Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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eryone else in the secondary. Shumate, who had four starts last year before getting hampered by a hamstring, will see the field, but how much depends in great part on his confidence at mak- ing the calls and quarterbacking the defense from his spot. "He's very athletic, very physical, tough … and he's a kid that's been here long enough to where he has to Players Signed In February 2012: 17 Players Available In 2014: 12 (cornerback Tee Shepard was an early enrollee for the spring 2012 se- mester, but left school two months in and attended Holmes Community College in Mississippi before signing with Ole Miss this winter; in the spring of 2013, three members of this class transferred and will be eligible this season: quarterback Gunner Kiel to Cincinnati and wide receivers Davonte' Neal and Jus- tin Ferguson to Arizona and Western Michigan, respectively; slot receiver Will Mahone was suspended indefinitely by head coach Brian Kelly this summer for an off-the-field incident and later reported to be no longer with the team) 2012 Recruiting Rankings^: ESPN (No. 10), 247Sports (No. 17), Tom Lemming/MaxPreps.com (No. 17), Scout.com (No. 18) and Rivals.com (No. 22) ^ The ratings at the time didn't include Neal, who inked two weeks after National Signing Day Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Comment Nick Baratti* S 6-1 206 If shoulder problems can be overcome, he will vie for quality playing time, more likely at free safety. Chris Brown WR 6-1½ 191 One of the top long-ball threats has added about 20 pounds since enrolling and has 17 career catches. Scott Daly* LS 6-1½ 248 Begins second of what should be four straight years as starting long snapper. Sheldon Day DL 6-2 290 Veteran linchpin of a rebuilding front seven, he has eight career starts and 56 tackles. Mark Harrell* OG/C 6-4 305 Attempting to find a spot in the two-deep at either guard or center while younger players challenge. Jarron Jones* DL 6-6 310 After rough early start to career, impressive physical specimen emerged strong in final month of 2013 season. Romeo Okwara DE 6-4 258 Began to get more comfortable with hand on ground this spring after 2012-13 work at outside linebacker. C.J. Prosise* WR 6-0½ 220 Co-starter with senior Amir Carlisle provides much physicality at slot, but also has playmaking skills. KeiVarae Russell CB 5-11 190 Bona fide All-America candidate after productive 26 starts his first two seasons. Elijah Shumate S 6-0 213 Made four starts and 23 stops last year despite getting slowed by hamstring injury. Ronnie Stanley* OT 6-5½ 318 Joins Russell as best NFL prospect in this class. John Turner* OLB 5-11 190 Maybe top surprise of spring after moving from third-team safety to lining up as No. 1 Sam linebacker. * Eligible to apply for a fifth season in 2016 Junior Class Review