Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME 11-game starter at safety during the dramatic 2012 campaign. He and Russell were two of the top individual "where did he come from?" sto- ries of the year. Can he do it again at nickel or corner? 6. NICK MARTIN — The younger brother of Zack could end up higher on this list as a potential three-year starting cen- ter and future captain. 7. RONNIE STANLEY — He was supposed to be Zack Martin's heir this season at left tackle (which he is), but the staff couldn't wait to get him on the field as a 2013 sopho- more. Christian Lom- bard was downshifted to guard so Stanley could play at right tackle, where he excelled as a 13-game starter. 8T. BENNETT JACKSON/ AUSTIN COLLINSWORTH — Both arrived as receiv- ers in 2010, but Jackson started for the first time at corner in 2012 and played well enough to earn a 2013 captaincy. Collinsworth, the Spe- cial Teams Player of the Year in 2011, missed 2012 with an injury, started 11 games at safety last year and is in line for a lead- ership role this season. 10. BRIAN SMITH — After the outside linebacker moved inside for the fi- nal four games in 2010 because of an injury to Carlo Calabrese, Smith and Manti Te'o formed a strong inside tandem during a 4-0 finish with the defense leading the way. Matthias Farley made a successful transition from wide receiver to safety, starting 11 games at his new position during Notre Dame's outstanding 2012 campaign, and will try to do the same at nickel in 2014. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA