Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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munity and giving back to people were a main topic when he was inter- viewing with an admin- istrator," Ondriezek re- called. "After we walked out from the meeting, I just said, 'KeiVarae, ev- erything that was just talked about in there, that's you.' That's one of the main reasons he chose Notre Dame." FINDING THE BALANCE Nevertheless, don't mistake Russell's conge- niality for softness in his attitude toward compe- tition. You don't become the first true freshman cornerback ever at Notre Dame to start in an opener with a soft touch. "KeiVarae has a very strong love for the game and competition," Notre Dame defensive coor- dinator Bob Diaco said. "He's got enough of an ego and swagger to not allow the little hiccups that come to reshape his whole mental frame- work. He's got enough love for the game and competitiveness and ego to maintain a healthy balance out there on the perimeter when the game is on the line." Throughout summer school at Notre Dame, Notre Dame's Five Best Freshman Corners Since 1972, when the NCAA permanently allowed freshman eligibility, cornerback has been nearly the most difficult spot for a freshman to win a starting spot at Notre Dame, second only to the offensive line. KeiVarae Russell was the first Irish freshman corner to start an opener. Will his 2012 season be remembered as one of the best ever by an Irish freshman corner? Here are some top-five comparisons: 1. Stacey Toran (1980) — The rangy 6-4, 185-pound Toran made his first start in the third game, at Michigan State. Toran started the last 10 games on a defense that led a 9-0-1 start and set a Notre Dame record with 23 straight quarters of not allowing a touchdown. He made the Football News' 1980 All-Freshman Team, finishing with 30 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception near the goal line in a 3-3 tie with Georgia Tech. 2. Dave Duerson (1979)— He was thrown into the fire when starting corners Dave Waymer and John Krimm were both injured. The freshman played in nine games and started seven, finishing with 24 tackles, two passes broken up, and interceptions in victo- ries against Georgia Tech and Miami during a 7-4 campaign. He also was the team's top punt returner. 3. Robert Blanton (2008) — After sitting out the San Diego State opener, he played in the last 12 games during a 7-6 season and started the last four, totaling 170:24 of playing time for the year. In the fourth game, versus Purdue, he scored the game's first TD on a weaving 47-yard return of a Curtis Painter pass. He was a standout in the 38-3 loss at USC with seven solo stops (one for a loss), a pass broken up and an interception. Overall, he finished the year with 33 tackles (three for loss) and two interceptions. 4. Troy Wilson (1983) — He began to play an integral role by ing his first career interception in a 48-0 victory at Northwestern. He also broke up four passes during the season, the most clutch coming in the end zone late in a 27-21 victory versus Navy. He midseason, starting in 42-0 and 27-6 victories against Army and USC (when Toran was injured), and then intercepting a pass against Navy a week later. Overall, he had 153:19 playing time, 18 tackles and two interceptions. His signature moment was deflecting Bos- ton College quarterback Doug Flutie's final pass on a fourth-down attempt that allowed the Irish to hold on for a 19-18 victory in the Liberty Bowl. 5. Dave Waymer (1976) — Played 48:53 in a reserve role, record-