ISD Top 25 Players of the Brian Kelly Era: 10-6
ISD decided to rank the Top 25 players for the last five Irish head coaches---Brian Kelly, Charlie Weis, Tyrone Willingham, Bob Davie and Lou Holtz. This was quite an undertaking, but we thought we'd have fun as a staff doing it, and we felt our readers would enjoy it as well. We will start this week with our Top 25 for Brian Kelly, and throughout the spring and summer we will be releasing the other Top 25 for the other coaches as well.
We met as a staff, and after a much-heated debate (I should've recorded it because you'd probably find that conversation even more interesting), we're releasing our Top 25 Irish players from the Brian Kelly era.
We know there will be a lot of debate about this moving forward, and that's great because everyone has different opinions.
Our first order of business was figuring out which players should be classified with each coach. We settled on each player had to play at least two years for the coach they're assigned to, and have their two best years playing at ND while playing for that coach, so that is how each player was classified.
We also ranked each player by how much impact they had on the teams they played for. It had nothing to do with NFL potential or overall talent...simply the results based on their performance while at Notre Dame.
Understanding that, here are ISD's rankings of the No. 10 through No. 6 players for the Brian Kelly era. We will release the rest as the week goes on finishing with our No. 5 through No. 1 on Friday.
Please feel free to discuss our rankings by posting your comments below. Feel free to discuss how you feel they should be ranked, and ask any questions you may have of our staff or our rankings.
Enjoy!
ISD Top 25: 25-21
ISD Top 25: 20-16
ISD Top 25: 15-11
10. DE Sheldon Day
Day had a fantastic senior season, but he was a disruptive player for his entire four-year career at Notre Dame. His single-season TFL total in 2015 was the most any Irish player has had under Kelly.
Maybe there are some who feel Tuitt was better if we're talking about both of their peaks, but in terms of consistency, Day was superior. His non-stop motor and his incredible first step helped to propel him to be the top defensive lineman on this list.
Joe Schmidt on Day: "Sheldon Day is one of the most dynamic players on and off the field I ever played with. It's extremely rare to find a guy that is off the charts in every category - physical and mental production on the field, leadership and work ethic off it, all while being passionate about being a friend to and helping others.
Something people probably don't realize about Shel is that he was one of the most intelligent football players on our team. A lot was made about how complex our defensive scheme was with BVG, but Sheldon knew basically every position on the field and ran our front 7. I have never heard of a defensive tackle like that, and it's a testament to his character."
Day started his career off playing in all 13 games his freshman year and made 13 tackles. As a sophomore, Day made eight starts and appeared in 13 games for the Irish. He recorded 33 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss, including seven tackles against BYU.
In 2014, Day started 11 games and missed the final two regular-season games with knee injury. Day made 40 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
As a senior, Day started all 13 games and was named a captain. Day registered 45 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. The 15.5 tackles for loss was the most since Derek Landri in 2006. Day had a career-high nine tackles against Navy.
Career Stats
- 141 tackles
- 32.0 tackles for loss
- 7.5 tackles for loss
Honors and Awards
Notre Dame Moose Krause Defensive Lineman of the Year (2014, 2015)
Team Captain (2014, 2015)
USA Today First Team All-American (2015)
Phil Steele Second Team All-American (2015)
FWAA Second Team All-American (2015)
Associated Press Second Team All-American (2015)
Athlon Sports Second Team All-American (2015)
Sports Illustrated Honorable Mention All-American (2015)
Bednarik Award Watch List (2015)
Lombardi Award Watch List (2015)
Nagurski Award Watch List (2015)
Outland Trophy Watch List (2015, 2014)
Phil Steele Preseason Third-Team All-American (2015)
Athlon Preseason Fourth-Team All-American (2015)
9. OL Ronnie Stanley
Stanley would be the best offensive lineman ever in many programs. It says a lot about the quality of the line play that he is the third offensive lineman on this list.
It says everything about how good he was that the transition from Zack Martin to him at left tackle was seamless. Stanley immediately emerged as a quality player at the position and his game ascended to different heights as a senior.
I'll always remember the Clemson game in 2015 and the play where Stanley was beaten by defensive end Shaq Lawson on a spin move. That forced Stanley to hold him. Why does that one play stick out? Because it's literally the only time I can recall him getting beat clean off the edge. Stanley was that good. The quarterback never had to worry about his blindside with Stanley protecting it.
After limited duty as a freshman, Stanley started every game for the next three years at Notre Dame, earning the starting spot at right tackle as a sophomore before finishing off his career with 26 straight starts at left tackle after taking over for Zack Martin. On 421 pass-blocking snaps as a senior, Stanley surrendered just four hurries, four hits and three sacks, grading out at 97.4%. That same year, he was part of a unit that paved the way for the Irish ground attack to average 5.63 rushing yards per carry (eighth-best in the nation) and the most for a Notre Dame squad since World War II.
As a junior in 2014, he notched 16 knockdown blocks and surrendered a single sack. As a sophomore, he was part of a unit that allowed just eight sacks on the season, tied for second in the nation for fewest sacks allowed and the least for any team that attempted as many pass attempts.
