2006 Statistics

Let the great Notre Dame quarterback derby of 2007 begin. Dual-threat Demetrius Jones redshirted last year, and the former No.2 recruit at his position has the size-speed combination coaches love. Evan Sharpley may not be the most gifted but is the only one on the roster with actual playing experience. Jimmy Clausen is the top QB prize in this year’s national class. Ron Powlus, now the QB coach, has a challenging job in his first season, though all should be quick studies and the competition (to find a starter) itself will only make whoever is eventually picked that much better. Sophomore James Aldridge also has enough size and speed to make defenders respect his potential, or else. Super quick true frosh Armando Allen will explode out of the backfield, but the nation’s No.2 prep RB prospect this year has to climb the depth chart first (past quite a few other four-star recruits). Again, all of this only benefits ND that much more, and Darius Walker will not be missed, trust us. Keep an eye out for LB Travis Thomas, who finished third on the team in rushing. David Grimes is the lone receiver with significant reps, though Richard Jackson and newbie Duval Karama should emerge quickly so the major losses amongst the corps are minimized. Senior TE John Carlson will also afford the new QB(s) another downfield option, and since two-TE sets could be used more often with the line being revamped, garnering both of the No.3 TE prospects in the last two recruiting classes will soon pay dividends. Senior center John Sullivan and five-star tackle Sam Young form a solid foundation upon which to build up front. Recent classes have also delivered many four-star linemen, so any steps back within the level of OL play will soon mean even more steps forward…trial-by-fire brings out the best, baby. But there has to be more of a commitment to running the ball if Notre Dame is to start beating teams ranked above them, and with a new QB, this is highly likely. Few coaches can take this much undeveloped talent and be expected to immediately produce strong results, yet only a fool would think Charlie Weis sees his offense’s glass as half empty. Regardless, we will see just what kind of coach he is with this many holes to fill.

With so many departures along the line, there will be some readjustments within the defense as everyone settles in. But after the last group could only muster a 61st ranking nationally for run stopping, the turnover might be just what is needed. Senior Trevor Laws is a great building block – as the only returning starter, his overachievements from his tackle slot are the perfect examples for learning eyes. Tackle Pat Kuntz and end John Ryan are all that saw significant action in 2006, and with two classes light on DL talent, there is work to be done before ND can even return to the level at which they just were. Lots of help can come from all of its light, quick starters at LB returning as seniors. Riverview (FL)-grad Maurice Crum has to be an All-American consideration the way he rules the middle, while outsiders Joe Brockington and Travis Thomas are capable of sealing their sidelines. The corps has to work on recovering against teams that practice superior play-action after failing to really stop any ’06 foes who were supposed to beat the Irish. Size and depth issues, with so many major conference opponents, also seem to be germane. Senior All-American safety Tom Zbikowski is a huge reason the Irish survived making so many mistakes. Zbikowski’s superior speed (only guy I ever saw catch Ted Ginn from behind) means he is almost always in on or around the tackle, and he reacts well to play development. Ray Herring and David Bruton, both juniors, will bolster the deep middle, with Bruton likely to get the nod at the free position. The corners look solid with junior starter Terrail Lambert back and senior Ambrose Wooden finally earning the other slot. There is an abundance of DB talent stacked in the wings, so expect improvements in the secondary to actually be seen. A defense with this much talent cannot disappoint like it did at specific times in 2006; there have to be rumors in South Bend that Weis is incapable of fine tuning the defense like he does the offense. The juries still out…