OK, here are my thoughts. First, I will tell you that I believe we will see LOTS and LOTS of platooning this year. This will happen more than you have every seen at ND. We have lot's positions where we have a 1 and 1a player. So here goes!!!!
OFFENSE:
QB - Jimmy. He has the position locked. Sharpley will be the back-up. Crist will not see the field this season unless a major emergency happens, so I don't want to hear any more people spouting off that Crist will be the back up or he should get a shot if Jimmy struggles. Crist will be great, but he needs that redshirt year.
RB - Hughes has earned the starting nod by an inch. I trully believe he will get the most carries, BUT!!!! Watch for James to step up his game a bit more and earn extra carries, plus I expect to see a much improved Armando this season. Most people do not realize that Allen did not even play a senior season because of the broken leg, so he was getting acclimated again with the game.
FB - Schwaap. He better step up his blocking and HOLD ON TO THE BALL or the fans will be on him like a fat kid on chocolate bar. With Yeatman back, Luke may get some more time at FB. His catching ability makes him an interesting option on passing downs.
WR - Kamara is a lock at one WR spot. Slot WR will be Grimes in most situations, with West giving some spells. The third WR is where things get crazy. Tate has speed to burn and has demonstrated great hands. Parris regressed as the season went on. I think he struggled when the D started to pay more attention to him. Hord looked so fast as a freshman, but has struggled since the injury. FLOYD will get time here and if he performs, he will take this position. Goodman and Walker will get a year to mature. NICE TO HAVE DEPTH.
TE - Yeatman is the blocker, Ragone is the speed threat. I think both will play about equal amount since they bring different strengths. Rudolph and Fauria are big and talented, but not sure if CW wants to use there eligibility this season.
LT - Duncan has this position more due to no other options. He is OK, but lacks the mean streak. Romine will back-up, but missing spring hurt. Turk may even slide over to spell him.
LG - Olsen - This kid just like to hit and hit. He is quickly becoming a leader on the line. Watch how quick he gets to our RB's to help them up. If an opponent gets nasty with our boyz, they will have to deal with him. Turk will back-up, but we may get to see TRob a little bit.
C - Wenger is a great leader and plays with passion. Bemenderfer is a great back-up. It is nice to have a guy like Bemenderfer who would play with passion and lead well too. Cave gets a redshirt, but will be a beast in the future.
RG - Big Stew is a lock. He is my breakout linemen of the year. Expect to see him mashing people. His strength and conditioning has caught his manchild size and he likes to punish people. As for his back-up, Olsen would move here and Turk slide in on the other side. Nuss is one year away from being ready.
RT - Young. This is absolutely his year to shine. He is in his natural position and healthy. If he is an All-American, he does it now. Dever will back-up and he is a year away yet, so let's hope for no injury here.
DEFENSE -
DE - Kuntz. Glad he is back because we need the depth and experience. I expect him to perform much better being on the outside. Nwanko will get some back-up. Rumor is he is very strong and big. Ethan Johnson may be the Ian Williams of this years class.
NT - Williams. He earned the spot last season with his play on the field. Newman and Hafis will both get a chance to back him up. I am extra interested in seeing Hafis who I hear is BIG.
DE - Brown and Mo Richardson will co-start. I think they will both get alot of time. Brown will play more running downs and Mo on passing. Cwynar might get a few snaps, but CW is going to be hesitant to allow all his freshman DL to use up a year of eligibility.
OLB - Brian Smith. How can you not root for this kid. He loves ND, plays with passion and makes everyone forget he was an afterthought. Scott Smith will back-up
ILB - Mo Crum. Umm Captain and pure leader.
ILB - Toryan Smith. He like Sam Young on O has not lived up to the hype. He must perform or he will be replaced. Filer and McDonald will both vie for some PT.
OLB - Kerry Neal earned his spot as much Brian Smith did. Expect him to be a pain in peoples backfield this coming season. Fleming will push him for some time on the field.
HYBRID - Harrison Smith. We will see this guy playing alot in passing situations. Defenses will struggle dealing with him. He can run with any player on the field, 4.4 speed, but has the size to shead blockers and make tackles. If you see Toryan struggle, we will see Brian Smith move to ILB and Harrison play the OLB Hybrid.
Safeties - Bruton. He is an AA. Kyle McCarthy seems to have established himself as the other starter. I believe we will see some of Sergio Brown due to his physical skills. The bang on Brown seems to be more the mental part. Our freshman recruits will get a season to learn and grow.
CB - Walls and Lambert. Walls is an AA candidate who can lock down any WR we play. Lambert is solid and has enough experience to help lead. Gray and McNeil would start on most teams, so that says alot about our depth and talent.
Biggest thing you will hear the media talk about the Irish in 2008. SPEED has returned to South Bend. You are going to see a team that possesses speed we have not seen since Lou. Some of the reason you will notice this speed is that these kids are now comfortable at there position. If you wonder where I see this speed, here are some players to think about.
Offense: Armando, 4.3 blazing speed at RB. Ragone, 4.5 speed at TE is unheard of. Golden is a burner as we have seen. Floyd will give us speed and size at WR.
Defense: Harrison Smith actually outran Golden at a track meet, so you know the dude can fly. Nobody is gonna outrun us on the corners. Walls and Gray have great football speed at CB. Brian Smith has some serious wheels for a LB. Neal can cover sideline to sideline fast. Bruton has shown incredible football speed. He simply gets to every play. I think you are going to see a swarming D that frustrates teams.
GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
