Seniors Part 3 Those with eligibility left.

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.

Christian Lombard who played in all 13 games as a sophomore as a backup and on special teams moved up to start all 13 games last year as a Junior. As a senior Lombard started the season as a starter before being derailed by an injury.  At 6’5” 315lbs look for Lombard to be back for a fifth year to add experience, leadership and stability to the offensive line.  Return: Almost assured.

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.