Notre Dame Football Media Guide 2008 Outlook

2008 OUTLOOK The University of Notre Dame’s first two football A highly-touted, 23-member recruiting class — seasons under head coach Charlie Weis in 2005 and ranked by most as the second-best class nationally in ’06 produced a combined 19 victories, consecutive 2008 — promises to make competition even more interBowl Championship Series postseason appearances, esting in the fall. Two members of that group (Trevor and a laundry list of offensive records. Robinson, Sean Cwynar) got a jumpstart on their classWeis’ third team in ’07 – a far younger and markedmates by enrolling in January and while the rest joined ly less-experienced squad — finished an uncharacterthe team in June for summer classes and workouts. Notre Dame’s lone coaching staff addition is foristic 3-9. mer Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta. So, the goal for 2008 is a simple one – prove that the struggles of ’07 qualify simply as a one-year anomLong considered one of the brightest minds in the aly, and that the Irish are headed back in the direction game, Tenuta joins the defensive staff as assistant head of the successes and records that marked the previous coach and will work with the linebackers. Defensive two campaigns. coordinator Corwin Brown continues to run the They’ll do it with 17 returning starters (nine of them defense — but he changes position assignments as he on the offensive side), plus another 14 players who takes over the defensive backs. started at least one game in 2007. The 38 overall Tenuta fills the slot vacated by defensive backs returning monogram winners are the most at Notre coach Bill Lewis, who has retired from coaching but Dame during Weis’ tenure. Based on the final two stays at Notre Dame in the athletics community relagames of the ‘07 season, 17 starters return and 36 tions department. players listed on the two-deep depth chart for that final Weis also announced that he will relinquish his playpair of contests (both Irish victories) are set to lead calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Mike Notre Dame in 2008. Haywood. Haywood, who has been on the staff each of On top of the list of training camp assignments is the last three seasons, will continue to work with the runreplacing standouts John Carlson at tight end and John ning backs as he directs the offense starting this spring. Sullivan at center, the lone starters gone on offense. Also departing is running back/linebacker (and twoOFFENSE time Irish captain) Travis Thomas. On defense, ’07 The Irish lacked experienced offensive players in team MVP Trevor Laws at tackle and All-American Tom Among the 38 returning letterwinners are 17 of the 22 players 2007, and the final season statistics showed that as the Zbikowski at safety will be sorely missed, as will start- who started the final two contests of the 2007 season. The 38 ’07 offense qualified as the least productive in Weis’ ing linebacker Joe Brockington, along with veterans returning monogram winners are the most during the Weis era. three seasons. Only three starters returned (tight end, Dwight Stephenson, Jr., up front and Ambrose center and tackle) last year, and only three other Wooden in the secondary. Also graduated is producreserves had ever started at Notre Dame (wide receivtive punter Geoff Price. er, fullback and running back). Heading into training camp this year, though, only 11 teams The Irish will build their ’08 prospects on the return of their top three rushers from ’07 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision return more offensive starters than the Irish. Notre (James Aldridge, Armando Allen and Robert Hughes – they combined for more than 1,100 Dame features nine returning offensive regulars (only center and tight end are gone) and yards a year ago), their most experienced quarterback (a now-fully healthy Jimmy Clausen, 17 players on the roster have logged at least one start at Notre Dame. now with nine starts in his hip pocket), five of their top six receivers (Duval Kamara, Robby Two quarterbacks who combined to start 11 games in 2007 return, as do the top three Parris, David Grimes, Allen and George West – they combined to catch 133 balls in ’07) – rushers who totaled 1,105 yards on the ground. While the Irish lose their receptions and plus two of their top four tacklers in safety David Bruton (85 stops) and linebacker Maurice receiving yards leader from last year (tight end John Carlson), the entire wide receiver Crum (84). corps returns intact. Five offensive linemen who started at least five games in ’07 are back, including the quintet who started the final two contests last year. 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 33 Position-by-Position Listing QUARTERBACK: +Brian Castello, 6-2, 191, So. Dayne Crist, 6-4, 233, Fr. *JIMMY CLAUSEN, 6-3, 217, So. +Nick Lezynski, 5-8, 157, So. *Evan Sharpley, 6-2, 215, Sr. HALFBACK: *JAMES ALDRIDGE, 6-0, 225, Jr. *Armando Allen, 5-10, 195, So. Barry Gallup, Jr., 5-11, 200, Jr. Jonas Gray, 5-10, 230, Fr. *Robert Hughes, 5-11, 237, So. +Eras Noel, 5-8, 190, So. +Nikolas Rodriguez, 5-11, 205, Sr. FULLBACK: +Mike Narvaez, 5-11, 231, Jr. Steve Paskorz, 6-2, 235, So. *Luke Schmidt, 6-3, 246, Jr. **ASAPH SCHWAPP, 6-0, 257, Sr. WIDE RECEIVER: +Brian Coughlin, 6-0, 172, Jr. Michael Floyd, 6-3, 215, Fr. +Dan Franco, 5-10, 188, Jr. +Michael Garcia, 6-1, 178, So. John Goodman, 6-3, 197, Fr. ***DAVID GRIMES, 5-10, 177, Sr. +Chris Gurries, 5-10, 181, So. *Duval Kamara, 6-5, 219, So. *Richard Jackson, 6-3, 205, Jr. *Robby Parris, 6-4, 210, Jr. +Kris Patterson, 5-11, 185, Sr. *Golden Tate, 5-11, 195, So. Deion Walker, 6-2, 188, Fr. **GEORGE WEST JR., 5-10, 196, Jr. +Sam Vos, 5-10, 199, Jr. TIGHT END: +Kevin Brooks, 6-2, 241, Sr. Joseph Fauria, 6-7, 245, Fr. +Paul Kuppich, 6-3, 232, Sr. *Mike Ragone, 6-5, 251, So. Kyle Rudolph, 6-6, 252, Fr. **Will Yeatman, 6-6, 265, Jr. OFFENSIVE LINE: *Thomas Bemenderfer, 6-5, 300, Sr. +Carl Brophy, 6-4, 278, Fr. Braxston Cave, 6-3, 315, Fr. Lane Clelland, 6-5, 281, Fr. Taylor Dever, 6-5, 308, So. **PAUL DUNCAN, 6-7, 308, Sr. +Bill Flavin, 6-3, 252, So. Mike Golic Jr., 6-3, 280, Fr. +Mike Hernandez, 6-2, 275, Fr. +Dennis Mahoney, 6-6, 290, Fr. Andrew Nuss, 6-5, 304, So. *ERIC OLSEN, 6-5, 303, Jr. Trevor Robinson, 6-5, 301, Fr. Matt Romine, 6-5, 292, So. *Chris Stewart, 6-5, 337, Jr. +Jeff Tisak, 6-5, 306, Sr. *MIKE TURKOVICH, 6-6, 305, Sr. *Dan Wenger, 6-4, 302, Jr. **SAM YOUNG, 6-8, 330, Jr. *indicates monograms earned +indicates walk-on Senior David Grimes recorded a career-high 27 receptions in 2007 and enters the 2008 campaign with 55 career catches. The veteran receiver on the team, Grimes opens training camp as the starter at one receiver position. Notre Dame will have to replace senior captains Carlson, center John Sullivan and running back Travis Thomas, as well as reserve running back Junior Jabbie. But the Irish appear to be stocked with capable replacements as they attempt to leave the ’07 campaign far in the rear-view mirror. Quarterbacks – No Notre Dame freshman quarterback had ever started his first game for the Irish prior to the fourth week of the season until Jimmy Clausen opened under center in the second game of the 2007 season at Penn State. Clausen completed 17 of 32 passes that day for 144 yards and displayed the poise and resiliency often in that game which would help carry him through a challenging and, at times, frustrating rookie season. Clausen (138-245, .563, 1,254 yards, 7 TDs, 6 INTs) started nine games for the Irish and etched his name throughout the Notre Dame record books. He equaled the school record for starts by an Irish freshman quarterback and finished second on the following freshman quarterback single-season lists: passing yards, completions and completion percentage. Clausen missed two games at midseason to help heal some lingering injuries, but he returned to start the last three games where he completed 57 of 104 passes for 636 yards with