Head coach: Charles Fant (67-22 in seven years here and overall)
Returning starters: 7 offensive; 7 defensive
Key players: RB Jeffrey Watkins (5-6, 185); OL Jacob Brigman (6-2, 275); QB-MLB Dallas Brown (6-0, 225); K Hunter Hill (6-0, 175); Jalen Haygood (5-10, 170); OL Maverick Tucker (6-2, 290); Faru Williams (6-1, 220); RB-DB-QB Daishun Sims (6-0, 175); RB-DB Khalil Spence (5-9, 165); OL Journe Norwood (6-0, 245).
Team strengths: Led by Brigman, a senior who is the team's most physical blocker, and Tucker, a junior, the offensive line is solid.
Team concerns: Replacing the two leading rushers from last season, and a total of five quality starters - who were key components in helping win 20 games over the past two seasons, including a run to the Division II-AA state title game in 2017 - will be a challenge.
Breakout candidate: Jeffrey Watkins has had to share carries for three years with older players but now will be the focal point of the Fighting Irish's run-heavy single-wing offense.
Season outlook: Everything the Fighting Irish has done during the offseason has been inspired by the disappointment of last season's one-point playoff loss. After winning nine straight games, by an average of 43-16, Notre Dame was knocked off 34-33 in the second round of the Division II-AA playoffs.
"That game really changed how we look at the little things," said Fant, who guided his team to the state title game in 2017. "Us coaches always did, but now the players understand why we're crazy about the details. Because of that loss, the kids understand that was one of the rare times where we didn't get done what we were capable of, and they don't want to repeat that feeling."
Fant added that this year's group of linemen is the most talented he's had with the Irish, and he admitted he's excited to see what a trio of athletes with track speed can do running behind that group. Watkins was recently timed in 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has plenty of big-game experience, while Daishun Sims and Khalil Spence are just as capable of ripping off big gains.
"We should be really stout up front, and we've got a nice blend of speed and guys who can run with some power," Fant said. "We'll have to play ironman football with a lot of guys going both ways, but the ones we've got are pretty doggone good."