Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/400621
BY LOU SOMOGYI F ifty years ago at Notre Dame, head coach Ara Parseghian be- gan a powerful youth move- ment that was headlined by a four-man starting defensive line com- prised of all sophomores: Alan Page, Kevin Hardy, Tom Regner and Don Gmitter (plus linebacker Jim Lynch). Nearly a quarter century later in 1988, Lou Holtz did the same while leading a title drive with a dozen sophomore regulars, including a de- fensive line with Chris Zorich, George Williams and Bob Dahl. And now, another 25 years or so later, Brian Kelly has a stellar top-five- ranked sophomore class that is ex- pected to have Notre Dame in playoff and top-20 contention in the coming years. During Notre Dame's 6-0 start, sophomores Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant were two of the top three rush- ers, and the top two receivers were sophomores Will Fuller and Corey Robinson — with Torii Hunter Jr. just now beginning to emerge. The group of five sophomore offensive linemen, led by starting right guard Steve El- mer, was rated as the best in the coun- try when it signed in 2013. Defensively, Jaylon Smith already is an All-America candidate at line- backer, where he is joined as a starter by classmate James Onwualu. Cole Luke has shone at corner, while Max Redfield is on the threshold of blos- soming into an elite safety. There is sophomore star power at every position … but the one supposed "hole" in the class when it signed was the defensive line, specifically after five-star Eddie Vanderdoes opted to enroll at UCLA despite signing with Notre Dame. Consider that hole filled by Isaac Rochell. "I remember our first workout … the attitude, it was very focused and driven," Rochell said of meeting his fellow classmates at Notre Dame for the first time. "Just knowing we were a top-five recruiting class set the tone that we can develop into something YOUTH MOVEMENT Sophomore Isaac Rochell's versatility has been a huge asset to the defensive line