six TDs and one interception. With a full offseason under his belt, Clausen enters fall drills the healthiest he’s been in his brief Irish tenure. Senior Evan Sharpley (77-140, .550, 736 yards, 5 TDs 3 INTs) epitomized the role of a quality backup in 2007. Called upon in eight games, Sharpley never skipped a beat as the Irish signalcaller. He entered when Clausen was injured at Purdue and passed for 208 yards with two TDs and one interception — and then started against USC and Navy. A member of the Irish baseball team, Sharpley missed most of spring practices due to his baseball commitment where he led the team in home runs. Joining the mix this fall is Dayne Crist, a 6-4, 230-pounder from California who was a Parade All-American last year and one of six finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award. Running Backs – One of the deepest positions on the team in terms of talent and versatility is the running back spot. The top three rushers from 2007 all return, featuring styles that complement the other backs. Those three combined to start 10 games last year and rushed for 1,105 yards and four TDs. Junior James Aldridge started five games in ’07 and led the Irish with 463 yards on 121 carries. The former prep AllAmerican displayed both the power to run through arm tackles as well as speed in the open field as he recorded the secondlongest run from scrimmage last year – a 43-yard gallop vs. Michigan State. Aldridge eclipsed 100 yards in two games and paced the Irish in rushing in six contests. He enters fall in a three-way tie atop the depth chart. Sophomore Armando Allen Jr. (86 car., 348 yards, 4.0 avg.) showed flashes of his game-breaking speed last year, but he was seldom able to rip off big gains in ’07. Allen’s longest run was 15 yards and his longest reception went for 16 yards, however the dual-threat option he presents as a rusher and receiver combined with his elite speed adds another dimension to the Irish backfield. Sophomore Robert Hughes (53 car., 294 yards, 5.5 avg., four TDs) burst onto the scene in the final two games last year, featuring a power running game not seen by a Notre Dame player in a number of years. With just 18 carries through the first 10 games, Hughes became the workhorse versus Duke and Stanford by rushing a combined 35 times for 246 yards (7.0 avg.) and two TDs. Hughes became the first freshman running back at Notre Dame to surpass 100 rushing yards in consecutive games since Allen Pinkett in 1982. Junior Barry Gallup Jr. switched to halfback from wide receiver during the spring, a position he played in high school, and will add depth to the group. Freshman Jonas Gray was named to the Parade All-American team following his senior season where he rushed for 2,614 yards and 32 touchdowns at Detroit Country Day School. Returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for most of the 2006 season, senior Asaph Schwapp started seven games in ’07 and served as the lead fullback in every game. Schwapp was the lead blocker for the aforementioned three running backs and also rushed 12 times in ’07, gaining 14 yards. Junior Luke Schmidt, an Indiana native, could challenge Schwapp for playing time this year after appearing in 11 games last season. Because the Irish were thin at tight end this spring, Schmidt split time between the two positions during spring drills and could see time there this fall. Sophomore Steve Paskorz 34 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE switched to fullback from linebacker midway through spring practices and opens training Three returning players started all 12 games last season — and two more started six and camp on the offensive side of the ball. five games, respectively. Two of the three best rushing games for the Irish last year came in Wide Receivers – The entire wide receiver group returns in 2008 as the Irish the final two contests, and all five starters from those two games return in 2008. Junior Sam Young has started all 25 games in his career at tackle and is the most expelook to return to the aerial assault applied in 2005 and 2006. Six receivers combined to catch 117 passes for 1,252 yards with eight TDs in ’07 — and the two leading receivers rienced returning player on the Irish offensive line. He opened the first 15 games at right tackle before sliding over to left tackle following the second game of his sophomore seawere a sophomore and a freshman. Senior David Grimes (27 rec., 224 yards, 9.7 avg., two TDs) is the veteran leader of the son. Young is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to start every game through his first bunch. He is coming off an ’07 campaign that saw him record a career-high 27 receptions, two seasons since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972. This spring, he’ll start practices despite missing two games in the middle of the season. Grimes, who has 55 career catch- back on the right side of the line. Seniors Paul Duncan and Mike Turkovich had not earned meaningful minutes prior to es for 579 yards with four TDs, opens training camp as the leader at the Z position. Junior Robby Parris (29 rec., 361 yards, 12.4 avg., one TD) tallied the most receiving starting all 12 games last year. Duncan started the first two games at left tackle, then yards by an Irish wide receiver last year and had the highest average yards per reception switched with Young and played the final 10 contests at right tackle. Duncan will be back total among receivers with at least 10 receptions. Parris started four games in ’07 and on the left side for the start of fall practices. Turkovich had only played in 16 games prior flashed his big-play potential as he led the team with eight receptions of at least 20 yards to 2007, but he started every game at left guard for the Irish. Juniors Eric Olsen and Dan Wenger both saw valuable playing time in 2007, but they did and recorded over 90 yards receiving in two games (93 yards at Purdue, 94 yards vs. it at different points of the season and in different ways. Olsen did not start until midway Boston College). Following a strong freshman season that saw him named an honorable mention fresh- through last year, but once he opened at right guard against UCLA, Olsen never relinquished man All-American by The Sporting News, sophomore Duval Kamara (32 rec., 357 yards, his opportunity. He started the final six games of the campaign and opens training camp as 11.2 avg., four TDs) looks to grow the connection forged with quarterback Jimmy Clausen. the favorite at left guard. Wenger opened the season as the starting right guard and played Kamara set the Irish freshman record for most receptions by a first-year wide receiver three games there before an injury forced him to the sidelines. After missing the middle (breaking Tim Brown’s school record of 28) and also set the Notre Dame record for most portion of the schedule, he returned to start the final two contests at center in John TD receptions by a freshman. Last year’s leader in receptions by a split end begins fall at Sullivan’s absence. Wenger’s natural position is center, and he and Clausen have worked hard in the offseason to forge the relationship the center and quarterback must have. the top of the X wideout position on the depth chart. Working his way up the depth chart is junior Chris Stewart. Stewart appeared in the final After starting seven games in 2007, junior George West (21 rec., 172 yards, 8.2 avg.) is technically the second returning starter at wide receiver (opposite Grimes). West proved to six games of 2007 as a backup to Duncan at right tackle and also saw limited time at guard. be a quality possession receiver with sure hands last season and will challenge Kamara at A high school All-American, Stewart enters the fall as the starter at right guard following his the X position this spring. Another player who made a positive impression was sophomore strong play during spring drills. Sophomores Matt Romine, Taylor Dever and Andrew Nuss saw limited