Notre Dame Football 2011: 5 Players To Keep an Eye on This Season

It's mid-summer—which means that we are less than two months away from kickoff against South Florida on September 3.

Not much is happening within the program, so it is up to the fans to entertain themselves.

How should one go about that?

How about some predictions?

Which players should we keep an eye on heading into the season?

Find out as we count down five players whose names you will be hearing more and more as the season progresses.

5. OT Zack Martin

Considered to be Notre Dame's top offensive lineman, Zack Martin should have a stellar 2011 campaign.

That's great news for Irish fans, as he still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Zack Martin, along with fellow linemen Trevor Robinson, Braxston Cave, Chris Watt and Taylor Dever, form one of the nation's most experienced offensive lines.

4. LB Prince Shembo

Prince Shembo was one of only three Irish freshmen to see action in every game last season.

He finished the year with 15 tackles, including a breakout game against Miami in the Sun Bowl in which he recorded three stops and a sack.

Because of his tremendous improvement throughout the year, Prince Shembo earned a starting spot in the rotation at linebacker in Bob Diaco's 3-4 scheme.

Expect him to be even better this season.

3. TE Tyler Eifert

Tyler Eifert gained his starting spot when former Irish tight end Kyle Rudolph went down with a season-ending knee injury.

He didn't disappoint, either.

Tyler Eifert finished the season with 27 receptions for 352 yards and two scores, including a beautiful diving touchdown grab against Army.

With starting experience under his belt, expect Tyler Eifert to be a large part of this season's offense in Year Two of the Brian Kelly era.

2. WR Theo Riddick

Theo Riddick was on the verge of becoming a huge threat at receiver before going down with a severe high ankle sprain in the Western Michigan game last season.

His best game of the season came against Michigan State when he racked up 10 receptions for 128 yards and one score.

A freak athlete, Theo Riddick has the kind of speed and agility that earns him comparisons to Reggie Bush during his time at USC.

He and T.J. Jones will form a two-headed monster next to Michael Floyd.

1. RB Cierre Wood

Cierre Wood earned his time in the spotlight following a season-ending injury to former Irish running back Armando Allen.

He certainly made the most of that time, finishing 2010 with 603 yards on 119 carries—which was tops for all Irish running backs.

Against Miami in the Sun Bowl, Cierre Wood made the Hurricane defense look silly as he weaved his way in and around traffic.

That momentum should carry over into this season.