Preview 2001: The Fullbacks
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
August 29, 2001

Notre Dame, Ind (UHND.com) - Next to tight end, the most under utilized position at Notre Dame has been the fullback.  Unlike tight end, a position which saw two players get drafted in the 2000 Draft in Jabari Holloway and Dan O'Leary, fullback hasn't been quite that stocked with talent.  This season, Mike McNair, an all world running back out of high school, will battle with Jason Murray and Tom Lopienski for the starting spot.

Mike McNair was on everyone's top 100 list coming out of high school from storied Mater Dei high school.  He was a tailback in high school but switched over to fullback at Notre Dame.  Since then he has yet to get a single carry in any regular season game.  In three years he has only over 21 minutes of playing of time.  He did miss most of his sophomore season after an arch injury in the opener against Kansas.  He came to Notre Dame with a world of potential and to this point that potential has been untapped.  After an impressive Spring he has a great shot at starting for Notre Dame this season at fullback.

Tom Lopienski has been the start for Notre Dame the past two seasons, but has yet to establish himself as a top flight fullback.  He has not been given many opportunities to run the ball but has blocked effectively.  He also has developed into a leader on the field.  He and Mike McNair will battle for the starting spot, but both should a fair amount of time there this season.  Lopoenski is a hard working, blue collar type of player that fits in very well at Notre Dame.

Jason Murray has had an injury plagued career at Notre Dame.  After playing in eight games as a freshman, he missed all of his sophomore year due to injuries and was then slowed by injuries again in 2000.  He is a talented player who has yet to see his full potential and will challenge for the starting spot with McNair and Lopienski. 

No matter who starts for Notre Dame at fullback, they will be nothing more than a glorified 6th offensive lineman unless Notre Dame learns to utilize the fullback.  The fullback rarely gets any carries for the Irish which is one of the reasons the option hasn't worked all that well for Notre Dame in recent years.  He fullback can also be a valuable threat out of the backfield in the passing game.

For the offense to excel in 2001, Notre Dame must use the fullback more than they have the past few seasons.  Mainly, they have to be used in the option game if Notre Dame decides to continue to use it and they must be given the ball on a few screens to keep the linebackers honest.  On any given play, the fullback is usually open when they are sent out of the backfield.

Right now there is no clear cut starter.  If McNair and Murray can stay healthy they both have shots at starting, but if not the reliable and hard working Tommy Lopienski will be there and will do a capable job.  The thing that excites people about McNair is his speed for a fullback.  If he can wrestle the starting spot away from Lopienski who is the better blocker, he can be a player maker on offense for Notre Dame.  Lopienski is a very solid player but he does not possess McNair's speed, something that has become essential at every position.