NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
OFFENSE - 10
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Armando Allen-RB, Robert Hughes-RB, Duval Kamara-WR, Chris Stewart-OG, Kyle Rudolph-TE (NFL)
DEFENSE: Ian Williams-NG, Kerry Neal-OLB, Brian Smith-OLB, Darrin Walls-CB
Receiver / Defensive Front

Every single receiver is set to return. If Michael Floyd decides to stick around and tight end Kyle Rudolph does the same while staying healthy, this aerial assault could really post some high range numbers. The defensive front seven goes relatively unchanged.

Running Back

The rushing attack has been putrid for a very long time. Despite all the talent that pours in, nobody seems capable of being a star in this backfield.

WR Michael Floyd
 
LB Manti Te'o
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2011 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
NOTRE DAME 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Dayne Crist-Jr (6-4, 235) Tommy Rees-So (6-2, 210)
RB Cierre Wood-So (6-0, 210) Jonas Gray-Sr (5-10, 230)
WR T.J. Jones-So (5-11, 187) Deion Walker-Jr (6-3, 202)
WR Theo Riddick-Jr (5-11, 198) Robby Toma-Jr (5-9, 175)
WR Michael Floyd-Sr (6-3, 220) John Goodman-Jr (6-3, 207)
TE Tyler Eifert-So (6-6, 242) Mike Ragone-Sr (6-4, 245)
OT Zack Martin-So (6-4, 300) Tate Nichols-RFr (6-8, 320)
OG Chris Watt-So (6-3, 310) Andrew Nuss-Sr (6-5, 303)
C Braxston Cave-Jr (6-3, 303) Mike Golic-Jr (6-3, 295)
OG Trevor Robinson-Sr (6-5, 300) Lane Clelland-Jr (6-5, 297)
OT Taylor Dever-Sr (6-5, 297) Christian Lombard-RFr (6-5, 301)
K David Ruffer-Sr (6-1, 176) Nick Tausch-Jr (6-0, 190)
 
NOTRE DAME 2011 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Ethan Johnson-Sr (6-4, 300) Kona Schwenke-So (6-4, 285)
NG Sean Cwynar-Jr (6-4, 280) Hafis Williams-Jr (6-1, 285)
Louis Nix-RFr (6-3, 340)
DE Kapron Lewis-Moore-Jr (6-4, 295) Aaron Lynch-Fr (6-6, 260)
OLB Darius Fleming-Sr (6-2, 250) Steve Filer-Sr (6-3, 235)
ILB Carlo Calabrese-So (6-1, 245) Dan Fox-So (6-3, 230)
ILB Manti Te'o-Jr (6-2, 255) David Posluszny-Jr (6-0, 235)
OLB Prince Shembo-So (6-2, 250) Danny Spond-So (6-2, 242)
CB Robert Blanton-Sr (6-1, 196) Lo Wood-So (5-10, 182)
CB Gary Gray-Sr (5-11, 195) Bennett Jackson-So (6-0, 181)
S Harrison Smith-Sr (6-2, 214) Dan McCarthy-Jr (6-2, 205)
S Zeke Motta-Jr (6-2, 215) Jamoris Slaughter-Jr (6-0, 198)
P Ben Turk-Jr (5-11, 196) Kyle Brindza-Fr (6-1, 219)
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/18/10
If people get tired of seeing and hearing Notre Dame get over-hyped during the eight month off-season, those same people might want to look the other way as this course of action begins to roll around. With 19 starters set to return in South Bend, a three game winning streak that could carry into El Paso in a bowl game with Miami, Notre Dame has gone from a team struggling to just get bowl eligible to a winning team with plenty of promise for the future. The current win streak can be directly traced to true freshman quarterback Tommy Rees, who took over for injured sophomore Dayne Crist during the October 30 Tulsa loss. Despite the speed bumps, this passing attack still spells most of the success for Notre Dame and both young signal callers will be back again. If receiver Michael Floyd decides to return and tight end Kyle Rudolph does the same while staying healthy, this aerial assault could really post some high range numbers. The offensive line has four starters back while the entire front seven on defense goes relatively unchanged. All this spells an advantage up front. What is still missing from the equation is the inability to run the ball (or even try) and defend against the pass, two areas which have haunted the Irish for a very long time. Is head coach Brian Kelly the right man for this job? That answer cannot be made yet. Injuries, a difficult schedule and inconsistency have hampered his first season. The grade on Kelly looks fairly good at this juncture seeing how they closed the regular season. A lower end Top 25 preseason position is based on the shear amount of experience coming back. There is still a fine line to walk under the Golden Dome between receiving a passing and failing grade. Fortunately for Coach Kelly, that line is sitting a little lower these days. A nine-win season would be considered a major improvement. This 2011 Irish squad can actually do better.

 

NOTRE DAME
2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT
9-3-11 SOUTH FLORIDA
9-10-11 at Michigan
9-17-11 MICHIGAN STATE
9-24-11 at Pittsburgh
10-1-11 at Purdue
10-8-11 AIR FORCE
10-22-11 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
10-29-11 NAVY
11-5-11 at Wake Forest
11-12-11 Maryland @Landover, MD
11-19-11 BOSTON COLLEGE
11-26-11 at Stanford