Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/79477
UNDER THE DOME WHICH NEW MEMBER OF THE IRISH FOOTBALL TEAM HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE FIELD NEXT FALL? Point ✦ Counterpoint: Shepard Leaps At Jump Start on his mind: starting right away. He's had some pretty hefty obstacles thrown in his way during the past 10 months, but so far he's shown an impressive, determined attitude to keep his goal. Shepard wanted to enroll early so he could assimilate himself into the Irish When Tee Shepard committed to Notre Dame last spring, he had one thing By Dan Murphy Brown Should Make An Early Impact defense well before Notre Dame heads to Dublin next September. In order to do so, he had to transfer to a high school that would allow him to finish his degree in December. Shepard switched schools, which cost him the opportu- nity to play his senior season. Shepard's father, Ray, said Tee knew that missing his last year of high school football was a possibility, but he had bigger and brighter things in mind down the road. The four-star recruit and consensus top-five cornerback nation- ally also happens to land in South Bend at a time when Notre Dame is desperate for help in the secondary. The Irish graduated both of their starting cornerbacks last year. Rising juniors Lo Wood and Bennett Jackson might take over those jobs, but nei- ther has significant experience outside of special teams. According to his lifelong trainer and coach Tony Perry, Shepard Brown was the steal of the 2012 recruiting cycle. What he didn't mention was that there's a good possibility the 6-2, 175-pounder will contribute right away in ways other than catching passes. The Fighting Irish ranked 112th in the nation in punt returns, averaging 3.69 yards per return on 13 attempts in 2011. Not only was moving running back Theo Riddick to slot receiver a failed Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Hanahan, S.C., wide receiver Chris By Wes Morgan experiment, Riddick didn't provide what was promised to be an electric charge to the return game. Riddick lost a total of one yard on three punt returns, which included two fumbles in the season opener against South Florida. Senior wide receiver John Good- man got a crack at fielding eight punts, but produced just five yards and a fumble. Star wideout Michael Floyd finished the year with two returns for a total of 44 yards. Floyd, however, won't be around in 2012. Enter Brown, who already has a chance to see the field be- F9B444_BlueandGoldIllustrated_Q1.qxd:F9B401 12/5/11 4:35 PM Page 1 already has the knowledge base to compete with Notre Dame's corners. He has been training with NFL and college players such as Ricky Manning and Cliff Harris since he was in the fourth grade in Fresno, Calif. Perry said Shepard showed up in South Bend with the idea that he would quickly become the leader of the cornerback group. Whether or not he reaches his goal to start, Shepard will be needed on the field in 2012, and he has the natural skills to make some big plays for the Irish. TEE SHEPARD to make tacklers miss and breakaway speed. He played in just five games as a senior because of a broken collarbone, but he returned five kickoffs for 123 yards and five punts for 122 yards (24.2 average) and two touchdowns. It should be a great way for him to make his mark early in an area where the Irish desperately need to improve. cause of a depleted receiving corps, but was told by Notre Dame coaches during the recruiting process that he'll likely see plenty of action on special teams. Brown, a national prep track star, has excellent vision, an ability Exclusive check designs cost 50% less than the bank's Hi-tech security features 100% Guarantee 1-800-923-2435 SAVETIME—CALLTOLL-FREE TODAY! Notre Dame Logo Check #9B43 (1 Design) Notre Dame Logo Address Label #9BBND Notre Dame Checkbook Cover #L9BND Protect yourself with ® Guard your checks from unauthorized use up to $25,000 with the EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program® and help restore your identity with EZShield Identity Restoration®. To learn more, visit identitychecks.ezshield.com. 3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER! PHONE: Call toll-free 1-800-923-2435 Hours:Mon-Fri, 8:00amto11:00pm(EST);Sat, 8:30amto6:00pm(EST);Sun, 10:30amto7:00pm(EST) Se habla español. • 2-box minimum & processing fee apply. ONLINE: www.uchecks.com NewCustomers:To redeemthis offer, enter theOFFER CODE fromthe coupon during online checkout. MAIL (Include the following with your reorder form): 1. Enclose an originalVOIDED check or reorder formfromyour check supply.Mark any changes clearly on the voided check or reorder form. 2. Enclose a deposit slip fromyour existing check supply. (You must include both item 1 & 2.) 3. Up to 3 lines of personalization for address labels.Max. 28 letters/spaces per line. 4. Send check or money order to: P.O. Box 500; Joppa, MD 21085-0500 www.BLUEANDGOLD.com Name Home Phone ( Notre Dame Checks #9B12 (4 Designs) Notre Dame Address Labels #9BB12 Over 45 schools available at: www.uchecks.com SPECIAL NEW-CUSTOMER OFFER: Order today and your 2nd box of checks is only 95¢ USPS Bulk Shipping Fee Handling Fee (Required) ) E-mail Address Confidential. For Shipment Confirmation. Check Design D #9B__ __ Start checks with this #: Singles Duplicates 1 box $12.95 2 boxes $19.95 $13.90 1 box $15.95 2 boxes $22.95 $16.90 Check Custom Lettering Style (C)Old English (E)Elegance (D)Script (F)Contempo Notre Dame Checkbook Cover #L9BND Address Labels #9BB__ __ Label Custom Lettering Style (C)Old English (E)Elegance (D)Script (F)Contempo add $2.50 $ FREE add $19.95 $ add $9.95 $ add $2.50 $ FREE $ Faster Shipping Service: Get your checks up to 2 business days faster! $ FREE add $1.95 per box/cover $ add $3.75 $ For checks only, we recommend UPS Shipping for trackable servic e. Checks are shipped together.* add $7.25 $ OFFER CODE: 9BG587 SUBTOTAL $ Sales Tax only for delivery to AR (6%), CO (2.9%) and MD (6%) $ EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program® Add $2.45 for EACH box ordered $ OFFER ENDS 1/15/13 (EZShield Check Fraud Protection purchase required) $6.00 $ GRAND TOTAL $ Enhance your protection by adding EZShield Identity Restoration® to your EZShield Protection. 100% Guarantee! If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, we will replace your order or refund your money. For your protection, orders will be shipped to the address on your checks unlesswe are otherwise instructed.Orders are shipped via bulkmail (USA delivery only). Please allow 2-3 weeks for regular delivery. *UPS Shipping trackable service is only available in the contiguous U.S. Call for signature delivery service details. MARCH 2012 13 F9B444