Opening on Labor Day weekend at Miami, Notre Dame football will try to avoid going 0-1 with a first-time starter at quarterback.

Notre Dame’s first commitment in the secondary came on Dec. 1 when cornerback Chaston Smith (Chattanooga, Tenn.) chose the Irish despite listed offers from Alabama, Clemson, LSU and USC.

What Notre Dame manages in recruiting during June won’t entirely determine what the Irish do with that chance, but it will impact it. These are the biggest items on that to-do list in the coming ...