Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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fits here at Notre Dame and what doesn't," Denbrock said. "Those guys eliminate themselves pretty fast. You end up targeting a real small number of guys, and you've got to hit a pretty de- cent percentage of those guys if you're going to be successful in the West Coast — and we have to be to get some guys out there every year." What helps is the state is replete with Catholic prep powers such as Mater Dei — which saw linebacker Joe Schmidt walk on in 2011 — Servite, Concord De La Salle and Bishop Amat, among others. Denbrock also needed to get a read on players who did not want to have any part of frigid winter weather or traveling too far from home. "You can tell by conversation, and you have to really dig deep into their family dynamic," Denbrock said. "Are they independent thinkers? Are they mama's boys? What makes them tick and what makes them willing to make the sacrifices necessary to leave the West Coast and come this far away to school? There's just not a large number of guys who are really willing to do that. "They are out there, but you have to really dig and be sure you're on the right people and you're spending your time with the right guys." ✦ This year, tight end Tyler Luatua (Paramount) became the 137th California athlete to play football at Notre Dame, after slot receiver Amir Carlisle (Santa Clara) and safety Max Redfield (Mission Viejo) ap- peared in a game for the first time at Notre Dame in 2013. Here is Blue & Gold Illustrated's all-time, All-California team at Notre Dame. Quarterback: John Huarte (Anaheim, 1962‑64) California is eclipsed only by Pennsylvania for pro- ducing top quarterback talent at Notre Dame. Since 1960, seven different quarterbacks from The Golden State have started for the Irish, most recently Dayne Crist (Canoga Park) in 2011. The lone Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner from California, Huarte, gets the nod, even though Daryle Lamonica (Fresno, 1960-62) had the much better pro career, Steve Beuerlein (Fullerton, 1983-86) was a four-year starter during a tough era and had the lon- gest NFL career, and Jimmy Clausen (Westlake Village, 2007-09) broke the 60-year record for pass efficiency on a 6-6 team in 2009 before turning pro. Huarte led a magical renaissance in 1964 while becoming the first Notre Dame QB to pass for at least 2,000 yards in a season. Running Backs: Nick Eddy (Tracey, 1964‑66) and Mark Green (Riverside, 1985‑88) Both were national champions, with Eddy finishing Notre Dame's All-California Team Quarterback John Huarte, who hails from Anaheim, came out of nowhere to win the Heisman Trophy in 1964. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS