Thanks for the memories

Notre Dame has a reputation for its academic prowess along with its notoriety for its athletic successes.  It the past the Irish has had success with students staying to complete their degree as they continue to compete on the field.  Even more impressive keeping student athletes on campus for graduate studies to take advantage of their fifth year of eligibility. Michal Floyd and Manti Te’o have been poster children for star athletes staying for their senior seasons and completing their degrees.  Last season Brain Kelly was able to keep the likes of Offensive Lineman Zack Martian for a fifth year even after he had earned his degree and most likely been drafted to the NFL.  With their basketball counterpart’s one and done issues football is designed to have their players stay at school longer as the NFL rules state that a player must be three years removed from high school to be eligible.

The Fighting Irish have lost their fair share of athletes with remaining eligibility over the years; running back Ceirre Wood, Tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Eifert all could have stayed but left with eligibility remaining.  From a fans perspective it can be frustrating leading to feelings of betrayal.  However from the student athlete’s point of view things may look very different.  The opportunity to make a living (and possibly a very mice on at that) sooner than later.  Staying in school not only delays a payday but risks injury that would permanently delay that payday.  With so many what ifs entering into the equation second guessing what a student athlete is thinking is a futile effort, so we go right to the emotional response.

For some reason this season the departures of football players with eligibility left seems different.  It’s almost like a verbal commit changing his commitment or a player transferring to another program.  What really upsets us as fans is that we know this player and his abilities and how it could help the team the following season(s).  We can only speculate on how an incoming freshman may be able to contribute to the team but with a player with an on field track record the picture is clearer.

Let’s take a look at the Irish players leaving for the NFL with eligibility left.

Louis Nix:  It was not a big surprise that Big Lou as leaving for the NFL.  He could have left last year and done well in the draft.  The fact that he had earned his degree and he is looking to take care of his mother and dozen or so siblings another year without a paycheck was not really in the cards.  Not many Irish fans can blame Nix for leaving.  Luis Nix does not owe the Irish faithful anything.  He has performed well and entertained us along the way with his social media highlights.  The depth in the middle of the defensive line could be deeper and his departure will hurt the Irish but Notre Dame may be alright if Jarron Jones continues to develop in the middle and Tony Springman returns ready to go after missing last season with an injury.

Stephon Tuitt:  A couple weeks ago I thought there was a 50/50 chance Tuitt would stay in South Bend.  The fact that he has not gotten his degree yet was the biggest reason I thought he might stay as it seemed important to him and his family (mother).  Stephon had a down year and has been struggling with recovering from is hernia.  Another season with Kelly and crew could have led to a rebound season improving his draft stock.  Of course on the other hand it could have gone down as well.  Sheldon Day is set on one side of the defensive line but with Jarron Jones most likely moving in to DT or Nose and Hounshell and Springman returning from injuries the Defensive End position could be a big question mark heading into the fall.  Even the departure of outside linebacker Price Shembo will have a negative effect at the defensive end position as he was great at putting a hand on the ground and rushing in from the edge, Ishaq Williams should be able to pick up some of the slack with that.  In limited action true freshman Isaac Rochelle performed well for a first year player. 

George Atkinson III:  This was not even on my radar.  We know GAIII was not happy with his situation in South Bend, a full stable of good running backs and then being suspended for the Pinstripe Bowl might have made people think a transfer may be in the future but not a leap to the NFL.  The fact that he has failed to take the lead in the backfield it truly is s leap.  My evaluation of Atkinson has not changed since the start of his freshman year, physical talent and a ton of potential.  I don’t see Atkinson being drafted but taking the free agent route to the NFL, even that might be a bit of a challenge.  With Folston, Carlisle and McDaniel coming back and Bryant entering the fold it is not a real loss.  Even at kickoff return Amir Carlisle looked he could be a viable option during the Pinstripe Bowl.

Troy Niklas: Although Niklas will do better in the draft than GAIII it was still a surprise and I think out of all the players leaving early he may have benefited the most by staying.  Realize that Niklas played his first season on the defensive side of the ball and saw limited action his sophomore season with All American Tyler Eifert getting most of the work.  Even as a full time started and the number one tight end the Notre Dame offence was not running on all cylinders with the absence of Everett Golson at quarterback.  I believe Niklas could have been an All World tight end next year with the offense being led by Golson and the running game taking focus.  Troy may have been a Mackey Award finalist this season he could have been a real contender to win the Award in 2014.  With Ben Koyack coming back with a possible chip on his shoulder with something to prove along with redshirt freshman Durham Smythe turning heads on the practice squad this past year it’s not a catastrophic loss but it is a big one nonetheless.

We as fans often get ahead of ourselves looking forward with the possibilities of what could be.  These dreams are one of the things that makes loving sports and sports teams so great.  Looking ahead anything is possible.    College football has an ever changing landscape for both coaches and players.  On the positive side this opens up spots for more scholarship offers as well as more proven players to get a fifth year offer.

To keep things in perspective I will quote the Piano Man himself from the song appropriately titles Keeping the Faith  “the good old days weren’t always so good and tomorrow isn’t as bad as it seems” – Billy Joel.