Notre Dame QB Crist a poised leader
BY JAHMAL CORNER, Special to the Daily News
Article Launched: 08/30/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT
Dayne Crist walks lightly for a quarterback of his stature.
And it isn't just the 6-feet, 5-inches and 225 pounds, either. It's the weight of the moment that should be doing the pulling, the lofty expectations, the young and untested receivers surrounding him at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks during the most important season of his young life.
Oh, and then there's the whole next great Notre Dame University quarterback thing. Most figure that to be highly touted Jimmy Clausen, the Oaks Christian of Westlake Village who is beginning his freshman season. But Crist, a good friend of Clausen's, committed to play for the Fighting Irish anyway, setting up a future battle for one of the most prestigious jobs in the college game.
Crist just doesn't carry himself as though any of this applies to his broad shoulders.
He walks - or strolls - more like a carefree kid at the beach. Like he's just enjoying the moment.
"I'm so excited for this season," Crist said, after the second of two practices on his team's final two-a-day. "I'm ready to take full advantage. You just can't take anything for granted; I learned that last year."
Crist learned the hard way.
He took an awkward hit on
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the first offensive play of the season's first game, sending him to the turf head-first.
Amazingly, he finished the game. But further inspection revealed a compression fracture in his back. Just like that, Crist was wiped out for five games.
"It was devastating at first," he said. "I heard everything (from doctors) from go play, to I'd need to be in a body cast. I rehabbed like crazy, and my first play back was a quarterback run."
Way to ease the tension - as if he ever felt any.
Despite the missed time, Crist threw for 1,270 yards and 17 touchdowns in seven games while rushing for 400 yards and four TDs. He helped lead the Knights to the playoffs with an undefeated mark.
His performance spoke as much about Crist's manner as it did his ability. His cooler than an evening breeze demeanor ensures calmness in times of turmoil, even when he literally gets his helmet rattled by a defense.
That will help this season when he attempts to mesh with a fresh group of wideouts.
The Knights' offense will need his senior presence, and leadership on the field at all times.
"He's always helping us, telling us where to line up," said junior receiver James Flynn. "He always makes the right calls."
Added receiverJeff Dickmann: "It's great to have his leadership, especially in the clutch. With Dayne, you always expect the ball to be on the money every time."
Crist's physical gifts help him put the ball just about anywhere he wants. His arm strength allows him to throw the deep ball with all the effort of a pitcher under handing to his first baseman.
If there is one area Crist can improve, Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney thinks it might be in reining in his talent.
"His biggest challenge will be taking what the defense gives him, not trying to make the big play every down," Rooney said.
Maybe it's Crist's unburdened personality that has him always thinking big.
While most fans thought he would attend USC, he went with Notre Dame despite competition from Clausen. Sophomore Demetrius Jones also expects to push for the starting job.
None of that dissuaded Crist. His explanation for choosing the Irish was simple.
"At any level, you're always going to face competition," he said. "I'm not concerned with when I play, but how I play when I get the opportunity."
Crist might as well have shrugged, and said: "big deal."
Last month, Crist attended the EA Sports Elite 11 QB Camp. The camp matched young recruits against star alumni in a skills challenge and Crist got the honor of competing against NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana.
Crist beat Joe Cool. Then pointed out sheepishly that Montana was handicapped because he was wearing sandals.
"You don't see many guys (Crist's) size who are as mobile as he is," said Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross, who lost 21-3 last season to Notre Dame. "That's one thing that sticks about him. He's deceptively fast."
With a load as light as Crist's, it's no wonder why.