| LETS TAKE A POSITION BY POSITION LOOK AT the 2009 IRISH QUARTERBACKS With Jimmy Clausen back for his third season the Irish are set at the starting QB position. Clausen had a breakout game vs Hawaii in the bowl game. A big start could bring up some early Heisman Trophy Talk. A more consistent OL will help his cause. Highly touted Redshirt FR Dayne Crist figures to be his main backup. Crist has a big arm and highly touted background. The Irish also welcome back 5th year senior Evan Sharpley back to the fold. Nate Montana the 3rs stringer last year has left for Pasadena CC and may or may not be back at a later date. The Irish are deep and talented at the QB spot. RUNNING BACKS What has been a RB by committee is apparently over now. Junior speedster Armando Allen will be give every opportunity to be the feature back. Allen rushed for 621 yards last season. Junior Robert Hughes will now be the power back on short yardage. Hughes added 412 yards a year ago. Senior James Aldridge has moved to fullback and should be more utilized as a FB than other FB's in the Weis era. Sophomore Jonas Gray brings a combination of size and speed to the mix. Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick are highly thought of recruits who may have to bide their time behind a deep and talented RB corp. WIDE RECEIVERS This spot may be the strength of this football team. Golden Tate has emerged as a deep threat and also brings toughness from his day as a a high school RB. Tate caught 58 passes for 1080 yards and 10tds. Expect more of the same this time. Michael Floyd, despite being banged up, was one of the nation's top freshman receivers. Expect Floyd's numbers of 48 receptions for 719 yards and 7 tds to increase significantly. Junior Duval Kamara has fought injury and inconsistency battles throughout his career. Senior Robby Parris has fought hard to stay in this talented mix. A pair of highly touted redshirt FR John Goodman and Deion Walker also could make claims for time with good fall practices. Freshman Shaquelle Evans could be an early factor if he can learn the system in the fall. TIGHT ENDS The Irish return one of the nation's premier tight ends in sophomore Kyle Rudolph. He caught 29 passes as a frosh. Look for Rudulph to become even more of a red zone threat this time. Highly recruited SO Mike Ragone has missed time with a torn ACL but is back and could be a big surprise in some two tight end sets. The Irish lose Joseph Fauira, who transferred to UCLA. A pair of freshman who add depth are Jake Golic and Tyler Eifert. OFFENSIVE LINE This has been a much maligned unit the last few years. Any key to the success of this years team will depend on the play of this OL. Frank Verducci comes in from the NFL to coach the HOGS up front. The strength starts will All American candidate Sam Young at RT. Sam will be a four year starter and high NFL draft choice in 2010. The left tackle figures to be occupied by fifth year senior Paul Duncan, who just keeps getting better. Senior Eric Olsen moves from guard to center to challenge senior Dan Wenger. If Olsen doesn't play center look for him at guard with either Chris Stewart or Trevor Robinson. The Irish have six top notch talents up here who need to perform better than the last two seasons. Veterans adding depth are Matt Romine, Braxston Cave, Mike Golic, Andrew Nuss and Lane Clelland. Three talented freshman enter the fray in Chris Watt, Zack Martin and Alex Bullard. This is the single most important position that will determine this season. |
NOTRE DAME POSITION ANALYSIS>
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