Irish Depth Chart – Taking A Closer Look

Well finally, the obvious and hinted about has become official.  The 2011 Notre Dame 2-deep depth chart.  You can view the particulars Here.  It is worth a good look to familiarize yourself with the future of Irish football, especially the freshmen and prepare for this Saturday.  Better yet, print yourself a copy.

What does it tell us after spring ball, summer workouts and fall practice?  Overall, it is a young Team.  Does it reflect Brian Kelly’s recruiting prowess or say something about the previous Head Coach and his recruiting abilities or failures?

However, the starters are all experienced with the exception of freshman Kyle Brindza who will be kicking off (hopefully deep).

**  The Irish are starting out pretty much injury free.  Look on the left side of the Blog for which player injuries have been released or mentioned thus far.

**  9 Freshman made the roster and are guaranteed a seat on the bus.  Kyle Brindza will kickoff on Special Teams and is thus the lone Freshman starter.

**  Out of 30 starting positions on offense, defense and skill position special teams, 17 are Seniors, 12 are Juniors, 1 is a Sophomore ( Junior starting WR Theo Riddick is also listed twice more for punt and kickoff returns) and Brindza.  Other than Brindza, all have seen considerable action at their positions. 

**  The only error we found is that Cierre Wood should have his name in caps since he started 5 games last year for the injured Armando Allen.

** 6 had started but will not against USF.  (Bennett Jackson –KT, John Goodman – PR, Braxton Cave – SS, David Ruffer – KO, Zeke Motta – S, Carlos Calabrese – ILB) 20 of the 30 started last year.

            Offense:  5 Seniors 5 Juniors 1 Sophomore

            Defense:  8 Seniors 2 juniors 1 Sophomore

            Special Teams: 2 Seniors 4 Juniors 1 Freshman

**  The backups tell a different story.  10 Sophomores 9 Freshmen overall.  George Atkinson made the roster but is listed third for kickoff returns.  The Junior class is underrepresented  on the depth chart (Charlie Weis).

**  It will be interesting who will play the other positions on Special Teams.  How many Freshmen?  Any walk-ons in the mold of former gunner Mike Anello?  Speaking of gunners, who will line up to race down the field in harms way?  No one last year stood out as a special threat.  Maybe we got spoiled with Anello.

Don’t forget to add us to your favorites list: http://subwayalumnistation.blogspot.com

Check out and join our brand new Forum: Gipper's Blackboard here: http://dragonspress.proboards.com/