or no playing Golden Tate (six rec., 131 yards, 21.8 avg., one TD). Truly a big-play option, four of Tate’s six catches surpassed 20 yards. His best performance came at Purdue when he led the Irish time in their first seasons — and they begin training camp as backups at the tackle positions and at guard, respectively. with 104 yards and one TD on three catches. Romine participated in the first two games before an injury sidelined him for the Also in the mix is junior Richard Jackson who had a strong spring and will compete with remainder of the season. Another former high school All-American, he opens fall drills Kamara and West at the X position. Three freshmen join the team this fall, each with a chance of making an impact in their behind Duncan and Turkovich at left tackle. Dever was able to develop during his freshman year on the Irish show team and benerookie season. Michael Floyd was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota as a junior and a senior and was a USA Today first-team All-American. John Goodman played in the U.S. fited from a full year in the weight room. He’s listed as a backup to Young at right tackle to Army All-American Bowl and was named the Indiana football player of the year by the Fort start training camp. Nuss came to Notre Dame as a versatile player who Wayne News-Sentinel. Deion Walker played in the could be used on the defensive line or offensive line. He Under Armour All-American Game and was rated as the switched from defense to offense during the ’07 season nation’s third-best wide receiver by Sports and was inserted as a guard on the depth chart. He Illustrated/TAKKLE.com. opens practices at left guard behind Olsen. Tight Ends – The Irish will struggle to find an Senior Thomas Bemenderfer is the backup center immediate replacement for John Carlson, one of the and one of the smartest players on the team. A former most prolific tight ends in school history. Carlson starttransfer from Northwestern, the product of Penn High ed each of the last 23 games in which he appeared and School in nearby Mishawaka earned a monogram and recorded the second-most receptions (100) and thirda scholarship last year. most receiving yards (1,093) for a career by a Notre New to the offensive line in the spring was freshman Dame tight end. Trevor Robinson. One of two players who enrolled in Attempting to fill the void is sophomore Mike January, the Nebraska product and high school AllRagone (one rec., seven yards), a former high school American is a guard and is currently listed as the backAll-American. The New Jersey native played in 11 up to Stewart at right guard. games as a freshman and was the quickest tight end on Also in Robinson’s incoming class are Braxston the ’07 roster. As the lone scholarship tight end this Cave, Lane Clelland and Mike Golic Jr. Cave is a local past spring, Ragone received many reps with the firstproduct having played at nearby Penn High School, and team offense that should benefit him in training camp. was one of the top centers in the country last year. Junior Will Yeatman has played in all 25 games in Clelland played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and his career, starting three contests as a second tight end. will be used as a tackle this year. Golic follows in the His six career receptions for 37 yards all came in 2007 footsteps of his father and two uncles who played for and Yeatman enters training camp as the backup tight the Irish. Golic was an all-state player in Connecticut as end. a junior and senior and was also a U.S. Army AllAdding depth to the position are freshmen Joseph American last year. Fauria and Kyle Rudolph. Fauria is the tallest of the tight end targets, standing 6-7, and is the nephew of former DEFENSE NFL tight end Christian Fauria. Rudolph was a USA Under first-year coordinator Corwin Brown, the Today first-team All-American and considered by most Irish improved from 65th in total defense in 2006 to recruiting sites as the top tight end in the nation. 39th in 2007. Brown implemented a 3-4 personnel Offensive Line – Notre Dame started one Junior Dan Wenger showed his versatility in 2007 as he startof its most inexperienced offensive lines in years last ed three games at right guard and two games at center. With defense that was able to switch seamlessly from threeseason, but a benefit from last season’s struggles is that the graduation of John Sullivan, Wenger takes over this fall at man defensive fronts to four-man fronts without changing the players on the field. This versatility proved to the ’08 offensive line now is full of experienced hands. center. THIS IS NOTRE DAME ‘08 OUTLOOK ‘08 PLAYERS ‘08 COACHES ‘07 REVIEW HISTORY & RECORDS MEDIA 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 35 Position-by-Position Listing NOSE TACKLE: Paddy Mullen, 6-3, 300, Jr. Brandon Newman, 6-1, 310, Fr. *Ian Williams, 6-2, 310, So. DEFENSIVE END: ***JUSTIN BROWN, 6-3, 277, Sr. Sean Cwynar, 6-4, 283, Fr. Ethan Johnson, 6-4, 275, Fr. ***PAT KUNTZ, 6-3, 283, Sr. Kapron Lewis-Moore, 6-4, 257, Fr. Emeka Nwankwo, 6-4, 295, So. +Martin Quintana, 6-1, 250, Jr. *Morrice Richardson, 6-2, 255, Jr. Hafis Williams, 6-1, 302, Fr. INSIDE LINEBACKER: +Tom Burke, 5-10, 242, Jr. ***MAURICE CRUM, 6-0, 235, Sr. Anthony McDonald, 6-1, 225, Fr. David Posluszny, 6-0, 220, Fr. ***Steve Quinn, 6-2, 225, Sr. *Brian Smith, 6-3, 245, So. Kevin Smith, 5-8, 215, Sr. **Toryan Smith, 6-1, 244, Jr. +Joe Vittoria, 5-11, 244, Jr. Kevin Washington, 6-1, 250, Sr. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Steve Filer, 6-3, 236, Fr. Darius Fleming, 6-1, 236, Fr. *KERRY NEAL, 6-2, 246, So. **JOHN RYAN, 6-5, 264, Jr. *Scott Smith, 6-4, 235, Sr. Kallen Wade, 6-5, 257, Jr. DEFENSIVE CORNERBACK: *+Mike Anello, 5-10, 170, Sr. Robert Blanton, 6-1, 180, Fr. Leonard Gordon, 5-11, 187, Jr. Gary Gray, 5-11, 188, So. ***TERRAIL LAMBERT, 5-11, 195, Sr. +John Leonis, 5-9, 169, Sr. *Raeshon McNeil, 6-0, 190, Jr. Jamoris Slaughter, 6-0, 182, Fr. DEFENSIVE SAFETY: +Chris Bathon, 5-10, 192, Jr. **Sergio Brown, 6-2, 205, Jr. ***DAVID BRUTON, 6-2, 212, Sr. Jashaad Gaines, 6-0, 202, Jr. **Ray Herring, 5-10, 198, Sr. Dan McCarthy, 6-2, 200, Fr. **Kyle McCarthy, 6-1, 203, Sr. Harrison Smith, 6-2, 212, So. PUNTER: +Eric Maust, 6-2, 177, Jr. Brandon Walker, 6-3, 202, So. KICKER: Joe Bizjak, 6-2, 165, Jr. Ryan Burkhart, 5-11, 190, Jr. BRANDON WALKER, 6-3, 202, So. benefit the Irish, as the strength of the defense was the speed of the linebackers and secondary and allowed the Notre Dame to become proactive against many offenses as opposed to reactive. Seven starters return to the 39th ranked defense in 2007 including three linebackers and two members of the secondary. The defensive backs proved to be the best unit on the team as the Irish ranked second in the country in pass defense, allowing only 161.6 yards through the air per game. In fact, the ’07 pass defense was the best by a Notre Dame defense since 1996 and the fifth best for the Irish in the last 25 years. Still, the Irish must replace several key members of last year’s defense. The top two tacklers, defensive end Trevor Junior outside linebacker John Ryan (90) and sophomore nose tackle Ian Williams (95) Laws and linebacker Joe both had solid seasons in 2007 and return as leaders in 2008. Ryan recorded 39 tackles Brockington, both graduated. last year while Williams ranked sixth on the team with 45 tackles Two-time All-American Tom Zbikowski also used up his eligiJunior Paddy Mullen, sophomore Emeka Nwankwo and freshbility and will take his talents as a safety and punt returner to the man Sean Cwynar comprised the backups on the defensive line Baltimore Ravens next season. Dwight Stephenson Jr. started four this past spring. Mullen has the only experience of the group, havgames at defensive end and provided great depth, while corner- ing played in three games in 2007. Mullen starts training camp as back Ambrose Wooden also started four contests in ’07 and was the backup to Williams at nose tackle after playing both nose used in nickel situations. Both utilized their fifth year and helped tackle and defensive end in 2007. Nwankwo did not play as a make the defense stronger while teaching the younger players freshman but has an impressive frame at 6-4, 283 pounds, and is what it meant to be Irish. second string behind Kuntz at one defensive end position. Cwynar Defensive Line – It will be nearly impossible to joined offensive lineman Trevor Robinson as the early enrollees at replace the 2007 production of Trevor Laws. Not only did he lead Notre Dame. Named Mr. Football in Illinois following his senior the entire nation for tackles by a defensive lineman (112 tackles, season, Cwynar will be a defensive end for the Irish in 2008. 