Notre Dame Football: 5 Players Who Will Be Household Names in 2012

Many Notre Dame fans have already declared the likes of George Atkinson III, DaVaris Daniels and Davonte Neal to be the Irish's future stars. Given their ability, those declarations seem likely to come to fruition.

However, with eight starters departing from last year's team, it will take more than one or two players to step up for the Irish to meet or surpass last year's eight-win total.

I've identified five players who were little more than afterthoughts last season (or weren't even on the team), but should blossom in their new roles in 2012. From a rebuilt right side of the offensive line to a reclamation project at kicker, let's look at five players who should become success stories in South Bend this fall.

Jarron Jones

There should be ample opportunity for some of the true freshmen to see the field this fall.

Other than early enrollee Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones is the most likely of the defensive players to play early and often.

Jones is ultimately in line to take over for Louis Nix at nose tackle, but could see time at end this year while he adds strength. The departure of Aaron Lynch leaves an opening up front that Jones, Day and Kona Schwenke will likely share this season.

Jones moves well for someone 6'7" and more than 300 pounds, and is simply too physically imposing to keep off the field. Ideally, as a freshman, he'll line up in a traditional 4-3 tackle role when the Irish play four down linemen.

Christian Lombard

Taylor Dever was a solid producer at right tackle the past few seasons, but Christian Lombard's ceiling is higher. After redshirting in 2010 and playing only sparingly last season, it’s time for the Chicago native to take the next step.

Lombard wasn't simply handed the job in the spring; he instead earned it with a strong set of practices to beat out Tate Nichols and Jordan Prestwood. Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand was praiseworthy of Lombard's progress during spring drills.

Should Nick Martin and Mike Golic Jr. not pan out at right guard (not likely), Lombard has the versatility to move inside with Nichols taking over on the outside.

Nick Martin

The younger of the normally long-haired Martin brothers appears ready to join his older bother, Zack, on the Irish offensive line this fall.

The sophomore is the leading candidate for Trevor Robinson's vacated right guard position. He'll have to hold off fifth-year senior Mike Golic Jr. during fall camp, but the Indianapolis native is more physically gifted than Golic.

Like Lombard, Martin can also play tackle, making injuries less of a concern.

Expect the Irish running game to be the best it has been since Lou Holtz was on the sidelines, and expect Martin to play a key role in helping it reach that point.

Nick Tausch

Last season, David Ruffer failed to match his 2010 season in which he was a Groza Award finalist, and now the player he surprisingly beat out two years ago for the starting kicker job will return to full-time placekicking duties for the first time since 2009.

Sophomore Kyle Brindza was in the running to be Ruffer's heir apparent due to his strong leg, but the veteran Tausch had a stronger spring and has shown greater consistency than Brindza.

There will be a crucial game-winning field goal attempt at some point this season, thanks to a high number of toss-up games on the Irish schedule. The sentiment here is that Tausch will shine when the spotlight is brightest.

Alex Welch

Ben Koyack and Troy Niklas are the more heralded players behind Tyler Eifert, but it could be Welch who is the most effective complement to No. 80 in 2012.

Welch caught only a single pass last season while playing mostly as a blocking tight end/H-back.

With Eifert likely to line up farther outside at times this season, Welch should see more time in a traditional tight end role. He's not a downfield threat, but he can catch the short pass and is an asset in the improving running game.

While not a stat-sheet filler, Welch will make an impact. Niklas is still learning the position after switching from linebacker, so expect the junior to take a major step forward this season as a strong blocker and safety valve for the quarterbacks.