Sharpley to start?

[johnnd05]

Dennis Dodd says so:

This just in: The new starting quarterback at Notre Dame is going to be junior Evan Sharpley.

It being July and this being a blog, take that with a grain of saltwater, if you're laying on a beach somewhere. But I talked to Zach Frazer's dad on Friday following up on the quarterback's transfer to Connecticut on Sunday.

Frazer's future was pretty well mapped out when Charlie Weis narrowed the quarterback race to Sharpley, freshman Jimmy Clausen and sophomore Demetrius Jones. The Frazers left on good terms with Charlie Weis but Zach's father David came away with some revealing observations.

"From what we know Sharpley is going to be the guy," David Frazer told me from his office in Harrisburg, Pa. "Jones will be put in for a few trick plays. Clausen won't play this year."

Wow. That lends credence to an unsubstantiated blog that surfaced earlier this summer. It stated that Clausen had surgery on his throwing elbow. No one has confirmed the surgery or Clausen's playing status.

But that would make sense. If Clausen is still healing from surgery it would be wise to sit him out.

"The way Charlie described it, he doesn't think he has the passing game this year," David Frazer said. "He wants somebody to throw it five yards (downfield). They're going to run it more.

"I think the problem is they thought they were going to get (five-star receiving recruit) Arrelious Benn. With (Jeff) Samardzija and Rhema McKnight gone, they really don't have go-to receiver types."

Benn going to Illinois was painful enough for Weis. But Clausen's father (Jimmy Sr.) said shortly thereafter that his son had played his entire senior year in high school with a sore arm. Surgery wouldn't be a surprise but we might not know until August when practice starts, if then.

It was a certainty that Notre Dame would be breaking in a new quarterback after the departure of Brady Quinn. Sharpley, from Marshall, Mich., did not play in 2005. He threw two passes last season. Jones did not play in 2006.

BGS thinks it's plausible; HLS says it's bunk. Plus more from The Fan House. I for one have tons of trouble believing that our game plan for next season hinged on getting A. Benn. Your thoughts?

[ND FANATIC]

I'll believe it when CW tells me who's going to start. Nobody else, just Charlie.

[OCIrish]

Originally Posted by ND FANATIC

I'll believe it when CW tells me who's going to start. Nobody else, just Charlie.

I agree, the only thing that I believe, is what CW says. Won't believe anything untill I hear it from the horses mouth! BTW, I don't care who starts, as long as he plays well and leads to victory!!

[big daddy]

If Jimmy doesn't play this year does it mean he will have a medical red- shirt, and if this is the case how would this affect Crist's committment? What do you guys think?

[Junkhead]

Originally Posted by big daddy

If Jimmy doesn't play this year does it mean he will have a medical red- shirt, and if this is the case how would this affect Crist's committment? What do you guys think?

I thought early entrys (like JC) were not eligible for redshirts.....true?

[Fishin'_Irish]

ND doesn't redshirt players. In order for a player to get a fifth year, he must have already graduated from the University and be enrolled in graduate classes (as well as still have eligibility).

[Irish93]

I also think that Clausen was never planning on staying an extra year. It was going to be 3.5 years and out. That way, Crist would take over in his junior year. Good succession plan.

My question for the board is...why is the world would CW tell Frazier anything? That part doesn't make sense. I think that Frazier is speculating. It is plausible, but too early to make that type of decision.