Notre Dame Football: Post-Spring Two-Deep Depth Chart

Notre Dame just put an end to their spring by wrapping up the spring game, and now we won't hear from them for a few more months. For the Irish, the spring was very interesting. It included a few players stepping up and possibly one of last year's best players transferring.

With the spring officially over for Notre Dame, it's about that time to put together a depth chart as it would look right now.

Players have been fighting for roster spots and trying to earn more playing time. Let's see if anyone was able to make a move in the last few weeks.

Here is the Notre Dame post-spring depth chart.

Quarterback

Starter: Tommy Rees

Backup: Everett Golson/Andrew Hendrix/Gunner Kiel

The quarterback battle is still a long way away from being settled, so that's why I have Rees as the starter. He was the starter last year, and you'd think he'd be in the same position until somebody unseats him. Sure, Golson played extremely well in the spring game, but we need an announcement until we name anybody but the Rees the guy in charge.

Running Back

Starter: Cierre Wood

Backup: Theo Riddick

Wood rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and has had a fabulous spring. It's safe to say that he'll keep his starting role at running back and try to keep this Notre Dame offense balanced.

Wide Receiver

Starter: John Goodman

Backup: DaVaris Daniels

With Michael Floyd preparing for the NFL draft, it opens the door for senior wideout John Goodman. He only has 28 catches and one touchdown in three seasons, but at 6'3", he could be in for his best season yet.

Wide Receiver

Starter: T.J. Jones

Backup: Andre Smith

T.J. Jones will be looked upon to be the playmaker at the receiver position this year. He's been consistent the last two seasons, racking up a combined 61 receptions for over 600 receiving yards. He'll need to take that next step and become the No. 1 option on this team.

Wide Receiver

Starter: Robby Toma

Backup: Daniel Smith

Toma is the speedy receiver who will likely be the "X" factor to this receiving corp. He caught 19 passes his junior season, but much like everyone at the receiver position, he'll have to step up this year.

Toma showed some of his potential last year, and it's time for him to arrive now that he enters his senior season.

Tight End

Starter: Tyler Eifert

Backup: Alex Welch

Eifert is one of the better tight ends in the country. He caught 63 passes last season, and five of those were for touchdowns. He'll line up everywhere for this team and will be the primary offensive weapon as he tries to build on last year's success.

Left Tackle

Starter: Zack Martin

Backup: Jordan Prestwood

Martin has been the starter at left tackle the last two seasons and has won the Guardian of the Year award each of those years. He's a bright spot along this offensive line and should protect the blindside well for whoever ends up being the quarterback.

Left Guard

Starter: Chris Watt

Backup: Bruce Heggie

Watt is also a returning starter who played extremely well last season. With him and Martin on the left side of the line, the Irish have a great thing going. Bleacher Report has labeled Watt as one of the top 150 players entering the 2012 season.

Center

Starter: Braxston Cave

Backup: Mike Golic Jr.

Cave was last year's starter, but he ended his season a little bit early due to foot surgery. The good news is that he's back on the field and looks to be ready for when the season kicks off.

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"I’m really, really pleased with Braxston Cave and his ability to move," head coach Brian Kelly said. "We probably could play him, but we don’t need to. But he’s moved so well that we probably could give him the green light. It’s really encouraging."

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Right Guard

Starter: Nick Martin

Backup: Conor Hanratty

This position still seems up for grabs, as Martin and Mike Golic Jr. have been battling it out throughout the spring. Martin is the brother of Zack Martin, who's starting at left tackle.

“They are similar, very athletic, long bodies. I think Nick really tries to mold himself after Zack, which isn’t a bad thing,” center Braxston Cave said.

Right Tackle

Starter: Christian Lombard

Backup: Tate Nichols

Lombard is continuing to grow as a player and has had a great spring practice. He's a versatile player who's entering his junior year, and he has the ability to play either the guard or tackle positions.

"It's definitely my time to prove to everyone that I can be relied upon," Lombard said.

Defensive End

Starter: Kapron Lewis-Moore

Backup: Sheldon Day

With Aaron Lynch likely transferring to USF, Lewis-Moore will step in and take his place. He's a hard-working player who's had solid production over the years when he's seen the field. He's one of the more experienced lineman that the Irish have and has the ability to play inside or outside.

Nose Tackle

Starter: Louis Nix III

Backup: Kona Schwenke

Nix is a returning starter at the nose tackle position. He had 45 tackles in his first season as a starter. He's a big body in the middle of the defensive line and will be a big reason the Irish continue to have a solid run defense.

There were talks of him possibly transferring, but he says he's staying with Notre Dame.

Defensive End

Starter: Stephon Tuitt

Backup: Chase Hounshell

Tuitt was a freshman last season, but he showed why he was a former 5-Star recruit, picking up 30 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in limited action. Now that he participated in his first spring, you should expect an even better player on the defensive line:

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What I learned this spring was toughness. I'm learning more toughness this spring, going through some things I never went through. But also I'm learning more technique, being this is like my sixth year playing football, I'm still learning, still have the ability to learn.

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Linebacker

Starter: Danny Spond

Backup: Ben Councell

Spond has spent the last two seasons as a backup and playing special teams for the Irish. He's had a great spring, and with his experience at the outside linebacker position, he should be one of the four starters this year.

Linebacker

Starter: Prince Shembo

Backup: Ishaq Williams

Shembo is a pass-rushing specialist, and he'll have plenty of opportunities to do that at the inside linebacker position. He's had a problem staying healthy, but he should be ready by the time the season starts and could quickly become a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. 

Linebacker

Starter: Manti Te'o

Backup: Jarrett Grace

There's no question that Te'o is a starter on this defense. He was the leading tackler a year ago, with a ridiculous 128, and he added five sacks as well.

He would have been a first round-pick if he left early for the NFL draft. Instead, he'll continue to be a leader and difference-maker for this defense.

Linebacker

Starter: Carlo Calabrese

Backup: Dan Fox

I'm not sure there's a real starter between these two players because they've both seen equal time on the field for the most part. Both Calabrese and Fox are very productive players and should continue to make solid contributions to a well-rounded defense.

Cornerback

Starter: Bennett Jackson

Backup: Josh Atkinson

With several of the loses to the secondary, Jackson is a player who will have to step up for this secondary. The speedy corner saw limited action last year, but he has big-play ability and has really caught Brian Kelly's eye throughout the spring.

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Well I can tell you Bennett Jackson is going to be a heck of a good football player for us. Knowing what I’ve seen over the past 6 or 7 practices I feel really good about this position. I think the 'Y' corner position, the field corner, is one that is still going to be competitive. I think Bennett Jackson is going to be a really good player for us.

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Cornerback

Starter: Lo Wood

Backup: Jalen Brown

Wood is another corner who didn't start last season but will have to fill in some of the holes this year. He did show some of his ability last season when he intercepted a pass and ran it back 57 yards for a touchdown. Wood is a solid corner who has great instincts on the football field.

Strong Safety

Starter: Jamoris Slaughter

Backup: Austin Collinsworth

Slaughter is a fifth-year senior who will once again be all over the field this season. He'll see time at strong safety, cornerback and possibly even linebacker due to his versatility.

Slaughter had a very productive season for the Irish last year and will be the key to a successful secondary this season.

Free Safety

Starter: Zeke Motta

Backup: Chris Salvi

Motta has played in every game of his career, which adds some much-needed experience and leadership to the defensive backfield. He finished last year with 40 tackles and played his best game of his career against the Florida State Seminoles in the bowl game. Hopefully he can build off of that success and have the best season of his career.