Notre Dame Football: Wide Receiver Javon McKinley still might return for 2020 season

According to a report from the South Bend Tribune’s Tyler James, wide receiver Javon McKinley might still return to play football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2020. McKinley has a fifth year of eligibility in his pocket, but it’s been a little bit of a mystery as to what will happen with him.

In the report, it states that McKinley wants to return to Notre Dame. This is in opposition to what was a little bit of groupthink that Javon was just done with football altogether — like he wasn’t even going to use his graduate transfer option.

While McKinley came to South Bend as a highly rated recruit, he hasn’t turned that HS ranking into production on the field. Injuries have been partially to blame for McKinley’s lack of time on the field. Even as he saw more and more time in 2019, by the time the Duke game came around, Javon was sidelined for the remainder of the season because of injury.

McKinley pulled in 11 receptions for 268 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2019, and has the peculiar state of being the team’s leading receiver against Michigan with 2 receptions for 42 yards and a TD.

If McKinley does in fact return to Notre Dame in 2020, he would be Notre Dame’s most productive returning receiver from 2019. The Irish added Bennett Skowronek as a transfer from Northwestern to help add experience and production to a group that lacks both — although loaded with talent and potential.

I don’t think numbers are too much of an issue right now either. Notre Dame is only sitting three over the 85 limit, and there will be attrition one way or the other this spring and summer.