Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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national title down the road. Alabama did its part during the four-year period from 2008-11, recording a 48-6 (.889 winning percentage) ledger with national titles in 2009 and 2011. Meanwhile, Notre Dame with its No. 2 class was a pedestrian 29-22 (.569), losing a minimum of five games each season over that same period. In 2012, the Fighting Irish did finish the regular season No. 1 with a 12-0 record to advance to the BCS National Championship Game against the Crimson Tide. However, only six members of that Notre Dame recruiting class in 2008 were still part of the program as fifth-year seniors. Ensuing recruiting hauls that weren't ranked as high carried most of Notre Dame's 2012 football freight. Alabama, on the other hand, continued to build its dynasty with more top-ranked classes, a situation that was manifested in its 42-14 trouncing of the Irish. Now that the highly heralded Notre Dame recruiting class from 2008 has exhausted all its eligibility, here's our final review of its production. Robert Blanton • CB Matthews, N.C. (Butler) Prep Ranking: Evaluated as a four-star player, the No. 22 cornerback nationally and the seventh-best player in his state by Rivals.com … Ranked as a four-star recruit and the nation's No. 15 corner by Scout.com … Played in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Career Summary: In his fourth college game, he intercepted a pass by Purdue's Curtis Painter and zigzagged to a 47-yard touchdown for the game's first score in the 35-21 Irish victory … Started the final four games as a true freshman in 2008, and finished with 33 tackles, three passes broken up and two interceptions … Started eight games as a sophomore, and posted 38 tackles, two passes broken up and two interceptions … As a junior, rotated with Darrin Walls and Gary Gray while taking 483 snaps … Ignited the 4-0 finish with a blocked punt against Utah that he scooped up for a TD … The next week, he lined up at outside linebacker against Army's triple-option … Finished the year with 52 tackles (seven for loss), broke up five passes and intercepted two … Started all 13 games at corner in 2011, and finished third in tackles (70), second in tackles for loss (eight), second in passes broken up (six) and tied for first in interceptions (two). Final Analysis: Since the graduation of All-American Shane Walton after the 2002 season, he was Notre Dame's best all-around corner in both coverage (eight interceptions and 16 passes broken up) and tackling (193, 19 for loss) … The fifth-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings made 13 tackles as a rookie in 2012. Career Summary: Played as the short snapper in the opener (San Diego State) of his freshman season prior to a year-ending injury … Was the snapper on field goals and extra points as a sophomore … Seized the starting center role as a junior, starting all 13 games, and his 836 snaps were the most among Irish offensive linemen … Started the first nine games at center as a senior before foot injury required surgery and sidelined him in final four contests … Started all 13 games as fifth-year senior for 12-1 team. Final Analysis: The local product lived the dream as three-year starter for the Fighting Irish and was a valued leader on a team that played for the national title … The powerhouse player did not get drafted, but will try to earn a roster spot with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. Lane Clelland • OT Owings Mills, Md. (McDonogh) Prep Ranking: Classified as a four-star prospect, his state's No. 5 prospect and the country's No. 18 offensive guard by Rivals.com … Deemed a three-star player and the nation's No. 19 offensive tackle by Scout.com … Played in U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Career Summary: Did not play as a freshman and saw limited action as a sophomore prior to earning a monogram in 2010 with 85 special teams appearances in nine games … Received a brief look on defense in 2010 before returning to offensive tackle … Sidelined in 2011 with a knee injury and did not return for a fifth season. Final Analysis: The knee injury truncated his football career, but he was able to move forward after receiving his degree in English and computer applications. Sean Cwynar • DL Dayne Crist • QB Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Notre Dame) Prep Ranking: Tabbed by Rivals.com as a five-star player, the nation's No. 2 pro-style quarterback and the No. 25 overall prospect in the country … Scout.com listed him as a McHenry, Ill. (Marian Central Catholic) Prep Ranking: Ranked by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect and the nation's 12th-best defensive tackle … Chosen by Scout.com as a four-star player and the No. 14 defensive tackle in the land … Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and edged out linebacker Steve Filer, also a Notre Dame recruit, as the winner of Illinois' inaugural Mr. Football award. Career Summary: Did not play as a freshman … Saw action in 11 games during his sophomore year, starting the home finale against Connecticut … As a junior, played in all 13 games and started the last four when the Irish finished 4-0, ending the year with 33 tackles (three for loss) and a forced fumble … Slowed by arm injury his senior year, but still started two of the 12 games in which he played and finished with 23 tackles. Final Analysis: Was a model student-athlete, graduating with a 3.377 grade-point average, and was already enrolled in intense MBA program during his senior year … A complementary player who did not return for a fifth season. Joseph Fauria • TE Braxston Cave • C Granger, Ind. (Mishawaka Penn) Prep Ranking: Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 4 center nationally by Rivals.com … Considered a four-star player by Scout.com, which pegged him as the nation's No. 2 center … Played in the Under Armour AllAmerican Game. five-star recruit, the country's third-best pro-style QB and the No. 45 player nationally (two spots ahead of Stanford's Andrew Luck) … Was a Parade All-American and played in U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Career Summary: Did not see action as freshman while working behind sophomore Jimmy Clausen … Appeared in four games in 2009, completing 10 of 20 passes for 130 yards with one TD and carrying five times for 16 yards before suffering an ACL injury versus Washington State Oct. 31 … After Clausen turned pro, took over as starter for new head coach Brian Kelly during rough 4-5 beginning … Completed 174 of 294 throws (59.2 percent) for 2,033 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, plus carried 52 times for 74 yards and four scores, but another ACL tear (on the opening series versus Tulsa Oct. 30) ended his 2010 season prematurely again … Edged out sophomore Tommy Rees for starting role prior to the 2011 season, but was benched by halftime of the seasonopening loss to South Florida Sept. 3 … Seldom played thereafter and, upon receiving his undergraduate degree, transferred to Kansas to play his fifth season under former Fighting Irish head coach Charlie Weis … The Jayhawks finished 1-11, with Crist losing starting spot at halfway point … Completed 103 of 216 passes ( 47.7 percent) for 1,313 yards with four scores and nine interceptions, and had 27 carries for minus-66 yards. Final Analysis: The well-liked figure had an enigmatic college playing career fraught with mishaps, and the backto-back knee surgeries were significant setbacks … Did not get drafted, but has signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Rated as a five-star player and the nation's No. 2 pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com, Dayne Crist started only 10 games during his Irish career and then transferred to Kansas for his fifth-year senior season. photo by bill panzica Encino, Calif. (Crespi Carmelite) Prep Ranking: Rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 7 tight end in the nation and the No. 24 overall prospect in California by Rivals.com … Assessed as a four-star recruit and the country's No. 11 tight end by Scout.com. Career Summary: Did not play as a freshman, while classmate Kyle Rudolph started all 13 games at tight end … Suspended by Notre Dame's Office of Residence Life for the 2009 season, prompting transfer to UCLA … Enjoyed a strong career with the Bruins, catching 88 passes, highlighted by 46 in 2012 for 637 yards (13.8 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns. Final Analysis: Was an outstanding college tight end, but Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview ✦ 149 148-153.Class of 2008.indd 149 6/25/13 1:04 PM