http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/5913932
3. QB Brady Quinn, Sr. Notre Dame
Could Quinn handle the pressure of the big Charlie Weis playbook and succeed in the new offense? Uh, yeah. A nice prospect with a live arm, good size and decent mobility, Quinn entered the rarefied air of being considered a number one overall caliber pro prospect after cranking out the best passing season in Notre Dame history on his way to finishing fourth in the Heisman race. Under Weis he proved he could be a sharp decision maker as well as be able to make all the throws. Just as important was his ability to rally the team and get the offense moving when he had to. Notre Dame might have lost to USC, but Quinn's stock went through the roof after leading the offense on a late drive to take the lead. He became the front-runner for the 2006 Heisman race after throwing for 432 yards in the comeback win over Stanford.
38. DE Victor Abiamiri, Sr. Notre Dame
Abiamiri did a great job of taking over for Justin Tuck turning into the team's best pass rusher. Now he has to be more consistent and use his experience to be a game-in-and-game-out dominator once he returns from a knee surgery that limited him at times this spring. He was decent all season with his stats pumped up by a ten tackle, four sack performance against Stanford, and now he appears on the verge of exploding after being the focus of the coaching staff all off-season. 15 sacks won't be out of the question.
42. WR Jeff Samardzija, Sr. Notre Dame
A decent target over his first two seasons, Samardzija exploded into an All-American leading the Irish in receiving as Brady Quinn's top target. He was unstoppable up until the Fiesta Bowl with six 100-yard days and touchdown catches in every game but two: the loss to Ohio State and the win over Navy. The 6-5, 220-pound senior has grown into a first round pro prospect with great speed to go along with reliable hands. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, he'll also look into trying to become a two-sport athlete at the next level.
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]67. RB Darius Walker, Jr. Notre Dame
With all the fireworks from the passing game, is it possible that Walker had an underrated season? All he did was carry the Notre Dame ground game with seven 100-yard days and a 90-yard game against Ohio State while also growing into a reliable receiver. He's lightning quick and tough as nails with the ability to run inside or out. [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]81. S Tom Zbikowski, Sr. Notre Dame
Easily one of the toughest players in America, the part-time boxer and full-time leader of the Irish defense has grown into a whale of a playmaker with 134 tackles over the last two years with six interceptions. He's also an elite punt returner averaging 14 yards per attempt with two touchdowns last season. He brings the attitude to the defense.[/FONT]
97. OT Ryan Harris, Sr. Notre Dame
Harris is in his fourth year as a starter and is on the verge of All-America honors after living up to his potential last season. He's 6-5 and 292 pounds and can do a little bit of everything well. He has mostly grown as a pass blocker becoming more consistent as last year went on.
150. DT Derek Landri, Sr. Notre Dame
3. QB Brady Quinn, Sr. Notre Dame
Could Quinn handle the pressure of the big Charlie Weis playbook and succeed in the new offense? Uh, yeah. A nice prospect with a live arm, good size and decent mobility, Quinn entered the rarefied air of being considered a number one overall caliber pro prospect after cranking out the best passing season in Notre Dame history on his way to finishing fourth in the Heisman race. Under Weis he proved he could be a sharp decision maker as well as be able to make all the throws. Just as important was his ability to rally the team and get the offense moving when he had to. Notre Dame might have lost to USC, but Quinn's stock went through the roof after leading the offense on a late drive to take the lead. He became the front-runner for the 2006 Heisman race after throwing for 432 yards in the comeback win over Stanford.
38. DE Victor Abiamiri, Sr. Notre Dame
Abiamiri did a great job of taking over for Justin Tuck turning into the team's best pass rusher. Now he has to be more consistent and use his experience to be a game-in-and-game-out dominator once he returns from a knee surgery that limited him at times this spring. He was decent all season with his stats pumped up by a ten tackle, four sack performance against Stanford, and now he appears on the verge of exploding after being the focus of the coaching staff all off-season. 15 sacks won't be out of the question.
42. WR Jeff Samardzija, Sr. Notre Dame
A decent target over his first two seasons, Samardzija exploded into an All-American leading the Irish in receiving as Brady Quinn's top target. He was unstoppable up until the Fiesta Bowl with six 100-yard days and touchdown catches in every game but two: the loss to Ohio State and the win over Navy. The 6-5, 220-pound senior has grown into a first round pro prospect with great speed to go along with reliable hands. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, he'll also look into trying to become a two-sport athlete at the next level.
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]67. RB Darius Walker, Jr. Notre Dame
With all the fireworks from the passing game, is it possible that Walker had an underrated season? All he did was carry the Notre Dame ground game with seven 100-yard days and a 90-yard game against Ohio State while also growing into a reliable receiver. He's lightning quick and tough as nails with the ability to run inside or out. [/FONT]
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]81. S Tom Zbikowski, Sr. Notre Dame
Easily one of the toughest players in America, the part-time boxer and full-time leader of the Irish defense has grown into a whale of a playmaker with 134 tackles over the last two years with six interceptions. He's also an elite punt returner averaging 14 yards per attempt with two touchdowns last season. He brings the attitude to the defense.[/FONT]
97. OT Ryan Harris, Sr. Notre Dame
Harris is in his fourth year as a starter and is on the verge of All-America honors after living up to his potential last season. He's 6-5 and 292 pounds and can do a little bit of everything well. He has mostly grown as a pass blocker becoming more consistent as last year went on.
150. DT Derek Landri, Sr. Notre Dame
