Notre Dame Football: The Two-Deep at Every Position

Now that spring practice has come to its conclusion, college football fans have two big dates to look forward to before fall practice begins in August: the release of the Phil Steele College Football Preview Magazine (aka the College Football Gambler's Bible) on June 9 and EA Sports' release of NCAA Football 2012 in mid-July.

Since there are still six weeks until Phil Steele is released, I felt it would be a service to all the loyal Bleacher Report readers out there to do a brief little breakdown of Notre Dame's projected depth chart. I may be lacking 450 pages of stats on how teams performed against the spread over the past 10 years like Steele's magazine gives you, but as the Texas Tornadoes said, "a little bit is better than nada."

Quarterback

Projected Depth Chart

1. Dayne Crist - Junior (RS)...6'4", 235lbs
2. Tommy Rees - Sophomore...6'2", 210lbs
3. Everett Golson - Freshman...6'0", 180lbs

Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees are embroiled in a battle for the top spot on the depth chart that should run right up until the week before South Florida comes to town. The hunch here is that Crist locks down the job when all is said and done. If he goes down with an injury (which unfortunately is a very real possibility) then Rees will be given the keys to the offense.

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: High...While it's possible Rees could leapfrog Crist, all reports coming out of camp lead you to believe barring injury Dayne will be the guy leading the team. I feel it's worth listing Golson as the third quarterback because he's going to emerge over Andrew Hendrix for the change-of-pace quarterback brought into the game if only to wreak havoc in the red zone. He's just quicker and more slippery than Hendrix and that's ultimately going to be difference.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Above Average...The Irish have four competent signal-callers, but based on what we saw last year and in this year's spring game, there isn't a true elite quarterback on the roster at this time. Without one it's tough to do the things ND wants to ultimately do.

Running Back

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Running back Cierre Wood #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes during the Hyundai Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Im

Projected Depth Chart

1. Cierre Wood - Sophomore (RS)...6'0", 210lbs
2. Jonas Gray - Senior...5'10", 230lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: Dead Solid Lock...Why? Because there will be only four scholarship running backs on the roster come fall. One is sidelined with a major knee injury and the other is a freshman who isn't even on campus yet.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Shaky...I love the development and progression of Cierre Wood thus far, but if he goes down due to injury it could be a complete disaster. It's critical that Gray proves to be a reliable, strong runner especially since there are few alternatives at the position due to injuries and whiffs on the recruiting trail.

Wide Receiver

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ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 12: Wide reciever Michael Floyd #3 of Notre Dame catches a pass early in the second half against Michigan at Michigan Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images)

Projected Depth Chart

1. Michael Floyd - Senior...6'3", 227lbs
2. TJ Jones - Sophomore...5'11", 187lbs
3. Theo Riddick - Junior...5'11", 198lbs
4. John Goodman - Junior (RS)...6'3", 207lbs
5. Robby Toma - Junior... 5'9", 175lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: Extremely Low...I don't necessarily believe Floyd will be on the field for that first game. I also think that rising sophomore Daniel Smith and incoming freshman Davaris Daniels have legitimate shots to crack the rotation, especially if John Goodman doesn't channel his inner-Robby Parris and emerge as a consistent threat.

Confidence Level in the position in general: High...This is based 1000% on the assumption Floyd is in the lineup. He's a superstar and jacks the rating of the entire unit up. Beyond him TJ Jones is a rock solid #2 receiver if he can stay healthy and Theo Riddick is a gamebreaker out of the slot. The fourth and fifth positions are really up for grabs. It wouldn't shock me in the slightest if Daniel Smith or one of the incoming freshmen (Daniels and George Atkinson III) got in the mix.

Tight End

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: Tyler Eifert #80 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops a pass as he is hit by John Flanders #21 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Tulsa defeated Notre Dame 28-27.

Projected Depth Chart

1. Tyler Eifert - Sophomore (RS)...6'6", 242lbs
2. Mike Ragone - Senior (RS)...6'4", 245lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: Extremely High...This is pretty much set in stone.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Extremely High...A great pass catching tight end leaves Notre Dame, another one steps right in to pick up on the torch. Fans shouldn't be surprised if Eifert sneaks into the top three in receiving yardage and trails only Floyd in touchdown receptions. Behind him Mike Ragone and Alex Welch both provide quality depth, affording Brian Kelly the opportunity to stash highly touted incoming freshman Ben Koyack for a year.

