Notre Dame Football: 5 Fifth-Year Players Poised to Break Out

On the heels of Matt Hegarty announcing his intentions to transfer instead of staying at Notre Dame for a fifth year, it's worth keeping a close eye on head coach Brian Kelly's roster.

After coming close to reaching the 85-scholarship threshold in previous seasons, it finally appears that Kelly and the Irish coaching staff have some very difficult decisions to make. 

With 24 recruits signed this February, a number of fifth-year candidates will likely find themselves looking for a graduate transfer in the next few weeks—especially with Cal transfer Avery Sebastian already on his way to South Bend and suspended veterans KeiVarae Russell and Ishaq Williams each eyeing a return. 

In the past, Kelly has shown great loyalty to veterans in his program, and that's been repaid by those veterans giving the staff their best, with role players like Justin Utupo, Mike Golic and David Ruffer among the many who have stepped forward. 

Let's take a look at the candidates to make that move with Notre Dame's spring practice right around the corner.

Jarrett Grace

LM Otero/Associated Press

Entering the 2013 season, Jarrett Grace was the heir apparent to Manti Te'o, but a horrific leg injury suffered against Arizona State that season put Grace's career in doubt and shifted Joe Schmidt into a starting job. 

Grace spent all of 2014 slowly rehabbing the injury, but Kelly didn't give up on Grace's ability to recover. Entering his fifth year, any contribution from Grace will only be a positive for the defense.

Getting back to 100 percent isn't a given. As Grace takes the field as a full participant this spring, the coaching staff hopes that the bits and pieces they've seen from him in winter workouts can help him return to being a key piece of the defense this fall. 

"

On the injury front, Kelly says LB Jarrett Grace is looking great. Even beat Jaylon Smith in a couple drills recently.

— Carl Deffenbaugh (@CarlDeff) March 2, 2015"

With Schmidt and All-American candidate Jaylon Smith all but assured starting jobs, Grace reenters a competitive depth chart this spring as he fights for playing time. The tenacity he's shown during his rehab will only help Notre Dame on the field.

Nick Martin

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Matt Hegarty's departure all but assures Nick Martin is returning to the center position. And as a third-year starter and returning captain, it's time for Martin to play like one of college football's elite offensive linemen. 

That wasn't possible last season, when Martin suffered a thumb injury that required him to move to guard. And after having his 2013 campaign end with a late-season knee injury, it's important for Martin to get some of the ironman blood that allowed his brother Zack to set a Notre Dame record for consecutive games played. 

As the "C" on his jersey suggests, Martin doesn't lack for respect in the locker room. But with the Irish offensive line expected to be one of the best in the country, Martin will have to anchor the unit with a healthy and dominant season at center. 

Amir Carlisle

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

At this point, it's fair to say that Amir Carlisle won't turn into the player some expected when his transfer from USC was announced. But to be disappointed in Carlisle's impact is to look past what he could potentially do for the Irish in 2015.

With scholarship players Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant being the only running backs on the roster, Carlisle's versatility will be key to offensive continuity this spring. He can spend time as a running back, solving some scary depth problems before 2015 signees Josh Adams and Dexter Williams arrive.

His ability to make big plays in the slot—something he did last season when given the opportunity—made his platoon with C.J. Prosise the first productive season that Kelly has gotten from the Z-receiver position during his five seasons in South Bend. 

Carlisle's value might simply be in his versatility. He's a capable kick and punt returner, a versatile pass-catcher and a running back who opened 2014 as the team's starter. 

After lingering nerve damage in his ankle kept him off the field in 2013 and a broken collarbone suffered during the following spring practice had many thinking he was snakebit, Carlisle had a rock-solid season after a position shift. 

In 2015, necessity and versatility could help the stars align.

Matthias Farley

Matt York/Associated Press

After struggling to find a role as a full-time safety, Matthias Farley became one of the defense's best playmakers as a slot cornerback. A move that looked like a demotion ended up being one of the shrewdest of 2014, with Farley thriving after the move inside. 

Farley could be on the move again this spring, with the veteran potentially being asked to backstop a safety position that's in dire need of playmakers and healthy bodies. After Max Redfield and Elijah Shumate had their struggles in 2014, Farley could provide quality depth and leadership from centerfield, even if it's not a perfect fit for his game. 

With KeiVarae Russell expected back, Cole Luke locked into another starting job and young talents like Nick Watkins and Shaun Crawford capable of making an impact, Farley's place in this defense is still to be determined. 

But wherever he lines up, Farley has proven his ability as a playmaker, something defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder desperately needs from this unit. 

Everett Golson

JOE RAYMOND/Associated Press

Make no mistake, no fifth-year senior on Notre Dame's roster can have the impact that Everett Golson can.

After a mistake-plagued season turned the Heisman candidate into a benchwarmer in the Music City Bowl, Golson still has the ability to lead the Irish to the College Football Playoff. 

Golson can only do that if he steps his game up. With the Irish finishing 2014 a dreadful 101st in turnovers lost, the majority of the blame falls on Golson's shoulders, especially after a flawless opening to the season. 

After watching Malik Zaire do the heavy lifting as a primary runner against LSU, Golson came in and completed some key passes during the Irish's game-winning drive.

Now with new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford calling the shots, Golson needs to start from scratch with a new coach, beating out Zaire for the starting job, as well. 

A fresh start might not be a bad thing for Golson. After battling back from an academic suspension, Golson has shown the mental toughness needed to succeed in South Bend. But after making too many mistakes down the stretch as the leader of the Irish offense, Golson's spring practice will dictate his role moving forward and will determine what type of offense the Irish play in 2015.