Notre Dame Football: Golson or Hendrix in 2011?

The enigma that has been the quarterback position at Notre Dame was solidified last week with the naming of senior Dayne Crist as starter. This should come as a surprise to no one since the race had been between Crist and sophomore Tommy Rees.

Originally, head coach Brian Kelly had envisioned a four-headed monster that would include Crist and Rees along with the other two quarterbacks on roster, Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson, who were thought to be ideal for his up-tempo spread offense. With Crist and Rees making only cameo appearances in the spring game, rumors were abound that the inexperienced and more athletic pair could supplant the five-star senior (Crist) and the hero of 2010 (Rees).

It soon became apparent that Golson and Hendrix would not factor in the QB race, as prior to the beginning of fall camp in August, Kelly made it clear that Crist and Rees were in a tight battle for the starting spot, and the the other two were clearly behind.

With Crist and Rees, you have a bit of a known commodity. They've had game experience, both faced big-game pressure and both have a body of work to study and improve upon.

But you lose a bit of mobility from the quarterback position that would help Kelly's offense thrive. Crist is athletic, but has had each knee surgically repaired in consecutive years, and Kelly has been hesitant to set him off running.

Kelly wants a QB that can run, but needs a QB that can win now. Thus arose the question, why limit the conversation to a quarterback?

Enter Urban Meyer.

At the new ESPN analyst's visit to South Bend to discuss the upcoming season for the network's first preseason look at the Irish, Kelly picked Meyer's brain in regards to his using of two quarterbacks in Florida's National Championship season of 2006. 

In that year, using a very similar offense to the current Irish offense, Meyer had a veteran signal caller in Chris Leak, and had his ideal QB in freshman Tim Tebow.

Meyer recognized that the team was solid and ready to win. Leak gave the squad the best chance to win because of his experience and leadership. But Tebow had all the tools that Meyer coveted in a QB physically.

Rather than choosing between the two, Meyer used them both.

Leak was the every-down QB, but the Gators installed a package designed specifically for Tebow that included more physically demanding runs and sprint-out run/pass options. Very rarely would they both enter the same huddle, so it was not a "wildcat"-type dual QB package. They each had their specific roles and functioned well enough in their cooperation that they finished the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State with the National Championship.

Using Meyer's model as inspiration, it is probable that Kelly will use a package of plays for one of his more athletically inclined young quarterbacks.

So which one?

The battle for the third and fourth spots on the depth chart could be as contentious as the battle for No. 1 and No. 2.

Both QBs have showed flashes of brilliance amid moments of confusion, leaving two simple truths: 1) These guys will be exciting in another year and 2) that year is not this year.

Neither seems ready to shoulder the burden of the Irish offense full time, but if one is asked to play in a change-of-pace role, bet on seeing Hendrix.

Hendrix has spent another year in the program, he has shown better accuracy on throws and he will burn his first year of eligibility this year. Golson, to his credit, entered early and has learned at a rapid pace. He is in no way out of any running for future playing time.

He is, however, a true freshman, and could line up to be in Blue and Gold for four more years by not taking live snaps this year.

The true odd man out is Tommy Rees.

Despite losing a close battle for the starting position, unless Crist is injured early, it is doubtful that the young QB who led Notre Dame's late-season winning streak will ever again take a meaningful snap with the Irish.

As for seeing Hendrix under center in 2011?

Bet on it.