Offensive Line

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Kyle Moore #84 of the USC Trojans rushes in against Trevor Robinson #78 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Trojans defeated

Projected Depth Chart

Left Tackle
1. Zack Martin - Sophomore (RS)...6'4", 300lbs
2. Tate Nichols - Freshman (RS)...6'8", 320lbs

Left Guard
1. Andrew Nuss - Senior (RS)...6'5", 303lbs
2. Chris Watt - Sophomore (RS)...6'3", 310lbs

Center
1. Braxston Cave - Junior (RS)...6'3", 303lbs
2. Mike Golic, Jr - Sophomore (RS)...6'3", 295lbs

Right Guard
1. Trevor Robinson - Senior...6'5", 300lbs
2. Lane Clelland - Junior (RS)...6'5", 297lbs

Right Tackle
1. Taylor Dever - Senior (RS)...6'5", 297lbs
2. Christian Lombard - Freshman (RS)...6'5", 301lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: Very confident except at LG...I love the nasty streak Chris Watt brings to the table and it wouldn't surprise me if he finds a way to beat out Nuss. Most practice reports had Nuss playing with the first team throughout the spring though so Watt may not get there.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Very High...The Irish are high on experience and talent. That's a great combination to have in the trenches.

Defensive Line

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore #89 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles wide receiver Damian Williams #18 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2009 in South Bend, Ind

Projected Depth Chart

Defensive End
1. Ethan Johnson - Senior...6'4", 300lbs
2. Kona Schwenke - Sophomore...6'4", 285lbs

Nose Tackle
1. Louis Nix...Freshman (RS)...6'3", 340lbs
2. Sean Cwynar...Junior (RS)...6'4", 280lbs

Defensive End
1. Kapron Lewis-Moore - Junior (RS)...6'4", 295lbs
2. Aaron Lynch - Freshman...6'6", 260lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: High...As much hype as Aaron Lynch has received (and rightfully so, the kid is a beast), there's no way he beats out one of the upperclassmen for a starting spot against South Florida. The biggest question is whether Louis Nix can lock down the starting position. The educated guess is yes, but Cwynar and Hafis Williams will see plenty of time since Nix's stamina will only allow so many snaps.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Unbelievably High...This is the best starting group of defensive linemen Notre Dame has had in years. The second string is probably more talented than most of the defensive lines the Irish have trotted out in the past decade and that's not even including incoming five-star recruit Stephon Tuitt, who couldn't be a more perfect fit for the 3-4. This is an embarrassment of riches.

Linebacker

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish awaits the start of play against the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by Jonathan

Projected Depth Chart

Outside Linebacker (CAT)
1. Darius Fleming - Senior...6'2", 250lbs
2. Ishaq Williams - Freshman...6'5", 242lbs

Inside Linebacker
1. Manti Te'o - Junior...6'2", 255lbs
2. Anthony McDonald - Junior (RS)...6'2", 238lbs

Inside Linebacker
1. Carlo Calabrese - Sophomore (RS)...6'1", 245lbs
2. Dan Fox - Sophomore (RS)...6'3", 230lbs

Outside Linebacker (DOG)
1. Danny Spond - Sophomore...6'2", 242lbs
2. Prince Shembo - Sophomore...6'2", 250lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: 50/50 all because of the DOG position...Danny Spond and Prince Shembo are in a spirited competition where each player is performing beyond expectations, a great problem for the staff. Most people think Shembo will get the starting nod in week one, but I'll go with the upset because I think Spond drops better into coverage and still lays just as big a boom as Shembo. One other note: Ishaq Williams is too good for Steve Filer to hold off. Filer is a great athlete, football and the nuances of it just don't come naturally to him. Expect Filer to make a great impact on special teams but his window of opportunity at linebacker has come and gone.

Confidence Level in the position in general: Extremely High...Three starters return on this unit including potential All-American Manti Te'o. Whoever wins the competition at DOG has a good chance to be an upgrade over last year's starters (Brian Smith and Kerry Neal) if only because they bring far more athleticism to the table. This quartet paired with all the depth and talent along the defensive line will be a huge strength of the team.

Defensive Back

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Safety Harrison Smith #22 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish comes down with the interception onf the one yard line to end the final drive in the final minute by the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27

Projected Depth Chart

Cornerback
1. Gary Gray - Senior (RS)...5'11", 195lbs
2. Lo Wood - Sophomore...5'10", 182lbs

Free Safety
1. Harrison Smith - Senior (RS)...6'2", 214lbs
2. Danny McCarthy - Junior (RS)...6'2", 205lbs

Strong Safety
1. Zeke Motta - Junior...6'2", 215lbs
2. Jamoris Slaughter - Junior (RS)...6'0", 198lbs

Cornerback
1. Robert Blanton - Senior...6'1", 196lbs
2. Bennett Jackson - Sophomore...6'0", 181lbs

Confidence Level that this will be the depth chart on 9/3: Very High...The only real question would be if Jamoris Slaughter can retake the starting spot from Zeke Motta, but Motta's playing so well that it seems unlikely.

Confidence Level in the position in general: High...The entire starting defensive backfield has proven itself to be solid and productive, but the Irish are paper thin in terms of depth. The lack of bodies forced wide receivers Bennett Jackson and Austin Collinsworth to shift over to the defensive side of the ball. In fact, before Jackson moved Notre Dame wasn't even able to fill a two-deep at cornerback (that's so Michigan). So while things are rosy on the surface, the Irish must successfully walk the injury tight rope or else there could be a significant drop-off in the secondary.