ICBlog: Inside-notre-dames-fighting-irish

Fighting Irish crush Navy in Emerald Isle Classic :- VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 08:01:59 PDT

Stephon Tuitt breaks Navy hearts with 77-yard TD

Every now and then a person experiences a moment......a moment whereby they realize that they had just witnessed the most amazing spectacle ever, when it turned out to be above and beyond what they could had ever imagined.

Be it the birth of your child, your marriage to the love of your life, graduating from college with merit or whatever event that could leave a lasting and impenetrable image that no other living being can erase or even touch.

Events such as these were experienced by this avid Notre Dame fan on Saturday, in Dublin Ireland, under perfect football weather in the Aviva Stadium.

Emerald Isle Classic preview - Notre Dame vs Navy get down to business in Dublin - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:16:54 PDT

The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish get their 125th season under way on Saturday September 1st in Dublin, Ireland. The Irish will be designated, strangely, as the away team to their longest rival, the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy.

Brian Kelly gets his third season under way as the head of Fighting Irish football with a new QB at the helm in Sophomore Everett Golson. Golson beat out Andrew Hendrix in fall camp after last years starter, Tommy Rees, was suspended for the season opener.

The game also marks the debut of Chuck Martin at offensive coordinator. Kelly has handed over the reigns of the offense to Martin, last seasons defensive coordinator, in camp.

Both sides meet last year with the Fighting Irish rumbling to a 56-14 win. Here is a review of that game:

Brian Kelly names his starting Quarterback for season opener (IrishCentral)

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 05:31:44 PDT

Golson named starter vs Navy

Golson leads the way for Irish :- VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 04:31:38 PDT

Golson is clear favorite to start in Dublin

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame conducted its annual media day on Thursday, as the Irish get ready to take on the Naval Academy in Dublin, Ireland, for its season opener.

Head Coach Brian Kelly remained tight-lipped on who he is giving the nod to start at the Quarterback position. While it was largely a two-horse race between Sophomore Everett Golson and Junior Andrew Hendrix, the Notre Dame nation of fans are about 80% leaning toward Golson.

“Yeah, I think we're getting closer to that,” Kelly said. “Certainly as we start to prepare, it's not going to be a 50/50 proposition. We're moving closer towards that as we move into actually working against Navy.

IAFA Press Release Emerald Isle Classic – Legal Situation (IrishCentral)

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:16:29 PDT

Irish American Football Association Press Release – 10th August 2012

Emerald Isle Classic – Legal Situation

Notre Dame vs Navy may be in jeopardy pending possible Irish High Court decision (IrishCentral)

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:16:27 PDT

In an event which is reported to bring $100 million to the local Irish economy, the Emerald Isle Classic American Football game between the University of Notre Dame and the US Naval Academy in Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, may be in jeopardy of proceeding pending a possible decision by the High Court.

Initially reported by Steven O'Rourke in thejournal.ie , the Irish American Football Association (IAFA), regarded as the national governing body of American Football in Ireland, are at loggerheads with officials from the Naval Academy in dispute of legal conditions signed between IAFA and Navy (designated home team) in March of 2011 during the sanctioning of the event.

While the finer details of the dispute are not understood at this time, O'Rourke reports that the agreement was designed to facilitate the grassroots development of American Football in Ireland, the most prominent of which was to be a ‘flag-football’ programme for 1,500 Irish schoolchildren.

Notre Dame open fall camp, announce 19th 2013 verbal commit (IrishCentral)

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 04:46:21 PDT

Golson leads in fall camp

After 32 months at the helm of the university of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, one would imagine that head coach Brian Kelly would have had an established quarterback at the helm of the offense at this stage.

The Irish opened fall camp on Saturday with sophomore quarterback Everett Golson leading the first team in fast tempo drills. Also amongst the first team line up were pre-season All-American TE Tyler Eifert, TJ Jones, Robby Toma and John Goodman at receiver, Theo Riddick at running back, and an offensive line of Christian Lombard, Mike Golic, Jr., Braxston Cave, Chris Watt and Zack Martin.

Both Andrew Hendrix and Gunner Kiel led the second unit which featured freshman sensation Davonte Neal, TE's Alex Welch & Ben Koyack, DaVaris Daniels, Daniel Smith and running back George Atkinson III, and an offensive line of Tate Nichols, Nick Martin, Matt Hegarty, Conor Hanratty and Jordan Prestwood.

Notre Dame fall camp press conference :- VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 03:31:28 PDT

Notre Dame's fall camp got under way yesterday, with head football coach Brian Kelly addressing the media to answer questions on the upcoming Emerald Isle Classic game against Navy, the current status of the quarterback issue and many other issues on Friday.

Notre Dame suspends starting Quarterback for season opener (IrishCentral)

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:01:15 PDT

Kelly sends right kind of message to players with suspension

Less than 24 hours after I posted that we would be no closer this week to finding out who the Notre Dame starting Quarterback would be for a while longer, then Notre Dame Fighting Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly drops a bombshell.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Kelly announced that last year's starting QB, Tommy Rees and second team LB Carlo Calabrese are to be suspended for season opener against Navy in Dublin, Ireland.

The suspension was deemed warranted by the Fighting Irish Head coach as a result of both Rees and Calabrese were arrested, as police broke up an off-campus party in early May.

Fighting Irish fans are none the wiser on QB position battle (IrishCentral)

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:46:13 PDT

Photo / Matt Cashore

George Atkinson III returns a deep Navy kickoff to the Notre Dame 29-yard line. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame get the season under way on a sunny September afternoon in Dublin, Ireland. The question which has baffled Notre Dame fans all off season is about to be answered............

It is by far the most talked about issue this off season, and that in itself is quite an achievement when you consider the soap operaesque events that have taking place on a not so sleepy town of South Bend.

Fighting Irish QB pleads guilty to two misdemeanors (IrishCentral)

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:16:04 PDT

Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees, 20, pleaded guilty Monday to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an arrest at an off-campus party in May.

Rees pleaded guilty to illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and one count of resisting law enforcement. A 2nd count of resisting arrest and one county of battery were dropped.

Court date changed for Fighting Irish quarterback Tommy Rees (IrishCentral)

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:15:54 PDT

Court date changed for ND QB

The court hearing for Notre Dame Junior quarterback, Tommy Rees, will now be held on July 24th instead of this Tuesday after a request from Rees' attorney.

Rees was arrested in early May along with Notre Dame linebacker Carlo Calabrese outside a house party off campus after Rees had attempted to flee the scene.

Rees faces four misdemeanour's including two charges of resisting arrest by a law enforcement officer, one count of battery to a law enforcement officer, and one count under age drinking.

Notre Dame players make annual awards watch lists. (IrishCentral)

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 06:15:58 PDT

All-american LB Manti Te'o

No fewer than six Notre Dame Fighting Irish players have made the annual awards listings for the forthcoming 2012 season.

By far the best chance for any potential winners for Notre Dame and the prestigious awards, are those who were highly considered last season.

For Notre Dame, those individuals are All-American's LB Manti Te'o and TE Tyler Eifert.

Rumours surrounding ACC/Notre Dame affiliation grow legs - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:31:37 PDT

I recently posted how a bowl tie-in with the ACC and Orange bowl would be of huge benefit to Notre Dame.

So it is not surprising then to hear that a group of ACC presidents is meeting today with Notre Dame, a source with inside knowledge close the situation tells Tigerillustrated.com.

IrishIllustrated.com have posted on their website; At this point we have not been able to confirm specifics as to the purpose of the meeting. But it is known that the ACC has been courting Notre Dame to join the conference.

Possible Orange Bowl-Notre Dame tie in ? (IrishCentral)

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 04:30:48 PDT

Photo USA Today

The ACC and the Orange Bowl Committee have reached a 12-year agreement that will annually feature the ACC Champion in the Discover Orange Bowl.

The game will be moved from its night time slot to be played on New Year’s Day at 1:00 pm beginning after the 2014 season, with the official opponent tie-in still to be determined.

It is widely rumored that a special deal may be made to Notre Dame in a bid to provide the Fighting Irish with a more stable bowl game "home", if the Irish meet certain W/L criteria.

Odds stacked against Notre Dame to reach BCS in 2012 (IrishCentral)

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:00:40 PDT

2012: A season full of uncertainty

Once the 2012 Notre Dame football season wraps up in Southern California in late November, it is conceivable that the Fighting Irish will have faced the Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Barkley or Landry Jones or Denard Robinson, AND the two teams contesting the BCS championship, Oklahoma and USC!

Such is the daunting task ahead of Notre Dame this season, with yet another ultra tough schedule, it is fair to say that Las Vegas are more than generous with their 50/1 price on Brian Kelly lifting the coaches trophy in Miami in January 2013.

Without doing any research while typing this piece, I'd hazard a guess that only two of the 2012 opponents that the Irish will face never made it to a Bowl game in 2011......Navy & Wake Forest.

Fighting Irish & Michigan to take a break (IrishCentral)

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 02:15:35 PDT

Images / Google

One of the greatest and storied rivaleries is no more…..well for two seasons at least!

The University of Michigan Wolverines and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have been involved in some of the closest and entertaining games to grace the turf of any field on any giving Saturday in the US.

Both universities have agreed to that a break from the storied rivalry contest in seasons 2018 & 2019.

Brian Kelly clears Tommy Rees for football workouts (IrishCentral)

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 03:31:34 PDT

Rees cleared for workouts

According to Eric Hanson of the South Bend Tribune, Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly is allowing 2011 starting Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees to participate in summer workouts with the football team.

Rees and fellow team mate Carlo Calabrese were arrested on May 3rd after an off campus party got out of hand which resulted the arrest of the Fighting Irish players.

Many Fighting Irish fans feel that as a result of the arrest, Rees, should be discharged from his starting role as QB.

Notre Dame's Jack Swarbrick announces new BCS playoff format (IrishCentral)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:45:24 PDT

BiG 12 looking like a nice fit for Irish (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 07:00:21 PDT

The days of an Independent college football powerhouse are numbered!

The BCS lords will meet this week to decide the future of a possible BCS play-off or plus-one game.

Fighting Irish off-season woes keep coming (IrishCentral)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 05:00:08 PDT

Collingsworth will miss 2012 season

And the hits keep coming people!

The University of Notre Dame announced Wednesday that specials teams standout and defensive back Austin Collingsworth will miss between 4 to 6 months due after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Collingsworth, son of former Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver and current NBC play by play analyst Chris Collingsworth, sustained the injury at the annual Blue and Gold game last month and is expected to miss the 2012 season.

Notre Dame Quarterback Tommy Rees pleads not guilty to fellony charges (IrishCentral)

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:15:09 PDT

Notre Dame's starting QB arrested for battery (IrishCentral)

Thu, 03 May 2012 04:00:14 PDT

Four Notre Dame players taken in NFL draft. (IrishCentral)

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:00:16 PDT

Michael Floyd

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish added more talent to the NFL professional ranks over the weekend, as four players were selected by teams in the NFL's annual draft.

Wide receiver Michael Floyd was selected in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals with the 13th overall pick.

Safety Harrison Smith, who also went in the first round, was picked 29th overall by the Minnesota Vikings.

Golson shines in Notre Dame's annual spring game - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:45:23 PDT

Redshirt Freshman Everett Golson

The question on the lips of every Notre Dame fan across the length and breath of the United States this season is "Who will be our starting QB?".

Well if the performance of the QB's at Notre Dames 83rd annual spring game was to be used as a yardstick....pack it up and hand it to Everett Golson.

The redshirt freshman out of Mertyle Beach SC, led a very impressive campaign which saw Gold triumph over Blue 42-31 in a fine fresh day in South Bend, Indiana.

Notre Dame's Blue & Gold Special (IrishCentral)

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:00:08 PDT

2011 Blue & Gold Game

Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.
When: Saturday, April 21, 1:30 p.m. ET
Watch: NBC Sports Network
Live Stream: UND.com

Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take to the field on Saturday 21st April to contest in the annual spring ball contest, more commonly know to the Irish faithful as the annual Blue & Gold game.

This will be the very first action that most Notre Dame fans would have witnessed the team in action since the heart breaking loss in the Champs Sports Bowl in early January. In that game the Florida State Seminoles rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Fighting Irish 18-14.

NFL team eyeball Notre Dame assistant coach. Kelly announces changes to coaching staff for 2012. (IrishCentral)

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:45:17 PST

It was an eventful Friday at Notre Dames press conference. Head coach Brian Kelly announced his coaching changes to the media, but it was the news that had been swirling around South Bend all week about the NFL's Green Bay Packers approach Kelly and Notre Dame about the availability of assistant coach Tony Alford, that grabbed most of the attention. The Packers have recently hired Tom Clements as their offensive co-ordinator.

Clements played for the Irish where he was the starting quarterback for the Notre Dame football team from 1972 to 1974 and led the team to a national championship in 1973. He also served on the Notre Dame coaching staff as quarterbacks coach under head coach Lou Holtz from 1992-1995.

In the press conference on Friday at the Gug, Alford had the following to say about the interest shown by the 2011 World Champions:

Fighting Irish New Additions 2012: Sheldon Day - VIDEO - (IrishCentral)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:15:18 PST

Sheldon Day

This is the second of a 17 part series on the 2012 recruit class, the second under head coach Brian Kelly. We will look at each recruit, their strengths, weaknesses, and how soon we should see an impact on the field.

This week we will focus on DL Sheldon Day

Fighting Irish running back Jonas Gray invited to NFL Combine (IrishCentral)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:15:16 PST

Jonas Gray's 79yd TD vs Pitt

Fighting Irish running back, Jonas Gray, has been invited to the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. Gray will join fellow Fighting Irish players DB Robert Blanton, OL Taylor Dever, LB Darius Fleming, WR Michael Floyd and DB Harrison Smith, to showcase their talents to the NFL experts.

But it is Gray's invitation alone that has so many Notre Dame fans relieved. Last season Jonas Gray had a breakthrough year in the Irish backfield along with fellow senior to be running back Cierre Wood. Both players combined for almost 1,900 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns between them.

Fighting Irish New Additions 2012: KeiVarae Russell :- VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:45:17 PST

KeiVarae Russell

This is the first of a 17 part series on the 2012 recruit class, the second under head coach Brian Kelly. We will look at each recruit, their strengths, weaknesses, and how soon we should see an impact on the field.

This week we will focus on RB/DB KeiVarae Russell.

Running Back
Height: 6-foot.
Weight: 170 pounds.
High School: Mariner, Everett, Wash.
40-Yard Dash: 4.45 seconds
Bench Press (Max): 265 pounds.
Senior Stats: 1,293 yards rushing and 15 TDs. (Missed three games.)
Other Finalists: Cal, USC and Washington.
One Word To Describe Coach Kelly: Realist.
The Moment I Knew I Wanted To Be Irish: Probably a month before I committed, once I found out they had the 98 percent graduation rate and all the opportunities and benefits from graduating from Notre Dame.
The Lasting Impression Notre Dame's 2011 Season Had On Me: It showed me that we had a lot of improvement and it showed that I could fit into the offense.

Bio
Listed 122nd player nationally on 247Sports chart of top prospects . . . ranked the fifth-best all-purpose back in the nation and third-best player from Washington by 247Sports . . . rated 124th on Rivals.com Rivals250 list . . . listed as ninth-best athlete in the nation and third-best player in Washington by Rivals.com . . . rated number-138 player nationally and 12th-best tailback in his class by MaxPreps and Tom Lemming . . . rated 12th nationally among running backs and fourth-best player in Washington by SuperPrep . . . listed 207th nationally on Scout.com Scout 300 rankings . . . named to Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 list as one of the 100 best players in 13 western U.S. states . . . first-team 2011 Washington Class 4A all-state running back by Associated Press . . . gained 1,293 rushing yards on 177 attempts with 14 touchdowns as senior in 2011 despite missing three games due to injury . . . also caught five passes n 2011 for 69 yards and one TD and completed all three of his passes for 58 yards and another TD . . . first-team all- area running back by Everett Herald - and finished second in voting for all-area offensive player of the year . . . standout running back at Mariner High School in Everett, Wash. . . . rushed 30 times for 284 yards and four TDs in 28-24 win over Mount Vernon in second game of 2011 season . . . accounted for 1,850 rushing yards on 288 carries with 20 TDs as junior in 2010 . . . rushed 159 times for 1,232 yards and 14 TDs as sophomore in 2009, to go with five catches for 120 yards and two TDs . . . also played defensive back as a sophomore, making 25 tackles and three interceptions . . . carried 36 times as freshman for 182 yards and two TDs in 2008 . . . selected for U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio . . . coached by John Ondriezek at Mariner High School . . . born Oct. 19, 1993.
__________________
Read More:
Notre Dames Justin Tuck lights up NFL playboy Tom Brady and New England to win his second Super Bowl ring

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Specialists (IrishCentral)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:45:22 PST

Senior kicker Nick Tausch

In the 13th of a 13-part series.Here is a quick rundown of the punters, kickers and long-snappers: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

On the roster
Specialists departed: K-David Ruffer, H-Ryan Kavanagh
Specialists returning: Sr.-Ben Turk (P, 1), Sr.-Jordan Cowart (LS, 1), 5th-Braxston Cave (SS, 1), Sr.-Nick Tausch (K, 2), Soph.-Kyle Brindza (K/P, 3), Fr.-Scott Daly (LS, 4)
Possible position switch: None

Notre Dame's Justin Tuck lights up NFL playboy Tom Brady and New England to win his second Super Bowl ring (IrishCentral)

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:17 PST

One of two sacks by Irish legend Tuck.

Eli Manning walked to the podium on Sunday night safe in the mind that his accomplishment had solidified his standing as an ELITE Quarterback in the National Football League. What seemed to have gotten lost in the mayhem of the final aftermath was that former Notre Dame player Justin Tuck played as important a role (worthy of MVP recognition) in Eli's and the New York Giants 21-17 upset of the New England Patriots.

Born 29th March 1983, Justin Tuck played high school football in Alabama at Central Coosa County. He played Defensive End and Tight End in high school and recorded 492 tackles with 37 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and 17 fumble recoveries.

Tuck signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Notre Dame in 2001 and redshirted his freshman season with the Fighting Irish. His first sack came in his Sophomore season against Michigan State.

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Safties (IrishCentral)

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:15:19 PST

Jamoris Slaughter

In the 12th of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the safety prospects: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

On the roster
Safeties departed: Harrison Smith, Dan McCarthy (could be granted a fifth year)
Safeties returning: 5th-Jamoris Slaughter (1), Sr.-Zeke Motta (1), Jr.-Austin Collinsworth (2), Soph.-Eilar Hardy (4), Fr.-Chris Badger (4), Fr.-Elijah Shumate (4), Fr.-Nicky Baratti (4), Fr.-C.J. Prosise (4), Fr.-John Turner (4)
Possible position switch: Jamoris Slaughter and Eilar Hardy have some cornerback play in their backgrounds, as does incoming freshman John Turner. Slaughter also has a successful track record as a Dog (outside) linebacker.

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Cornerbacks (IrishCentral)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:00:16 PST

Lo Wood

In the 11th of a 13-part series, looking at each position, here is a quick rundown of the cornerback prospects: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

On the roster
Cornerbacks departed: Robert Blanton, Gary Gray
Cornerbacks returning: Jr.-Lo Wood (2), Jr.-Bennett Jackson (2), Soph.-Josh Atkinson (3), Soph.-Jalen Brown (4), Fr.-Tee Shepard (4)
Possible position switch: Two players listed among the safeties have cornerback experience - fifth-year senior-to-be Jamoris Slaughter and sophomore-to-be Eilar Hardy. Slaughter would figure to be more of a candidate for the Dog linebacker position than a cornerback prospect. He likely is considered too valuable of a strong safety/drop linebacker to isolate at a cornerback position. Hardy missed the 2011 season with a knee injury. Safety probably is his best position, but he arrived at Notre Dame with some cornerback skills. Verbal commitment John Turner, who won't arrive until this summer, is listed as a safety but has a background at cornerback.

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Middle LB (IrishCentral)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:15:15 PST

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Outside Linebacker (IrishCentral)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:00:17 PST

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Defensive End (IrishCentral)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:30:20 PST

All-American Freshman Aaron Lynch

In the eighth of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the defensive ends: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

ON THE ROSTER
DEFENSIVE ENDS DEPARTED: Ethan Johnson

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Nose guards (IrishCentral)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:00:18 PST

Louis "Irish Chocolate" Nix III

In the seventh of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the nose guards: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Interior O-line (IrishCentral)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:17 PST

Mike Golic Jr. returns for 5th year

In the sixth of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the interior offensive linemen - the guards and centers: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

ON THE ROSTER
OFFENSIVE GUARDS/CENTERS DEPARTED: Trevor Robinson (OG), Andrew Nuss (OG)
OFFENSIVE GUARDS/CENTERS RETURNING: 5th-Braxston Cave (C, 1), 5th-Mike Golic, Jr. (C-OG, 1), Sr.-Chris Watt (OG, 2), Jr.-Bruce Heggie (OG, 3), Soph.-Nick Martin (OG, 4), Soph.-Matt Hegarty (C, 4), Soph.-Conor Hanratty (OG, 4), Soph.-Brad Carrico (OG, 4), Fr.-Mark Harrell (C, 4)

Fighting Irish Position Analysis: Offensive Tackles (IrishCentral)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:16 PST

Sophomore OT Zack Martin

In the fifth of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the offensive tackles: those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

ON THE ROSTER:

OFFENSIVE TACKLES DEPARTED: Taylor Dever, Lane Clelland

Fighting Irish positional analysis - tight ends (IrishCentral)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:15:20 PST

Returning TE Tyler Eifert

In the fourth of a 13-part series, looking at each position prior to signing day on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the tight ends those departed, those still on hand, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

ON THE ROSTER

Is Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly the new Lou Holtz? (IrishCentral)

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:45:16 PST

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Wide Receivers (IrishCentral)

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:15:17 PST

How does ND replace Floyd ?

In the third of a 10-part series, looking at each position prior to the signing date on Feb. 1, here is a quick rundown of the quarterbacks: those still on hand, those departed, those recruited, what the future holds among current junior recruits, and what the future holds at the position.

(Note: The number listed in parenthesis is the years of eligibility remaining and the listing of a player's class is based upon the upcoming 2012 season.)

ON THE ROSTER

WIDE RECEIVERS DEPARTED: Michael Floyd, Deion Walker
WIDE RECEIVERS RETURNING: 5th-John Goodman (1), Sr.-Theo Riddick (1), Sr.-Robby Toma (1), Jr.-TJ Jones (2), Jr.-Daniel Smith (2), Jr.-Luke Massa (3), Soph.-DaVaris Daniels (4), Soph.-Matthias Farley (4)
POSSIBLE POSITION SWITCH: Riddick arrived at Notre Dame as a running back, and returned to the offensive backfield for the Stanford and Florida State games at the end of the 2011 season. Massa, who came to Notre Dame as a quarterback, could return to that position for depth chart purposes now that Dayne Crist has bypassed his fifth year of eligibility at Notre Dame. George Atkinson III, who was recruited as a wideout, played running back in 2011, but is a candidate to return to receiver. Some think classmate Cam McDaniel, a running back, might be a slot receiver candidate as well. Incoming freshman KeiVarae Russell will arrive at Notre Dame as an athlete with a first shot at running back, although he could slide over to the Z position.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish positional analysis - running backs (IrishCentral)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:30:16 PST

Gunner Kiel commits to Notre Dame. (IrishCentral)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:00:18 PST

Five Star QB Gunner Kiel

It's official. Gunner Kiel will play at the University of Notre Dame.

The nation's top-rated quarterback out of high school, who verbally committed to Indiana last summer and three weeks ago said he would play at LSU, is enrolled at ND.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Kiel, who graduated last month from Columbus (Ind.) East High, committed to Indiana last summer before backing out of that pledge in October. Kiel in late December said he would attend LSU and enroll at the school for the spring semester.

Fighting Irish could recruit top high school QB Gunner Kiel from under the nose of LSU - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:15:21 PST

Fighting Irish Juniors snub NFL in favor of Senior year (IrishCentral)

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:30:19 PST

Fighting Irish Positional Analysis: Quarterback (IrishCentral)

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:30:18 PST

USC Freshman Amir Carlisle transfers to Notre Dame (IrishCentral)

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:30:19 PST

Amir Carlisle

Notre Dame was looking to sign at least two running backs in its 2012 recruiting class, but now it appears it will get three. According to a South Bend Tribune report, USC freshman running back Amir Carlisle will transfer to Notre Dame for the 2012 spring semester that begins Jan. 17. He will have to sit out the 2012 season, per NCAA rules, but he will have three years of eligibility remaining from 2013-15.

BlueandGold.com’s Jason Sapp reported on Friday that Carlisle was visiting the Notre Dame campus this week. The name couldn't be revealed at the time of the initial report because it was still in the earlier phases of transfer process.

FightOn247 reporter Scott Schrader, which is USC's site on the 247Sports national network, has also confirmed Carlisle's transfer via multiple sources.

Brian Kelly on verge of signing ex-NFL line coach and sought after recruiter (IrishCentral)

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:30:18 PST

Hiestand served on the Chicago Bears 2006 Super Bowl staff

Rumors out of Knoxville that Brian Kelly is close to hiring Tennessee offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. (In fact, here’s a report that says it’s a done deal.) If the reports are true, Hiestand will almost immediately hit the recruiting trail, with his first order of business being committed recruits Taylor Decker, Mark Harrell and Ronnie Stanley.