Newsstand: ESPN projects Notre Dame football’s sleeper break out candidate

ESPN has published a healthy dose of college football content this week, releasing their preseason All-America team, top 100 players and their latest article, discussing 32 sleeper candidates who could break out. ESPN writer Adam Rittenberg’s list featured one Notre Dame football player.

Rittenberg identified graduate student safety Jordan Clark , an Arizona State transfer, as a player who could emerge for the Fighting Irish this season.

“He’s football savvy, a term that’s sometimes hard to describe,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman told ESPN. “He has a great feel for coverage, a great feel for blitzing, a great feel for understanding football.

“He does some things that you don’t always coach, just a natural feel for the position, an ability to get his job done, an ability to find the ball carrier, an ability to make plays.”

Before transferring to Notre Dame in the offseason, Clark had consecutive 45+ tackle seasons for the Sun Devils. His senior year in 2022 was his best. He allowed just a 41.9 NFL QB rating when targeted in man coverage — the 13th-best among FBS corners with at least 100 snaps. He also had 3 interceptions that season.

Clark, the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark , projects as Notre Dame’s starting nickel.

Notre Dame Posts of the Day

On Thursday, the apparel brand RHOBACK announced a sponsorship with Irish quarterback Riley Leonard .

Former Irish linebacker and Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te’o is joining NFL Network.

Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph showcased a new first-team combination on Thursday.

Notre Dame Quote of the Day

“This might be a stretch, but Leonard Moore will be better than I will be here. He’s a special kid.”

— Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison on freshman Leonard Moore .

Notre Dame Headlines of the Day

• ND’s Riley Leonard and Benjamin Morrison sign NIL deal with Rhoback
• Why ND is ecstatic about freshman cornerback Leonard Moore
• Why ND  wide receivers coach Mike Brown is sticking with a six-man split
• WATCH: The ND recruiting update with Singer and Kelly (Aug. 15)
• ND football mid-fall camp 2024 depth chart: Defense
• ND men’s swimming team suspended for at least one academic year
• ND football reveals ‘Irish Wear Green’ game date
• ND football mid-fall camp 2024 depth chart: Offense
• Today marks the official start of 2024-25 ND athletics
• Observations from ND football fall camp practice No. 13: Defense and special teams
• Observations from ND football fall camp practice No. 13: Offense
• ND has third-most players recognized on ESPN’s top 100 players in college football
• ND keeping tabs on 2026 Chicagoland offensive lineman
• Two ND football commits, one target earn spots on preseason All-America team
• Why ND recruiting target Thomas Davis Jr. is more than just an NFL legacy
• 16 days until ND football: A stat the Irish will have trouble backing up
• Newsstand: Recapping ND players who made initial preseason All-America lists

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