On the verge of greatness

On the eve of another season, the 127 to be exact we all have expectations and hope not only for the team as a whole but for individual players.  Will the expected stars going to deliver and is there a diamond in the ruff that will step up this year?  The next great Irish player may be in our midst but for not let’s look back and have a little fun and look at some of the best players in Irish history (listed alphabetically).  Not only do I want to pick one to be the best I am not sure I even want to rank them.

Tim Brown; finished career as ND’s all-time leader in pass reception yards (2493), returned 6 kicks for touchdowns (3 punts, 3 kickoffs), Heisman Trophy winner, ranked 3^rd nationally in all-purpose yardage as a Jr. (176.5 per game) and 6th as a Sr. (167.9)

George Gipp; our-year member of the varsity, led the Irish in rushing and passing each of his last three seasons (1918, 1919 and 1920, the outstanding college player in America in 1920 by Walter Camp, sis career mark of 2,341 rushing yards lasted more than 50 years During Gipp's career the Irish went 27-2-3 record outscoring opponents 506-97.

Bob Crable; All American ’80 & ’81, holds record for most tackles at Notre Dame (521), holds Irish record for most tackles in a season with 187 in ’79, holds record for most tackles in a game with 26 against Clemson in 1979 (tying an NCAA record).

Leon Hart; one of only two linemen ever to win the Heisman Trophy (Larry Kelley of Yale ’36), four-time letter winner, 3 National Championships, never lost a game playing for Notre Dame (36-0-2), 3-time All American (2 Consensus All-American Selections), 1949 Associated Press male athlete of the year, also played fullback his senior season.

Paul Hornung;  played quarterback, left halfback, fullback and safety, only player from a losing team (2-8 in '56) to win the Heisman, finished 4^thnationally in total offense as a Jr. (1,215 yards), ranked 2^nd nationally in total offense his Sr. year (1,337 yards), combining his Jr. & Sr. years he accounted for more than half of Notre Dame’s scoring,

John Lattner; Heisman Trophy winner, 2-time Maxwell Award as the top collegiate player (Jr.  & Sr. seasons),  consensus All-American as both a Jr. & Sr. on offense and defense, established a record for all-purpose yards from rushing, receiving and runbacks (stood for over 25 years), 321 kickoff return yards on only 8 returns (2for TD’s) as a Sr.

Johnny Lujack; 3 National Championships (only college QB to do so), 2-time Consensus All-America honors as a junior and senior, member of 2 undefeated teams (’46 & ’47), Associated Press male athlete of the year as a Senior, Heisman Trophy winner,  also punted.