Blue and Gold Illustrated

5. Tackle Frank Varrichione (Nattick, 1951‑54) — A three-year starter as a tackle on offense and de- fense on teams that finished in the Associated Press top four each season, he is often most remembered for his feigned injury spells to stop the clock and allow the Irish to tie Iowa in 1953. It can't be forgotten that the All-American was the No. 6 overall pick in the 1955 NFL Draft and played 11 years professionally, earning Pro Bowl honors five times. 6. Quarterback Frank Dancewicz (Lynn, 1943‑45) — He was one of the most under-the-radar players in Notre Dame history — even though he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft at quarterback. The man in-between Heisman winners Bertelli and John Lujack was able to direct two top-10 finishes during the war-torn years in 1944-45. 7. End John Yonakor (Dorchester, 1941‑43) — a consensus All-America end on offense and defense for the 1943 national champs, he also won the National AAU indoor shot put title. His team-high 15 catches averaged 21.4 yards and included four scores. The only reason he's a little lower in this is he was a full- time starter for only one season. 8. Lineman Jack Lee (Medford, 1951‑54) — Started as a true freshman in 1951 — which classmate Varrichione didn't (eligibility was allowed for frosh because of the Korean War) — at middle guard and played on both sides of the line his last two years. He wasn't drafted, but that's an even greater testament to maximizing his collegiate efforts. 9. Safety/punter Joe Restic (Milford, 1975‑78) — A four-year starter and record-breaking punter, he also started his last three seasons at free safety, where he recorded 13 career interceptions (tied for third most at the school) and received Academic All-America honors before going to dental school. The joke always was that he could have played at Harvard for his father Joe (whose name was at one time linked to the Notre Dame job), but he preferred to not attend a football factory. 10. Tight end Mark Bavaro (Danvers, 1981‑84) — After apprenticing his first two seasons behind first- round pick Tony Hunter, Bavaro kept "Tight End U" rolling by starting the next two years. A devastating blocker, Bavaro also led the 1984 team in receiving with 32 catches and earned first-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. He went on to receive All-Pro honors for the two-time Super Bowl champion New York Giants. 11. Lineman Menil "Minnie" Mavraides (Kenosha, 1951‑53) — Joined Varrichione and Lee on the line to form Massachusetts' version of the "Three Amigos" during the early 1950s. He began his career at end before becoming a third-round pick at guard for the unbeaten 1953 team. Mavraides also led the nation with 27 points via the kicking game. 12. Lineman Pat Bisceglia (Worcester, 1953‑55) — Although not listed as a full-time starter until his senior year, Bisceglia made the most of it by receiving first-team All-America honors at guard from the AP and third-team distinction from the UP. Honorable mentions include defensive tackle Bob Clasby (Milton, 1979‑82), who recorded 121 stops his last two seasons with the Irish and played five years in the NFL, and offensive lineman Mike Kelley (Westfield, 1981‑84), who started at tackle in 1982 and then center in 1983-84 prior to a four-year NFL career.

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