Notre Dame opponent preview: Stanford begins rebuild under new coach
Throughout the month of June, Blue & Gold will take an early look at each of Notre Dame’s 2023 opponents. Last up is the Stanford Cardinal.
Overview
2022 record: 3-9 (1-8 Pac-12)
Wins: vs. Colgate by 31, at Notre Dame by 2, Arizona State by 1
Losses: USC by 13, at Washington by 18, at Oregon by 18, Oregon State by 1, at UCLA by 25, Washington State by 38, at Utah by 35, at California by 7, BYU by 9
Head coach: Troy Taylor (first year)
Returning contributors
Tight end Benjamin Yurosek returns after a second-straight productive season, with 49 catches for 445 yards. The top returning receiver is John Humphreys, who had 29 for 348. Right guard Levi Rogers is the only offensive lineman back. Running back E.J. Smith averaged 6.9 yards per carry against Colgate and USC before an injury ended his season.
Edge rusher David Bailey is a strong returning presence up front, with 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks, as is defensive tackle Tobin Phillips. Linebacker Tristan Sinclair is set for a bigger role after playing rotational snaps in 2022. Stanford experimented with Mitch Leigber at running back last season, but he’s moving back to safety.
The Cardinal haven’t named a starting quarterback yet, but many expect Ari Patu, their backup for the past two seasons, to take the reins.
Key losses
Pull up a seat.
Even as a 3-9 team, Stanford still managed to produce five NFL draft picks. Quarterback Tanner McKee’s early-round buzz was unsubstantiated, but the Eagles believed in his tools enough to make him a sixth-round pick. An injury limited his No. 1 receiver, Michael Wilson, to only six games last season, but the Cardinals looked past that and drafted him in the third.
With Wilson out, Elijah Higgins led the team in receiving, earning a spot in the sixth round with the Dolphins. Fellow receiver Brycen Tremayne signed with the Commanders after a 490-yard season. Defensive backs Kyu Blu Kelly (fifth round), Kendall Williamson (seventh) and Ethan Bonner (undrafted) found spots with the Ravens, Bears and Dolphins, respectively.
Taylor will undertake a full rebuild in Palo Alto, because the transfer portal decimated Stanford’s roster after longtime coach David Shaw left. Four starters on the offensive line, Walker Rouse (Oklahoma), Drake Nugent (Michigan), Myles Hinton (also Michigan) and Jake Hornibrook (Duke), are gone. Barrett Miller (Cal) split time with Hinton at right tackle, but he left as well.
The defense won’t look the same, either. Edge rusher Stephen Herron Jr. and his 5.5 sacks went to Louisville. Safety Jonathan McGill, who had seven pass breakups and 51 tackles, left for SMU. Leading tackler Levani Damuni (Utah) and fellow starting linebacker Jacob Mangum-Farrar (Indiana) are both gone. Linebacker Ricky Miezan had 45 tackles and two sacks, but he outright switched sports, going to Virginia to play lacrosse.
Last but certainly not least, On3 All-Transfer punter Ryan Sanborn went to Texas. Sanborn has been an All-Pac-12 honorable mention three times, averaging 41.7 yards per punt with 18 pinned inside the 20 in 2022.
Key additions
Linebacker Gaethan Bernadel racked up 102 tackles for Florida International last season, and he should start right away for Stanford. Alec Bank and Trevor Mayberry, from Harvard and Penn, respectively, were brought in to shore up the offensive line.
Just from sheer numbers, due to the difference between transfers out and transfers in, Stanford will have to have some freshmen step up. The best bet seems to be receiver Tiger Bachmeier.
Strengths/Weaknesses
It’s hard to say right now.
Stanford only has eight or so starters with significant experience at an FBS school. Only Yurosek and a healthy Smith have been legitimate impact players. It’s looking like another long season for Stanford as Taylor starts to rebuild the program.
Matchup to watch
Stanford tight end Benjamin Yurosek vs. Notre Dame’s linebackers and safeties. Yurosek has two seasons’ worth of proven production. Until someone else emerges, he’s the only Stanford player Notre Dame should circle on its game plan.
Haiku
Notre Dame’s last game
Until bowl season begins
Time to talk playoff?
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