The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have their fair share of impact talents to work with on their road to College Football Playoff glory in 2015, and these next guys are the biggest assets of all. Here's our list of the 6 Best Notre Dame Football Players For 2015.
6. LB Joe Schmidt
Schmidt was on his way to a banner 2014 before a catastrophic leg injury against Navy ended his season after just eight games. While Schmidt isn't assured of reclaiming his starting spot in a loaded linebacking corps, his undeniable leadership skills and abilities against both the run and the pass will lead to a major impact in 2015 regardless.
5. QB Malik Zaire
The junior signal caller gets a chance to put his natural athletic gifts to good use in 2015 as the face of the Notre Dame offense. The 6-0, 222-pound lefty is built sturdy as a house, runs with his nose to the grindstone, and is a true playmaker both on the run and in the pocket. While this high ranking is more indicative of his potential than his production so far, we have no doubt that he has both the tangibles and intangibles to get the job done.
4. WR Will Fuller
After a dud of a freshman campaign in 2013, Fuller blossomed into Notre Dame's top aerial threat with 76 catches for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. A dark horse Heisman candidate at the lead of one of the deepest wide receiving corps in the nation, Fuller's draft stock is set to get a major boost following this year.
3. DE Sheldon Day
He's not exactly a superstar in the mold of recent Irish defensive lineman, but Day's versatility and ability to throw opposing running games into disarray will be the lynchpin for Notre Dame's return to defensive dominance. Day plugs gaps with the best of them and his ability to shed and redirect blocks is second to no one on Notre Dame's roster.
2. OT Ronnie Stanley
The massive 6-6, 315-pounder is as close to a franchise left tackle as one can get in college football. Part of the reason we're so sure about a Zaire breakthrough is the fact that Stanley's sitting there as one of his main bodyguards. Don't be surprised if Stanley is tabbed as the #1 offensive tackle in the 2016 NFL Draft.
1. LB Jaylon Smith
Smith is the definition of a blue chip linebacking recruit making good, and his 111-tackle, 3.5-sack 2014 campaign is only a precursor to the carnage he's set to create in 2015. Smith's unique size and speed combination makes him a fit at any LB spot, and that flexibility is going to give defenses fits each and every week.
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