Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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defense in the course of half of a season. The first days were frustrat- ing, and the first time back in pads racked his nerves, but Spond said he leaned heavily on his faith to make a fast recovery. "I'm at a point where I'm just fully relying on God to take care of me out there," he said. "When we played Stan- ford and Michigan, and Oklahoma this week, they're real physi - cal weeks. It's a lot of head-banging, there's no doubt about it, but I've got all my faith in God." Cathol i c i sm al so played a big role in the 2009 top high school athlete in the state of Colorado choosing to come to Notre Dame to play linebacker. Spond played quarterback at Columbine High School. Colorado wanted him to stay home and throw passes for the Buffaloes. Stanford wanted him to study behind Andrew Luck. TCU wanted him behind Casey Pachall. Notre Dame didn't know where it wanted him. But Spond, who wears a small silver crucifix around his neck at all times, came to South Bend know- ing there was a much better chance he would end up on the defensive side of the ball. This year, he's putting with sophomore Ben Councell, whose 6-5, 250-pound frame fits the exact physical pro- totype they want at the position. Despite being three his quarterback past to use from his spot as the Irish drop linebacker. Notre Dame prefers to replace that position with an extra defen- sive back on obvious passing situations. An injury-depleted second- ary has made that hard this season, but Spond has filled the void. He ended a close game against BYU at home with an interception and broke up two cru- cial passes earlier in the game on third downs. "Being an ex-quarter- back, I have a good feel for when to break and that type of stuff," he said. "I can understand a quarterback, that's what he's thinking when he sees an open receiver." Spond has been inches shorter, Spond has started all five games in which he's been healthy enough to play. He had 22 tackles when he headed into last weekend's matchup with No. 8 Oklahoma and has earned an al- most permanent spot in the defensive huddle. "His play makes you notice him," head coach Brian Kelly said. "He's played extremely well this year, and we knew he had some real strengths at the posi- tion for us. He's thick; he's strong. But he's athletic, and he works really well in space for a big fella." Kelly said the junior harder to take off the field than the Irish an- ticipated even before his training camp set- back. The coaching staff expected Spond to split time this season has improved in each game so far this season. Every week in the past two months has been a learning experience that comes with a new level of appreciation. He's happy now mov- and charging forward. ✦ ing one step at a time, rolling from heel to toe