9.3 tackles/game), but he also recorded the second-most tackles Other members of Cwynar’s class on the defensive line are ever by an Irish defensive lineman. No one individual on the Irish Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Brandon Newman and roster will come close to duplicating the performance by the ‘07 Hafis Williams. Johnson was one of the top players in the Pacific Notre Dame MVP, but the vacancy he created at the position could Northwest but missed most of last season due to an injury. He be filled by a combination of players. starts training camp as a defensive end behind Richardson and Justin Brown is set to return for his fifth year at Notre Dame after Brown and just ahead of Lewis-Moore. Newman was an all-state setting individual career highs in almost every statistical category last player in Kentucky who will use his 6-0, 325-pound frame to clog year. Brown started five of the 10 games in which he appeared at the middle as a nose tackle. Williams is another big body who will defensive end opposite Laws and tallied 30 tackles with 3.5 tackles be used as a defensive end despite weighing 302 pounds. for loss. The senior member of the defensive line, Brown enters Linebackers – Three starters return while two other training camp in the midst of the competition at defensive end. linebackers have starting experience, as the linebackers group Senior Pat Kuntz started the first 10 games of 2007 at nose possesses the leader of the defense as well as upstart talent which tackle and recorded 42 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. He helped make the Irish defense so improved last year. also tied for team-high honors with nine passes broken up, the A staple of Notre Dame’s linebacker corps the last three seamost of any defensive lineman in the nation last year. This year, sons, Maurice Crum Jr. returns for a fifth year and is the indisKuntz opens training camp atop the depth chart at one of the putable leader of the defense. Crum controlled the middle of the defensive end positions. defense last year, alongside Joe Brockington, as the two combined Sophomore Ian Williams started the final two games of the sea- for 192 tackles. Crum notched 84 of those stops and enters the son at nose tackle, but he was a valuable reserve in the first 10 2008 season with 241 career tackles, needing 54 more tackles to contests as he totaled 45 tackles, sixth-most on the team. It was enter Notre Dame’s top-10 list for career stops. the third-most tackles by an Irish freshman defensive lineman in Junior John Ryan is one of the more versatile members of the school history and he earned freshman All-America honors from Irish defense, as he posted eight starts as an outside linebacker in the Football Writers Association of America. ’07 and two starts at defensive end last year. Ryan ranked ninth on Junior Morrice Richardson opens fall practices as the starter the team with 39 tackles including 2.5 sacks and five tackles for at the defensive end position opposite of Kuntz. Richardson loss. played outside linebacker last year in nine games and recorded Toryan Smith looks to assume Brockington’s vacant starting seven tackles with one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. A tremen- position at an inside linebacker position. The third-year player dous speed rusher, Richardson will look to be a quick option on appeared in 11 games last year and started two contests for the the Irish defensive line. Irish. The Georgia native recorded individual career highs in every statistical category last year and opens training camp as the backup at the Mike linebacker position. 36 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Two freshmen burst onto the scene in 2007 and made significant contributions to Notre Dame’s defense. Kerry Neal and Brian Smith each started as outside linebackers during their rookie seasons and both now open fall drills as sophomore starters. Neal played in every game and started five contests, while totaling 20 tackles with two sacks, two tackles for loss, two recovered fumbles and three pass breakups. He’ll play the Will linebacker position and will compete with Ryan in the fall. Smith started three of the 11 games in which he appeared and made a great impact when he was on the field. He recorded 25 tackles with 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, forced one fumble and intercepted one pass (which he returned for a TD). Smith is slated to move inside this year and opens training camp as the starter at the Mike linebacker position. Senior Scott Smith is the most experienced of all the backups, having played in 20 games during his career. He appeared in every game last year as an inside and outside linebacker and enters spring in competition with Harrison Smith at the Sam linebacker position. Scott Smith tallied 18 tackles in a reserve role and will be a valuable member of the group because of his intelligence and versatility. Seniors Steve Quinn and Kevin Washington add depth to the group as inside linebackers. Quinn is a quality special teams performer, and Washington has been a skilled player in practice the last few years. Junior Kallen Wade has seen limited playing time at Notre Dame but could get on the field in 2008. Wade played in two games in 2007 as a defensive end, but he makes the move to outside linebacker this year and will back up Neal and Ryan at the Will position. Four highly touted freshmen join the linebackers this fall and could all see time either on defense or on special teams. Steve Filer and Darius Fleming, both from Chicago, open training camp at outside linebackers. Filer is listed at Sam linebacker while Fleming will play Will linebacker. Anthony McDonald, a high school teammate of Dayne Crist, opens at Mike linebacker while David Posluszny, brother of former Penn State All-American Paul Posluszny, starts his Notre Dame career as a Jack linebacker. Defensive Backs – The most improved area on the entire team last year was the play by the Irish secondary. Two of the four starters return from the group that recorded the second-best pass defense in the nation last year. Notre Dame allowed almost 42 fewer passing yards per game and the passing efficiency of opposing quarterbacks improved from 90th in 2006 to 22nd last year. Senior David Bruton was a major contributor to the success of the Irish secondary in his first season as starter at free safety. The 6-2, 207-pounder proved to be a tremendous addition as he ranked third on the team with 85 tackles and added three interceptions. Bruton recorded at least nine tackles in five games and is the top returning tackler from 2007. Senior Terrail Lambert returns for his fifth season and is the most veteran member of the defensive backs. Lambert has started 22 consecutive games at cornerback and has intercepted four passes while totaling 74 tackles over the last two campaigns. Only Maurice Crum Jr. has started more games on the Irish defense, and no player has played in more games than Lambert over the past three years. Junior Raeshon McNeil and sophomore Gary Gray will compete for the starting cornerback position opposite of Lambert in training camp, although both will see prominent playing time in 2008. McNeil has played in 22 games for the Irish and has been used as an extra cornerback and also as an extra safety. Gray missed the entire ’07 season with an injury after enrolling in January 2007 but was highly touted coming out of high school. Freshmen Robert Blanton and Jamoris Slaughter will be expected to challenge for playing time early in their careers as nickel back options for the defense. Both were members of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100 squad. Sophomore Harrison Smith is listed as the backup to Bruton at free safety and could also be used in the box as a Sam linebacker. Smith was a highly recruited player from Tennessee who was named the state’s player of the year by Gatorade. The former state decathlon champion did not play in his first year with the Irish. Junior Sergio Brown has played in 20 games over the last two seasons primarily on special teams, recording 11 tackles for his career. Freshman Dan McCarthy is quite familiar to Notre Dame because of his family’s ties to the school and is listed on the free safety depth chart. Replacing All-American Tom Zbikowski is a tall order that four players will attempt to do this spring. Senior Kyle McCarthy has earned the first attempt and is the most experienced player of the quartet. McCarthy has played in 25 games and started versus Navy in 2007. He set individual career highs in every statistical category last year (20 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one pass breakup) and will have his younger brother, Dan, as a teammate this fall. Junior Jashaad Gaines and senior Ray Herring also will battle to backup McCarthy at strong safety. Gaines has played in nine games and is a former Nevada player of the year. Herring started for Zbikowski versus Stanford in 2006 and recorded a career-high nine tackles. He has been primarily used as a special teams player but has been great in run support for the defense. THIS IS NOTRE DAME ‘08 OUTLOOK ‘08 PLAYERS ‘08 COACHES Senior Terrail Lambert is one of two returning starters in a strong secondary for the Irish. Lambert has started 22 consecutive games and no player on the Irish roster has appeared in more games over the past three seasons. SPECIAL TEAMS The Irish have been strong the past couple seasons in punting and punt coverage as well as punt returning, however the kicking game overall has struggled with consistency and could be improved. Notre Dame returns its primary placekicker in 2008 as well as the players who served as kickoff specialists. The Irish also have a returning punter who appeared in six games last season, but they need to replace the primary punter, long snapper and punt returner from a year ago. Notre Dame ranked in the top 15 in net punting for the second straight season in ’07, as the average net punt was 37.9 yards to rank 13th. The Irish allowed 7.4 yards per punt return while gaining 9.1 yards per return, but they only gained 19.7 yards on kickoff returns while allowing 22.8 yards on kickoffs. Punter – Notre Dame has to replace Geoff Price who served as punter for the last two seasons and placed his name throughout the record book for Irish punters. Price set the single-season record for best punting average in 2006 and owns the second-best career punting average in school history. Looking to fill his shoes is junior Eric Maust (21 punts, 42.1 avg.). When Price was ineffective for parts of 2007 and missed the last three games due to injury, Maust replaced him in the lineup and wound up with a better punting average for the season. Maust landed nine of his 21 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded a long punt of 53 yards. A starting pitcher on the baseball team, Maust recorded a 6-3 record last year, tying for team-high honors for wins on the pitching staff. Kicker – Notre Dame had not had a left-footed kicker since Harry Oliver in 1981 until Brandon Walker entered the picture this past season. Walker served as the primary placekicker throughout the season and converted six of 12 field-goal attempts with a long of 48 yards. He led the team in scoring with 40 points and will also serve as the backup punter in the spring. Looking to compete with Walker for the placekicking duties is junior Ryan Burkhart. Burkhart served as the kickoff specialist for much of his freshman season and has yet to attempt a field goal at Notre Dame. ‘07 REVIEW HISTORY & RECORDS MEDIA 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 37 2008 Notre Dame Fall Rosters Numerical Roster 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 15 16 18 19 Walker, Deion Floyd, Michael Gray, Gary Allen, Armando Herring, Ray Clausen, Jimmy McNeil, Raeshon Johnson, Ethan Rudolph, Kyle Crist, Dayne Grimes, David Blanton, Robert Lezynski, Nick Sharpley, Evan Walker, Brandon Castello, Brian McCarthy, Dan Montana, Nate Kamara, Duval West, George WR WR CB HB S QB CB DE TE QB WR CB QB QB K QB S QB WR WR CB HB S WR WR CB HB CB S S S WR FB S FB/TE HB HB TE/LS ILB K ILB CB HB S WR K ILB OLB HB ILB WR P No. Name 34 5 37 38 67 36 12 35 69 94 31 27 64 39 15 52 7 73 24 10 40 98 75 72 87 46 62 45 3 42 29 21 29 57 81 24 4 25 11 38 65 6 33 80 9 18 96 86 20 43 89 12 71 Aldridge, James Allen, Armando Anello, Mike+ Bathon, Chris+ Bemenderfer, Thomas Bizjak, Joe+ Blanton, Robert Brooks, Kevin+ Brophy, Carl+ Brown, Justin Brown, Sergio Bruton, David Burke, Tom+ Burkhart, Ryan Castello, Brian+ Cave, Braxston Clausen, Jimmy Clelland, Lane Coughlin, Brian+ Crist, Dayne Crum, Maurice Cwynar, Sean Dever, Taylor Duncan, Paul Fauria, Joseph Filer, Steve Flavin, Bill+ Fleming, Darius Floyd, Michael Franco, Dan+ Gaines, Jashaad Gallup Jr., Barry Garcia, Michael+ Golic Jr., Mike Goodman, John Gordon, Leonard Gray, Gary Gray, Jonas Grimes, David Gurries, Christopher+ Hernandez, Mike+ Herring, Ray Hughes, Robert Jackson, Richard Johnson, Ethan Kamara, Duval Kuntz, Pat Kuppich, Paul+ Lambert, Terrail Leonis, John+ Lewis-Moore, Kapron Lezynski, Nick+ Mahoney, Dennis+ Pos. HB HB CB S OC K CB TE OL DE DS DS LB K QB OC QB OT WR QB ILB DE OT OT TE OLB OC/LS OLB WR WR S HB WR OC WR CB CB HB WR WR OL S HB WR DE WR DE TE/LS CB CB DE QB OL Ht. 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-5 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-3 6-3 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 5-11 5-9 6-4 5-8 6-6 Wt. 225 195 170 192 300 165 180 240 278 277 205 212 242 190 191 315 217 281 172 233 235 282 308 308 245 236 252 236 215 188 202 200 178 280 197 187 188 230 177 181 275 198 237 205 275 219 283 232 195 169 257 157 290 Class Hometown/High School Jr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. St. Louis, MO/Merrillville (IN) Opa Locka, FL/Hialeah-Miami Lakes Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg Pleasantville, NY/Pleasantville Mishawaka, IN/Penn Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Matthews, NC/Butler Thousand Oaks, CA/Crespi Carmelite Spokane, Wash./Gonzaga Prep Clinton, MD/Bishop McNamara Maywood, IL/Proviso East Miamisburg, OH/Miamisburg New City, NY/Clarkstown South Wakarusa, IN/Northwood Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley Mishawaka, IN/Penn Westlake Village, CA/Oaks Christian Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh School Oak Lawn, IL/Brother Rice Sherman Oaks, CA/Notre Dame Tampa, FL/Tampa Bay Tech McHenry, IL/Marian Central Catholic Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union Dallas, GA/East Paulding Encino, CA/Crespi Carmelite Chicago, IL/Mount Carmel Darien, IL/Benet Academy Chicago, IL/St. Rita St. Paul, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall Granger, IN/Clay Las Vegas, NV/Las Vegas Wellesley, MA/Belmont Hill Colorado Springs, Co/St. Mary’s West Hartford, CT/Northwest Catholic Fort Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger Clarksville, TN/Fort Campbell Columbia, SC/Richland Northeast Beverly Hills, MI/Detroit Country Day Detroit, MI/Saint Martin De Porres Reno, NV/Bishop Manoque Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola