South Jersey Domer
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This comes straight from the Lindy's 2013 College Football Preview I bought a couple of days ago. This came out before Everett Golson left ND so bear that in mind.
Players to Watch: QB Everett Golson, RB George Atkinson III, TE Troy Niklas, RB/WR Amir Carlisle, LT Zack Martin, NG Louis Nix III, DE Stephon Tuitt, LB Jarrett Grace
OFFENSE
Junior Everett Golson is looking to master the offense in his 2nd year as the starting quarterback. needing to assist a backfield in transition. The departures of running backs Theo Riddick & Cierre Wood mean other backs have a lot of production to replace. Speedy junior George Atkinson III is at the front of the line, but junior Amir Carlisle & talented freshman Greg Bryant will be in the mix as well. The wide receiving corps returns many players, led by 4-year starter T.J. Jones. Junior DaVaris Daniels is looking to become a more consistent contributor following a productive 2012 season. The slot receiver position remains wide open, following the transfer of expected starter Davonte' Neal. An experienced line that returns 3 starters will help steer the offense through any early bumps. But the Irish have a big hole to fill following the exit of tight end Tyler Eifert, who broke records at Notre Dame & was a vital safety valve for the inexperienced Golson. Troy Niklas, a converted linebacker, is next in line.
DEFENSE
The departure of Manti Te'o leaves a glaring hole on what remains a very talented Notre Dame defense. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt & nose guard Louis Nix III are among the best in the country at their positions, vital anchors to what looks to be another stingy defense. Sophomore Sheldon Day saw plenty of playing time in 2012 & now moves into the starting role. Junior Jarrett Grace looks to be the man to replace Te'o, but he will be flanked by plenty of experience. Dan Fox & Carlo Calabrese will also spend time at a middle linebacker spot, while Prince Shembo & Danny Spond return on the outside. The defensive backfield returns almost entirely intact. Cornerbacks KeiVarae Russell & Bennett Jackson exceeded all expectations last year & return to build on that. The same goes for free safety Matthias Farley, while sophomore Elijah Shumate looks to replace Zeke Motta at the strong safety position.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Irish were undefeated in 2012 despite mediocre special teams play. Senior punter Ben Turk averaged 40.8 yards per kick. His replacement could be Alex Wulfeck, a transfer from Wake Forest. Junior Kyle Brindza, who punted in the spring game, was the placekicker a year ago, hitting on 23 of 31 field goal attempts. Fifth-year senior Nick Tausch hit 3 field goals in the spring game. Junior George Atkinson III averaged 20.0 yards on kickoff returns a year ago. Notre Dame must replace Davonte' Neal, last year's punt returner. Brian Kelly promised primary focus on special teams improvement during the offseason and in fall practice.
OVERVIEW
The Fighting Irish return many of the key players that took them to the BCS Championship Game, especially on a defense that was among the best in the nation. But last year was a magical season, filled with just the right bounces, and Notre Dame is going to need some breaks and some key young players to step up to contend for the title again.
TOP NEWCOMER
RB Greg Bryant: He arrives at a time when Notre Dame doesn't have an established 1st-teamer, so he'll push for playing time. Rivals.com rated him #2 nationally among running backs after he rushed for 1,447 yards on 186 attempts as a senior in Delray Beach, Florida.
