Notre Dame Football: Jimmy Clausen and the 10 Best Players of the Past Decade
The University of Notre Dame's football program has gone through quite a turbulent period in its otherwise smooth history.
Since 1997, there have been four head coaches, the most turnover at the position in the history of the program.
Despite that turnover, there have been a number of great players along the way.
Just as a forewarning, this list contains former players only, so try not to get all up in arms that Michael Floyd is not listed among these players.
Follow along as we count down the 10 best players of the past decade.
10. Ryan Grant
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Some of you may disagree with me on this one, but then again, Ryan Grant is the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers.
Grant came up at running back after Julius Jones left South Bend because of poor grades.
In Jones' absence in 2002, arguably his best season, Grant rushed for 1,085 yards on 261 carries along with nine touchdowns.
After 2002, his career was marred by injury and the return of Julius Jones.
Fans will always remember him for his valiant effort in 2002.
Career Stats: 560 carries, 2,220 yards, 4.0 avg, 18 TD's
9. Ryan Harris
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A four-year-starter, Ryan Harris was a critical part in the line that protected Brady Quinn.
Offensive linemen aren't usually featured in lists like this, but he was one of the best linemen in the nation during his time in South Bend.
Because of his superior talent and experience, he was drafted in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
8. Arnaz Battle
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Arnaz Battle will be remembered most for his switch from starting quarterback to wide receiver in 2001.
Battle was named the starting quarterback in 2000, but broke his wrist in the second game of the season against No. 1 Nebraska and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season.
After he switched to wide receiver in '01, it was apparent that he would be just fine. He hauled in 53 receptions for 742 yards and five touchdowns.
Battle was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
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7. Jeff Faine
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Jeff Faine was a center for the Irish from 1998-2002.
He is arguably one of the the best offensive linemen to ever play at Notre Dame. He'll be remembered for the way he absolutely dominated opposing D-lines.
Faine was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
6. Julius Jones
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Julius Jones is arguably one of the best running backs in program history.
Jones hold the single-game school record for rushing yards with 262, which he set against Pittsburgh in 2003. He rushed for 200 or more yards three times that season, also a school record.
One can only imagine what his career may have been like had he not left in 2002 due to poor grades.
Jones was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
5. John Carlson
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John Carlson was another spectacular tight end in a long line of great ones at the position. He was a big target for Brady Quinn during his time in South Bend.
Carlson played for the Irish from 2004-2007. He finished his career with 100 receptions for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns.
Carlson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
4. Jeff Samardzija
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Jeff Samardzija will go down as one of the best offensive threats to ever play at Notre Dame. A multi-sport athlete, Samardzija played baseball during springs in South Bend.
His best season of his career came in 2005, when he hauled in 77 receptions for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those figures added up to a school-record season.
Samardzija's biggest quandary came after his senior season when he had to decide whether to choose baseball or football as a career. He ended up following his heart and entered the 2006 MLB Draft, where he was drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago Cubs.
3. Golden Tate
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Golden Tate was one of the most dynamic players in program history.
Like Samardzija, Tate also played baseball during his Notre Dame career.
Tate registered one of the best seasons by a receiver in program history in 2008. He finished the season with 58 receptions for 1,080 yards and 10 touchdowns. That included 100-yard games against Michigan, North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
Tate's outstanding season resulted in his winning of the Biletnikoff Award.
Tate was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
2. Brady Quinn
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Brady Quinn is synonymous with Notre Dame. He's one of the best "golden boys" in program's storied tradition.
Quinn played in the pro-style scheme under head coach Charlie Weis. That truly benefited Quinn.
His career stats say it all.
929 of 1,602 passes completed for 11,762 yards along with 95 touchdowns. Quinn also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as well as the Maxwell Award his senior year.
He had an amazing career and will live on in Notre Dame lore.
1. Jimmy Clausen
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Jimmy Clausen was perhaps the most sought after recruit in the country a few years ago.
It got to a point where it seemed like he was being hailed as a messiah.
He wasn't exactly a messiah for the program, but certainly put up some huge numbers during his time in an Irish uniform.
Clausen's final year at Notre Dame saw him complete 289 of 425 pass attempts for 3,722 yard along with 28 touchdowns to only four interceptions. That was one of the best seasons by an Irish quarterback on record.
And to think if he and Golden Tate would have stayed for their senior seasons.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
