Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2019 7 UNDER THE DOME the top five of the Heisman Trophy balloting and becoming a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Running Back: Travis Thomas — Eventually helped at linebacker and became a special teams captain, but did provide some backup work on offense. Wide Receiver: Jeff Samardzija — Two-time All-American temporarily held the record for most career recep- tions with 179 for 2,593 yards and 27 touchdowns. Tight End: John Carlson — Sec- ond-round selection continued the Tight End U. pipeline with qual- ity performances as a receiver and blocker. Helping put it over the top were linemen Ryan Harris, a future NFL Super Bowl starter and winner, and John Sullivan, who started in the most recent Super Bowl. Also noteworthy is the 2009 haul led by tight end Tyler Eifert, run- ning backs Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood, tackle Zack Martin, and guard Chris Watt — but there was no quar- terback in the class. 1990-99: The 1990 Class An easy call when combining star power, impact and balance. They were instrumental in the 17-game winning streak as juniors and seniors in 1992-93, and a controversial No. 2 finish in 1993. Quarterback: Kevin McDougal — Although he started only one year, he remains the school's all-time pass efficiency leader. Running Back: Jerome Bettis — You might have heard of him in the NFL, too, where he was the No. 10 overall pick following his junior year before getting enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Wide Receivers: Lake Dawson and Clint Johnson — Dawson aver- aged nearly 18 yards on his 86 career catches, while Johnson was also one of the nation's top kickoff return men. Tight End: Oscar McBride — Played in the NFL despite getting overshadowed by first-round picks Derek Brown and Irv Smith most of his Irish career. Oh, and the offensive line featured Lombardi Award winner and first- round pick Aaron Taylor, plus second- round center Tim Ruddy, who started all 140 NFL games his last nine years. 1980-89: The 1987 Class From 1986-89, head coach Lou Holtz and Co., assembled premier groups — but on offense one element was always lacking. On paper and impact, though, we give the slight nod to 1987. Quarterback: Kent Graham — Considered in some circles the No. 1 quarterback recruit, but he was not going to beat out option wizard Tony Rice from the 1986 haul. Graham transferred after the 1988 national title and later lasted a decade in the NFL. Running Back/Wide Receiver: Tony Brooks and Ricky Watters — As sophomores, they starred at tailback and flanker, respectively, and made pivotal plays for the national champs. Tight End: Frank Jacobs — Top tight end recruit in 1987 became overshadowed by No. 1 recruit Derek Brown in 1988, but both saw extensive action that season. Serving as a "tiebreaker" of sorts was a line that had four different members of this class start as sopho- mores for the national champs, led by full-time starters Mike Heldt at center and Tim Ryan at guard. 1970-79: The 1971 Class Tough to leave out the Joe Mon- tana-to-Ken MacAfee combination signed in 1974, along with running back Terry Eurick, and linemen Ernie Hughes, Steve McDaniels and Dave Vinson, but there was no true wideout and less depth than in the 1971 class. Quarterback: Tom Clements — Fourth in Heisman balloting as a se- nior after helping lead the Irish to the 1973 national title as a junior. Running Backs: Wayne "The Train" Bullock and Eric Penick — The ideal balance of power and speed, with Bullock bulldozing for 1,892 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, while game-breaker Penick had 1,418 yards and 13 scores. Backups Al Sam- uel and Ron Goodman also saw ex- tensive action by their senior years. Wide Receiver: Pete Demmerle — All-America target as a senior also was a Rhodes Scholar candidate. Tight End: Two of them became offensive line starters (Ed Bauer and Steve Quehl) and a third (Tom Fine) was drafted by the NFL even though he seldom played with the Irish. Along the line, tackles Steve Syl- vester and Steve Neece and All- American Gerry DiNardo started for the 1973 national champs. The closest to a full starting unit on offense you will find in one class. 1960-69: The 1965 Class As sophomores, they made an im- mense impact toward winning the 1966 national title. Quarterbacks: Terry Hanratty and Coley O'Brien — Hanratty became a second-round pick, but after he was injured late in 1966, it was O'Brien who stepped in with strong perfor- mances at Michigan State and USC to clinch the title. O'Brien then started at running back in 1968. Running Back: Bob Gladieux — Future NFL player accounted for more than 1,200 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and also snagged 72 passes for 947 yards and six scores. Receiver: Jim Seymour — First- round selection made the cover of Time with Hanratty halfway through their sophomore years. The three- time All-American reeled in 138 passes for 2,113 yards and 16 scores. Tight End: Jim Winegardner — Fifth-round selection at his position. For good measure, add in offensive linemen George Kunz and Bob Kue- chenberg, who were eight- and six- time Pro Bowl picks, respectively. ✦ Quarterback Brady Quinn headlined an impres- sive collection of offensive talent in the class of 2003, twice placing in the top five of the Heisman Trophy balloting for Notre Dame en route to being a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS