Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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X-Factors least some "package" work as a freshman in 2011, but it instead went to Andrew Hen- drix. History shows that most of the elite Notre Dame quarterbacks began to assimilate into the starting lineup as sophomores. When Blueandgold.com took an informal poll among 74 Notre Dame fans on who ning back, the Irish already have 1,000-yard rusher Cierre Wood and received a boost with the NCAA ruling that USC transfer Amir Carlisle can be eligible in 2012. Plus, Theo Riddick can be a swingman at slot receiver (Z) and running back. The wideout positions need more bodies, yet Kelly believes Atkinson is a more they thought would start and finish the season at quarterback in 2012, 58.8 percent had Golson taking the first snap this season and nearly 75 percent had him finishing the year as the starter. Such is the intrigue of a backup QB who has never played. 2. George Atkinson III — Where does the fastest player on the team fit in? At run- Here are at least five X-factor figures on the 2012 offense. 1. Everett Golson — Brian Kelly's first quarterback recruit was projected to see at natural running back. One way or another, the Irish staff needs to find a niche for the 6-1 Atkinson, who joined Raghib "Rocket" Ismail as the lone Irish freshmen to return two kickoffs for a score. Last season Atkinson had only nine carries and one reception. Another X-factor here is who becomes the short-yardage power back, a la Jonas Gray that Daniels did not see action as a freshman, even more so than Golson. He has good size at 6-2 and graded out superbly in the winter workouts combine. "He probably tested out at tops in the skill position, ahead of guys like Cierre Wood... in 2011 and Robert Hughes in 2010? Kelly has said no one can replicate Gray, who could squat 600 pounds and bench 500. 3. DaVaris Daniels — Given the lack of depth at receiver last year, it was surprising Theo Riddick," said head coach Brian Kelly. "His numbers are off the chart in terms of vertical jump — he tested comparable to a number of wide receivers at the NFL combine. Now, those are numbers. He hasn't done anything [on the field] ... We know he's got the physical ability. Now we've got to be able to see that translate — and it's time for him to do it." 4. Christian Lombard and 5. Fifth Lineman — The left side of the line returns intact with tackle Zack Martin and guard Chris Watt, along with Braxston Cave at center. How the right side shakes out is uncertain. Fifth-year senior Mike Golic Jr. can be the top backup at center (where he started the final four games last year after Cave's injury) if he doesn't become the No. 1 right guard. The junior Lombard, a former USA Today first-team All-American, seemed primed to tackle, Lombard can be a guard. If it's Golic at guard, then maybe Lombard can be the tackle. Sophomore Nick Martin might be the dark horse at tackle or guard. — Lou Somogyi No. Quarterbacks 11 Tommy Rees 12 Andrew Hendrix 5 Everett Golson 1 Gunner Kiel Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 6-2 210 Jr./2 6-2 220 Jr./3 6-0 185 So./4 6-4 210 Fr./4 34 George Atkinson III 6-1 210 So./3 31 Cameron Roberson 6-0 218 Jr./3 3 Amir Carlisle 6-0 215 Sr./2 5-11 199 Sr./1 5-9 185 Sr./1 Walk-On: Junior Tyler Plantz (49). Notes: Carlisle will be sidelined during the spring while recovering from a broken ankle … Toma works with the hyrbid position … Sopho- more Cam McDaniel was moved to cornerback. 5-10 185 So./3 www.BLUEANDGOLD.com take over at right tackle, but on the first day of spring practice (March 21), he was the No. 1 right guard and classmate Tate Nichols was the top right tackle, mainly because Golic was working at center in place of an injured Cave. It comes down to who are the five best to have in the lineup. If it's Nichols or another Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson (above) is vying for the starting spot in an open race that features four quarterbacks, including incumbent junior Tommy Rees. Spring Scholarship Depth Chart — Offense No. Wide Receivers 81 John Goodman 87 Daniel Smith 14 Luke Massa 7 TJ Jones No. Running Back/Slot Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 20 Cierre Wood 6 Theo Riddick 9 Robby Toma 16 DaVaris Daniels Walk-On: Arturo Martinez (86). Note: Niklas changed his jersey number from 58 to 85 after switching from defense. No. Tight End 80 Tyler Eifert 18 Ben Koyack 82 Alex Welch 85 Troy Niklas 88 Jake Golic Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig 6-6 251 Sr./2 6-5 253 So./3 6-4 250 Jr./3 6-7 252 So./3 6-4 245 Sr./2 Walk-Ons: Sophomore Eric Lee (37), senior Nick Fitzpatrick (38) and junior Ryan Liebscher (39). Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 5-11 190 Jr./2 6-3 207 5th/1 6-4 215 Jr./2 6-4 225 Jr./3 6-2 190 So./4 No. Tackles PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND 70 Zack Martin 64 Tate Nichols 72 Nick Martin 79 Jordan Prestwood 6-5 284 So./4 Walk-Ons: Fifth-year senior Dennis Mahoney (71) and senior Matt Tansey (62). Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 6-4 304 Sr./2 6-8 320 Jr./3 6-4 285 So./4 No. Guards/Centers 52 Braxston Cave 66 Chris Watt 57 Mike Golic Jr. 65 Conor Hanratty 77 Matt Hegarty 74 Christian Lombard 6-5 309 Jr./3 51 Bruce Heggie 56 Brad Carrico Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig 6-3 304 5th/1 6-3 310 Sr./2 6-3 295 5th/1 Note: Cave and Hegarty are only centers, while Golic, Hanratty and Heggie can be both. 6-5 285 Jr./3 6-5 290 So./4 6-5 305 So./4 6-5 291 So./4 APRIL 2012 27