Louis Nix has signed with an agent so that make him
ineligible for him to exercise his fifth year eligibility. Sad but not surprising.
Lo Wood has option to transfer after sitting out this season
with an injury. Wood did action in 21
games for the Irish in his career.
Perhaps he saw the upcoming number and talent in the defensive
backfield. I think he may have had a
chance to compete for playing time and would be possible to be asked back next
season. Currently UCF and Georgia Tech
are front runners. 
Alex Welch is also transferring for his fifth year. After redshirting his freshman season Welch
saw action in 10 games for the Irish but had only one catch for eight
yards. He then missed his entire junior
season with a knee injury he suffered in preseason. The University of Cincinnati is rumored to be
his first choice as it is his hometown. 
Luke Massa. After
coming to Notre Dame and starting his college career as a quarterback Massa at
6’4” 237lbs was moved to receiver due to a logjam at the quarterback
position. Ironically his senior season
saw an abundance of receiver talent and potential that limited his playing as
well. However he is the holder on the
place kicking team (which makes him a secret weapon on a fake) and he could
serve as a double secret probation backup quarterback if needed. Return: Doubtful.
Arturo Martinez who as a walk on defensive lineman has been
if nothing else an inspiration being a cancer survivor at Notre Dame. He was even referred to as Notre Dame’s “new”
Rudy. Return: No.
Tyler Plantz has seen action on special team over the past
two seasons however as a running back he has not been a contributor. Return: No.
Andrew Hendrix is probably the most interesting name on this
list for a couple of reasons. After
redshirting his freshman year Hendrix saw action in five games as a sophomore
highlighted by his appearance in the Stanford game. As a junior he appeared in three games in
limited action. This season Hendrix took
a step back in his play and did not serve as reasonable back up. Although the quarterback situation next
season may lack experience but should have enough talent and potential to
overcome any issues. Also Andrew is a
pre-med student and may be moving on with his studies anyway. Return: Doubtful.
Bruce Heggie could continue to play as a very serviceable
backup on the offensive line, especially at center. However the Irish have a solid stable of up
and coming talent on the O-line lead by Nick Martin at center. I am not sure Kelly would give a scholarship
spot to a third string center. Return:
Unlikely 
Nick Fitzpatrick is a walk on wide receiver who at 5’8” and
170lbs from Mishawaka, IN right next to South Bend who was just that, a walk on wide receiver who at 5’8” and
170lbs. Return: No.
Will Cronin worked his way into being walk on member of the
Red Army. Cronin played interhall
quarterback for his dorm Alumni Hall when the Irish came looking for a scout
team QB. Return: No.
Joe Romano who is known as one of the hardest works on the
team as a walk on did get to travel to Stanford as the Irish were light in the
defensive backfield with suspensions to Shumate and Hardy. Prior to that he did appear against Wake
Forest in 2012 as a reserve. Return: NO.
Austin Collinsworth appeared in all 26 games of his freshman
and sophomore season before missing his junior year with a shoulder injury in
spring practice. Collinsworth’s play has
been a bit roller-coaster ride this season.
He has made some big plays and has gotten burned as well. There is always a need for good defensive
backs with experience but in Austin’s case he has more experience than skill
and that may not be enough to compete with up and coming talent. Return: Possible.
Kevin Carr is a very lineman at neatly six and half feet and
355lbs who never was able to move into the next level. He was part of the University’s Navy ROTC
program for his first two years at Notre Dame then became a walk on. He got to travel with the team this year to
play Air Force. Return: No.
Justin Utupo redshirted his freshman year then saw action
mainly on special teams as a sophomore.
As a junior he saw the field as a backup in eleven games. He has been a fill in as needed this season
with injuries decimating the defensive side of the ball. Most years it would be unlikely to see him
return however the Irish may need more depth along the defensive line at
end. A lot of that will depend on the
health of the likes of Tony Springman and Chase Hounshell. Return: Possible.
Kendall Moore was selected Defensive Scout Team Player of
the Year his freshman season. He then
appeared in all 13 games of his sophomore and junior seasons at Notre Dame on
special teams and as a reserve linebacker.
This season Moore has helped solidify and injured defensive line by putting
his hand on the ground and coming in at defensive end when not at
linebacker. He has had a solid career
that most time would not be good enough to get him asked back but much like
Utupo Moore may be valuable for the depth and stability of the defensive line
in 2014. 
Jude Rhodes is a walk on kicker who grew up in Kenya and
that may be his only claim to fame along with his dreadlocks in South
Bend. With more and more kickers coming
into college as specialists there may not be room for another as a kicker a
luxury for most teams on the Irish roster in 2013, but you never know with
special teams. Return: Very Doubtful.
