5 Notre Dame Football Players That Need To Step Up To Win 11 Games In 2015

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on the come-up after a disastrous end to the 2014 season, with plenty of talent to work with and a offseason-sized chip on their shoulder. Here's the 6 Notre Dame Football Players That Need To Step Up To Win 11 Games In 2015.

QB Malik Zaire

It Zaire's team now with Golson off to FSU, and he'll need to put a spotty spring performance behind him and quickly. He's a fantastic dual-threat weapon at his best, but he sometimes makes rushed decision at the line of scrimmage which baffle the coaching staff. Fix that and the Irish will be in good shape.

DL Jerry Tillery

The true freshman was originally recruited as offensive lineman before being shifted to defense due to the team's depth on the offensive front. Tillery has gotten plenty of work in with Jarron Jones and Sheldon Day both limited, and that could lead to him being a Weapon X rotation piece both on the interior and the ends of the D-line.

WR/RB CJ Prosise

Prosise looked fantastic as a slot receiver in 2014, but his work as a running back in camp is what portends huge things ahead for the junior. He's talented enough to get touches both as a receiver and a tailback, and he's electric enough to make plenty of those count for huge yardage.

LB Jarrett Grace

A gruesome leg injury put Grace on the shelf back in 2013, which means he's got plenty of motivation to make an impact after 18 months away. The Irish bring all three starting linebackers back in 2015, but if Grace lets his true talent shine, he'll be a major rotation piece that could breathe some extra life into a defense that needs it.

CB Matthias Farley

Farley led the Irish with four interceptions last season, and his 3.5 sacks tied for the team lead with linebacker Jaylon Smith. He was used all over the field due to a rash of injuries in 2014, but he's in good position to take the vacant cornerback spot left by Cody Riggs' graduation. He's a dynamic force wherever he lines up, and he could be the key piece in Notre Dame's defensive turnaround in 2015.

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