Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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68 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 4A state tile each season while ranking among the top five to 10 programs in the nation. Basketball experienced similar suc- cess with state titles each season other than his junior year. Consequently, the 9-4 and 8-5 finishes the past two years, with Stanley starting all 13 games at right tackle in 2013 and all 13 in 2014 while succeeding Martin at left tackle, became unacceptable to him. It wasn't until the Music City Bowl prepa- ration for LSU last December, on the heels of a four-game losing streak, that he felt secure enough to let his personality emerge much more than in the past. "He was extremely vocal — more than he's ever been — and it just charged up every- body," Kelly said after the 31-28 victory ver- sus the Tigers in which the Irish offensive line asserted control against the typically vaunted LSU defense with 263 rushing yards. "Ron- nie is not a big talker. It just seemed to elevate everybody's play on the offensive line." Even Stanley acknowledged that his per- sonality reached a crescendo while preparing for LSU. "I knew the position my team was in," Stanley said. "All my life I haven't been used to losing. I've come from a long list of teams that never really lost. I knew that it's all about the mindset of people going into the game, and I knew I had to do whatever I needed to do to get my team on the same page I was. I wanted to make sure that they were thinking the same way I was and they weren't thinking any less of themselves just because of the past. "I just really wanted them to realize that this is just football. It's another game, they're human beings [at LSU]." Whether he is a captain or not in 2015 like center Nick Martin or Day were last season, Stanley is now at ease taking on a leadership role, both vocally and through example as possibly the top offensive tackle prospect in the nation. "I guess I haven't had the faith to say what I need to say to my teammates before," said Stanley about becoming more verbose. "It's just having that faith from them to believe what I'm saying is real. "I'm not that guy that just goes around ev- ery day trying to yell. When I get hyped, it's serious. I gained more trust, felt more trust from my coaches and all my teammates. I knew I needed to step in there and be the guy I always was." All the more reason why his return in 2015 was so crucial. The return of Day pro- vides a strong voice along the defensive line, augmented by 2014 team MVP Joe Schmidt. Now, the returns of cornerback KeiVarae Russell — who was told by Notre Dame ath- letics director Jack Swarbrick that he would have been a captain in 2014 if not for the academic setback — and linebacker Jarrett Grace, prime captain material himself had he not suffered leg fractures in 2013, further enhance the overall unit. On offense, Martin returns at center, but the presence of Stanley provided the crucial boost on a line that is Kelly's deepest, and possibly best all around, in his six seasons at Notre Dame. "We've got a chance to have a special season," said Stanley, who is on course to re- ceive his degree from the esteemed Mendoza College of Business, with an emphasis on management-consulting. "Many of my team- mates are returning, and I've made strong bonds with lots of them. "If all of them weren't coming back this year, it would've made it an easier decision to leave. All this, the opportunity to graduate and much more, led to my decision to stay. "I am a competitor. I want to play on the top stage." Individually, he has his own goal. "Honestly, just be more dominant and just really set myself apart from anyone else," he said. "Show that I am who I think I am." Heart & Soul Although Notre Dame allowed an inordi- nately high 28 sacks in 2014 (it was second nationally the year prior in fewest allowed with eight), Stanley was responsible for only one — easily the best figure of any Irish of- fensive lineman. Stanley said the aggressive run blocking and execution against LSU is what will take Notre Dame back to championship level. In last year's Blue-Gold Game, the Irish attempted 54 passes and threw for 456 yards while rushing for 120. This year, the Irish ran the ball 55 times and passed it 37 times. The zone-read option attack was the main staple. "We really wanted to emphasize the run game and get our offensive line working After a disappointing November last year, Stanley took on an assertive leadership role in the bowl win against LSU. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA "I would say the most influential point was probably watching the national championship game and really being jealous of not being able to be at that top stage, where I want to be." STANLEY