The most important... 5th Year Seniors

We will spend some time looking at the most import players for the Irish this season.  These will not necessarily be the best players but players Notre Dame needs to step up to be successful on the field this season.  We will go class by class starting with the Graduate students.

In general 5th year seniors should be important for many reasons.  Coaches love having their leadership skills in and off the field especially in the locker room.  It is as close as college programs get to an option year so when a player gets invited back for a 5th year it is for a reason.

Offensive lineman Christian Lombard and transfer cornerback Cody Riggs may be the best of the fifth year players and will most likely see the field the  most they are not the most important.  Both the defensive backfield and the offensive line have solid depth and good experience.

Justin Utupo

Justin Utupo has participated in 36 games during is career primarily on special teams and as a reserve.  Last season with injuries plaguing the defensive line Utupo saw more time and was thrust into a more action based on need.  With  Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt leaving for the NFL and Tony Springmann having to end his football career because of injury depth along the D-line is fair at best and Kelly's next man in philosophy will be put to the test this year. 

Kendall Moore

Kendall Moore was the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year as a freshman.  Since then he has been lost in the depth chart at linebacker.  Much like Utupo the defensive side of the ball needs Moore to step up and contribute adding leadership, experience and depth.  At 6' 1" and over 250lbs Moore has put his hand on the ground and played some defensive end last season and may need to do that again this year.

Both Utupo and Moore may not need to start this season to be the most important 5th year seniors but they do need to contribute.  Whether its taking regular reps during games or stepping in if there is an injury without their presence the Irish defense could be in a lot of trouble.