Notre Dame Football: The Faces of the Opponent - South Florida

When Notre Dame takes the field for College Football's opening Saturday, who will they face?  This slideshow presents South Florida's key players, so you can recognize them when you hear their names. 

Who will have an impact on the game?  Who will make most of South Florida's plays?  You'll want to know these players before you enter Notre Dame stadium or tune your television to NBC. You won't have to listen too closely for these players' names, though, as you'll hear announcers call them out with regularity. Without further ado, we present the faces of South Florida football.

No. 7 B.J. Daniels

6-0 223 R-Jr QB, Tallahassee, FL (Lincoln HS)

With a 58.4 percent completion rate in 2010, Daniels threw for 1,685 yards, including 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 259 yards and five touchdowns.  A former member of the Big East All-Freshman team according to ESPN.com, Daniels ranks 10th all-time at South Florida in rushing touchdowns. Can he improve on his MVP performance against Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl?

No. 21 Demetris Murray

 6-0 215 R-Jr RB, Buford, GA (Buford HS)

Irish fans will recognize Murray's high school, as it produced Notre Dame alum Darius Walker.  In 2010, Murray was a solid backup, posting 542 yards on 120 carries while rushing for four touchdowns.  He also caught 11 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.  This year, Murray looks to carry the load of a South Florida team in need of a new feature running back.

No. 34 Dede Lattimore

6-1 230 R-So LB, Athens, GA (Cedar Shoals HS)

A star linebacker from Georgia, Lattimore shunned offers from Auburn, Michigan, and Oklahoma State, among others to play for the Bulls.  The Freshman All-American played in all 13 games last year, recording 69 tackles and 2.5 sacks.  He looks to anchor the middle of the South Florida defense, but will his efforts be enough to stop a versatile Irish attack?

No. 9 Evan Landi

6-3 221 Jr WR, Coral Springs, FL (Coral Springs Charter HS)

With the loss of Dontavia Bogan to graduation, Landi seeks to fill the void as the team's number one receiver.  A large target for Daniels, Landi finished 2010 as the second leading receiver with 28 catches for 390 yards and two touchdowns.  A former high school quarterback, look for the Landi to be instrumental in any trickery Skip Holtz may use to quiet the Irish crowd.

No. 3 Darrell Scott

6-1 239 R-Jr RB, Ventura, CA (St. Bonaventure HS)

Scott saw limited action at Colorado, but is a big back looking to make an impact for Skip Holtz.  Highly regarded coming out of St. Bonaventure High School, which produced former number one recruit Lorenzo Booker, Murray has struggled to live up to his ranking. Will he be able to find his rhythm and reproduce the impressive numbers he had in high school?

No. 2 Quenton Washington

5-10 196 R-Sr CB, Fort Myers, FL (N. Fort Myers HS)

In his fourth and final campaign at cornerback for South Florida, Washington is a Bulls mainstay.  In 2010, he started 12 games logging 59 tackles, one interception, and two blocked punts.  Though fast, Washington appears to be a bigger threat as a blitzer than a pass defender, as he merely had four breakups in 2010.  The Irish should keep an eye on Washington during specials teams plays where Washington's speed makes him a threat to block a kick off the edge.  Can he handle receivers like Michael Floyd or Theo Riddick?

No. 36 Sam Barrington

6-1 226 Jr LB, Jacksonville, FL (Terry Parker HS)

A three-star prospect out of high school, Barrington finished 2010 third on the team in tackles with 65 to go along with a half sack. A local product, Barrington chose the Bulls over Miami and Illinois.  He is expected to be a key figure in a linebacking corp that could see a difficult day attempting to stop the spread, while keeping an eye on the Irish ground game, Saturday.  If the Notre Dame rushing attack makes it to the second level of the Bulls' defense, expect to hear Barrington's name, often.