Notre Dame Football: 2010 Roster Breakdown
Notre Dame enters this season with uneven expectations now that new head coach Brian Kelly is in charge.
The team's roster is filled with a lot of great talent after some solid recruiting years by Charlie Weis. Now it's up to Coach Kelly to get these talented kids to play up to their potential, something Weis failed to do as Notre Dame coach.
This is a team that has a strong structure and foundation in place, they just need to stay motivated.
Let's take a look at how Notre Dame's depth chart shapes up for the 2010 season.
Quarterback: Dayne Crist
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Dayne Crist takes over for the departed Jimmy Clausen at the quarterback position this year. The 6โ4," 235 lb. redshirt sophomore, once once of the top recruits in the nation coming out of Notre Dame High School in California, seems to be tailor made to run Brian Kellyโs spread offense.
Crist has tremendous athleticism, prototypical size, and a strong arm to get the job done. In 2009, Crist completed 10 passes out of 20 attempts for 130 yards, with one TD and one INT when he spelled Clausen.
He has healed well from a torn ACL that cut his 2009 season short last year, and now looks ready to lead this Notre Dame team out of the dark hole they've fallen into recently.
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Key Reserve: Tommy Rees (Freshman)
The 6โ2 210 lb. Tommy Rees enrolled early at Notre Dame back in January, after completing 215 passes for 2,572 yards and 23 touchdowns during his senior season at Lake Forest High School in Illinois. Rees was an average recruit, but showed in his pass first high school offense that he was the type of quarterback that would fit in well with Kellyโs scheme. He has spent his time learning and absorbing the offensive system during his first few months at the school.
Running Back: Armando Allen
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Armando Allen returns for his senior season after being the main starter at running back for the last two years. The 5โ10" 200 lb. Allen is a speedy back, who is equally talented as a runner and a receiver. He should flourish in Brian Kellyโs new offensive system.
In 2009, Allen ran the ball 142 times for 697 yards and three touchdowns. In 2008, Allen only had 585 yards on 134 carries, but he did add 50 catches for over 250 yards. In total, Allen scored nine offensive touchdowns in his first three years.
He been viewed as somewhat of a disappointment after signing with the Irish as a highly touted recruit out of Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School in Florida. But when Allen is playing up to his potential and involved with the flow of the offenseโhe has the talent to be one of the best backs in America.
Key Reserve: Cierre Wood (Freshman)
Wood is a 6โ0" 210 lb. redshirt freshman, who hadnโt received any touches going into the 2010 season. He was considered an elite running back recruit coming out of Santa Clara High School in California. In high school, Wood rushed for 1,632 yards and 20 TDs as a senior and 2,612 yards and 34 TDs as a junior.
WRs: Michael Floyd and TJ Jones
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Michael Floyd is widely considered to be one of the most talented wide receivers in college football. The 6โ3" 225 lb. junior has the size and athleticism to create a mismatch against almost any defensive back he goes up against. In 2009, Floyd finished second on the team with 44 catches for 795 yards, even though he missed five games due to injury. He scored a touchdown in every game he played in but one, finishing with nine TDs for the season.
TJ Jones is a former standout recruit, who made a name for himself in summer camp and earned the trust of Brian Kelly. The 5โ11" 185 lb. freshman was considered one of the best wide receivers in the country when he played for Gainesville High School in Georgia. It was there that Jones hauled in 76 balls for 1,399 yards and 18 TDs as a senior.
The slot receiver position is manned by Theo Riddick, a 5โ11 195 lb. sophomore. Riddick was primarily just a return man last season, but the former running back now takes over for Golden Tate at receiver, where his quickness and speed can be best utilized. Riddick caught six passes for 43 yards last year.
Tight End: Kyle Rudolph
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In many people's eyes, Kyle Rudolph is viewed as the best pass catching tight end in all of college football.
The 6โ6" 255 lb. junior is a former No. 1 recruit out of Ohio, who came in and started every game for the Irish as a freshman. He battled a shoulder injury as a sophomore, but was still able to come in and start nine games in his second season.
Rudolph has totaled 62 catches for over 700 yards and five touchdowns in his first two years in South Bend.
He has the size and speed to be a valued asset in Brian Kellyโs passing attack.
Key Reserve: Tyler Eifert (Sophomore)
Tyler Eifert has seemingly overtaken Mike Ragone as the teamโs second tight end after Ragone was caught for possession of marijuana earlier this spring. The 6โ6" 240 lb. Eifert missed most of last season with a back injury, but now looks ready to contribute in blocking situations this season.
