Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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120 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE 2015 ALL-OPPONENT TEAM Offense Quarterback: Cody Kessler (USC) Clemson's Deshaun Watson is tempting here before he makes the sophomore leap, but Kessler is much more es- tablished at this point in their careers, and could contend for the Heisman Trophy if the Trojans have a special year. The 6-1, 215-pounder had 39 touchdown passes and just five interceptions last year. Running Back: James Conner (Pittsburgh) Conner 's 1,765 rushing yards last year rank third on the ACC 's all-time single-season list, and he achieved those numbers playing through a minor hip injury in the final two regular-season games. The 6-2, 250-pounder's 26 touchdowns last season set a confer- ence record. Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh) Forming a potent combination with James Conner at Pittsburgh's skill positions, Boyd finished with more than 100 receiving yards in five of the Panthers' final six games in 2014. He ended both his freshman and sophomore seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards, joining NFL star Larry Fitzgerald as the only two players in Pittsburgh history to reach those marks. Wide Receiver: Mike Williams (Clemson) Already seventh in school history in career receiving yards (1,346) as a junior, Williams looks to keep climbing the program record books in 2015. His 1,030 receiving yards last year were most ever by a sophomore in school annals. He snagged nine receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown in Clemson's 40-6 blowout win over Okla- homa in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Wide Receiver: Tajae Sharpe (UMass) It might surprise some to see a UMass name on this list with Notre Dame's loaded 2015 schedule, but Sharpe is a bona fide figure. The 6-4, 200-pounder caught touch- downs of 70-plus yards against both Penn State and Bos- ton College in 2014. He finished with 239 receiving yards against Ball State, the third-highest single-game total in Division I last year. Tight End: Austin Hooper (Stanford) Hooper will be one of quarterback Kevin Hogan's top targets in 2015 after being named to the John Mackey Award midseason watch list for the nation's top tight end last year. He finished with 40 catches for 499 yards (12.5 yards per catch) in 2014. Offensive Tackle: Bryan Chamberlain (Georgia Tech) The 6-4, 295-pound Chamberlain not only helped the Yellow Jackets' deadly triple-option attack in 2014, but he proved the unit could pass block as well. Georgia Tech allowed only 0.79 sacks per game last year, ranking second nationally. Offensive Tackle: Kyle Murphy (Stanford) A former five-star recruit according to Rivals, Murphy will take over the role as Stanford's top lineman for the departed Andrus Peat. The 6-7, 298-pounder was named preseason first-team All-Pac-12 by Athlon. Offensive Guard: Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh) In 2013, Johnson was the first true freshman to start a game at guard for Pittsburgh since 2006. A full-time starter in 2014, he played a huge role in helping James Conner's ACC Player of the Year campaign. Offensive Guard: Josh Garnett (Stanford) The former four-star recruit played both guard and even a little fullback for the Cardinal as a true freshman in 2012. Now back for his senior season, Garnett could make a case for All-America accolades. Center: Max Tuerk (USC) A three-year starter that should contend for All-America honors in 2015, Tuerk returns for the Trojans after winning the program's Offensive Lineman of the Year award last year. Defense Defensive Line: Shaq Lawson (Clemson) Coming off 44 tackles (11 for loss) in a 2014 campaign with only one start, Lawson is expected to take a big step forward in 2015. The 6-3, 275-pounder earned second- team Freshman All-America honors in 2013. Defensive Line: Hassan Ridgeway (Texas) The 6-4, 307-pound Ridgeway became a plug up the middle for the Longhorns after converting from defensive end last year. He also ranked second among Big 12 defen- sive tackles in sacks per game (0.46) last year. Defensive Line: Connor Wujciak (Boston College) Appearing in double-digit contests each year of his ca- reer, the son of 1973-75 Notre Dame guard Al Wujciak is ready for his final campaign. The 6-3, 300-pounder picked up preseason second-team All-ACC honors from Lindy's. Defensive Line: KeShun Freeman (Georgia Tech) Starting 12 contests as a true freshman for the Yellow Versatile sophomore standout Adoree' Jackson will see action at cornerback, wide receiver and kick returner for the Trojans this year. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA