Seven Players Who Must Step Up in 2000
John Romanelli, '91
January 22, 2000

While an improvement in 2000 for ND football seems like a daunting task due to the brutal schedule, the bottom line is that standout seasons are needed from some of the talent for the Irish to turn it around.  Here are seven players who must step it up in 2000 for ND to have a winning season.  Note:  I resisted the temptation to say the obvious: Arnaz Battle, Tony Fisher, Julius Jones...

1.    Jeff Faine.    Faine, a sophomore with four years of eligibility remaining replaces John Merandi at center.  This represents the lone change from 1999's line.  Clearly one of the most disappointing areas of 1999, the offensive line, was, well, offensive.  Faine must play well to protect Battle and help establish the run up the middle.  The option will never work without a legitimate threat in the middle.  Production out of Jeff Faine is essential.

2.    Javin Hunter.    Javin always seems like a threat to break a big play...  but it hasn't happened yet.  Raki Nelson, Bobby Brown, and possibly Jay Johnson (I suspect he will return for a 5th year) are gone, and Hunter may start at split end.  Joey Getherall is a courageous receiver, but Arnaz Battle will need to use his talent.  The same is true for David Givens.  They need to produce.

3.    Mike McNair.    The Californian Prep All-American is back from injury and I predict will compete with Tom Lopienski for the starting fullback position.  Lopienski seems to be a great blocker, but can he carry the ball?  With Joey Goodspeed gone, and only Lopienski, McNair, and Jason Murray back at fullback, McNair will get playing time.  We know he can carry it - he ran for 2,600 yards as a senior in HS. Imagine, if you will, a full house backfield with McNair, Fisher and Jones.  The great running teams of yesteryear come to mind.  Watch for a breakout year from Mike McNair.

4.    Jabari Holloway.    Jabari was the forgotten man in ND's forgotten season.  Memo to Coach Davie:  Jabari will be an All-American.  Try throwing to him.  He could be one of the great ND tight ends, but the offense needs to feature him more.  Look for more dump-off passes to Jabari from Arnaz this year.  Holloway has to potential to be an NFL tight end.  Let's hope the coaching staff agrees.

5.    David Miller.    I'm sorry, I don't mean to open festering wounds, but...  the special teams looked like the Special Olympics at times. They cannot be worse, so I hope for improvement from David Miller, who I think will be out Nick Setta for the kicking job.  Last year's offense avoided the field goal and foolishly went for it on 4th down too many times.  If we had a great FG kicker, what would our record have been? 7-5?  8-4?  Miller (or Setta) must produce consistently, or we will not win.  Period.

6.    Carlos Pierre-Antoine.    CPA must find a way to get on the field.  After all I heard about him in HS, I have yet to see it in blue and gold.  And unless Rocky Boiman moves permanently to DE (which I think he should!), he may not start again.  Anthony Denman is the defense's best player, and Tyreo Harrison has consistently outplayed CPA.  Joe Ferrer may come back for a 5th year as well.  But the LB corps were virtually nonexistent in 99 (the safeties led the defense in tackles).  CPA can be the leader of a resurrected defense.

7.    Tony Driver.    The best player not to produce anything, Driver is the victim of the jack-of-all-trades, master of none.  Granted, he should have been installed as Autry Denson's successor from the day he hit campus, but he moves to defense, and the pressure will be on to replace two players who will be sorely missed, A'Jani Sanders and Deke Cooper, both of whom had sensational seasons on a bad team.  Driver needs to be a leader, and let his natural athleticism take over.  He can be a great NFL player - the talent is there.  Is the confidence?

There are obviously others I could mention:  Clifford Jefferson, Anthony Weaver, Mike Gandy, Tom Lopienski, etc.  Clearly, the team as a whole needs an overhaul and a clean start.  These seven players can, in my mind, lead the return to greatness.  Unfortunately, we must wait eight months to find out... John Romanelli, '91