Four 5th Year Seniors Coming Back
According to a report from Blue and Gold Illustrated, Notre Dame will have four fifth year seniors back in 2010 with one surprise returnee. Offensive linemen Chris Stewart and Dan Wenger and cornerback Darrin Walls have long been suspected of coming back for a fifth year, but running back Barry Gallup wasn’t a name that was discussed much in the fifth year senior debate. All four, however, will be back in South Bend in 2010.
Both offensive linemen, Stewart and Wenger, project as starters heading into fall camp. Stewart has been a mainstay on the Irish offensive line the last two seasons and should have a lock down on the right guard position. Wenger had been a two year starter at center heading into 2009 before losing his starting job in 2009 to classmate Eric Olsen. Without any offensive linemen with much playing experience at center though, Wenger will start the spring as the projected starter.
With Stewart and Wenger back in 2010, Notre Dame will have three offensive linemen with extensive starting experience – including rising junior Trevor Robinson.
Darrin Walls could also start the spring as a starter at his cornerback position. Walls had a very up and down season in 2010 after showing a lot of potential as a sophomore in 2007 before sitting out all of the 2008 season while he wasn’t enrolled at Notre Dame. His time away from Notre Dame was evident at times in 2009, but if he can tap into his vast potential he could rebound with a strong senior season.
Heading into the 2008 season, Walls looked primed to become the first lock down corner for the Irish since Shane Walton, but he was not enrolled at Notre Dame in 2008 due to personal reasons. He came back in 2009 and secured a starting spot in the spring. Unfortunately his ’09 season didn’t match his ’07 campaign resulting in Walls being in and out of the starting lineup throughout the season.
Gallup made his biggest mark through his first four years as a kick returner alongside freshman Theo Riddick and will likely be a factor in that role again in 2010. It’s unclear where he projects in the new Brian Kelly offense whether it be at running back or wide receiver.
Several seniors with fifth years available to them reportedly will not be back – Kallen Wade, Leonard Gordon, and Paddy Mullen.
Bobby Burger, a transfer with eligibility remaining, could potentially be back as a fifth year based on the report, but no official word on Burger’s status is available right now.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
Great news with Wenger and Stewart coming back, our offensive line was shaky as is and at least with these two you get some experience coming back. I like Walls coming back too, it just helps with depth but the starting position will be up for grabs between him, Gray, and Blanton. Competition breeds success. Barry Gallup….meh.
Kelly said there were five 5th year players in his presser. I wonder if he was counting Burger or if he just made a mistake.
I agree. He seemed to be the only one playing at Stanford. They ran several plays where he pulled and let some of the best runs of the year. Not sure why those types of plays weren’t run more.
The interior all returns Weneger has 2 years of starting before being unseated last season by Olsen at center. Trevor is a monster and hopefully will bring a serious mean streak.
Can’t wait to hear stories of Camp Kelly and then to see how spring ball goes.
Looking forward to September 4th and Purdue!!
Glad to hear Stewart is back. I think if he has another good year, he could get some interest in next years NFL draft. Wenger will add some experience and depth to our OL. Walls will compete for a CB spot, but I could honestly see Blanton/Gray and Slaughter being the starters heading into the spring. I doubt Gallup sees the field this year. Probably AA and Theo as the primary returners.