OTs: Zack Martin and Taylor Dever
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Zach Martin mans the left tackle spot for the Irish this season, after the 6โ4" 280 lb. redshirt freshman won the position battle in camp by impressing coaches with his athleticism. Some have even called Martin the team's most athletic offensive lineman. Having never played a down of college football before this year, the Indiana native is sure to make a few mistakes, but his footwork and agility should help quarterback Dayne Crist stay upright throughout the season.
6โ5" 300 lb. Senior Taylor Dever will start at the right tackle spot. Dever has been a reserve tackle up till this point in his career. He is smart and experienced, and has the capabilities to turn into a solid run blocker on the right side.
Key Reserve: Matt Romine (Senior)
Romine is a former standout recruit out of Oklahoma. The 6โ5 290 lb. pound senior has never started a game before, but he has paid his dues and spent time backing up the left tackle position throughout his career. He doesnโt necessarily have the athleticism to be a starter, but he is a serviceable back up who knows how to get the job done.
Gs: Chris Stewart, Trevor Robinson
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Chris Stewart is one of a handful of fifth year seniors on the team this year. The 6โ5" 350 lb. Stewart is a massive mauler who can really get after defenders and push them around in the running game. Stewart has been a solid starter in the interior for the last two years having started a combined 22 games in his last two seasons.
Trevor Robinson has been a mainstay along the offensive line since he was a freshman. The 6โ5" 295 lb. junior started 14 games in his first two years. Robinson is athletic and can move well, even though he may lack the pure bulk that Stewart possesses.
Key Reserve: Mike Golic Jr. (Sophomore)
Golic is the son of radio personality and former NFL player Mike Golic. The 6'3" 280 lb. junior came to play for his fatherโs school as a highly regarded high school recruit out of Northwest Catholic in Connecticut. He will be a valued backup for the center and guard positions.
Center: Braxston Cave
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Braxston Cave was mainly just a special teams player in his first two seasons at Notre Dame, serving as the snapper for field goals.
He may have never started a game before, but the 6โ3" 300 lb. junior is a smart leader, who has a strong enough personality to handle being the head man of this offensive line unit.
Cave seems to have a good rapport with quarterback Dayne Crist, and the two should be a successful combination now and into the future.
Key Reserve: Dan Wenger (Senior)
Wenger is an experienced fifth year senior, who has been a spot starter at both the center and guard positions throughout his career. As a junior, the 6โ5" 295 lb. Wenger started all 13 games at center for the Irish. He is a versatile player, who can play anywhere along the interior of the offensive line.
Nose Tackle: Ian Williams
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Ian Williams will be the anchor of Notre Dameโs defensive front as they move back to a 3-4 scheme.
Williams is a strong and agile big man, who has 17 starts in his career.
As a junior, the 6โ2" 300 lb. middle man totaled 39 tackles, six tackles for a loss, and one interception.
Key Reserve: Sean Cwynar (Sophomore)
Sean Cwynar was mostly a special teams player as a redshirt freshman, but he did see some time along the defensive line as well. The 6โ4" 280 lb. Cwynar appeared in 11 games for the Irish, and ended up starting in the UCONN game.
Defensive End: Kapron Lewis-Moore
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Kapron Lewis-Moore could very well be the best eligible NFL prospect on Notre Dameโs defensive unit.
The 6โ4" 280 lb. redshirt sophomore is still young, but he has the perfect build to be an outstanding 3-4 defensive end.
Lewis-Moore can rush the passer, and he can hold his own at the point of attack against the run.
In his first season of action, Lewis-Moore started nine games and finished with 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Key Reserve: Emeka Nwanko (Junior)
Nwanko has been used sparingly in his Irish career thus far. The 6โ4" 290 lb. defensive lineman played in seven games as a redshirt freshman, and came away with two tackles.
Defensive End: Ethan Johnson
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Ethan Johnson has played all along the defensive line during his Irish career, whether it be at tackle or end.
The 6โ4 285 lb. junior started 11 games at the defensive tackle position last year, and ended up totaling 32 tackles and four sacks.
The former elite recruit out of Lincoln High School in Oregon should be a key asset to Notre Dameโs front seven this season.
Key Reserve: Hafis Williams (Sophomore)
Williams is a big, strong player who could be used at both nose guard and defensive end if needed.
The 6โ1 285 lb. redshirt sophomore is a little on the short side, but he makes up for it with his strength and power.
Williams saw action in six games as a redshirt freshman.
Inside Linebacker: Manti Te'o
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Manti Teโo arrived at Notre Dame with great fanfare after a standout career at Punahou High School in Hawaii.
The big time recruit stepped in right away, and started ten games as a freshman.
Teโo finished the season with 63 tackles, which ranks third all time for a freshman at Notre Dame.
