Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME ✦ GIMME FIVE A couple of years ago, then Bet- hune-Cookman running backs coach Autry Denson told Blue & Gold Illus- trated that his career rushing total of 4,318 yards (not including 298 yards in three bowls in an era where postseason stats were excluded) at Notre Dame needs to change. "I pray that somebody breaks that thing soon," Denson said. "I love my university and if somebody breaks that record that means we're playing some pretty good football and winning a lot of games. I need somebody to step up and break that thing because I want us to start win- ning more football games." Now that Denson has been hired by his alma mater to coach the run- ning backs, Tarean Folston will need to rush for approximately 1,500 yards each of his last two seasons to eclipse Denson. Folston's 1,359 yards so far are the fourth most by an Irish back entering his junior sea- son. Here are the top five figures at Notre Dame going into their junior years, including bowl games. Player (Years) Rushing Yards 1. Allen Pinkett (1982-83) 2,037 2. Darius Walker (2005-06) 1,982 3. Autry Denson (1995-96) 1,941 4. Tarean Folston (2013-14) 1,359 5. Jerome Bettis (1990-91) 1,259 CAL TRANSFER AVERY SEBASTIAN PROVIDES DEPTH For the third straight season, Notre Dame will welcome a fifth-year senior to play his final season of football for the Fighting Irish while attending graduate school. In 2013, it was former Wake Forest punter Alex Wulfeck. Last year, it was former Florida cornerback/punt returner Cody Riggs. And this season, California safety Avery Sebastian is joining the squad, a move that was officially announced by Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly Feb. 8. Sebastian graduated with a degree in sociology from Cal this past December and will join the Notre Dame program in June, when he begins work on a master's in communications or sports manage - ment. A 2011 graduate of Eagle's Landing Christian Academy in Mc- Donough, Ga. — the same high school attended by current Notre Dame defensive lineman Isaac Rochell — Sebastian was a four-star prospect who was listed as Rivals.com's No. 8 safety in the nation (when he was known as Avery Walls) and played in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After playing primarily special teams as a 2011 freshman, Sebas- tian earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors the next year for his work on special teams. He also started four times at safety and finished fifth on the team in tackles with 56. His last two seasons were injury-plagued. He began 2013 with 10 tackles and an interception during the opener versus Northwestern in the first half alone before a torn Achilles tendon in that contest ended his campaign. A quadriceps injury in 2014 limited him to seven games (one start) as a senior. Nevertheless, the Irish are in severe need of bodies at safety, where junior Max Redfield and sophomore Elijah Shumate — who both temporarily lost their starting roles last November — are the projected starters. The top backups this spring are Drue Tranquill, who underwent ACL surgery as a freshman last November, and senior-to-be Nicky Baratti, who has suffered three shoulder injuries that sidelined him in 2013 and the final 10 games of 2014. Kelly said Sebastian can provide immediate reinforcements at the position. "Avery gives us some additional depth in the secondary and also brings a work ethic and excitement to compete that will build throughout the team," Kelly said. "Academically, spiritually and athletically will make Notre Dame a perfect fit," Sebastian said. "I've got one year to make an impact, and I plan on making the most of this opportunity. I look forward to joining the Notre Dame family." MOVING? Let our customer service department know your new address! CALL US 1-800-421-7751