Jimmy Clausen: Failure to Launch

We have followed them since their high school years and crossed our fingers in hopes our team would be the one these uber-quarterbacks chose to bless with their presence.

But how did they fare once they embarked on the collegiate gridiron? Were the expectations met? Exceeded? Or did they fail to meet the hype that has surrounded them since high school?

Now, a look at one of the most highly-hyped quarterbacks to come out of high school and what his future holds.

Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

Clausen was the first feather in head coach Charlie Weis' cap. A five star recruit, Clausen was pretty much set on committing to Notre Dame despite hailing from California.

Though the press hyped-up Clausen's much-anticipated signing announcement, Clausen decided to take it to the next level. He had a rented a white stretch Hummer limo that drove up to the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana to announce Notre Dame as his final choice.

Over the top? Completely.

In fact, the press derided his flamboyant entrance as a mockery of college athletics. Clausen, of course, had only to continue Notre Dame's "Return to Glory" mission of the previous two years to have all criticism of his announcement day show forgotten.

Clausen, unfortunately, failed miserably in his first year. Was it his fault? The coach's fault? Or was he overrated? You be the judge.

While Clausen did have a horrible 2007 season, coach Charlie Weis failed to inform the public of Clausen's secret elbow surgery (bone spur) prior to the start of the 2007 season.

To make matters worse, Georgia Tech—in Notre Dame's first game of the season—saw Demetrius Jones as the starter, even though he had complained of shoulder pain. According to Jones, the Irish ignored the injury so as to encourage competition between the Irish quarterbacks.

Jones was pulled at halftime, and eventually, enter Jimmy Clausen, who Jones maintained was the "chosen one" despite alleged reassurances from Weis that there would be competition for the quarterback position. Jones, as it turned out, left the team and had his shoulder surgically repaired.

Clausen, of course, began his nightmarish freshman season. Was it too early for him to start playing after having surgery? Perhaps, but Weis didn't have a lot of options after Jones left the team.

The fact that the Irish had one of the worst offensive lines in the NCAA also didn't help Clausen's campaign. In 10 games he had a -187 yards in rushing, ostensibly due to 34 sacks. He had a 56.3 passing completion percentage and a 103.85 quarterback rating.

Cue the deflating balloon sound.

The Irish were ranked 116th in scoring offense, 115th in rushing offense, 112th in third down conversions, and 110th in passing offense. How bad was the O-line? The Irish were ranked dead last in sacks allowed and tackles for loss allowed.

So how much of it was Clausen's fault?

His 6-7 (INT-TD) pass ratio doesn't help his case, but his sore elbow does. The fact that Clausen spent more time on his back than Paris Hilton furthers the argument that his horrendous stats weren't entirely his fault.

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