Notre Dame Football: Bennett Jackson and 5 Players Ready to Surprise in 2011
One of head coach Brian Kelly's mantras since the day he took the job has been "player development."
Irish fans saw that come true last season as Kelly seemingly got every ounce of talent from each player on the roster.
While that may have only resulted in eight wins for his team, it only skimmed the surface of what is yet to come.
There are many players on this year's roster who are primed to have breakout seasons.
So follow along as we analyze the five players who will surprise in 2011.
Kona Schwenke
1 of 5
Kona Schwenke, a native of Hawaii, didn't figure he would see the field much during his first few seasons in South Bend.
He was wrong.
Over the final five games of 2010, he was in the playing rotation at defensive end.
His 2010 stats—two solo tackles and a fumble recovery—don't say much, but he got in the face of the quarterback on a number of occasions during those five games.
Schwenke's speed and quickness were questioned upon his arrival to campus.
However, that notion changed once he put in the necessary work with strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo.
Despite the addition of highly touted defensive end recruits Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt, Schwenke holds the experience factor over both and will continue to receive more playing time.
Expect Schwenke to be a fixture on this year's D-line.
Roby Toma
2 of 5
With the uncertain future of Michael Floyd, the receiver position will need as much depth as it can get.
Toma, another Hawaii native, will figure to be in that receiver rotation.
He was an afterthought in the 2009 recruiting class because of his size, at only 5'9" and 175 pounds.
However, he has seen the field in both seasons he has been on campus.
Toma's speed and quickness may allow him to earn even more playing time this season in Kelly's high octane offense.
Prince Shembo
3 of 5
Shembo cracked the rotation at linebacker last season and finished with 15 tackles to end the year.
The scary part is that he's only going to get better this season.
At 6'2" and 250 pounds, Shembo figures to be a nuisance to opposing defenses this year at his outside linebacker position.
If Shembo truly reaches his potential while playing alongside All-America candidate Manti Te'o, the two could form one of the best linebacking duos in the nation.
Don't be surprised if Prince Shembo finishes the 2011 season with the second most tackles behind Te'o.
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Louis Nix
4 of 5
Louis Nix has a seemingly limitless potential but has yet to truly show any flashes of brilliance.
A large part of that is due to his lack of endurance.
It is no question that Brian Kelly wants this kid on the field because of his ability to stuff the run and be a monster presence at the defensive tackle position.
It is also no question that Nix will be spending a lot of time with strength and conditioning coach Paul Longo this summer to improve that endurance.
Longo will get him into multiple-down playing shape; there's no question about it.
Expect to see Nix share time with Hafis Williams at the tackle position and blossom into the anchor of the D-line.
Bennett Jackson
5 of 5
After playing receiver in 2010, Bennett Jackson will be a member of the secondary this season because of paper thin depth at the unit.
Reports from spring practices gave promising signs of his performance as a cornerback.
His speed, which is second to none, is sure to help him ease through the transition.
Jackson will not only be playing at cornerback, but he'll also be the lead man on kick returns.
His performance at both positions will be crucial for the Irish this season.
Expect Jackson to be one of the best kick returners in the nation and a solid backup at cornerback.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