2013 PROJECTED STARTERS
QB Everett Golson
RB George Atkinson III
WR T.J. Jones
WR DaVaris Daniels
WR C.J. Prosise
TE Troy Niklas
LT Zack Martin (2nd team All-American, a key holdover from 1 of best Notre Dame lines of recent times)
LG Chris Watt
C Nick Martin
RG Conor Hanratty
RT Christian Lombard
DE Sheldon Day
NG Louis Nix III (1st team All-American, space-eating anchor helped ND stuff the run...until Alabama)
DE Stephon Tuitt (1st team All-American, a 300+ pound end in a 3-4 scheme; he had 12 sacks last season)
LB Prince Shembo (Gives ND a play-making pass rusher, standing up or as down lineman)
LB Dan Fox
LB Jarrett Grace
LB Danny Spond
CB Bennett Jackson
CB KeiVarae Russell
SS Elijah Shumate
FS Matthias Farley
K Kyle Brindza
P Kyle Brindza
Players to Watch: QB Everett Golson, RB George Atkinson III, TE Troy Niklas, RB/WR Amir Carlisle, LT Zack Martin, NG Louis Nix III, DE Stephon Tuitt, LB Jarrett Grace
OFFENSE
Junior Everett Golson is looking to master the offense in his 2nd year as the starting quarterback. needing to assist a backfield in transition. The departures of running backs Theo Riddick & Cierre Wood mean other backs have a lot of production to replace. Speedy junior George Atkinson III is at the front of the line, but junior Amir Carlisle & talented freshman Greg Bryant will be in the mix as well. The wide receiving corps returns many players, led by 4-year starter T.J. Jones. Junior DaVaris Daniels is looking to become a more consistent contributor following a productive 2012 season. The slot receiver position remains wide open, following the transfer of expected starter Davonte' Neal. An experienced line that returns 3 starters will help steer the offense through any early bumps. But the Irish have a big hole to fill following the exit of tight end Tyler Eifert, who broke records at Notre Dame & was a vital safety valve for the inexperienced Golson. Troy Niklas, a converted linebacker, is next in line.
DEFENSE
The departure of Manti Te'o leaves a glaring hole on what remains a very talented Notre Dame defense. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt & nose guard Louis Nix III are among the best in the country at their positions, vital anchors to what looks to be another stingy defense. Sophomore Sheldon Day saw plenty of playing time in 2012 & now moves into the starting role. Junior Jarrett Grace looks to be the man to replace Te'o, but he will be flanked by plenty of experience. Dan Fox & Carlo Calabrese will also spend time at a middle linebacker spot, while Prince Shembo & Danny Spond return on the outside. The defensive backfield returns almost entirely intact. Cornerbacks KeiVarae Russell & Bennett Jackson exceeded all expectations last year & return to build on that. The same goes for free safety Matthias Farley, while sophomore Elijah Shumate looks to replace Zeke Motta at the strong safety position.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Irish were undefeated in 2012 despite mediocre special teams play. Senior punter Ben Turk averaged 40.8 yards per kick. His replacement could be Alex Wulfeck, a transfer from Wake Forest. Junior Kyle Brindza, who punted in the spring game, was the placekicker a year ago, hitting on 23 of 31 field goal attempts. Fifth-year senior Nick Tausch hit 3 field goals in the spring game. Junior George Atkinson III averaged 20.0 yards on kickoff returns a year ago. Notre Dame must replace Davonte' Neal, last year's punt returner. Brian Kelly promised primary focus on special teams improvement during the offseason and in fall practice.
OVERVIEW
The Fighting Irish return many of the key players that took them to the BCS Championship Game, especially on a defense that was among the best in the nation. But last year was a magical season, filled with just the right bounces, and Notre Dame is going to need some breaks and some key young players to step up to contend for the title again.
TOP NEWCOMER
RB Greg Bryant: He arrives at a time when Notre Dame doesn't have an established 1st-teamer, so he'll push for playing time. Rivals.com rated him #2 nationally among running backs after he rushed for 1,447 yards on 186 attempts as a senior in Delray Beach, Florida.
2013 PROJECTED STARTERS
QB Everett Golson
RB George Atkinson III
WR T.J. Jones
WR DaVaris Daniels
WR C.J. Prosise
TE Troy Niklas
LT Zack Martin (2nd team All-American, a key holdover from 1 of best Notre Dame lines of recent times)
LG Chris Watt
C Nick Martin
RG Conor Hanratty
RT Christian Lombard
DE Sheldon Day
NG Louis Nix III (1st team All-American, space-eating anchor helped ND stuff the run...until Alabama)
DE Stephon Tuitt (1st team All-American, a 300+ pound end in a 3-4 scheme; he had 12 sacks last season)
LB Prince Shembo (Gives ND a play-making pass rusher, standing up or as down lineman)
LB Dan Fox
LB Jarrett Grace
LB Danny Spond
CB Bennett Jackson
CB KeiVarae Russell
SS Elijah Shumate
FS Matthias Farley
K Kyle Brindza
P Kyle Brindza
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