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Do you feel we will end up with a top 15 class this year, and do you feel we'll get at least 15 recruits?

I'm no recruiting expert, so I'll tell you what an expert is saying. Tom Lemming, in my eyes the top guy in the recruiting biz, says we will either hit our number and end up with a decent class (meaning top 20), or fall short and stomach the worst class we have had in 20 years. The vast majority of the prospects we have offered are not currently leaning our way. Now, keep in mind--it's October. There is a long way to go before signing day (early February). There are seven regular season games, and hopefully a bowl game left to play. As evidenced by last year's recruiting roller coaster--a lot of things can happen between now and then.

My gut tells me that if we can get out of this hole, and get to a bowl game, a good number of the recruits on our list could start to lean our way. Notre Dame is Notre Dame, but the dome shines more brightly when we are playing with fire, and posting some wins. I think this class will be small--no more than 15--and, while there is the distinct chance they might be short on accolades, they will be long on potential.

Remember, even Lemming, who makes a living scouting and ranking high school talent, says not to put too much on recruiting rankings. As I have said before, and the experts agree, a lot of guys who are not "top" prospects go on to do extraordinary things as individuals and as a team.

Personally, I would prefer to see us stick to our guns this year--even if it means signing a much smaller class than anticipated--rather than panic, and load up on prospects the staff didn't particularly want just so they could reach a number that doesn't make fans and experts uneasy.

Me being from Tennessee and not hearing a lot about Notre Dame on the news and such, can you tell me what we will be having back fifth year senior wise because doesn't Vontez maybe have another year of eligibility under his belt? And if so do you think he'll stay with what you have seen of him so far...because I'm wondering what the IRISH will have on "D" next year. The offense should be stout and tough to stop with experience going in, don't you think?

Unfortunately, Vontez is out of eligibility at the end of this season. Even if he had a year left, I think he would split. Mel Kiper has him as a second round draft choice at worst. Depending on the year he has, he might even squeak into the first round. As far as fifth-year seniors, there is a long list of guys with a year of eligibility remaining. I may not be 100% on this, but I have: Bible, Budinscak, Clark, Collins, Curry, Godsey (has applied for a 6th Year), Goolsby, Holiday, Jackson, Palmer, Pauly, Rodamer, and Sapp. Now, just because these guys technically still have an additional year of eligibility left does not mean the coaching staff has a scholarship for them. It is my understanding that the staff has to ask them back. That said; I can't imagine Ty and Co. not bringing back the majority of this crew--especially on the defensive side of the ball. Add this fifth year Senior depth to an emerging core of young talent, and I think we are making some serious noise in 2004.

Most importantly, we will have something we really have not had to date--quality depth.

On offense, we look solid everywhere but tail back for 2004. Someone--Grant, Wilson, Jenkins, Thomas--will need to step up big time in the Spring. As it stands, losing Julius Jones really hurts. There is no one else on this year's roster who has his combination of size, speed, and power. Marcus Wilson is probably the closest to what Ty and Co. would like at the position--but, he has a long way to go, and not much time left to get there. One thing we can count on: the best player will play. And, it could very easily be a Freshman.

I'm with you in wanting to give Ty a real chance. I think he has done well with and for the players. But there are two things about him that bothers me. Prior to last season, he and his offensive coaches were noncommittal when asked about the offense. Of course, they didn't really know yet what they had. However, by the spring game this year, they seemed to send upbeat signals, even though fans were still concerned about the line and Holiday as QB. Ty was upbeat about Holiday and didn't even bother to play him much during the spring game. Did he really believe that? Did he have no hint of Holiday's limitations in relation to his scheme? Even with limitations, was Holiday that much better than Olsen? Or was he just trying to build his confidence and hoping for the best? Also, do you feel that Ty is being beaten in terms of coaching a game? In terms of having the players knowing how to best play against that team and take advantage of their weaknesses. Do you think the offensive scheme is too plain - that the other team knows what ND will do before they do it?

Just my opinion--but I think Ty and Co. honestly thought Carlyle Holiday gave them the best chance to win. CH had some great games last year (Florida State) and some games where he looked like he was an eight year old trying to cross Lake Shore Drive at rush hour (USC). I think the coaches were optimistic that CH had turned a corner--and was probably performing very well in practice. The X factor that everyone forgets is that, despite his up and down performance, CH is an exceptional person and leader.

I do find it very odd, though, that the coaches talked about how they loved CH's athleticism, but did very little to use it to their advantage. They didn't roll him out much so he could have run-throw options, called no designed runs (like QB draws or boot legs), and encouraged him to stay in the pocket. In past columns I have questioned a lot of things in regard to the Holiday/Olsen debate. But, the bottom line is Olsen was wise to transfer, Quinn has taken over, and CH has been seeing some time at receiver (as I have said in past columns--a very good and logical position switch for him so he can have a chance to succeed at the next level).

In regard to the offense, I would not say that the West Coast offense is plain. The play calling has been predictable. And, that's where teams knowing what we are going to do before we do it comes in. However, the coaches threw in some wrinkles for the Pitt game (especially in the running game), and will continue to add things to the scheme as the season goes on. TW and his staff were out coached in the beginning of the season, got a serious wake-up call, and chances are good it won't happen again for a long time.

