Five returning Notre Dame players earn PFF recognition ahead of 2022 season
Come April, Notre Dame football won’t match last year’s eight-player performance from the 2021 NFL Draft. But the good news is, that means many of the Irish’s best players are returning in 2022.
Earlier this week, PFF recognized five of Notre Dame’s returning starters as being among the top 10 returning players at their respective position groups.
Jarrett Patterson — No. 1 returning interior offensive lineman
The standout center is the most senior player on the list, and he is a veteran on an offensive line that will return four starters next season. According to PFF, Patterson was the fifth-best pass blocker and 13th-best blocker in college football in 2021.
Over 827 regular-season snaps, the California native gave up zero sacks and a quarterback hit. He allowed more hurries and pressures than those at the highest level of the position, but he greatly improved as the season progressed and the offensive line began to click.
Michael Mayer — No. 2 returning tight end
This one was kind of a no-brainer. Despite the snub for the Mackey Award last season, Mayer is one of the best tight ends in the country.
The 6-foot-4, 232-pound tight end led the team in receptions with 71, and he broke the Notre Dame single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with seven. The previous record of six was held by former Irish pass catcher Cole Kmet. Could Mayer break his own record in 2022? It is certainly plausible.
Brandon Joseph — No. 4 returning safety
According to On3’s transfer portal tracker, the Irish landed the No. 16 overall player and No. 1 safety in the transfer portal in Joseph. In his first two years of playing time, the former Northwestern Wildcat far outplayed his high school requiring ranking, which had him as a three-star prospect.
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In 2021, Joseph made 80 tackles, broke up four passes and notched three interceptions. However, his more impressive performance came as a redshirt freshman in 2020. Joseph was tired for first in the nation in picks that year, bringing in six takeaways, one of which came against Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Perhaps he can do that again on Sept. 3.
Isaiah Foskey — No. 8 returning EDGE
The biggest return news out of South Bend this offseason came as a result of Foskey’s decision. The junior defensive end elected to stay at Notre Dame for another year after recording 11 sacks in 2021. When he got to the quarterback, he certainly backed the opponent up; Foskey led the nation in sack yardage by nearly 20 yards, topping potential 2022 Heisman contender Will Anderson of Alabama.
Notre Dame’s defensive line is going to receive a lot of offseason hype, but it’s nice to see Foskey individually recognized after flying under the radar nationally last year.
Blake Fisher — Sleeper returning offensive tackle
PFF included an 11th person — a “sleeper” — in every category. For offensive tackles, their extra player is Fisher.
As a true freshman, he saw minimal playing time this season, but it certainly was not due to a lack of talent. After tearing his meniscus in Notre Dame’s opener against Florida State, Fisher was out for the remainder of the regular season. He returned for the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State and played the entire game — all 91 snaps — allowing one sack and one pressure.
With a full offseason to prepare for next year, he is a young player to watch develop under offensive line coach Harry Hiestand.
