Notre Dame football needs to keep a close eye on several skill position players for Stanford

Notre Dame football is coming off their first bye week of the 2024 season, and is set to take on the Stanford Cardinal this Saturday. It’s no secret that the Irish have had their struggles against Stanford the last two years, including being upset by them in 2022. They now turn their full attention to Troy Taylor’s squad, which does bring some intrigue on the offensive side of the football.

There are a couple of playmakers that Notre Dame needs to be very aware of in this matchup. Here are the Stanford players to know, and the challenges that each presents.

QB Ashton Daniels (#14)

Stanford is coming off of an ugly 31-7 loss to Virginia Tech last weekend. A big reason for that performance was that Daniels wasn’t able to play while dealing with an ankle injury. When he’s healthy, he brings some nice dual threat ability to deal with defensively. In four games he has played, Daniels has run for 250 yards on 50 carries, averaging five yards per carry. If he’s able to play, Notre Dame must be ready for what he can do with his legs.

RB Micah Ford (#20)

Ford has been the best running back for Stanford so far, and it hasn’t been particularly close aside from an occasionally Chris David Jr. explosive run. Ford is a densely built ball carrier who has no problem lowering his shoulder. The freshman also has pretty good vision, having a good feel for navigating space. The key will be to stop his momentum before Ford gets rolling. He’s a runaway freight train when he gets downhill.

WR Elic Ayomanor (#13)

When you’re talking about the best players on the Stanford roster, Ayomanor should be on the short list, and should be considered No. 1 for just about everyone. The 6-2, 215-pound wide receiver leads the team in receiver so far this season, having hauled in 24 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Ayomanor boasts a huge frame, explosive leaping ability, and strong hands. He will challenge every team at the catch point.