As I said last week, players are not the only ones that learn from their mistakes, and it looks like the coaches are also learning from theirs. We should all be very impressed with what Ty and Co. accomplished in their week off.

When this team puts together the running and passing games it is going to be a thing of beauty.

I just wanted to say, your article today "Back in Action" was great. In the face of the season that the Irish are having, you found a positive spin on things, and you are exactly right! I was inspired, and being a die hard Irish fan I will be there in good times and bad, but you are right, our season is pretty damn exciting when you think about it! There is an aura about Notre Dame football that a few losses cannot squash…

How good did that Pitt win feel? Imagine how much it meant for this team! Win or lose this Saturday--USC is in for a very rough day--our Irish are back.

When we won the national championship in '88 we had fast guys on are team. We had Rocket, Watters , Lyght and even Anthony Johnson was fast for a fullback. How can we win with this team that doesn't have speed? I love my Irish, but I just wanna know where is the speed!

This team has plenty of speed to get the job done--especially at receiver and in the secondary. And, if you want to know where the speed is, look at the 40 times for last year's recruiting class and this year's commitments so far at the RB and LB positions. Should give you some idea of the kind of "speed" this staff is targeting. Besides, any scout or coach will tell you speed is nice, but overrated.

Case in point--there is a reason Carl Lewis did not play football. Although, I'm sure he might have been tempted once he realized tight pants were involved.

In your October 8th article answering letters, one man wrote in Saying, "I've grown weary of seeing everyone on campus running around with the T-shirt each year with all these sayings splattered across it and longing for yesteryear. The worst one this year is something like, "Notre Dame-the name brings magic to the air..." or something stupidly close to that. Give it a break."

I would like to clear things up a bit. First of all the quote is "There's a magic in the sound of their name... Here come the Irish of Notre Dame." These are LYRICS from a popular SONG called "Here Come the Irish." I do realize that the quote, taken out of context, sounds very cheesy but this song is known by almost every student on campus and thus it was used by the student who designed this year's "The Shirt." I don't know of a single person who has not, at some time, had this song on their computer's play list.

The fundraising aspect of The Shirt began in 1990, when Sister Jean Lenz encouraged students to buy The Shirt to help pay for the medical expenses of Notre Dame graduate student Zheng de Wang, a victim of a hit-and-run on Notre Dame Avenue. Since then, over $2 million has been raised in support of student organizations and charities. I have heard other "older" fans complain about the quote on the shirt and so now I feel compelled to clear the air.

I absolutely love the song and play it in the mornings before home games to pump me up. If you would like to listen to the song you may find it at:

Click here

I think the fall out is probably due to last year's absolutely genius "Return to Glory" shirt. Where do you go from there? I certainly understand where you are coming from with your response (I'm glad the students like this year's "the shirt"), those "older" fans buy a lot of t-shirts too, and are entitled to take it to task if they feel it is lame. Still, while I feel inclined to defend the "older" crowd, I tend to agree with you. Even if some fans are less thrilled with "the shirt" this year, a lot of good comes from purchasing one annually, and it is a positive way to support the University and its students.

I am a mother who recently purchased a "vintage" Notre Dame football jersey on eBay. The jersey is a Christmas present for my step son, who is a very talented high-school football player. He and his older brother have worn the #4 throughout their competitive-sport history. He loves Notre Dame and would love to play football for them someday if he is so fortunate to make it to that level of play. The jersey will mean a lot to him, especially if I can give him some history of it at Notre Dame.

What a great gift! You are such a great step-mom. By the way, your step son wouldn't happen to be a 6-0, 225 pound tail back with 4.3 speed, would he? Anyway, on to the answer--the following players of note wore #4 (Irish Today's Morris Goldberg gets an assist on this one): Bert Metzger and Adam Walsh, 2 All-Americans who played for Rockne on the line, Frank "Boley" Dancewicz, a starting QB who played during the 2nd World War, Harry Wright, a lineman who started and called signals for Frank Leahy, Chuck Male and Frank Johnston, 2 prolific kickers, running back Dorsey Levens, who transferred to Georgia Tech and starred with the Green Bay Packers, Kory Minor, an All American Honorable mention in 1997 and four year starter at OLB, running back Lee Becton (ND's record holder for consecutive 100 yard rushing games at 6), and finally, 1,000 yard rusher and current owner of the digit, Ryan Grant.

Even with Saturday's win, I have serious doubts about this team's chances of making a bowl game this season. You have been positive, and that has been great, but seriously, I think we all know we will not see a bowl game until 2004.

In order to become bowl eligible, ND needs four more wins. I would bet they get more than that. True--there are no guarantees on the remaining schedule, but with the way the defense is playing, we're going to be very tough to beat. Besides, I truly believe our boys left all their baggage back in the bye week. We're not perfect yet, but the confidence and fight is back. And, the coaching staff has picked up their game considerably.

You heard it here first--USC is in for a rude awakening this Saturday when they come to our house. This is the kind of win that our team needs--a statement game--and we want it bad. If I were a Trojan I'd be plenty worried about this speed bump in the Pac-10 road. If I were a Trojan I'd also be attending a school whose mascot has a contraceptive named after it, but I digress…

Please send questions or comments for Todd Carr to nddomehome@hotmail.com