I saw over the weekend, that of the 44 players in Notre Dame's two deep, only 5 will be out of eligibility after this year, making them the youngest team in the nation, tied with Temple.

 

While this is a good thing moving forward, it makes you wonder what happened to the senior class. Let's look:

 

2011 ND class:

 

Aaron Lynch - Transfered, now on the 49ers.

Ishaq Williams - Projected starter, academic suspension.

Everett Golson - Current Starter

Brad Carrico - Medical Scholarship

Kyle Brindza - Current Starter

Stephon Tuitt - Left early, currently on Steelers.

Ben Koyack - Current Starter

Matt Hegarty - Current Starter

Davaris Daniels - Projected Starter, academic suspension.

Eilar Hardy - backup

Ben Councell - backup, very little contribution

GAIII - Left early

Troy Nicklas - Left Early

Anthony Rabasa - Backup, very little contribution

Jarrett Grace - Medical Issues

Tony Springman - Medical Issues

Chase Hounshell - Medical Issues

Nick Martin - Current Starter

Cam McDaniel - Backup, solid contributer

Jalen Brown - No contribution

Josh Atkinson - No contribution

Conor Hanratty - Backup, little contribution

Mathias Farley - Solid contributer

 

So of the senior class, 15 are either no longer on the team or are making no contribution. That is almost 2/3rds of the class and a huge gap in development of what should be the strongest players, especially in the trenches on the team.

 

The 2012 class has had its share of transfers as well, though not as many lineman lost, so hopefully they will start to pick up the slack.

 

I think a truly elite team needs developed men along the lines, with younger players filling in the gaps as needed because they are better players, not because they are the only option.

 

This team is lacking that. Just imagine having Nicklas, Tuitt, Springmann, Hounshell and Lynch added to the current O and D Lines. What a massive difference that would make.

 

Now, some of this is likely just bad luck between injuries and having guys leave early. However, we also have to remember that Kelly had never had a full senior class graduate fully under his watch, prior to ND. The 2010 class faced many of the same issues and had very few contributing lineman by the end.

 

Let's hope this trend ends this year.

I saw over the weekend, that of the 44 players in Notre Dame's two deep, only 5 will be out of eligibility after this year, making them the youngest team in the nation, tied with Temple.

 

While this is a good thing moving forward, it makes you wonder what happened to the senior class. Let's look:

 

2011 ND class:

 

Aaron Lynch - Transfered, now on the 49ers.

Ishaq Williams - Projected starter, academic suspension.

Everett Golson - Current Starter

Brad Carrico - Medical Scholarship

Kyle Brindza - Current Starter

Stephon Tuitt - Left early, currently on Steelers.

Ben Koyack - Current Starter

Matt Hegarty - Current Starter

Davaris Daniels - Projected Starter, academic suspension.

Eilar Hardy - backup

Ben Councell - backup, very little contribution

GAIII - Left early

Troy Nicklas - Left Early

Anthony Rabasa - Backup, very little contribution

Jarrett Grace - Medical Issues

Tony Springman - Medical Issues

Chase Hounshell - Medical Issues

Nick Martin - Current Starter

Cam McDaniel - Backup, solid contributer

Jalen Brown - No contribution

Josh Atkinson - No contribution

Conor Hanratty - Backup, little contribution

Mathias Farley - Solid contributer

 

So of the senior class, 15 are either no longer on the team or are making no contribution. That is almost 2/3rds of the class and a huge gap in development of what should be the strongest players, especially in the trenches on the team.

 

The 2012 class has had its share of transfers as well, though not as many lineman lost, so hopefully they will start to pick up the slack.

 

I think a truly elite team needs developed men along the lines, with younger players filling in the gaps as needed because they are better players, not because they are the only option.

 

This team is lacking that. Just imagine having Nicklas, Tuitt, Springmann, Hounshell and Lynch added to the current O and D Lines. What a massive difference that would make.

Now, some of this is likely just bad luck between injuries and having guys leave early. However, we also have to remember that Kelly had never had a full senior class graduate fully under his watch, prior to ND. The 2010 class faced many of the same issues and had very few contributing lineman by the end.

 

Let's hope this trend ends this year.

 

Not to mention that Louis Nix III had 1 more year of eligibility so he could have been on your list also!

I looked at this a cpl of days ago... I like to look through our recruiting classes and remember players that had so much hype, but got buried on the depth chart... And guys that were 3 stars that made a name for themselves... This class really stood out.. It's too bad, even if we had a few of those players that had medical issues, this team would look a lot different and stronger in the front 7.. Players are going to leave early, but if we had springman and a few other players our depth would be so much better.. And we would be stronger physically. This will help our young players develop faster... But hurts right now.. Good post

One word. Wow.

With all the attrition, I would argue that the single biggest loss was Williams. Arizona State saw film of earlier games of Trumbetti's inability to hold the edge as a defensive end. So, the ran power right at him, pushed him inside and down the field and had huge holes for their back to maneuver. Sometimes they would combine block him with a tight end and then a back. Sometimes they would put a couple of linemen and run over him. I don't blame Trumbetti, who as a true freshman is not developed enough to hold the edge against more powerful teams. Williams, would have helped us immensely, but ND is uncompromising with academics and Williams made a mistake.

I think the future is bright with being that young and playing in and winning games in tough environments

The future is definitely bright... I love how this young team has fought... It's just what might have been had some of those players still been here.. Let's hope we don't get any more career ending injuries..

Thanks for this.

 

When it was pointed out that 7 of the 11 defenders on the field at the end of Navy were Freshman or sophomores, it got me thinking about this but I wasn't going to take the time to do the research on all the defections, transfers, suspensions, medical hardships and players leaving early.

 

I knew the number would be big but that's crazy for one class.

 

I know this happens every where but it seems we have more than our fair share.

And to think that we would've not had anyone to replace these guys prior to Kelly taking over. They would've all still been eating scholarships and we would've been short staffed and ranked 129th! In BTK we trust!

Are we the youngest?

And to think that we would've not had anyone to replace these guys prior to Kelly taking over. They would've all still been eating scholarships and we would've been short staffed and ranked 129th! In BTK we trust!

 

 

I'm with you, chiro

Are we the youngest?

 

Based on the metric of players in two deep who will have no eligibility next season, yes, with only 5 of 44 fitting into that.

I know it wouldn't happen, but just imagine this team with:

 

Lynch at DE.

Ishaq at DE.

Tuitt at DT.

Day at DT.

 

Niklas as TE.

Daniels at WR.

 

So basically the entire starting DL save Day becomes your second unit.

is there a link to this youngest team in the country talk?

is there a link to this youngest team in the country talk?

 

Why yes, there is,,,, http://www.domerdomain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48160

Yikes it really shows how much this team has achieved both players and coaches. If they can somehow get to 10-2 with this young of a team just imagine what the next few years could potentially bring. We are going to be contenders for a very long time. For all the complaining and crying over the weekend this program is in great shape.