Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/123805
Into The Spotlight Several new faces emerged during Notre Dame's spring drills S By Lou Somogyi pecial seasons like the one Notre Dame experienced in 2012 to advance to the BCS National Championship Game require numerous surprising "Where did that guy come from?" performances. Last year's Fighting Irish were replete with such efforts. For starters, running back Theo Riddick and safety Zeke Motta emerged with stellar senior campaigns after inconsistency or confusion plagued them their first three seasons. Even more notable was how underthe-radar rookie running back/slot KeiVarae Russell became a Freshman All-American — at cornerback, the position that needed the most help. Or how about 2011 fourth-team freshman wideout Matthias Farley suddenly becoming a mainstay at safety? For a few weeks last August, it appeared junior drop (Dog) linebacker Danny Spond would never be able to play football again because of severe migraine headaches. The first-time starter instead rivaled Russell and Far- ley as one of the top surprises while starting the last 11 games. Many other newcomers stepped into the forefront, including quarterback Everett Golson, wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and defensive end Sheldon Day, who was almost like a co-starter along the line. Who are the top potential newcomers in 2013? To base it off just spring practice would be premature. Farley, for example, was not a conspicuous figure during the 2012 spring. Nevertheless, these next seven pages give a cursory overview of players who have yet to start at Notre Dame but are making headway into the spotlight: 1. OL Nick Martin The younger brother of four-year starting offensive left tackle Zack Martin came out from his shadow to literally take center stage along the offensive line this spring. He succeeds graduated three-year starter Braxston Cave. Martin has been maybe the most versatile lineman the past two years while