Get caught up on the rankings and read the lists for 25-21, 20-16, and 15-11.
As the list gets closer to the top, the usual suspects seem to pop up. I’ll leave the analysis for Monday when we unveil the top-five, but here are the rankings for 10-6 on the Irish roster.
Gotta hand it to Pat for his ranking of Ben Turk. That’s an absolutely bold pick, and I’d tend to give him the Billy Madison treatment, but I appreciate him throwing it out there, and I don’t want Turk to beat me up for trashing his ranking.
On to the rankings...
Frank of UHND;
10. Ian Williams, NT: Williams looked his best as a frosh in a 3-4 defense, but wasn’t as effective the past two seasons.
9. Dayne Crist, QB: If Crist ends the season higher up on this list, Notre Dame fans will be very, very happy with year one of Brian Kelly.
8. Armando Allen, RB: He might not have developed into the home run threat we all thought he would be, but he’s become a very good all-around back.
7. Darius Fleming, OLB: Fleming has the potential to be a lot higher on this list and should put up impressive sack and tackle for loss totals this year.
6. Chris Stewart, LG: Stewart is going to be one of the leaders of the team this season and has come a long way during his career.
Anthony of Clashmore Mike:
10. Trevor Robinson, OL: Great agility and mean streak are a strong combination.
9. Steve Filer, OLB: May be the best athlete among the outside linebackers.
8. Ethan Johnson, DE: Moving back to his more natural position should pay dividends.
7. Chris Stewart, LG: Road grading lineman has great agility and is the leader of the front five.
6. Gary Gray, CB: Possibly the best all-around member of the secondary.
Matt of Her Loyal Sons:
10. Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE: The highest solo tackle count among defensive linemen in 2009.
9. Steve Filer, OLB: Our stats show that if he’s on the field, he’s actually busy making tackles.
8. Armando Allen, RB: Career rushing yards per carry of 4.5. Just a shoestring away from breaking out big one of these days.
7. Manti Te’o: Instincts and speed for catching his prey not seen since Jurassic Park.
6. Brian Smith, OLB: Still the leader of the linebacker pack, even in terms of tackles.
Chris and Matt of Rakes of Mallow:
10. Darius Fleming, OLB: Fleming is a hair less athletic than his fellow Chicagoan Filer, but he’s got football smarts to really make an impact in Diaco’s “No-Crease” 3-4 defense.
9. Chris Stewart, LG: Can we please nickname this fifth-year 1L “The Professor” or “The Judge?”
8. Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE: The big man from Texas showed flashes last year after spending his redshirt bulking up. A true 3-4 DE, this could be a big year for the man they call KLM.
7. Ethan Johnson, DE: The big muchacho is finally back where he belongs as a 3-4 DE. Let your talents show, sir.
6. Ian Williams, NT: My little brother tells me that Ian Williams is a blast to hang out with. Also, he’s big and awesome.
Pat, man of the people:
10. Ben Turk, P: Hear me out. Turk’s 38-yard average may look poor but that is a misleading stat. After a poor start and absolutely atrocious performance against Pitt, Turk averaged 45.5 yards per punt on his next 8 kicks. For a frame of reference, the 2008 Ray Guy Winner Matt Fodge averaged 42.9 yards per boot.
9. Chris Stewart, LG: Provides experience and size on the line that seemed to struggle during Weis’ tenure.
8. Armando Allen, RB: Second in total offense last year, has the ability to be a true dual-threat RB in Kelly’s spread offense.
7. Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE: After a decent year last season, he has the ability to really shine in Kelly’s defensive system.
6. Ethan Johnson, DE: Arguably the best player on ND’s D-line, Johnson racked up only 32 tackles last season but he did lead the team in sacks.
Keith:
10. Ian Williams, NT: I think the senior plugger will put together a nice final season in the middle of a 3-4 front.
9. Darius Fleming, OLB: Fleming’s been the only guy who seemed to make plays behind the line of scrimmage under the previous regime. Put him in a defensive system that thrives making plays behind the line, and I expect big things out of him.
8. Dayne Crist, QB: This could be too high or too low, but Kelly’s exploits with quarterbacks in his system give every reason to think Crist, a highly-touted prospect, will thrive.
7. Armando Allen, RB: I’ve got a hunch that the knock against Allen -- who for some reason can’t break a long run -- will be non-existent after running behind Ed Warinner’s offensive line.
6. Brian Smith, OLB: I’m obviously higher on Smith than most, but he’s got everything needed to be a very good drop linebacker in this system. He may have lost some fan’s confidence, but he’s got the coaching staff’s.