Awards and Best of list.

So here it is… Our gift to you, Talking Irish’s Awards and Best of list.

MVP – Really?  Anyone other than Manti Te’o?

Pleasant Surprise of the Year – Theo Riddick. Although we expected Theo to play well, I believe he far surpassed expectations, which will propel him to the next level.

Best Feeling of theYear – Watching Rick Reilly eat crow.

Best gift we have to wait until next year to open (the redshirt we are expecting great things from) – Amir Carlisle.  This kid has the potential to be a big time player in South Bend.

Best gift to exchange – Gunner Kiel.  I would love to keep him, but doing so burns his eligibility while using a scholarship spot. This won’t benefit the Irish or this super talented young man.

Best gift to return – Tate Nichols.  At 6’8” 320 lbs. and zero meaningful snaps in three years, it has not worked.

Best gift we want to get again next year – Tie.  Tyler Eifert and Cierre Wood

Heart-Stopping Play of the Year – The Pittsburgh missed filled goal during the second overtime.

Play of the Year – Fourth down goal line stop against Stanford.

Experience of the Year (maybe of a lifetime) – Watching the Irish play in Ireland.

Unfulfilled Expectation of the Year – No kick returns for a score.  After George Atkinson ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns last year, and watching Davonte’ Neal highlight film, we expected at least some impressive returns.  We may be due on January 7^th. 

Most Popular Player – Louis Nix, who is as lovable as he is big. With a nickname Irish Chocolate, his YouTube videos and tweets, how could he not be the most popular?

Top Offensive Newcomer – Everett Golson, and there should be no surprise here.  His development has been and should continue to be amazing.

Top Defensive Newcomer – KeiVarae Russell, who was supposed to be a running back and got the news at the end of summer that he would be a defensive back.

Offensive Lineman of the Year – Braxton Cave, a very strong fifth year senor who lead this line and guided Golson to maturity and confidence.

Defensive Lineman of the Year – Louis Nix took double teams on almost every play this season, helping make Manti All World.

Offensive Leader of the Year – Zack Martin, and All-American talent, who has started every game since his sophomore year.

Defensive Leader of the Year (not named Manti) – Kapron Lewis-Moore, who up until this season has not had the career he was hoping for because of injuries and other setbacks.  He has practiced, played and led like a champion this year.

Best Entertainment – Trick Shot Mondays.  We loved how these young men were able loosen up once a week under huge pressure and share it with their fans.

Game of the Year – Oklahoma - this game solidified Notre Dame’s spot on the national college football landscape.

Moment of the Year – The fourth down incomplete pass at the goal line stand at the end of the USC game to put the Irish in the National Championship Game.

Story of the Year – Manti Te’o, coming back for his senior year, having seven interception this season despite having none in his first three seasons; overcoming adversity, staying true to his faith and earning truckloads of awards.

Under the Radar Defensive Player of the Year – Danny Spond, who after an early season of battling migraines, has had a solid season at the position of linebacker on a team with names like Manti Te’o and Prince Shembo.

Under the Radar Offensive Player of the Year – Robby Toma, who came in from Hawaii and played in the shadow of Manti’s play, carving his own spot for the Irish this year as a very solid slot receiver.

Coach of the Year – Tie between Co-Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach Kerry Cooks and Safeties Coach Bob Elliot, who took this ragtag group of players and got them to contribute on the best defense in the country.

Blossoming Player of the Year – Cam McDaniel - it could have been any number of receivers, but we loved is toughness.

Next Big Thing Award – Tie Tight End Troy Niklas and Wide Receiver T.J. Jones, both of whom are developing into their positions at the big time college football level.

Best Notre Dame Player but you never hear of, but will Award – Will Mahone - The 5’ 10” 211 lb. redshirt running back from  Ohio will make an impact from the backfield sooner than later.