Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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to record 85 tackles last season — 48 by Fox and 37 by Calabrese — and broke up four passes. Calabrese seemed destined for fore suffering a hamstring injury in a 35-17 loss to Navy. Last year, classmate Fox edged the more decorated career when he opened his sophomore year in 2010 with 60 tackles in his eight starts be- him out for the starting slot, but nei- ther possessed the all-around game to be a full-time player. Still, the former outside linebacker Fox im- Senior Class Update (No. 24) Name but an injury sidelined him and he left the program in 2010. He transferred to Pitt, in his hometown, walked on as a defensive back in 2011, and made one tackle in one game appearance. Banks was not listed in the two-deep defensive backfield at the end of this spring. Guard Alex Bullard transferred to the Univer- sity of Tennessee, in his home state, after the 2010 death of his father, former NFL player Louis Bullard. He started all 12 games for the 5-7 Volunteers last season — the first six at left guard and the last six at center — while playing for currrent Irish offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Wide receiver Shaquelle Evans played sparingly for the Irish as a freshman in 2009 — seven catches for 61 yards — and transferred to UCLA, in his home state, in 2010. Last year, he played in 13 games, started five and was suspended for one while the Bruins finished 6-8. He was fifth on the team in receiving with 19 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns.) 2009 Recruiting Rankings: ESPNU (No. 14), Tom Lemming (No. 16), Rivals.com (No. 21) and Scout.com Players Signed In February 2009: 18 Players Available In 2012: 15 (Cornerback E.J. Banks was a 2009 early enrollee, TE'O Carlo Calabrese* Jordan Cowart Tyler Eifert* Dan Fox* Jake Golic* Zack Martin* Zeke Motta Theo Riddick Tyler Stockton* Nick Tausch* Manti Te'o Robby Toma Ben Turk Chris Watt* Cierre Wood* Pos. ILB LS TE ILB TE OT S Ht. Wt. 6-1 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-2 RB/SR 5-11 DL K ILB WR P OG RB 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-9 5-11 6-3 6-2 * Eligible to apply for a fifth season in 2013 28 PRESEASON 2012 Comments 245 230 251 240 245 304 215 200 285 201 255 185 186 310 250 Provides quality depth and tag team with Dan Fox at Will; has eight career starts and 97 tackles. Fourth-year starter as specialist who might re- ceive challenge from freshman Scott Daly. All-American (90 career catches) will be flexed out regularly to help replace Michael Floyd. Voted Defensive Newcomer of Year in 2011 with 48 stops while sharing time with Calabrese. Past injury problems have limited opportunities at congested, talented position. Has started 26 straight games at left tackle and graded out as top lineman two years in a row. Sixteen starts and 102 tackles make him and Jamoris Slaughter veteran safety pair. Has displayed flashes with 84 catches and 252 yards rushing; consistency the crucial next step. Shed 18 unneeded pounds and had solid spring, but faces logjam at loaded nose guard slot. Set Notre Dame record with 14 straight field goals made as a freshman in 2009. All-American should join Bob Crable and Bob Golic as third Irish player to reach 400 tackles. Dependable option with 36 career catches, but will have to hold off influx of younger talent. Strong finish in 2011 must carry over after shaky start to last season. Started all 13 games last season and combines with Martin to form seasoned left side. Aiming to become fifth Irish back ever to produce consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. pressed the staff enough to receive the Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award at the the end of his junior season in 2011. With Calabrese's suspension for his career, the diminutive Toma has demonstrated that he is a competent major college football athlete, includ- ing snaring 36 receptions through three seasons. However, with Riddick potentially this year's Sept. 1 Navy opener, the door is open for Fox to take on a larger role, but based upon some of the spring and early August reports, chances are the roles might be similar to last season. In the shadow of Te'o throughout taking some snaps in the slot while also playing running back, and swift freshman Davonte' Neal projected to make an instant impact along the offense, Toma's snaps might be re- duced, although he continues to re- ceive high marks from the staff and team for his leadership. The three specialists have all ably performed their tasks. Cowart's quick snaps have helped prevent any blocked Irish punts the past three seasons. After a slow start to last season, Turk finished the year with a flourish, averaging 42.3 yards in his last seven games while utilizing both the rugby and conventional styles. Forty-four of his punts the past two seasons have been downed inside the 20, high- lighted by four in the Champs Sports Bowl last December against Florida State, the best game of his career. It's not often a college team has the luxury of returning a backup place- kicker who has converted 15 of his 18 career field goal attempts, but the Irish will have that in Nick Tausch. As a freshman in 2009, Tausch made a school-record 14 straight field goals before an injury sidelined him and brought walk-on David Ruffer into the spotlight. Ruffer would break Tausch's record with 23 consecutive makes on field goals before exhaust- ing his eligibility last year. Tight end Jake Golic and nose guard Stockton have had injury setbacks in their careers, yet could see action in backup roles. A season-ending ACL injury on Aug. 8 to junior tight end Alex Welch has provided more reps to Golic while working behind the impressive triumvirate of Eifert and sophomores Ben Koyack and Troy Niklas. 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