Notre Dame is close enough to Chicago that they have a large fan presence. The Chicago Bears also have a decent history with drafting Fighting Irish players and seeing them have success.
This weekend, Notre Dame will play one of their biggest rivals in a big-time TV matchup. They will take on USC, another nationally renowned brand, in what promises to be an incredibly entertaining game. These two always deliver when they face one another.
The Bears scouting team must be watching this game. All of the NFL talent that is on the field will be giving it their all in an effort to take down the big rival. These are the moments where you see players at their best. This group of four deserves the most attention:
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Bears could look to address some of their wide receiver uncertainties going forward with USC’s Makai Lemon. He’s a candidate to be a top-20 pick in the NFL draft. This is one of his biggest tests of the season, going up against a defense like Notre Dame on a big stage with the whole country watching. If he puts on a big performance in this game, his draft stock will continue to rise, as this game should hold more weight in evaluations.
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC
The Bears are going to be looking for safety help in the future. Notre Dame doesn’t have this incredibly potent offense that Ramsey is shaking in his boots about going against, but it is better than a lot of the competition that they have faced already this year. Whenever matchups like this come about for a defensive player, it is interesting to see how they respond. With the game being in California, USC’s defense should be a lot more fired up. Ramsey will be on of the guys leading the way.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
The Bears need help at running back as much as any team in the NFL right now. D’Andre Swift has mostly been a disappointment, although he is a serviceable player if he has someone in front of him on the depth chart. Jeremiyah Love is one of college football’s best backs right now. In recent years, there has been one or two running backs that have gone in the first round, and Love seems to be one of the next in line. Going against USC on the road is not going to be an easy challenge, so helping Notre Dame’s offense move the ball would greatly improve their chances of winning.
Charles Jagusah, OT, Notre Dame
Notre Dame has a lot of good players who may be drafted, but Love may go early, and then you don’t see a Fighting Irish player taken for a round or two. In the third or fourth round, however, you will start seeing them go quickly. Charles Jagusah may be one worth considering at that stage of the draft. Even if the Bears feel like they have their offensive line addressed, which they don’t, it is never a bad idea to keep adding depth. There are always injuries and lackluster play. The middle of the draft produces gems in the trenches all the time, this could be another case of it.
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