Melbourne,, FL/Holy Trinity Episcopal Chicago, IL/Hubbard Minneola, FL/East Ridge Portland, OR/Lincoln Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken Indianapolis, IN/Roncalli Westerville, OH/St. Charles Prep Bakersfield, CA/Saint Bonaventure Medford, OR/Saint Mary’s Weatherford, TX/Weatherford Newton, PA/Notre Dame High School Baltimore, MD/Boys Latin High School 20 Lambert, Terrail 21 Gallup Jr., Barry 22 Smith, Harrison 23 Tate, Golden 24 Coughlin, Brian 24 Gordon, Leonard 25 Gray, Jonas 26 Slaughter, Jamoris 27 Bruton, David 28 McCarthy, Kyle 29 Gaines, Jashaad 29 Garcia, Michael 30 31 32 33 34 35 35 36 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 41 41 42 42 43 Paskorz, Steve Brown, Sergio Schmidt, Luke Hughes, Robert Aldridge, James Brooks, Kevin Smith, Kevin Bizjak, Joe Posluszny, David Anello, Mike Noel, Eras Bathon, Chris Gurries, Chris Burkhart, Ryan Crum, Maurice Smith, Scott Rodriguez, Nikolas Washington, Kevin Franco, Dan Maust, Eric 38 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE THIS IS NOTRE DAME No. Name 43 15 28 54 8 16 93 47 56 99 37 76 91 55 30 82 45 36 48 61 83 53 78 41 70 9 90 32 44 13 26 56 22 35 41 49 59 23 63 77 47 85 97 14 1 42 51 19 79 95 84 74 Maust, Eric+ McCarthy, Dan McCarthy, Kyle McDonald, Anthony McNeil, Raeshon Montana, Nate+ Mullen, Paddy Narvaez, Mike+ Neal, Kerry Newman, Brandon Noel, Eras+ Nuss, Andrew Nwankwo, Emeka Olsen, Eric Paskorz, Steve Parris, Robby Patterson, Kristopher+ Posluszny, David Quinn, Steve Quintana, Martin+ Ragone, Mike Richardson, Morrice Robinson, Trevor Rodriguez, Nikolas+ Romine, Matt Rudolph, Kyle Ryan, John Schmidt, Luke Schwapp, Asaph Sharpley, Evan Slaughter, Jamoris Smith, Brian Smith, Harrison Smith, Kevin+ Smith, Scott Smith, Toryan Stewart, Chris Tate, Golden Tisak, Jeff+ Turkovich, Mike Vittoria, Joe+ Vos, Sam+ Wade, Kallen Walker, Brandon Walker, Deion Washington, Kevin Wenger, Dan West, George Williams, Hafis Williams, Ian Yeatman, Will Young, Sam Pos. P S S ILB CB QB NT FB OLB NT HB OG DE OG FB WR WR ILB ILB DL/LB TE DE OG HB OT TE OLB FB/TE FB QB CB ILB S ILB OLB ILB OG WR OT OG LB WR OLB K WR ILB OC WR DE NT TE OT Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-1 5-8 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-5 5-11 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-2 5-8 6-3 6-1 6-5 5-11 6-5 6-6 5-11 5-10 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-4 5-8 6-1 6-2 6-6 6-8 Wt. 177 200 203 225 190 200 300 231 246 310 190 304 295 303 235 210 185 220 225 250 251 255 301 205 292 252 264 246 257 215 182 245 212 215 235 244 337 195 306 305 244 199 255 202 188 250 302 196 302 310 265 330 Class Hometown/High School Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. So. So. So. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Atlanta, GA/Blessed Trinity Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney Sherman Oaks, CA/Notre Dame Cooleemee, NC/Davie Concord, CA/De La Salle St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood Bunn, NC/Bunn Louisville, KY/Pleasure Ridge Park Palmdale, CA/Paraclete Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge Miramar, FL/Chaminade-Madonna Prep Staten Island, NY/Poly Prep Ctry. Allison Park, PA/Hampton Olmsted Falls, OH/Saint Ignatius Seattle, WA/O' Dea Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell Cherry Hill, NJ/Saint Joseph's Prep Berwyn, IL/St. Joseph Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic College Park, GA/Westlake Elkhorn, NE/Elkhorn San Antonio, TX/Cornerstone Christian Tulsa, OK/Union Cincinnati, OH/Elder Westlake, OH/Saint Ignatius Jasper, IN/Jasper Hartford, CT/Weaver Marshall, MI/Marshall Tucker, GA/Tucker Overland Park, KS/Saint Thomas Aquinas Knoxville, TN/Knoxville Catholic Gainesville, FL/F.W. Buchholz Highland Park, IL/Highland Park Rome, GA/Rome Spring, TX/Klein Hendersonville, TN/Pope John Paul II Duluth, MN/Duluth East Bedford, PA/Valley Forge Military College New Canaan, CT/New Canaan Burlington, WI/Catholic Central Cincinnati, OH/Withrow Findlay, OH/Findlay Christchurch, VA/Christchurch Sugar Land, TX/Stephen F. Austin Coral Springs, FL/Saint Thomas Aquinas Spencer, OK/Northeast Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth Altamonte Springs, FL/Lyman San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo Coral Springs, FL/Saint Thomas Aquinas 43 44 45 45 46 47 47 48 49 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 89 90 91 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Numerical Roster Leonis, John Schwapp, Asaph Fleming, Darius CB FB OLB Patterson, Kristopher WR Filer, Steve OLB Narvaez, Mike FB Vittoria, Joe LB Quinn, Steve ILB Smith, Toryan ILB Wenger, Dan OC Cave, Braxston OC Richardson, Morrice DE McDonald, Anthony ILB Olsen, Eric OG Neal, Kerry OLB Golic Jr., Mike OC Smith, Brian ILB Stewart, Chris OG Quintana, Martin DL/LB Flavin, Bill OC Tisak, Jeff OT Burke, Tom LB Hernandez, Mike OL Bemenderfer, Thomas OC Brophy, Carl OL Romine, Matt OT Mahoney, Dennis OL Duncan, Paul OT Clelland, Lane OT Young, Sam OT Dever, Taylor OT Nuss, Andrew OG Turkovich, Mike Robinson, Trevor Williams, Hafis OG/OT OG DE ‘08 OUTLOOK ‘08 PLAYERS ‘08 COACHES ‘07 REVIEW + Walk-on Player Jackson, Richard WR Goodman, John WR Parris, Robby WR Ragone, Mike TE Yeatman, Will TE Vos, Sam WR Kuppich, Paul TE/LS Fauria, Joseph TE Lewis-Moore, Kapron DE Ryan, John OLB Nwankwo, Emeka DE Mullen, Paddy NT Brown, Justin DE Williams, Ian NT Kuntz, Pat DE Wade, Kallen OLB Cwynar, Sean DE Newman, Brandon NT HISTORY & RECORDS MEDIA 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 39 2008 Irish by State and Country Player California (11) Kevin Brooks Dayne Crist Jimmy Clausen Taylor Dever Joseph Fauria Mike Hernandez Terrail Lambert Anthony McDonald Nate Montana Eras Noel Will Yeatman Colorado (1) Michael Garcia Hometown Thousand Oaks Sherman Oaks Westlake Village Grass Valley Encino Los Angeles Oxnard Sherman Oaks Concord Palmdale San Deigo Colorado Springs High School Crespi Carmelite Notre Dame Oaks Christian Nevada Union Crespi Carmelite Loyola St. Bnaventure Notre Dame De LaSalle Paraclete Rancho Bernardo St. Mary’s Northwest Catholic Weaver New Canaan Player Kansas (1) Brian Smith Kentucky (1) Brandon Newman Maryland (3) Justin Brown Lane Clelland Dennis Mahoney Hometown Overland Park Louisville Clinton Owings Mills Baltimore High School St. Thomas Aquinas Pleasure Ridge Park Bishop McNamara McDonogh Boys Latin School Belmont Detroit Country Day DePorres Marshall Cretin-Derham Hall Duluth East Merrillville (IN) De Smet Jesuit University Elkhorn Las Vegas Bishop Manoque Hoboken Ridgewood Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s Camden Catholic Elizabeth Pleasantville Clarkstown South Poly Prep Country Day Butler Davie Bunn Player Ohio (9) David Bruton Paul Kuppich Dan McCarthy Kyle McCarthy Robby Parris Kyle Rudolph John Ryan Kallen Wade Brandon Walker Oklahoma (2) Matt Romine George West Oregon (2) Ethan Johnson John Leonis Hometown Miamisburg Westerville Youngstown Youngstown Olmsted Falls Cincinnati Westlake Cincinnati Findlay Tulsa Spencer Portland Medford High School Miamisburg St. Charles Prep Cardinal Mooney Cardinal Mooney Saint Ignatius Elder Saint Ignatius Withrow Findlay Union Northeast Academy Lincoln Saint Mary’s Chartiers Valley Notre Dame H.S. Hampton Hopewell Valley Forge Military Academy Richland Northeast Fort Campbell Knoxville Catholic Pope John Paul II Weatherford Cornerstone Christian Klein Austin Stone Bridge Christchurch Gonzaga Prep O’Dea Catholic Central Massachusetts (1) Barry Gallup Jr. Wellesley Michigan (3) Jonas Gray David Grimes Evan Sharpley Minnesota (2) Michael Floyd Jeff Tisak Missouri (2) James Aldridge Paddy Mullen Nebraska (1) Trevor Robinson Nevada (2) Jashaad Gaines Chris Gurries Beverly Hills Detroit Marshall St. Paul Duluth St. Louis St. Louis Connecticut (3) Mike Golic Jr. West Hartford Asaph Schwapp Hartford Joe Vitteria New Canaan Florida (9) Armando Allen Jr. Maurice Crum Jr. Ray