irish insider
Irish Insider 2020: ACC Championship and Senior Day
Observer Sports Staff | Friday, December 18, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes. One thing that has been impacted is our yearly profiles of senior and graduate level Notre Dame football players.
Although this wasn’t published in print, nor was it in time for the Senior Day matchup with Syracuse, we at The Observer are proud to present the 2020 edition of our Senior Day Insider in conjunction with our ACC Championship preview — special thanks to Notre Dame football sports information director Katy Lonergan for making this endeavor possible this year.
This is a crop of players that has set several records at Notre Dame and has been an integral part of adjusting the course of the program after a 4-8 season in 2016. They are part of the first group at Notre Dame to compete for a conference championship, the first to record four consecutive 10-win seasons, the first to appear in the College Football Playoff and they have built the second-longest home winning streak in school history. That is all despite COVID-19 wreaking havoc across college football in 2020.
So, without further ado, allow us to present the Notre Dame football 2020 senior and graduate student class, in addition to our regularly scheduled ACC Championship Irish Insider. Please enjoy.

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Podcast: Irish Insider — ACC Championship
Podcast: Bonus — Megan Kinner of The Tiger
Podcast: Observer Roundtable — College Football Playoff preview
Staff Predictions 2020: ACC Championship
Head-to-Head 2020: ACC Championship
Senior Day 2020
Quarterback
“Winner:” Ian Book going down in history books as Irish make title push
Carney preps for final curtain call with Irish
Running Back
Rhodes Scholar finalist Cam Ekanayake embraces what it means to be a student-athlete
Wide Receiver
Leading Irish receiver Javon McKinley is making the most of this opportunity
Avery Davis chasing history in senior campaign
Jafar Armstrong helps fill in one of the most prolific backfields in the country
Scramble drill: Skowronek adjusting on the fly, adds new dimension to Irish offense
Tight End
Wright finishes senior season with strong friendships on and off the field
“It’s kind of a family affair:” Xavier Lezynski talks brotherhood and background
Henige talks call to tradition, chance to make history at Notre Dame
Offensive Line
Kraemer uses past lessons to guide future success
Throughout his career, Josh Lugg has capitalized on opportunities while waiting his turn
For Colin Grunhard, Notre Dame football is family
Gibbons makes impact, starting in most senior season games
Don’t blink: Eichenberg powers Notre Dame’s O-line despite injury, lofty expectations
Hainsey ready to lead Irish in return to hometown Pittsburgh
‘The Dancing Bear’: Aaron Banks contributes to stellar Irish offensive line
Defensive Line
“You’re not going to make every play”: Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa puts his team first
Hinish credits Pittsburgh roots for spirit of success
New captain Hayes credits faith, teammates after returning from injury
Ogundeji primed to make most of year as captain
Linebacker
‘Fearless’ linebacker Drew White emerges as leader for Irish
Nerves aren’t an option: Owusu-Koramoah leads Irish defense against toughest test yet
Gregory reflects on unique path to Notre Dame football
Defensive Back
Crawford shoulders trust of teammates, coaches as sixth-year captain
Pryor moves around the secondary, finds his home at Notre Dame
Connections with players, coaches lead McCloud to Irish
Mahoney reflects on community found at Notre Dame
Patrick Pelini, son of a coach, finds fulfillment as part of Irish
Special Teams
From doubtful to dependable: Doerer proves vital following initial struggles
From Brown to Notre Dame, Dawson Goepferich finds niche with Irish