Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Going into the 2014 season, Notre Dame only had nine returning starters from the previous year. It was a factor that ended up hurting the team as the season went on, but next year, the Fighting Irish won’t have that issue. Brian Kelly’s team will have 19 players returning who started regularly last season.
Notre Dame begins spring practice on Mar. 18 with an already seasoned and talented roster. The only three starters who won’t be returning are tight end Ben Koyack, cornerback Cody Riggs and offensive lineman Christian Lombard.
Additional players who played substantially last year but won’t return include running back Cam McDaniel, defensive lineman Justin Utupo, safety Austin Collinsworth and kicker/punter Kyle Brindza. All of those players will be missed in some capacity, but the Fighting Irish have the guys to fill their veteran roles.
In fact, 20 of the 21 players who started in the team’s thrilling victory over LSU in the Music City Bowl will be back in South Bend this fall. That doesn’t include standout cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who will return after serving an academic suspension last year. He started every game for the team in 2012 and 2013.
The Fighting Irish also still have several players on their current roster who didn’t start last year but should provide a significant impact next season. Quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Greg Bryant, wide receiver Corey Robinson, linebacker Nyles Morgan and defensive back Matthias Farley would all fall under that distinction.
The most experienced teams on Notre Dame’s 2015 schedule are Temple (19 returning starters), Massachusetts (19) and Wake Forest (16). Regardless, Kelly and his team should have no issues beating those three squads next season.
This will easily be one of the most experienced Notre Dame rosters in recent memory. There aren’t many other quality teams that can match their number of seasoned players. If the Fighting Irish struggle at times next season, they can rely on their overall experience above all else to overcome those obstacles.
Nick Wilder is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google.