Herring Richard Jackson Emeka Nwankwo Kevin Smith Dan Wenger Ian Williams Sam Young Georgia (5) Paul Duncan Eric Maust Morrice Richardson Jamoris Slaughter Toryan Smith Illinois (10) Mike Anello Sergio Brown Brian Coughlin Sean Cwynar Steve Filer Bill Flavin Darius Fleming Robert Hughes Martin Quintana Scott Smith Indiana (8) Thomas Bemenderfer Joe Bizjak Ryan Burkhart Braxston Cave Dan Franco John Goodman Pat Kuntz Luke Schmidt Opa Locka Hialeah-Miami Lakes Riverview Tampa Bay Tech Melbourne Holy Trinity Minneola East Ridge Miramar Chaminade Madonna Prep Gainesville F.W. Buchholz Coral Springs St.Thomas Aquinas Altamonte Springs Lyman Coral Springs St. Thomas Aquinas Dallas Atlanta College Park Tucker Rome Orland Park Maywood Oak Lawn McHenry Chicago Darien Chicago Chicago Berwyn Highland Park Mishawaka Kokomo Wakarusa Mishawaka Granger Ft. Wayne Indianapolis Jasper East Paulding Blessed Trinity Westlake Tucker Rome Sandburg Proviso East Brother Rice Marian Central Catholic Mount Carmel Benet Academy St. Rita Hubbard St. Joseph Highland Park Penn Kokomo Northwood Penn Clay Bishop Dwenger Roncalli Jasper Pennsylvania (5) Brian Castello Pittsburgh Nick Lezynski Newton Steve Paskorz Allison Park David Posluszny Aliquippa Michael Turkovich Bedford South Carolina (1) Gary Gray Columbia Tennessee (3) Leonard Gordon Harrison Smith Golden Tate Texas (4) Kapron Lewis-Moore Nikolas Rodriguez Chris Stewart Kevin Washington Virginia (2) Andrew Nuss Deion Walker Clarksville Knoxville Hendersonville Weatherford San Antonio Spring Sugar Land Ashburn Christchurch Elkhorn Las Vegas Reno New Jersey (5) Duval Kamara Hoboken Mike Narvaez Ridgewood Steve Quinn Cherry Hill Mike Ragone Hafis Williams New York (3) Chris Bathon Tom Burke Eric Olsen North Carolina Robert Blanton Raeshon McNeil Kerry Neal Camden Elizabeth Pleasantville New City Staten Island (3) Matthews Cooleemee Bunn Washington (2) Carl Brophy Spokane Seattle Kristopher Patterson Wisconsin (1) Sam Vos Burlington (non-scholarship players in italics) 40 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE How the Irish Were Built (* indicates monograms won; scholarship players only) OFFENSE (37) Freshmen (11) C OT QB TE WR C WR HB OG TE WR Braxton Cave Lane Clelland Dayne Crist Joseph Fauria Michael Floyd Mike Golic Jr. John Goodman Jonas Gray Trevor Robinson Kyle Rudolph Deion Walker Sophomores (10) *HB *QB OT *HB *WR OG FB *TE OT *WR Armando Allen Jr. JIMMY CLAUSEN Taylor Dever Robert Hughes Duval Kamara Andrew Nuss Steve Paskorz Mike Ragone Matt Romine Golden Tate Juniors (11) *HB HB *WR *OG *WR *FB/TE *OG *C **WR *TE **OT JAMES ALDRIDGE Barry Gallup Jr. Richard Jackson ERIC OLSEN Robby Parris Luke Schmidt Chris Stewart Dan Wenger GEORGE WEST Will Yeatman SAM YOUNG Seniors (5) **OT ***WR **FB *QB *OG PAUL DUNCAN DAVID GRIMES ASAPH SCHWAPP Evan Sharpley MICHAEL TURKOVICH 5th Year Seniors (0) THIS IS NOTRE DAME ‘08 OUTLOOK DEFENSE (37) Freshmen (12) CB DE OLB OLB DE DE S ILB NT ILB CB DE Robert Blanton Sean Cwynar Steve Filer Darius Fleming Ethan Johnson Kapron Lewis-Moore Dan McCarthy Anthony McDonald Brandon Newman David Posluszny Jamoris Slaughter Hafis Williams Sophomores (6) CB *OLB DE *ILB S *NT Gary Gray KERRY NEAL Emeka Nwankwo Brian Smith Harrison Smith Ian Williams Juniors (9) **S S CB *CB NT *DE **OLB **ILB OLB Sergio Brown Jashaad Gaines Leonard Gordon Raeshon McNeil Paddy Mullen Morrice Richardson JOHN RYAN Toryan Smith Kallen Wade Seniors (7) ***S **S ***DE **S ***ILB *OLB ILB DAVID BRUTON Ray Herring PAT KUNTZ Kyle McCarthy Steve Quinn Scott Smith Kevin Washington 5th Year Seniors (3) ***DE ***ILB ***CB JUSTIN BROWN MAURICE CRUM JR. TERRAIL LAMBERT ‘08 PLAYERS ‘08 COACHES SPECIALISTS (2) Freshmen (0) Sophomores (1) K/P BRANDON WALKER Juniors (1) K Ryan Burkhart Seniors (0) 5th Year Seniors (0) BOLD CAPS indicates returning starters * indicates Monograms earned ‘07 REVIEW THE ’07 IRISH BY CLASS Class Offense Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior 5th Year Senior Total 11 10 (6 lettermen) 11 (10 lettermen) 5 (5 lettermen) 0 (0 lettermen) 37 (21 lettermen) Defense 12 6 (3 lettermen) 9 (5 lettermen) 7 (6 lettermen) 3 (3 lettermen) 37 (17 lettermen) Specialists 0 1 (0 lettermen) 1 (0 lettermen) 0 (0 lettermen) 0 (0 lettermen) 2 (0 lettermen) Total 23 17 (9 lettermen) 21 (15 lettermen) 12 (11 lettermen) 3 (3 lettermen) 76 (38 lettermen) HISTORY & RECORDS MEDIA 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 41 Notre Dame Depth Chart (as of August 8) Irish Offense X 18 19 80 1 or 81 72 or 77 70 73 55 76 51 67 52 or 57 59 78 74 75 83 84 9 87 32 11 82 23 3 7 13 10 44 32 30 34 or 5 or 33 21 25 Duval Kamara GEORGE WEST Richard Jackson Deion Walker John Goodman PAUL DUNCAN MIKE TURKOVICH Matt Romine Lane Clelland ERIC OLSEN Andrew Nuss Dan Wenger Thomas Bemenderfer Braxston Cave Mike Golic Jr. Chris Stewart Trevor Robinson SAM YOUNG Taylor Dever Mike Ragone Will Yeatman Kyle Rudolph Joseph Fauria Luke Schmidt DAVID GRIMES Robby Parris Golden Tate Michael Floyd JIMMY CLAUSEN Evan Sharpley Dayne Crist ASAPH SCHWAPP Luke Schmidt Steve Paskorz JAMES ALDRIDGE Armando Allen Robert Hughes Barry Gallup Jr. Jonas Gray 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-7 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-8 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-3 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 219 196 205 188 197 308 305 292 281 303 304 302 300 315 280 337 301 330 308 251 265 252 245 246 177 210 195 215 217 215 233 257 246 235 225 195 237 200 230 So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Fr. JACK SAM DE 53 94 9 89 95 93 99 96 91 98 79 (22 41 46 58 49 42 or 54 40 48 36 56 90 97 45 8 4 37 or 26 27 22 31 15 28 6 29 (24 20 24 12 Irish Defense Morrice Richardson JUSTIN BROWN Ethan Johnson Kapron Lewis-Moore Ian Williams Paddy Mullen Brandon Newman PAT KUNTZ Emeka Nwankwo Sean Cwynar Hafis Williams Harrison Smith Scott Smith Steve Filer Brian Smith Toryan Smith Kevin Washington Anthony McDonald MAURICE CRUM JR. Steve Quinn David Posluszny KERRY NEAL JOHN RYAN Kallen Wade Darius Fleming Raeshon McNeil Gary Gray Mike Anello Jamoris Slaughter DAVID BRUTON Harrison Smith Sergio Brown Dan McCarthy Kyle McCarthy Ray Herring Jashaad Gaines Leonard Gordon TERRAIL LAMBERT Leonard Gordon Robert Blanton 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-1 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-1 255 277 275 257 310 300 310 283 295 282 302 212 235 236 245 244 250 225 235 225 220 246 264 255 236 190 188 170 182 212 212 205 200 203 198 202 188 195 188 180 Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. So.) Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.) Sr. Jr. Fr. NT LT DE LG C MIKE RG RT TE WILL Z LCB QB FS FB SS HB RCB Irish Special Teams PK P SNP 14 39 43 39 57 or 52 or 45 or 73 or 39 or 86 13 43 28 BRANDON WALKER Ryan Burkhart Eric Maust Ryan Burkhart Mike Golic Jr. Braxston Cave Darius Fleming Lane Clelland Kevin Brooks Paul Kuppich Evan Sharpley Eric Maust Kyle McCarthy 6-3 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 202 190 177 190 280 315 236 281 240 232 215 177 203 So. Jr. Jr. Jr. KR Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. PR 5 11 23 19 5 23 19 21 4 39 14 Armando Allen David Grimes Golden Tate George West Armando Allen Golden Tate George West Barry Gallup Jr. Gary Gray Ryan Burkhart Brandon Walker 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-3 195 177 195 196 195 195 196 200 188 190 202 So. Sr. So. