Spring Preview: Quarterback

Seniors bid farewell, new recruits are signed up and ready to enroll, and 5th-year player decisions have been made - all that's left is to play some football! Notre Dame recently announced the spring practice schedule, leading up to the Blue-Gold Spring game on Saturday, April 16th. Therefore, Notre Dame from the Bleachers will run a spring preview at each position and to kick it off, what easily be the most talked about question of the spring - who will be the Irish starting quarterback heading into 2011?

Much has happened at the quarterback position so far this spring. Senior-to-be quarterback Nate Montana transferred again this time going to Montana. Then, redshirt sophomore Luke Massa announced a position switch to wide receiver. So, what started as a log jam of six, has dwindled down to a clear-cut four man rotation:

Dayne Crist - Rs. Sr.
Tommy Rees - So
Andrew Hendrix - Rs. So.
Everett Golson - Fr.

With Golson almost a lock to redshirt, it's a battle between the experience veteran (Crist), the winner (Rees), and the talent (Hendrix). Who will win out? Ultimately, it's Crist or Rees' job to lose. Both have the experience as starter and an understanding of the offensive system. Crist may have the edge on talent, but there is no denying Rees who is undefeated as a starter. However, this may all be determined by the health of Crist.

Regardless, Kelly has shown in the past an ability to win with multiple quarterbacks. One deciding factor could be which quarterback is able to fully embrace the Kelly spread offense. After all, Kelly has his first off season to fully implement his expansive playbook. Specifically, this involves the ability of the quarterback to run the ball. QB Dayne Crist had 4 of the team's 11 rushing touchdowns this past season. It's hard to tell how the added dimension of the quarterback option will enhance Notre Dame's running and passing game, but the quarterback who is most successful at it, will have the best chance to start.

Look for a intense battle at QB that will easily evolve into fall practices and probably not be determined until the home opener on September 3rd against South Florida. This will be the most important off season battle as the team has and will live and die by the success of their quarterback.

NDFB Hoopla

NDFB Hoopla for lovers:

• ESPN announced their Top 25 Recruiters and Notre Dame's Chuck Martin made the list for his recruitment of Stephon Tuitt. No mention to Bob Diaco, who landed Ishaq Williams with the notorious 4:30 AM visit or Tony Alford who in 2010 landed Louis Nix when the Irish didn't even have a head coach.

• Irish junior quarterback Nate Montana announced that he was transferring from Notre Dame...again. Montana will be headed to Montana where he will have the opportunity to start right away since Montana is a DII school. NDFB had harsh words for Montana last time he transferred and this time is no different. Except, with his departure, Notre Dame is now under the allotted 85 scholarships meaning there is no room at the inn for Montana to return.

• Montana's departure also helped solve the quarterback debate. Luke Massa facilitated those efforts as with the recent revelation that Massa will be switching to wide receiver. Massa is a massive target at 6'-4", 215 pounds. After hearing this, the move of Bennett Jackson to DB makes a little more sense.
  

• SI recently posted their Big Board for the 2011 NFL Draft and making the cut at #50 is Irish tight-end Kyle Rudolph.

• SI also reported on the Top 10 coordinators impacting the 2011 football season. That list included Greg Mattison - former ND defensive coordinator under Davie, Kevin Rogers - former offensive coordinator under Davie, and former head coach Charlie Weis. It's amazing to me how all these former assistants under Bob Davie continue to emerge as top coaching prospects, yet Davie was a terrible coach and has not been officially offered a head coaching position since he was fired from Notre Dame. (Heck, even Ty got another coaching gig.) Was Davie really that bad?