EARLY BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED THANKSGIVING 2005
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Rashon Powers-Neal-FB, Maurice Stovall-WR, Matt Shelton-WR, Dan Stevenson-OG, Mark LeVoir-OT, D.J. Fitzpatrick-K/P, Anthony Fasano-TE (NFL)
DEFENSE: Corey Mays-MLB, Brandon Hoyte-OLB
Quarterback/Receiver

The Quinn-to-Samardzija combination may be the best nationwide. Don't count out other targets Anthony Fasano and Rhema McKnight (returns from season-ending injury?)

Linebacker

Two of the top tacklers depart in LBs Mays and Hoyte. The positions are wide open in the spring.

QB Brady Quinn
 
SS Tom Zbikowski
 

* 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 2006 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
NOTRE DAME 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Brady Quinn-Sr David Wolke-So
FB Asaph Schwapp-So ..
HB Darius Walker-Jr Travis Thomas-Jr
WR David Grimes-So Rhema McKnight-Sr (inj.)
WR Jeff Samardzija-Sr ..
TE John Carlson-Jr ..
OT Ryan Harris-Sr ..
OG Dan Santucci-Sr ..
C John Sullivan-Jr Bob Morton-Sr
OG .. ..
OT .. ..
K .. ..
DEFENSE
DE Chris Frome-Sr Ronald Talley-So
DT Trevor Laws-Jr Brian Beidatsch-Sr
NG Derek Landri-Sr ..
DE Victor Abiamiri-Sr ..
ALB Maurice Crum-So ..
MLB .. ..
OLB .. ..
CB Mike Richardson-Sr ..
CB Ambrose Wooden-Jr Leo Ferrine-So
SS Tom Zbikowski-Jr ..
FS Chinedum Ndukwe-Sr ..
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

Coach Charlie Weis took over a program sitting nowhere near Top 25 preseason consideration. In his second year, he now gets the pressure every Notre Dame coach eventually gets - a preseason top five spot given the array of talent coming back to South Bend. QB Brady Quinn is sure to be a leading Heisman contender. His main target will be the uprising playmaker Jeff Samardzija. But don't count out Rhema McKnight, the Irish top receiver for two straight years before an injury sidelined him for '05. If he can return for another season, the loss of Maurice Stovall will be felt less. TE Anthony Fasano is a top candidate for the John Mackey Award (nation's top TE) and the offensive line is boosted as well with the return of four quality starters. Although none have appeared even on the long list of all-Americans, they have proved to be more than capable. The big question this time around won't be on defense. Only two main players are leaving from a defense that surprised many people with solid play. Watch out for DE Abiamiri putting pressure on QBs while cover men such as Zbikowski and Wooden secure the secondary. Opponents will be hard pushed to keep up with the scoring barrage the Irish are ready to dish out, especially given their experience in the defensive backfield – this Irish squad will keep the play in front of them to squelch points. Coach Weis has proven already that he can coach at the college level. Given his wide-open offense style, the Irish are blessed to have a plethora of playmakers, from QB to RB to pass catchers. The schedule will be as difficult as any season (Georgia Tech, UCLA and Penn State bump in), but there is no question this team is stacked athletically and mentally to better handle that daunting challenge within which so many past coaches have failed to deliver. The only thing that can kill Notre Dame (as usual) are how expectations play out versus another rough schedule. Being an unaffiliated independent, nothing else will do but a national championship appearance, and that is still a tall order.

 

2006 SCHEDULE

9-2 @ Georgia Tech
9-9 Penn State
9-16 Michigan
9-23 @ Michigan State
9-30 Purdue
10-7 Stanford
10-21 UCLA
10-28 Navy @Baltimore, MD
11-4 North Carolina
11-11 @ Air Force
11-18 Army
11-25 @ Southern California