On the verge of greatness

On the eve of another season, the 127 to be exact we all have expectations and hope not only for the team as a whole but for individual players.  Will the expected stars going to deliver and is there a diamond in the ruff that will step up this year?  The next great Irish player may be in our midst but for not let’s look back and have a little fun and look at some of the best players in Irish history (listed alphabetically).  Not only do I want to pick one to be the best I am not sure I even want to rank them.

Tim Brown; finished career as ND’s all-time leader in pass reception yards (2493), returned 6 kicks for touchdowns (3 punts, 3 kickoffs), Heisman Trophy winner, ranked 3^rd nationally in all-purpose yardage as a Jr. (176.5 per game) and 6th as a Sr. (167.9)

George Gipp; our-year member of the varsity, led the Irish in rushing and passing each of his last three seasons (1918, 1919 and 1920, the outstanding college player in America in 1920 by Walter Camp, sis career mark of 2,341 rushing yards lasted more than 50 years During Gipp's career the Irish went 27-2-3 record outscoring opponents 506-97.

Bob Crable; All American ’80 & ’81, holds record for most tackles at Notre Dame (521), holds Irish record for most tackles in a season with 187 in ’79, holds record for most tackles in a game with 26 against Clemson in 1979 (tying an NCAA record).

Leon Hart; one of only two linemen ever to win the Heisman Trophy (Larry Kelley of Yale ’36), four-time letter winner, 3 National Championships, never lost a game playing for Notre Dame (36-0-2), 3-time All American (2 Consensus All-American Selections), 1949 Associated Press male athlete of the year, also played fullback his senior season.

Paul Hornung;  played quarterback, left halfback, fullback and safety, only player from a losing team (2-8 in '56) to win the Heisman, finished 4^thnationally in total offense as a Jr. (1,215 yards), ranked 2^nd nationally in total offense his Sr. year (1,337 yards), combining his Jr. & Sr. years he accounted for more than half of Notre Dame’s scoring,

John Lattner; Heisman Trophy winner, 2-time Maxwell Award as the top collegiate player (Jr.  & Sr. seasons),  consensus All-American as both a Jr. & Sr. on offense and defense, established a record for all-purpose yards from rushing, receiving and runbacks (stood for over 25 years), 321 kickoff return yards on only 8 returns (2for TD’s) as a Sr.

Johnny Lujack; 3 National Championships (only college QB to do so), 2-time Consensus All-America honors as a junior and senior, member of 2 undefeated teams (’46 & ’47), Associated Press male athlete of the year as a Senior, Heisman Trophy winner,  also punted.

Questions to be answered.

With just days to go before the start of the 2015 season Irish fans are geared up to finally see how some of our questions about this team will be answered.

Offensive line.  Last season the offensive line could not quite get into a rhythm.  A few players shifted around and players sub in and out along the line.  It looks like offensive line coach  Harry Hiestand defiantly has depth with some experience along with talent and potential.  Last year the O-line did not live up to his preseason rating of being a strength of this team.  Hopefully this season will be better.

Malik Zaire.  At the end of last season and heading through the spring the question was how much playing time would Zaire be able to get away from Everett Golson, well now we know, all of it.  Malik has shown from his Music City Bowl performance and well and his snaps in the Blue & Gold Game he can play but the question is now can he be The Man.

Joe Schmidt & Jaylon Smith

Linebacker Lineup.  There are five legitimate players that could start at linebacker; Jaylon Smith, James Onwualu, Joe Schmidt, Nyles Morgan and Jarrett Grace.  There is a ton of talent and some experience.  The one thing I know for sure is Jaylon Smith will be on the field for every defensive snap, and it does not matter what position he is at, he will be in on the play.

Nose Tackle.  Until Jarron Jones went out for the season it was pretty clear, Jones would take the lion share of the snaps with Tillery continuing to impress for the future, Daniel Cage working in the rotation with Matuska and Mokwuah cleaning up.  Now it looks like all hands on deck with Tillery and Cage leading the way.  I guess will see how good Jerry Tillery really is.

Justin Yoon

No Fly Zone.  Did KeiVarae Russell loss a step from his year off?  Physically, probably not, it may take a few series to shake off the game rust but I think he'll be good to go.  Are Luke, Shumate and Redfield ready to be prime time fulltime?  If they are the Irish are going to be tough to score against.  It will also be interesting to see how Farley, Sebastian and Watkins will fit in.

Will Special Teams be Special?  The future, and the present for that matter hangs on the leg of true freshman Justin Yoon.  He has shown he can make the kicks in practice, Saturday we will see if he deliver in a game.  It seems forever that we have been questioning the kick return game and this season will be no different especially with the absence of Greg Bryant.