Who Ya Taking? Charlie Weis or Brian Kelly? Offensive-Skill Recruiting
I did something similar to this on Twitter (@toddburlage) and on the BlueandGold.com message board a few weeks ago, but I wanted to revisit it in more detail.
Using offensive skill-position players only — one quarterback, one running back, three wide receiver and one tight end — these are my Notre Dame picks for the all-first and all-second teams from the previous 15 years that include the five seasons when Charlie Weis (CW) was head coach (2005-09) through the first 10 seasons with Brian Kelly (BK) on the job (2010-19).
It is striking that despite holding the Irish top job for only half as long as Kelly has, Weis and his players remain well represented on this star-studded list from the last decade and a half.
Let me know where I rated wrong and who I overlooked!
First Team
QB: BRADY QUINN (CW, 2003-06)
Quinn holds nearly every career passing record, including 95 touchdowns — 34 more than second-place Tommy Rees.
RB: JOSH ADAMS (BK, 2015-17)
With 1,430 rushing yards in 2017, Adams fell just 17 yards short of Autry Denson’s single-season rushing record.
WR: MICHAEL FLOYD (CW/BK, 2008-11)
Floyd’s 3,686 receiving yards and 37 touchdown receptions are both Irish career standards.
WR: WILL FULLER (BK, 2013-15)
In only three seasons, Fuller still stands second all time with 30 touchdown receptions.
WR: JEFF SAMARDZIJA (CW, 2003-06)
A two-time consensus All-American, he is third all time with 27 career TD receptions.
TE: TYLER EIFERT (CW/BK, 2009-12)
Leads all Irish tight ends with 1,840 career receiving yards and is second with 11 scores.
Second Team
QB: JIMMY CLAUSEN (CW, 2007-09)
Second all time with 8,148 passing yards and third with 60 TD passes.
RB: DARIUS WALKER (CW, 2003-06)
Fourth all time in rushing with 3,249 yards and also fifth all time among Irish ball carriers with 816 receiving yards.
WR: GOLDEN TATE (CW, 2007-09)
A borderline first-teamer, Tate holds the single-season receiving mark with 1,496 yards in 2009 and is fourth with 26 career touchdowns.
WR: EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN (BK, 2015-17)
Took over for Fuller and led the Irish in receptions in both 2016 and 2017.
WR: CHASE CLAYPOOL (BK, 2016-19)
Named 2019 team MVP after recording 1,037 and 13 touchdowns, including four scores versus Navy.
TE: KYLE RUDOLPH (CW/BK, 2008-10)
One of only five former Irish tight ends to record at least 1,000 career receiving yards.
Honorable Mention
QB: Tommy Rees (BK), Ian Book (BK) and Everett Golson (BK)
RB: C.J. Prosise (BK) and Theo Riddick (CW)
WR: Miles Boykin (BK) and TJ Jones (CW)
TE: John Carlson (CW), Cole Kmet (BK) and Anthony Fasano (CW)
Head Count For The Two Coaches*
First Team: Weis 3, Kelly 3
Second Team: Weis 3.5, Kelly 2.5
Total: Weis 6.5, Kelly 5.5
* Each coach received a half-point for the three overlapping players who both coached.
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