Notre Dame Football: 4 Players the Irish Need to Step Up in 2012

Although there is still a ton of football left, the college football season is rapidly coming to a close—especially for a team like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are going through a disappointing year and will end up settling for a lousy bowl game.

For teams like the Irish, it's about that time to begin looking toward next year and seeing how they could get better and fulfill their high expectations.

Here are a few players that will have to step it up to make the 2012 season much better than 2011's.

Wide Receiver TJ Jones

Jones is one of Notre Dame's top route-runners and has a ton of potential.

Only a sophomore this season, he has 31 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns.

He may only be 5'11", 187 pounds, but he can help stretch the defense and is a very solid blocker.

With Michael Floyd probably leaving for the NFL, Jones will be a lot more valuable in the passing game and will have to take that next step as a wide receiver.

Quarterback Everett Golson

Quarterback has been a shaky position for the Irish this year.

Dayne Crist was the starter entering the year, but due to a ton of interceptions being thrown, they made the switch to Tommy Rees.

Although Rees has grown as a quarterback, he still makes bad decisions and is turnover-prone.

Golson should get a very strong look as the starter next season, as he is an athletic quarterback that also has the arm strength.

He's capable of making all of the throws on the football field, and his quickness allows him to beat you with his feet.

Golson would add a different dimension to this offense and help take the Irish to the top.

Defensive End Aaron Lynch

Lynch is sacks leader on this team with four, but he will have to continue this production and possibly even build on it.

He is only a freshman and has plenty more to offer this team. He will continue to get better.

He is extremely fast but still has to develop into more of a pure pass-rusher.

Lynch still has work to do, but he has the potential to become a great defensive end who will help a defensive line that struggles to pressure the quarterback.

Cornerback Lo Wood

Lo Wood returned his one interception of the season for a touchdown and will have to make many more plays like that next year.

Only a sophomore, Wood has all of the potential to be great.

He has solid speed and is a good cover corner with great instincts.

Wood has to step it up next season considering Robert Blanton, Gary Gray and Jamoris Slaughter are all seniors.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].

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