THE FIFTH QUARTER LOU SOMOGYI
I
n today's fast-paced society that de-
mands instant gratification and up-
to-the-millisecond information via
social media, it's enriching and excit-
ing to see late bloomers thrive.
Senior running back C.J. Prosise
serves as such an example. A freshman
safety who was redshirted in 2012,
there was some brief thought he could
be an outside linebacker. He then was
shifted to slot receiver as a sophomore
(where he caught six passes) and alter-
nated there last year while still learn-
ing the position …
And then at the one-third mark of
2015 was on pace to have one of the
all-time "where in the heck did that
come?" senior campaigns in Fighting
Irish lore — at running back.
Through his first four games, the
man that just six months ago was
viewed as perhaps a stop-gap third op-
tion in the backfield was ranked No. 4
nationally in rushing yards with 600
(150.0 yards per game), had the high-
est rushing total in Notre Dame history
after the first four games any season,
and averaged 8.108 yards per carry —
a pace that is challenging the immortal
George Gipp's single-season record of
8.107 (102 carries for 827 yards) set in
1920.
Although it's premature to talk about
all-time records and the like, this effort
Overnight Sensations
Can Take Some Time
After starting his career at cornerback, Reggie Brooks burst onto the scene as a running back in 1992
with 1,343 rushing yards and 8.04 yards per carry on his way to finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy bal-
loting.
PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS
