Notre Dame Football: 5 Freshmen Who Will Live on in Irish Lore

Brian Kelly was able to bring in one of the best recruiting classes in recent Irish memory.

It is filled with players who will make a huge impact for the next four years.

However, their stories in South Bend won't end after the 2014 season.

They are likely to be program icons for years to come.

Which players will become those icons?

Find out as we count down the five current freshmen who will live on in Fighting Irish lore.

5. TE Ben Koyack

Notre Dame is considered to be Tight End U.

The school has produced a number of exceptional tight ends including current NFL players Anthony Fasano, John Carlson and Kyle Rudolph.

That tight end pipeline is still strong as Brian Kelly and his staff were able to bring in 4-Star tight end Ben Koyack.

Many fans thought that Brian Kelly would have a difficult time recruiting blue chip tight ends because of the kind of offense he runs.

He proved those critics wrong after Ben Koyack spurned the likes of Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC, LSU and South Carolina among others to come to South Bend. 

Ben Koyack will fit right into the passing game because of his size (6'5", 230) and speed (4.59 time in the 40).

4. DE Stephon Tuitt

It is common knowledge that the biggest goal of the 2011 recruiting cycle was to bring in speed and talent on the defensive line.

The first step toward achieving that goal was signing defensive end Stephon Tuitt of Monroe, Georgia.

Considered a 5-Star prospect by Rivals.com, Stephon Tuitt figures to contribute right away this season.

He'll have the benefit of learning from senior defensive ends Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson while he makes the adjustment to playing the position on the college level.

An interesting conundrum is whether or not he will remain at defensive end for the majority of his career.

Barry Every of Rivals.com weighed in on that thought.

"

"Versatility is the key to long-term success, if he is open-minded and just willing to do what is best for his team he could see early playing time. Look for him to start out as a defensive end but eventually grow into a monster-sized defensive tackle similar to Marcus Stroud or Richard Seymour."

"

A "good" problem on the defensive line?

Boy, doesn't that feel nice to say.

3. LB Ishaq Williams

Ishaq Williams story of how he ended up signing with Notre Dame is a well-known one.

It's 4:30 AM. He and his dad are preparing to leave for a visit to Penn State.

Irish defensive coordinator and master recruiter Bob Diaco rushes out to the Williams' home to convince him that Notre Dame was the place for him.

Ishaq Williams never took that visit to Penn State. 

Now that he will be donning the gold helmet for the next four years, Irish fans can breathe easy.

He is another freshman who figures to get on the field immediately.

Ishaq Williams is also the heir apparent to Manti Te'o.

The best part about him is that he is a game-changing type of player.

2. DE Aaron Lynch

Considered the jewel of the 2011 recruiting class, Aaron Lynch wasn't always so sure about signing with the Irish.

He had a change of heart last summer and switched his allegiance to the Seminoles of Florida State.

After doing some more soul searching, Aaron Lynch decided that Notre Dame truly was the place for him.

Brian Kelly had to have been more than satisfied with the outcome because Aaron Lynch was the top target in that recruiting cycle.

He is the the monster defensive end Notre Dame has been yearning for ever since Justin Tuck played his last season in 2003.

Do not be surprised if Aaron Lynch goes down as one of the best players to have ever donned the Blue and Gold.

1. QB Everett Golson

Brian Kelly desires an effective dual-threat quarterback to run his no-huddle offense.

He got exactly that in quarterback Everett Golson out of Myrtle Beach.

Ever since the shifty quarterback stepped on campus, Brian Kelly has been doing nothing but singing his praises.

The offense is very complex and takes time to master, so it is expected that Everett Golson will redshirt in 2011.

The following four years may quite possibly be downright scary for opposing defenses.

Everett Golson will have the offense challenging for the FBS record for most points scored in a single season which is currently held by the 2008 Oklahoma Sooners.

Irish fans will never forget Everett Golson.

Don't believe me?

Check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcd0CED1yKI