The 6'2" 245 sophomore has the potential to be a dominant force in the middle, and should flourish in the new 3-4 defensive scheme.
Key Reserve: Danny Spond (Freshman)
Spond is a 6โ2" 225 lb. freshman recruit out of Columbine High School in Colorado. He was recruited as an athlete after playing both quarterback and linebacker during his high school career.
Spond was considered by many to be the best high school football recruit in Colorado last year.
Inside Linebacker: Carlo Calabrese
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After redshirting last season, Carlo Calabrese now takes over the other inside linebacker spot in Notre Dameโs 3-4 defense.
Calabrese is a tough, strong, and physical presence, who should do great in run support.
As a senior at Verona High School in New Jersey, Calabrese totaled 131 tackles and three sacks.
Key Reserve: Anthony McDonald (Sophomore)
McDonald was a special teams demon as a redshirt freshman in 2009. The 6โ2 235 lb. California native appeared on defense in all twelve games last season and finished with ten total tackles.
He is a very strong player against the run.
Outside Linebacker: Darius Fleming
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Darius Fleming is the best pass rusher among Notre Dameโs linebacking crew.
The 6โ2 245 lb. junior has the speed to penetrate and be a constant presence in an opponentโs backfield.
Fleming started seven games in 2009, and led the team with twelve tackles for a loss. ย
The junior is shaping up to be a great outside rush linebacker in the new 3-4 scheme that the Irish are now using. He is the type of player that can really aid Notre Dameโs pass rush.
Key Reserve: Prince Shembo (Freshman)
Shembo is a 6โ2" 240 lb. stud recruit who played his high school ball at Ardrey Kell in North Carolina. He only played in five games as a senior due to an ankle injury, but he was still able to show that he has the athleticism to be a factor at the collegiate level.
Outside Linebacker: Kerry Neal
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Kerry Neal has been one of the most consistent players on the Irish defense since he was a freshman.
The 6โ2" 245 lb. senior has played in every game since joining the team, and has 21 total starts in his career.
Neal makes the switch from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker this year after compiling 70 tackles and five and a half sacks at the end position.
He is a strong, experienced, and intelligent player, who should handle the switch well.
Key Reserve: Brian Smith (Senior)
Smith has been a two year starter at inside linebacker for the Irish, but the scheme change has diminished his value somewhat. The 6โ3" 235 lb. senior isnโt big enough to handle playing the inside in a 3-4, so heโll make the move to the outside where he should see a fair amount of action.
Cornerbacks: Darrin Walls, Gary Gray
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Darrin Walls is Notre Dameโs most experienced cornerback. The 6โ0" 190 lb. senior has started 21 games in his career. In 2009, Walls started eight games and accumulated 27 tackles, six breakups, and one interception. He is a former elite recruit out of Woodlands High School in Pennsylvania
Gary Gray is another experienced, dependable cornerback, who is a valued member of the Irish secondary. The 5โ11" 190 lb. junior started the final seven games of the 2009 season, and improved his play dramatically by the end of the year. Gray has totaled 43 tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups in his two seasons of play.
Key Reserve: Robert Blanton (Junior)
At 6โ1" 190 lb., Blanton is a big corner, who moves well for his size. Heโs been a spot starter in his first two seasons, but heโs certainly been able to make a name for himself when heโs out on the field.
Blanton finished the 2009 season with 38 tackles and two interceptions.
S: Harrison Smith, Jamoris Slaughter
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Harrison Smith has a similar skillset and playing style to some of Notre Dameโs former safeties like Tom Zbikowski and Kyle McCarthy. The 6โ2" 210 lb. junior has played both linebacker and safety during his career, but most of his action has come at safety. Smith has started 21 total games and accumulated 126 tackles and 11 pass breakups leading up to this season.
Jamoris Slaughter is a 6โ0" 190 lb. sophomore, who enters this season as a first year starter at the safety position. Slaughter has solid range and terrific coverage skills. He played in all twelve of Notre Dameโs games last season, totaling 14 tackles.
Key Reserve: Dan McCarthy (Sophomore)
McCarthy, a former Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, came to Notre Dame as one of the most heralded recruits in the nation. After sitting out his first season, the 6โ2 205 lb. safety got the opportunity to contribute in five of Notre Dameโs games as primarily a special teams player last year.
McCarthy has the potential to be a difference maker on defense.
Specialists
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Kicker: David Ruffer (Senior)
Punter: Ben Turkย (Sophomore)
Punt Returner: Armando Allen (Senior)
Kick Returner: Cierre Wood (Freshman)
Long Snapper: Jordan Cowart (Sophomore)
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