Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Neither linebacker Prince Shembo nor cornerback KeiVarae Russell were ranked in the BGI top 12 before the season, but both becamee vital cogs in the defense. Photo by Bill Panzica tion gave Shembo a chance to pin his ears back in passing situations and get after the quarterback. The junior ended the month of November with 7.5 sacks, which put him directly behind Tuitt in that category for Notre Dame. He was sixth on the team with 48 total tackles. The 250-pound Shembo held his own against offensive linemen at least 50 pounds heavier than him. He matched that strength with speed to keep opposing offenses' attention and prevent them from investing too many resources into stopping his partner, Tuitt. Shembo played in 36 of his first 37 games at Notre Dame and started in 20 of them. That experience will make him one of the leaders of the defense in his final season next fall. 12. C Braxston Cave The lone fifth-year senior to crack the top 12 this season is veteran center Braxston Cave. He bounced back from a season-ending foot injury last year to play his way into a finalist spot for the Rimington Award as the country's top center. Cave helped to integrate right guard Mike Golic Jr. and right tackle Christian Lombard into an offensive line that established Notre Dame's identity on that side of the ball. For years, he has been one of the team's strongest players in the weight room. This year he helped establish a dominant mentality on the field. With Cave and Golic both out of eligibility, filling large shoes at the center position will be a huge question for the Irish to answer this offseason. ✦