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. So. KO HLD ALL CAPS - returning starter from 2007 (Parentheses) - indicates secondary position played 42 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE Notre Dame Football … At A Glance Location: Notre Dame, Ind. Founded: 1842 Nickname: Fighting Irish Colors: Gold and Blue Enrollment: 8,332 (undergraduates), 11,479 (total) Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (Natural Grass/80,795) President: Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. Provost: Thomas Burish NCAA Faculty Representative: Don Pope-Davis Athletic Director: Jack Swarbrick Sr. Associate Athletic Director/Media Relations and Broadcast Properties: John Heisler Director of Football Media Relations: Brian Hardin Athletic Department Website: www.und.com FOOTBALL INFORMATION Offensive Formation: Pro Set Defensive Formation: Multiple 2007 Overall Record: 3-9 Final Ranking: Unranked/Unranked COACHING STAFF Name (Alma Mater, Year) Charlie Weis (Notre Dame ’78) John Latina (Virginia Tech ’81) Jon Tenuta (Virginia ’82) Corwin Brown (Michigan ‘94) Mike Haywood (Notre Dame ’86) Rob Ianello (Catholic ’87) Jappy Oliver (Purdue ’78) Bernie Parmalee (Ball State ’91) Brian Polian (John Carroll ’97) Ron Powlus (Notre Dame ‘94) Patrick Graham (Yale ‘01) Kevin Loney (Dickinson ’99) RETURNING IN 2008 OFFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (21) HB James Aldridge, HB Armando Allen Jr., C Thomas Bemenderfer, QB Jimmy Clausen, T Paul Duncan, WR David Grimes, HB Robert Hughes, WR Duval Kamara, G Eric Olsen, WR Robby Parris, TE Mike Ragone, FB Luke Schmidt, FB Asaph Schwapp, QB Evan Sharpley, G Chris Stewart, WR Golden Tate, G/T Michael Turkovich, G/C Dan Wenger, WR George West Jr., TE Will Yeatman, T Sam Young DEFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (17) CB Mike Anello, DL Justin Brown, S Sergio Brown, S David Bruton, LB Maurice Crum Jr., DE Pat Kuntz, CB Terrail Lambert, S Kyle McCarthy, CB Raeshon McNeil, LB Kerry Neal, LB Steve Quinn, LB Morrice Richardson, LB John Ryan, LB Brian Smith, LB Scott Smith, LB Toryan Smith, NT Ian Williams SPECIAL TEAMS LETTERMEN RETURNING (0) None LETTERMEN LOST (25) QB Darrin Bragg, LB Joe Brockington, TE John Carlson, WR Brandon Erickson, CB Leo Ferrine, QB Justin Gillett, DT Derrell Hand, CB Wade Iams, HB Junior Jabbie, LS J.J. Jansen, DL Neil Kennedy, DE Trevor Laws, TE Michael Planalp, WR Nick Possley, P Geoff Price, WR Jake Richardville, DE Dwight Stephenson Jr., C John Sullivan, TE Michael Talerico, HB Travis Thomas, LB Anthony Vernaglia, CB Darrin Walls, CB William David Williams, CB Ambrose Wooden, S Tom Zbikowski IRISH BY CLASS 5th Year Seniors (3) DL Justin Brown, LB Maurice Crum Jr., CB Terrail Lambert Seniors (21) CB Mike Anello, C Thomas Bemenderfer, TE Kevin Brooks, S David Bruton, T Paul Duncan, WR David Grimes, S Ray Herring, DE Pat Kuntz, TE/LS Paul Kuppich, CB John Leonis, S Kyle McCarthy, WR Kris Patterson, LB Steve Quinn, HB Nikolas Rodriguez, FB Asaph Schwapp, QB Evan Sharpley, LB Kevin Smith, LB Scott Smith, T Jeff Tisak, G Michael Turkovich, LB Kevin Washington Juniors (31) HB James Aldridge, S Chris Bathon, K Joe Bizjak, S Sergio Brown, LB Tom Burke, K Ryan Burkhart, WR Brian Coughlin, WR Dan Franco, S Jashaad Gaines, WR Barry Gallup Jr., S Leonard Gordon, WR Richard Jackson, P Eric Maust, CB Raeshon McNeil, DE Paddy Mullen, FB Mike Narvaez, G Eric Olsen, WR Robby Parris, LB Martin Quintana, DE Morrice Richardson, LB John Ryan, FB Luke Schmidt, LB Toryan Smith, G Chris Stewart, WR Sam Vos, LB Kallen Wade, C Dan Wenger, WR George West Jr., TE Will Yeatman, T Sam Young Sophomores (23) HB Armando Allen Jr., QB Brian Castello, QB Jimmy Clausen, T Taylor Dever, C/LS Bill Flavin, WR Michael Garcia, CB Gary Gray, WR Chris Gurries, HB Robert Hughes, WR Duval Kamara, QB Nick Lezynski, LB Kerry Neal, RB Eras Noel, G Andrew Nuss, DE Emeka Nwankwo, LB Steve Paskorz, TE Mike Ragone, T Matt Romine, LB Brian Smith, S Harrison Smith, WR Golden Tate, K/P Brandon Walker, NT Ian Williams Freshmen (27) CB Robert Blanton, OL Carl Brophy, C Braxton Cave, T Lane Clelland, QB Dayne Crist, DL Sean Cwynar, TE Joseph Fauria, LB Steve Filer, LB Darius Fleming, WR Michael Floyd, C Mike Golic Jr., WR John Goodman, HB Jonas Gray, OL Mike Hernandez, DE Ethan Johnson, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, OL Dennis Mahoney, S Dan McCarthy, LB Anthony McDonald, QB Nate Montana, DT Brandon Newman, LB David Posluszny, G/T Trevor Robinson, TE Kyle Rudolph, S Jamoris Slaughter, LB Joe Vittoria, WR Deion Walker, DT Hafis Williams THIS IS NOTRE DAME ‘08 OUTLOOK ‘08 PLAYERS Title Head Coach Assistant Head Coach (Offense)/Offensive Line Assistant Head Coach (Defense)/Linebackers Defensive Coordinator/ Defensive Backs Offensive Coordinator/ Running Backs Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator Defensive Line Tight Ends Special Teams Coordinator Quarterbacks Graduate Assistant (Defense) Graduate Assistant (Offense) ‘08 COACHES 2007 SCHEDULE & RESULTS Date Opponent W/L Score Sept. 1 Georgia Tech L 3-33 Sept. 8 at Penn State L 10-31 Sept. 15 at Michigan L 0-38 Sept. 22 Michigan State L 14-31 19-33 L at Purdue Sept. 29 Oct. 6 at UCLA W 20-6 Oct. 13 Boston College L 14-27 Oct. 20 USC L 0-38 Nov. 3 Navy L 44-46 (3 OT) Nov. 10 Air Force L 24-41 Nov. 17 Duke W 28-7 Nov. 24 at Stanford W 21-14 Attendance TV 80,795 NBC 110,078 ABC 111,178 ABC 80,795 NBC 62,250 ABC 78,543 ABC 80,795 NBC 80,795 NBC 80,795 NBC 80,795 NBC 80,795 NBC 48,953 ABC ‘07 REVIEW HISTORY & RECORDS RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS Yards Avg. TD Yards/Game Long Att. Rushing James Aldridge 121 463 3.8 0 42.1 43 Passing Jimmy Clausen Comp. 138 Att. 245 Int. 6 Pct. 56.3 Yards 1254 TD 7 Eff. 103.9 Receiving Rec. Robby Parris 29 Tackles David Bruton UT 55 Yards Avg. 361 12.4 AT 30 TT TFL 85 4.5 TD Yards/Game Long 1 30.1 35 MEDIA Int SacksPBU FF 3 1 2 1 FR 1 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 43 2008 Schedule Date Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Opponent SAN DIEGO STATE MICHIGAN at Michigan State PURDUE STANFORD at North Carolina at Washington PITTSBURGH at Boston College vs. Navy SYRACUSE at USC Series 0-0-0 14-20-1 44-26-1 51-26-2 16-6-0 16-1-0 6-0-0 44-18-1 9-8-0 70-10-1 3-2-0 42-32-5 Time (Network) 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC) 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC) 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC) 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC) TBA 5:00 p.m. ET (TBA) 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC) TBA 12:00 p.m. ET (CBS) 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC) 5:00 p.m. PT (TBA) Site NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C. Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash. NOTRE DAME STADIUM Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, Mass. M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md. NOTRE DAME STADIUM Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009 Schedule Date Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 28 Opponent NEVADA at Michigan MICHIGAN STATE at Purdue WASHINGTON USC BOSTON COLLEGE Washington State NAVY at Pittsburgh CONNECTICUT at Stanford Site NOTRE DAME STADIUM Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich. NOTRE DAME STADIUM Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind. NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas NOTRE DAME STADIUM Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa. NOTRE DAME STADIUM Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, Calif. 2007 Results 3-9 Overall (1-6 Home, 2-3 Away) Date Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Opponent GEORGIA TECH at Penn State at Michigan MICHIGAN STATE at Purdue at UCLA BOSTON COLLEGE USC NAVY AIR FORCE DUKE at Stanford Result L, 3-33 L, 10-31 L, 0-38 L, 14-31 L, 19-33 W, 20-6 L, 14-27 L, 0-38 L, 44-46 (3 OT) L, 24-41 W, 28-7 W, 21-14 Attendance 80,795 110,078 111,178 80,795 62,250 78,543 80,795 80,795 80,795 80,795 80,795 48,953 Site NOTRE DAME STADIUM Beaver Stadium, State College, Pa. Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich. NOTRE DAME STADIUM Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind. Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif. NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM NOTRE DAME STADIUM Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, Calif. 44 2008 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE