Below is a list of my favorite players over the last ~10 years or so (BK & Weis era). I chose this era because its during the time I've followed Notre Dame most closely.
1. Manti Te'o - To this day there hasn't been a prospect i wanted an LOI more from than Manti Te'o. When he announced ND over USC it was pure jubilation in the chaseball house. 4 years and 400+ tackles later he became one of the most decorated defenders in the history of the program.
2. Tyler Eifert - The ultimate american dream/rags to riches story: under recruited 3 star with back issues that nearly cost him his career (he was literally on the verge of calling it quits) ... somehow got healthy and then materialized into the best TE of all time at TE-U, and ultimately a 1st round draft pick. So many drive-saving 3rd down clutch catches back in 2012.
3. Aaron Lynch - big long lanky freak made to play the defensive end position -- loved his intensity and unrelenting pursuit of the quarterback. When is the last time a Fr. on the defensive line had his kind of impact? To ND fans, he's like the girl that got away, the one who always makes you think "what could've been?".
4. Tommy Rees - The best QB in the BK era ... it was like watching Peyton Manning out there with the checks and pre snap reads/audibles. Glad he's coaching quarterbacks at ND.
5. Matthias Farley - A borderline 2 star recruit (rated higher than only bruce heggie & kickers), with limited football experience who is now a starting safety for the Indianapolis colts. Started at safety with a broken hand during NDs 2012 championship run .. lost his starting job somewhere along the line and still developed into a team captain. What really stood out about Farley was the constant clutch play making on defense and special teams.
6. Michael Floyd - the body of a linebacker, the hands of a WR, the speed & agility of a cornerback, and the blocking ability of a TE. Just the complete package who was a lot of fun to watch. He was a shy humble kid off the field who played the game with a ton of swagger.
7. Cierre Wood - was a rivals 5 star/ top 10 overall recruit early in the cycle -- he put up INSANE numbers in HS. Committed early to ND and never wavered. Loved his attitude/ego/swag -- a personality type that is sorely missing at ND. And then there's that 60+ yard TD run up the gut vs OU back in 2012 to consider.
8. Troy Niklas - was like having a 3rd tackle out there. Players called him "Hercules". He would absolutely maul linebackers and defensive backs (the way Quenton Nelson does defensive tackles). He was very underrated and one of the most dominant players on offense his JR year -- and then he abruptly left for the NFL.
9. Bennett Jackson - thought this guys outlook was practice squad filler; he was a low rated WR recruit who committed to a roster full of nationally rated stars at the position. Instead he became a stud gunner on special teams early in his career and then saved Notre Dame at a position they were direly thin at by developing into one of the best defensive backs on the team.
10. Jaylon Smith - he's here for the same reason mike floyd is: had the strength of a defensive tackle, the speed of a cornerback, and the instincts of a Manti Te'o. This guy was stuffing the run one play, covering a slot receiver the next, tackling the running back across the field behind the line of scrimmage, and chasing WRs down to save touchdowns.
1. Manti Te'o - To this day there hasn't been a prospect i wanted an LOI more from than Manti Te'o. When he announced ND over USC it was pure jubilation in the chaseball house. 4 years and 400+ tackles later he became one of the most decorated defenders in the history of the program.
2. Tyler Eifert - The ultimate american dream/rags to riches story: under recruited 3 star with back issues that nearly cost him his career (he was literally on the verge of calling it quits) ... somehow got healthy and then materialized into the best TE of all time at TE-U, and ultimately a 1st round draft pick. So many drive-saving 3rd down clutch catches back in 2012.
3. Aaron Lynch - big long lanky freak made to play the defensive end position -- loved his intensity and unrelenting pursuit of the quarterback. When is the last time a Fr. on the defensive line had his kind of impact? To ND fans, he's like the girl that got away, the one who always makes you think "what could've been?".
4. Tommy Rees - The best QB in the BK era ... it was like watching Peyton Manning out there with the checks and pre snap reads/audibles. Glad he's coaching quarterbacks at ND.
5. Matthias Farley - A borderline 2 star recruit (rated higher than only bruce heggie & kickers), with limited football experience who is now a starting safety for the Indianapolis colts. Started at safety with a broken hand during NDs 2012 championship run .. lost his starting job somewhere along the line and still developed into a team captain. What really stood out about Farley was the constant clutch play making on defense and special teams.
6. Michael Floyd - the body of a linebacker, the hands of a WR, the speed & agility of a cornerback, and the blocking ability of a TE. Just the complete package who was a lot of fun to watch. He was a shy humble kid off the field who played the game with a ton of swagger.
7. Cierre Wood - was a rivals 5 star/ top 10 overall recruit early in the cycle -- he put up INSANE numbers in HS. Committed early to ND and never wavered. Loved his attitude/ego/swag -- a personality type that is sorely missing at ND. And then there's that 60+ yard TD run up the gut vs OU back in 2012 to consider.
8. Troy Niklas - was like having a 3rd tackle out there. Players called him "Hercules". He would absolutely maul linebackers and defensive backs (the way Quenton Nelson does defensive tackles). He was very underrated and one of the most dominant players on offense his JR year -- and then he abruptly left for the NFL.
9. Bennett Jackson - thought this guys outlook was practice squad filler; he was a low rated WR recruit who committed to a roster full of nationally rated stars at the position. Instead he became a stud gunner on special teams early in his career and then saved Notre Dame at a position they were direly thin at by developing into one of the best defensive backs on the team.
10. Jaylon Smith - he's here for the same reason mike floyd is: had the strength of a defensive tackle, the speed of a cornerback, and the instincts of a Manti Te'o. This guy was stuffing the run one play, covering a slot receiver the next, tackling the running back across the field behind the line of scrimmage, and chasing WRs down to save touchdowns.
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