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offensive line player biographies Position Coach Harry Hiestand is an experienced offensive line coach who is entering his second season in South Bend and his 31st season in the college coaching ranks. He will also serve as head coach Brian Kelly's running game coordinator for the second straight campaign. Notre Dame improved its average rushing yards per game by almost 30 yards last year in Hiestand's first season on the job. The Irish started the same five players up front in every contest — a group that paved the way for at least 200 rushing yards seven times, including in six of the final nine contests. Notre Dame had not posted more games with at least 200 yards on the ground since 1996 (nine). The Irish offense fell 10.6 rushing yards per game shy of becoming just the third team in school history to average 200 yards both on the ground and through the air, while its 4.9 average yards per rush was the highest since 1996 (5.2). Notre Dame ended the year with 2,462 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground, and the offensive front allowed just 57 tackles for loss (the 11th-lowest mark in the land) and 18 sacks (tied for 28th nationally). Two of Hiestand's pupils earned high honors last season, including second-team All-America mentions for offensive tackle Zach Martin (Walter Camp) and center Braxston Cave (Athlon, CBS Sports), who was also one of six national finalists for the 2012 Rimington Trophy (best center in the nation). Successful offensive lines have followed Hiestand during his time as an assistant coach across the country. He mentored the blockers at Tennessee (2010-11), Illinois (1997-2004), Missouri (1994-96) and Cincinnati (1989‑93), which also included a stint as the offensive coordinator in his final season there. He also worked with the tight ends at Toledo in 1988, served as a graduate assistant at USC in 1987, coached Pennsylvania's tight ends in 1986 and was in charge of the offensive line at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) from 1984-85 after a two-year stint as an assistant offensive line coach and student assistant. Hiestand spent 2005-09 mentoring the Chicago Bears' front line. The NFL franchise won its division in 2005 and 2006, advancing to Super Bowl XLI in the latter campaign, while Bears running backs rushed for at least 1,200 yards three times in his five seasons. Two of his offensive linemen were selected to the Pro Bowl during his tenure, and center Olin Kreutz became the first Bears protector to earn first-team All-Pro laurels in 17 years. Hiestand played on the offensive line at Springfield (Mass.) from 1978-79 and at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) from 1980-81. player in Connecticut and the No. 38 guard nationally by Rivals.com. Personal: Born Aug. 28, 1993 … Father, Terry, was the starting quarterback for Notre Dame from 1966-68 and was a sophomore star on the national championship team in '66 … Terry earned consensus All-America honors as a senior and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting before being selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft with the 30th overall pick … Enrolled in Mendoza College of Business. Mark Harrell • OL So. • Charlotte, N.C. Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 305 Career Highlights: Did not play in 2012. Prep: Second-team selection on MaxPreps 2011 U.S. Air Force AllAmerican team … Second-leading vote getter among offensive linemen on the 2011 Associated Press North Carolina All-State squad … First-team All-Charlotte Observer selection as a junior and senior … Helped Catholic average 333 rushing yards and 43 points per game in 2011, while he also played some tight end … Selected for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl … Ranked by 247Sports as a three-star player, the No. 17 prospect from his home state and the No. 52 offensive tackle in the land. Personal: Born May 3, 1993 … Was enrolled in First Year of Studies. Returning Players Mat t Hegar ty • C Jr. • Aztec, N.M. Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 291 Career Highlights: Logged playing time in the first nine games of the 2012 campaign, playing mostly on special teams … Did not see action in 2011. Prep: A U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection out of Aztec High … A finalist for the Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year Award at the game … Was also selected to the Team USA vs. The World All-Star Game after earning second-team All-America honors from RivalsHigh.com as a senior … Earned first-team all-state laurels as a junior and senior … Totaled 81 pancake blocks while not allowing a sack during his final prep campaign, a season which ended with his team advancing to the state title game … 247Sports ranked him as a four-star recruit, the No. 1 player in New Mexico, the No. 6 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 83 overall player in the class of 2011. Personal: Born July 3, 1992 … Enrolled in Mendoza College of Business. Conor Hanra t ty • C/O G Jr. • New Canaan, Conn. Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 309 Career Highlights: Made his Irish debut in 2012 with six appearances on special teams and as a reserve lineman … Did not see action in 2011. Prep: A first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior at New Canaan High … Was a starter on a state championship squad as a sophomore and junior … Selected to the MaxPreps Junior All-American Team in 2009 … Regarded as a three-star prospect, the No. 3 Bru ce Heggie • C Sr. • Sorrento, Fla. Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 286 Career Highlights: Has appeared in five games during his career … Played in three games last fall … Switched from defense to offense in 2011 … Appeared in two games as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams … Did not see game action in 2010. Prep: A four-year starter at Mount Dora High School … Regarded as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … As a senior, hauled in 16 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns on offense, and recorded four sacks as a defensive end … Missed three games due to injury … Named one of the top 100 players in Central Florida prior to his senior year by the Orlando Sentinel. Personal: Born Oct. 18, 1991 … Father, Bruce Sr., played defensive end at Florida State from 1983-86 … Mother, Susan, played basketball at Valencia College … Grandfather, Vernon Asplen, played minor league baseball … Enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business, majoring in management-consulting. Chri stian L o mbard • OT Sr. • Inverness, Ill. Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 322 Career Highlights: Started all 13 games at right tackle last fall … Appeared in all 13 games in 2011 as a reserve lineman and on special teams … Did not see game action during the 2010 season. Prep: The Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois as a senior at Fremd High School … Also named a Parade, USA Today and EA Sports first-team All-American … Ranked as a four-star recruit, the No. 4 player in Illinois, the No. 5 offensive guard nationally and the No. 221 overall prospect in the land by Rivals.com … Played right tackle on offense and also saw action on the defensive line as a senior … Recorded 27 tackles, four passes broken up and three sacks … Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Personal: Born Jan. 5, 1992 … Enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business, majoring in managementconsulting. N ick Mar tin • OL Jr. • Indianapolis Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 284 Career Highlights: A versatile lineman who is projected to be the team's starting center this fall … Was the primary backup at both tackle positions by the end of the 2012 campaign … Appeared in all 13 games last year, playing mostly on special teams … Did not play during the 2011 season. BGI's 2013 Depth Chart No.L eft Tackle 70 Zack Martin 78 Ronnie Stanley 68 Mike McGlinchey No.L eft Guard 66 Chris Watt 51 Bruce Heggie 57 Hunter Bivin No.Center 72 Nick Martin 77 Matt Hegarty 60 John Montelus No.R ight Guard 65 Conor Hanratty 75 Mark Harrell 62 Colin McGovern No.R ight Tackle 74 Christian Lombard 79 Steve Elmer Ht. 6-4 6-6 6-8 Ht. 6-3 6-5 6-6 Ht. 6-5 6-5 6-5 Ht. 6-5 6-4 6-5 Ht. 6-5 6-6 Wt. 308 318 280 Wt. 321 286 290 Wt. 284 291 305 Wt. 309 305 280 Wt. 322 317 Cl./Elig. 5th/1 So./4 Fr./4 Cl./Elig. 5th/1 Sr./2 Fr./4 Cl./Elig. Jr./3 Jr./3 Fr./4 Cl./Elig. Jr./3 So./4 Fr./4 Cl./Elig. Sr./2 Fr./4 Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 71 68-72.OLs.indd 71 6/25/13 1:03 PM