Brendon Clark, a high three-star signed in the 2019 class, offers a similar skill set as Book. Experience in the program could give them the inside track to step into the starting role, but another option is coming via the transfer portal with former Wisconsin QB Jack Coan announcing he is headed to South Bend. The senior did not play this past season but guided the Badgers to the Big Ten West title as starter in 2019. Notre Dame is also bringing in two QBs in its 2021 class, including No. 7 QB-PP Tyler Buchner. The dynamic quarterback with a great arm will be someone to watch in this QB contest.
RB room is full
Among the top rushing offenses in the country, the bulk of this season's production will return. It will be led by former four-star Kyren Williams, the team's leading rusher, and true freshman Chris Tyree, who was a top-five running back in the 2020 class and contributed this season on offense and special teams. Notre Dame also flipped 2021 RB Audric Estime from Michigan State and he will add a bigger body (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and more of a power-running style to their RB rotation. The tight end position is a key part of Notre Dame's offensive attack and it will remain deep and strong. Brock Wright's presence will be missed as a blocker, but much of this group should return, including Michael Mayer, a former ESPN 300 TE who made an impact as a freshman, finishing among team leaders in receptions. Despite any departures, they are more than ready to maintain quality depth with three tight ends added during the early signing period, including No. 1 TE-H Cane Berrong.
Receivers must reload
The receiver position could take a hit and lose up to three of their top-five pass-catchers. Multiple four-stars signed in the 2018 class. Braden Lenzy, Lawrence Keys III and Joe Wilkins Jr. bring experience and will be in a position to step up and help fill some of the lost production. Several receivers were signed in the 2020 class, led by No. 6-ranked WR Jordan Johnson, who saw limited action this season but is a lengthy, smooth target with the tools to be an elite receiver. Most Fighting Irish receivers have not been called upon during their true freshman season, but if more options are needed, they have signed three ESPN 300 WRs in their 2021 class, including big outside target Deion Colzie.
Presence lost in trenches
The offensive line was one of the best in college football and consisted of a group that lived up to expectations with all key starters having been former four-stars and ranked in the ESPN 300. But this group is set to lose at least 100 career starts and replacing that talent and experience will not be easy. Center Jarrett Patterson should bring back needed experience once healthy and 2019 ESPN 300 center Zeke Correll got valuable big-game experience in his absence. Former top-100 overall prospects Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer will not be easily replaced, but Notre Dame does have talent to plug in up front, including 2019 ESPN 300 OT Andrew Kristofic and 2020 ESPN 300 signees Tosh Baker and Michael Carmody, who each got a chance to develop and learn this season.
Defense
Departures on D-line
The defensive front will see turnover with the departure of several experienced producers. They are set to lose more than 60 career starts and double-digit sacks, including sack leader Adetokunbo Ogundeji. A top-20 DT in the 2018 class, Jayson Ademilola will bring a mix of talent and experience. Former ESPN 300 DE Isaiah Foskey, a signing out of California powerhouse De La Salle in 2019, is a promising edge rusher and should see his role increase in 2021. One of their top signees in the 2020 class, DL Rylie Mills, saw action in multiple games during his freshman season. 2021 signee Gabriel Rubio, who is a big man with excellent strength and strong hands, could work his way into the rotation.
Linebacker corps solid
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was a four-star signee in the 2017 class who developed into one of the premier defenders in college football and his loss will be felt. While the linebacker unit featured several upperclassmen, the Irish should get another season out of most of this unit and allow younger players like Jack Kiser to continue to develop. 2021 ESPN 300 signee Prince Kollie is a player to watch who could develop into their next impact defender in the mold of Owusu-Koramoah.
Slimming secondary
The secondary was arguably the squad's weakest spot and will lose safety Shaun Crawford. Kyle Hamilton, a top-10 safety out of the 2019 class and the leading tackler, will return and three-star true freshman Clarence Lewis made multiple starts and was among team leaders in PBUs. It is likely this unit will see new faces next season as Notre Dame signed several defensive backs, including four-star Philip Riley and top-30 CB Ryan Barnes.
Clemson
The Tigers failed to make it to a third straight national title game, but even with key personnel departures facing them, this is a roster that's equipped to extend its impressive College Football Playoff streak. In position to sign its third top-five class over the past four cycles, including the No. 1 class for 2020, Clemson should contend for a national title in 2021. Again, circumstances could change in spots, but here is a look at how Clemson, through its recruiting, is prepared to remain in the national title hunt in 2021.
Offense
Replacing a legend
Clemson will lose a quarterback who won 34 games and is likely to be the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL draft. An elite talent who was the No. 2 overall player in 2018 class, Trevor Lawrence was impactful both in production and leadership and replacing him will be difficult. The good news for Clemson is it signed the No. 1 QB-PP in the 2020 class and already got an opportunity to see how he could lead the offense. The initial returns are positive. D.J. Uiagalelei is a big, strong-armed passer who was thrust into action when Lawrence had to sit out two games because of COVID-19 protocols. The Tigers did lose a game, but not because of his play. He threw for nearly 800 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Holes in the backfield
Lawrence will not be the only key departure from the backfield as the Tigers also lose Travis Etienne, the ACC's career leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Unlike QB, there is no heir apparent and highly touted 2020 RB signee Demarkcus Bowman has left the program. While unproven, talent is still available. Lyn-J Dixon and Chez Mellusi were both ESPN 300 prospects out of high school and will bring game experience to this unit. Clemson also is bringing in two ESPN 300 running backs who could be quick contributors. Phil Mafah is a big, powerful back with deceptive top-end speed and Will Shipley is the No. 2-ranked RB in the 2021 class and can be a versatile option with elusiveness as a runner and as a target out of the backfield.
Health the key at WR
The top two receivers will be lost, but the wide receiver position could be as strong, if not stronger, in 2021. Justyn Ross was lost for the season, but a return to the field next fall is possible and if healthy, he can immediately give this unit a boost. Ross is a big-play target who led the Tigers in receptions last season. The healthy return of 2019 top-25 WRs Frank Ladson Jr. and Joe Ngata will further strengthen this group along with the continued development of E.J. Williams, who contributed as a true freshman. If they can keep that group on the field, the addition of three more ESPN 300 2021 WRs should complement them well. The trio includes 6-foot-4 Beaux Collins, ranked No. 3 at the position and a high school teammate of Uiagalelei.
Experience up front
The offensive line should return its core despite center Cade Stewart moving on and LT Jackson Carman, an X-factor who has the potential to leave early. His return would be big, but 2020 ESPN 300 OL Walker Parks has experience and is flexible and agile. Among the several OLs signed in their 2020 class, top-five OG Paul Tchio also has begun to get his feet wet and could take on a bigger role. This unit will see more new blood with four ESPN 300 prospects in the 2021 class, led by No. 4 OT Tristan Leigh.
Defense
D-line dominance
When it comes to the defensive front, Clemson can be optimistic heading into the 2021 season. The Tigers' defensive line is young and talented and has the potential to be a premier defensive line in the nation. Tyler Davis was an ESPN 300 signee in 2019 and proved to be a disruptive force when healthy. The Tigers signed two five-star DLs in 2020, Bryan Bresee and Myles Murphy, and both have been impact additions, combining for 18.5 TFLs and eight sacks. This is a group with quality depth, which should increase with 2021 additions like No. 4 Payton Page, a stout run defender. The wild card is former five-star Xavier Thomas, who has been inconsistent since arriving on campus but has shown flashes of dominance when healthy.
Reloading at linebacker
Linebacker will lose a leader in James Skalski, but should see the core of the unit return, including leading tackler Baylon Spector. The Tigers also are bringing in the top-rated LB prospect in five-star Jeremiah Trotter Jr. He has immediate-impact ability that includes sideline-to-sideline range, powerful filling and high-level instincts to help in the transition to college.
Questions in the secondary
The secondary will have key holes to fill but will not be starting from scratch. If Derion Kendrick leaves early, Clemson does have several former ESPN 300 CBs on the roster who return with game experience and good coverage skills, including Sheridan Jones and Andrew Booth. The Tigers also have signed two ESPN 300 defensive backs, led by No. 5 safety Andrew Mukuba, who flashes good range and closing skills.