QB Ian Book — No. 12
Most Famous: Ricky Watters (1987-90), who finished his career with 1,814 yards rushing, 5.6 yards per carry and 21 TDs. His 41 career catches averaged 14.9 yards (two TDs), and he also returned three punts for scores. His talent was showcased more in the NFL as a five-time Pro Bowl pick.
Although current sophomore QB Brandon Wimbush wore this last season (he has switched to 7), this has been a running back number, including 1970 leading rusher and former walk-on Ed Gulyas and Tony Fisher (1998-2001).
RB Tony Jones — No. 34
Most Famous: Lawrence “Buck” Shaw (1919-21) started several years along the line for Knute Rockne and also became a top coach. We’re partial to 1984-88 linebacker Wes Pritchett, and cornerback Vontez Duff (2000-03) received some All-America notice.
Best running back to wear it was second-round fullback Ray Zellars (1991-94). Current sophomore running back Dexter Williams switched from 34 to 2.
RB Deon McIntosh — No. 38
Most Famous: Probably the man who wore it most recently, former walk-on-turned captain Joe Schmidt (2011-15).
This is a rare number for a running back, and has been mainly for past starting linebackers such as Rick Thomann (1970-71) and Darrell “Flash” Gordon (1984-88).
WR Chase Claypool — No. 83
Most Famous: Jeff Samardzija (2003-06) was a two-time All-America receiver now pitching for the San Francisco Giants. A couple of captains in Don Penza (1951-53) and Phil Sheridan (1963-65) also were ends. Tony Smith (1988-91) led the 1991 team in catches with 42.
WR Javon McKinley — No. 86
Most Famous: Tight end Dave Casper (1971-73) is in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
This has been a top tight end number also for first-round pick Derek Brown (1988-91), Dean Masztak (1978-81) and Dan O’Leary (1996-2000).
WR Kevin Stepherson — No. 29
Most Famous: Cornerback Stan Smagala (1987-90) was a three-year starter, most notably for the 1988 national champs, despite being an unheralded recruit. He also played in the NFL, as did safety John Covington (1990-93).
Another safety, Tom DeSiato (1977-80) was a top walk-on story.
OG Parker Boudreaux — No. 50
Most Famous: Nose guard Chris Zorich (1987-90) and linebacker Greg Collins (1972-74) both starred on national title teams, were captains and second-round picks. Zorich is in the College Football Hall of Fame, and Collins became an actor.
Unusual number for guards, though.
OT Liam Eichenberg — 74
Most Famous: Great number for starting national title defensive linemen, most notably Kevin Hardy (1964-67). It also included Jeff Weston (1974-78), Frank “Nordy” Hoffmann (1930-31) and Ralph McGehee (1947-49).
The best offensive lineman to don it was Mirko Jurkovic (1988-91), who played as a freshman defensive lineman for the 1988 national champs.
OT/OG Tommy Kraemer — 78
Most Famous: George Kunz (1966-68), an eight-time Pro Bowl player, was the No. 2 overall pick as an offensive tackle in 1969, even higher than Ronnie Stanley’s No. 6 this April. Center John Sullivan (2003-07) is still in the NFL, and another offensive lineman, Jordan Black (1998-2002) also had a good NFL career.
Best defensive lineman was Mike Gann (1981-84), a second-round choice.
DE Daelin Hayes — 9
Most Famous: Two national title starting quarterbacks wore this: the late Bob Williams (1948-50) and Tony Rice (1987-89). So did current Notre Dame defensive analyst and All-American captain Jeff Burris as a defensive back/running back (1990-93).
The most recent lineman was Ethan Johnson (2008-11).
DE Kareem Kelly — 53
Most Famous: Center Jim Schrader (1951-53) was the No. 20 NFL pick in 1954.
The best defensive lineman would be Lamont Bryant (1996-99).
DE Ade Ogundeji — 91
Most Famous: Two-time captain Sheldon Day just graduated … but the most famous might be tight end Ronald Weber (1972-76) with his immortal catch in the 1973 Sugar Bowl.
DE Julian Okwara — 42
Most Famous: Two-time All-American linebacker Michael Stonebreaker (1986-90) was the top defenseman, while three-time Academic All-American and first-round running back Joe Heap (1952-54) was a game-breaker on offense.
LB Jamir Jones — 44
Most Famous: College Football Hall of Fame inductee Thom Gatewood (1969-71) made it as a receiver. Eric Penick (1972-74) succeeded him at running back, and fullback Marc Edwards (1993-96) was a second-round selection.
Best defensive player goes to recently retired NFL star Justin Tuck (2001-04).
LB Jonathan Jones — 45
Most Famous: Linebacker Drew Mahalic (1972-74) started three years, including the 1973 national champs.
CB Troy Pride — 18
Most Famous: Rockne stalwart backs Jim Crowley (1922-24), one of the Four Horsemen, and Marchy Schwartz (1929-31) wore this.
The best corner was Ted Burgmeier (1974-77), who began his career on offense but helped lead a national title in 1977.
CB Julian Love — 27
Most Famous: Good defensive back number (it was worn by sophomore linebacker Asmar Bilal last year before switching to 22) that featured All-Americans Mike Townsend (1971-73) and Nick Rassas (1963-65)
CB Donte Vaughn — 35
Most Famous: Tackle Frank Leahy (1928-30) won four national titles as Notre Dame’s head coach, but he also was a tackle for Rockne.
Halfback Bill Wolski (1963-65) was productive for head coach Ara Parseghian.
S Jalen Elliott — 21
Most Famous: Safety/corner Bobby Taylor (1992-94) was a force who became a second-round pick after his junior season. Receiver Maurice Stovall (2002-05) used a huge senior year to become a third-round pick.
S D.J. Morgan — 32
Most Famous: This number has been golden on offense and produced six All-Americans, most notably 1947 Heisman Trophy winner John Lujack at quarterback and running back Vagas Ferguson (1976-79).
A top defensive back has included D’Juan Francisco (1985-89).
S Spencer Perry — 31
Most Famous: Linebacker Demetrius DuBose (1989-92) was an All-America linebacker/captain and second-round pick before his life ended tragically in 1999.
Among DBs, Corny Southall (1985-88) was a regular his last two seasons before joining the Secret Service.
S Devin Studstill — 14
Most Famous: The late 1953 Heisman winner John Lattner starred on both offense and defense. The other top DBs were both corners: Reggie Barnett (1972-74) and Ivory Covington (1994-97).
Studstill switched from 13 this spring, when he seriously vied for the No. 1 free safety spot as an early entrant.
LS John Shannon — 54
Most Famous: Shannon won’t be a center, but those who also snapped well for the Irish were centers George Goeddeke (1964-66) and Mike Oriard (1967-69), another walk-on who became a captain. Tackle Luke Petitgout (1994-98) was a first-round selection.
