Notre Dame Football: The 5 Most Important Redshirt Freshmen and Transfers

The term "redshirt freshman" is taboo at Notre Dame. All members of the 2011 class are listed as sophomores, regardless of whether they have three or four years of eligibility remaining.

Notre Dame was able to preserve a year of playing time for many of its freshmen a year ago, and will call on a handful of them to make an instant impact in their first year on the field.

In addition to the first-year players, Notre Dame welcomes two transfers to the available roster this season. With spring practice behind us, here are five redshirt freshmen and transfers who will be asked to make an immediate impact in 2012.

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RB Amir Carlisle

Carlisle somewhat surprisingly received immediate eligibility from the NCAA after transferring from USC. The problem for the former Trojan is that he steps into a loaded position for the Irish. With Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, and George Atkinson III all likely to see more carries, it may be 2013 before Carlisle truly shines.

Despite the depth at the position, Carlisle played as a true freshman at USC. You don't play as a true freshman at USC unless you're really, really good.

Without a deep threat in the passing game, Notre Dame will have to get creative to move the football. Carlisle's versatility gives head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin a great option.

LB Ben Councell

The Dog linebacker position is a major concern heading into the summer for the Irish. Prince Shembo has moved to Cat, and Troy Niklas figures to remain at tight end. That leaves Councell and Danny Spond to battle it out for the Dog role.

Both have a long way to go to make an impact in the fall, but Councell is younger and has more upside than the veteran Spond. It still hasn't clicked for the Asheville, N.C., native, but he still has plenty of promise.

One positive for the Irish is Jamoris Slaughter will likely slide into the Dog position on obvious passing downs.

WR Davaris Daniels

A player like Michael Floyd doesn't come along very often at Notre Dame, so the concern about replacing the school's all-time leading receiver is justified.

The most Floyd-like receiver on the Irish roster is Daniels, who has good size but is still adding strength to help shed press coverage.

With T.J. Jones still a question mark due to nagging hamstring injuries, Daniels will have to contribute immediately. He had a positive spring, but still has a long way to go between now and September. However, the skills are there for Daniels to be a No. 1 receiver.

QB Everett Golson

If you're reading this, you probably don't need me to explain why Golson is such a promising young player. The question now is whether or not he can grasp the Notre Dame offense well enough to see the field in the fall.

He showed how electrifying he can be in last Saturday's Blue-Gold Game, but also displayed his inexperience.

Tommy Rees is still the favorite to start the season opener against Navy on Sept. 1, but the Irish coaches (and fans) would love for either Golson or junior Andrew Hendrix to make their decision much tougher come August.

OL Nick Martin

Notre Dame does not have just one long-haired Martin brother on its offensive line, but two. Zack Martin's younger brother, Nick, appears ready to join him as part of the Irish rotation up front. Martin is more versatile than his brother, and could play both guard and tackle during his time in South Bend.

The Indianapolis native is in a battle with senior Mike Golic, Jr., for the right guard spot vacated by Trevor Robinson. Going forward, he could also play tackle, depending on the development of classmate Jordan Prestwood behind Zack Martin.