Senior Day

There are several senior players who will still have a year of eligibility left that will be able to be seniors (the 5^th year kind) in 2013.  Some will not play again, some will play and take full advantage of that fifth year, but not in South Bend, much like Dayne Crist and Mike Ragon who took their 5^th year talents to Kansas, and Brandon Newman who went to Ball State.  Some will be asked back and/or will choose to come back to have an opportunity to play one more year for the Fighting Irish.  The following are seniors who have a year of eligibility left:  Carlo Calabrese (linebacker), Tyler Eifert (tight end), Dan Fox (linebacker), Jake Golic (tight end), Zack Martin (offensive line), Tyler Stockton nose guard), Chris Watt (offensive line) and Cierre Wood (running back).

For those who have played their four years and will be moving on for sure we offer our thanks and best wishes:  Braxton Cave^ (center), Mike Golic Jr.^ (offensive line), John Goodman^ (wide receiver), Kapron Lewis-Moore^ (defensive end), Dennis Mahoney^ (offensive line), Dan McCarthy^ (safety), Jamoris Slaughter^* (safety), Blake Breslau (safety), Jordan Cowart (long snapper), Nick Fitzpatrick (wide receiver), Zeke Motta (safety), Grant Patton (defensive end), Theo Riddick (running back), Chris Salvi (safety), Will Salvi (cornerback), Matt Tansey (offensive line), Nick Tausch (kicker), Manti Te’o (linebacker), Robby Toma (receiver), and Ben Turk (punter).

*Applying to the NCAA for a 6^th year.

^Fifth Year Senior

When many of these young men came to South Bend, I am sure they had dreams of playing in the NFL someday, but like any sport the chances of going pro are slim.  However, Notre Dame does have a rich tradition of getting their players to the next level.  According to the NFL, 471 Notre Dame players have been picked by NFL teams since the draft began in 1936, including 63 first round picks and five first picks overall.  Many more found their way onto pro squads through invitations to training camp, free agency, etc.  The Irish also boast ten alumni in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 36 who have won a Super Bowl.

Looking back at the careers of these young men, it is obvious that success has come in different ways and at different levels.  As their final season comes to a close, several are on award watch lists representing their hard work.

Braxton Cave, Sr., C: Lombardi Award Watch List, Outland Trophy Watch List, and Rimington Trophy Watch List

Tyler Eifert, Sr., TE: Mackey Award Semifinalist, Lombardi Award Watch List, Maxwell Award Watch List, Walter Camp Award Watch List, College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (11.11), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (10.22), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (10.14), and College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Tight End (9.9)

 

Kapron Lewis-Moore, Sr., DE: Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

 

Zack Martin, Sr., LT: Lombardi Award Watch List and Outland Trophy Watch List

 

Zeke Motta, Sr., S: Thorpe Award Semifinalist

 

Theo Riddick, Sr., RB: Hornung Award Watch List and FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week

(10.22)

 

Manti Te'o, Sr., LB: 2012 National Scholar-Athlete by the National

Football Foundation, Maxwell Award Semifinalist, Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Butkus Award Semifinalist, Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist, Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.29), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (10.28), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (10.22), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (10.22) Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.22), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (10.15), FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week (9.25), Bednarik Player Of The Week (9.25), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (9.24), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.23), Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (9.17), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.17), Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week (9.16), College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention Linebacker (9.16), FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.2), Lott Trophy Watch List, Butkus Award Watch List, Lombardi Award Watch List, Bednarik Award Watch List, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Walter Camp Award Watch List, and Maxwell Award Watch List.

 

Ben Turk, Sr., P: FBS Independent Special Teams Player of the Week (9.17)

 

Cierre Wood, Sr., RB: Maxwell Award Watch List, Doak Walker Award Watch List, Nominated for Capital One Cup Impact Performance of the Week (10.8)

 

As we say goodbye and reflect on these young men as football players, true fans realize that there are college football players and then there are college football players at Notre Dame.  Below is from the 2012 Notre Dame Football Media Guide and I believe it speaks to what makes the Notre Dame student-athlete unique.

Developing the Complete Student-Athlete

 

Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly and the University of Notre Dame football program are committed to developing each student-athlete in five core areas: intellectual, social, spiritual, skill and physical. These five components combine to give Notre Dame’s football players an enriching education and knowledge base to be successful on the football field and a contributor to their community off the gridiron.

 

Intellectual Development: The University of Notre Dame expects the best out of its student-athletes just as it does of every other student on campus. Notre Dame has had unprecedented academic success among its athletes, including its football players. Since 1962, 98.8 percent of football players who have stayed at Notre Dame at least four years have graduated from Notre Dame.

 

Social Development: With all 50 states and more than 100 nations represented, the University of Notre Dame is one of a handful of universities with a diverse and international student body. Members of the football team are active in groups and clubs on campus and in the South Bend community. Located 90 miles east of Chicago and 45 minutes from Lake Michigan, the University is positioned a short drive from one of the best cities and lakefronts in the country.