Defender Notre Dame Ian Book it does not have the statistical campaign it had in 2019 now Chase Claypool, Cole Kmet and others have left for the NFL, but he’s perfect in the most important state: winning. The Fighting Irish have probably blocked a bid for the college football playoffs, regardless of Saturday’s ACC championship result against Clemson, as they are undefeated with a strong portfolio of quality wins.
Book completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,381 yards and 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions in 10 games. This is compared to 34 touchdowns, six picks, 3,034 meters and a completion rate of 60.2% last season in 13 starts.
So Book won an invitation to the 2021 Senior Bowl and will definitely be in an NFL training camp next year, despite his lack of elite physical features. Kirk Herbstreit threw himself on the Book on Friday during an appearance at Packer & Durham on the ACC Network.
“I like the guy,” Herbstreit said. „30-3 (registration). Wasn’t this 5 star … he is a great example for children today, especially on the day of signing a few days ago, why is this? (beginner) defender in the history of Notre Dame. I mean, as Lee Corso says, it’s a blue line. Underline this statement. With that school and their history, number 12 is their most successful defender and is 30-3. That’s why he has that, really. He is not naughty and beats his chest, telling people how good he is. He believes in his boys. That is the difference, indeed. He always had the ability to create. From the first time I saw him, he was always able to fight or find an open receiver. Now he believes in the people around him more than ever. I think Tommy Rees, the former QB being now the offensive line and OC, I think they are perfect together. “
Herbstreit believes that this year’s Notre Dame team is different from those that fell on the big stage in previous years, and the Irish team’s big win over Clemson on November 7 is proof of that. It helps you have a senior defender, and the defense is solid as well, with a first-round pick at the defender in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
That victory over Clemson is not the only game that contributes to what Herbstreit described as a different feeling. Notre Dame had few problems on the road against North Carolina on November 27 and has played Georgia twice in recent years.
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“They’ve gained some confidence in some tight calls against good teams in Georgia,” Herbstreit said. “And I think now, if you’ve watched them, how they played against Clemson, they remember the second game of the game?” Kyren Williams and it felt like they set the tone to make them think, “You know what? That will happen today. And so, now they have to go try to prove it again and both teams had a little chip on their shoulder, which makes a very good football game. “