With 16 players listed as juniors on the Notre Dame roster
only 5th year seniors have less players representing their class. This class has what most would call untapped
potential, many of them cutting their teeth on the scout teams and or playing
behind upperclassmen. Several juniors
should have the opportunity to step up and show what they can offer the Irish
this year including safeties Elijah
Shumate and Nicky
Baratti, and wide receiver James
Onwualu.
Juniors Sheldon
Day and KeiVarae
Russell are proven commodities for the Irish defense but it is still
incredibly important for them to
continue to improve and play major leadership roles for Brian
VanGorder.

After redshirting his freshman year it looked as if Jones
may spend is sophomore season on the bench behind established stars like Nix
and Tuitt. However Jarron stepped up and
made the most of his opportunity when the defensive line was hit with injuries
in 2013. Jones will have to stay healthy
and use his 6' 6" 315lb+ frame to hold the middle of the line. With this being his third year in South Bend
Jones has the opportunity to live up to all the potential and more everyone
thought he had.