Honors and Awards
Notre Dame Offensive Player of the Year (2015)
Consensus All-American (2015)
AFCA First Team All-American (2015)
The Sporting News First Team All-American (2015)
Walter Camp First Team All-American (2015)
FWAA First Team All-American (2015)
CBS Sports First Team All-American (2015)
Athlon Sports Second Team All-American (2015)
Phil Steele Second Team All-American (2015)
Associated Press Second Team All-American (2015)
Sports Illustrated Second Team All-American (2015)
Lombardi Award Semifinalist (2015)
Outland Trophy Semifinalist (2015)
Polynesian Player of the Year (2015)
Lombardi Award Watch List (2015)
Outland Trophy Watch List (2015)
Phil Steele Preseason First-Team All-American (2015)
Sporting News Preseason First-Team All-American (2015)
Athlon Preseason Third-Team All-American (2015)
Notre Dame Offensive Lineman of the Year (2014)
8. S Harrison Smith
With the way safety play has gone since he left, it makes one appreciate just how impressive Smith was in his final two seasons at Notre Dame. He truly was an elite player versus the run and in coverage. It's amazing how many times he was able to get his hands on the football, especially when you see the struggles at the position to do so in recent years.
He should have been an All-American, but at that time not many individuals on the Irish were getting the credit they deserve because of the overall team record. Smith was the best safety to wear blue and gold since Jeff Burris.
Smith had to wait until his sophomore year to get on the field, but he played in all 13 games with nine starts. He finished the year with 57 tackles, which was fourth on the team.
In 2009, Smith was one of three defensive players to start all 12 games. Smith started six games at safety before moving to linebacker for the remainder of the year. His 69 tackles ranked third on the team, including 11 tackles against Michigan.
As a senior, Smith started 13 games and totaled 93 tackles and seven interceptions. He was credited with 10+ tackles against Michigan State and Stanford. Smith had a career-best 13 tackles against Pitt. In his final collegiate game, Smith had three interceptions in the first half against Miami in the Sun Bowl.
In 2011, Smith became the only Irish player to register more than 200 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 breakups in his career. Smith registered 90 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss as a graduate student.
Career Stats
- 307 tackles
- 186 solo tackles
- 18.5 tackles for loss
- 3.5 sacks
- 7 interceptions
- 20 passes defended
7. LB Jaylon Smith
If we're talking just pure talent, Smith is the top player during Kelly's time. Regarding production, he was great as well. It's just that the other guys in front of him had a slightly more significant impact. That sounds crazy, but that's how strong the top of the list is.
Smith's sack and tackle for loss numbers would have been so much higher if he was able to play in a different scheme. In the one he played in, he was too busy erasing the mistakes of his teammates by making plays most humans would have no business making.
The only thing lacking from his resumé is a dominant performance where he took over a game. Maybe that's not fair to judge him based on that, but some of the others had that and Smith did not.
Jaylon Smith started every game he played in a uniform and he became the first freshman to start at linebacker for Notre Dame in a season opener since Kory Minor in 1995. His 67 tackles ranked third on the team in 2015 and his 6.5 tackles for loss ranked second.
In 2014, Smith led Irish with 112 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He also collected 10+ tackles in three consecutive games.
Smith’s final year at Notre Dame was a dandy. He made 115 stops, nine tackles for loss and had one sack in route to winning the Butkus Award which goes to the nation’s top linebacker.
Stats
- 284 tackles
- 168 solo tackles
- 23.5 tackles for loss
- 4.5 sacks
Honors and Awards
Butkus Award Winner (2015)
SI.com Midseason First-Team All-American (2015)
CBS Sports Midseason First-Team All-American (2015)
Bednarik Award Semifinalist (2015)
Bednarik Award Semifinalist (2015)
Butkus Award Semifinalist (2015)
Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist (2015)
Bednarik Award Watch List (2015)
Butkus Award Watch List (2015)
Lombardi Award Watch List (2015)
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List (2015)
Nagurski Trophy Watch List (2015)
ESPN.com Preseason First Team All-American (2015)
Sports Illustrated Preseason First Team All-American (2015)
Phil Steele Preseason First Team All-American (2015)
Sporting News Preseason Second Team All-American (2015)
Athlon Sports Preseason Second Team All-American (2015)
College Sports Madness Independent Defensive Player of the Week (9.8.15)
Lott IMPACT Player of the Week (9.15.15)
Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Nominee (9.21.15)
Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Nominee (10.19.15)
Associated Press Second Team All-American (2014)
Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
Bednarik Award Semifinalist (2014)
Bednarik Award Watch List (2014)
Butkus Award Finalist (2014)
Butkus Award Semifinalist (2014)
Butkus Award Watch List (2014)
Nagurski Trophy Watch List (2014)
Lombardi Award Watch List (2014)
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List (2014)
Sports Illustrated Midseason Second Team All-American (2014)
Sports Illustrated Preseason Second Team All-American (2014)
CBSSports.com Preseason Second Team All-American (2014)
Athlon Sports Preseason Third Team All-American (2014)
Phil Steele Preseason Third Team All-American (2014)
Notre Dame Defensive Newcomer of the Year (2013)
Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (9.9.2014)
Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (10.7.2014)
College Sports Madness Independent Defensive Player of the Week (10.27.13)
6. TE Tyler Eifert
I don't know if he's the best ever to play tight end at "Tight End U," but he has to be darn close to it. What a phenomenal athlete. His ball skills were exceptional.
The only tight end to be in the top-10 in career receptions at Notre Dame, he accomplished that without playing a fourth season. He led the team in yards per catch in 2011 and tied for the team lead in receptions in 2012. How many other tight ends with Michael Floyd and TJ Jones on their team could even come close to pulling that off?
The Fort Wayne (Ind.) native played one game his freshman season. As a sophomore, Eifert caught six passes of 20 yards or more and 16 of 27 catches were for a touchdown or first down. He finished the year with 352 receiving yards.
2011 was the year Eifert put himself on the national map as he caught 63 balls for 803 yards and five touchdowns. Eifert recorded eight catches twice and averaged 15 yards or more per catch in six games.
In his final season at Notre Dame, Eifert recorded 50 receptions for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Eifert was able to set the record for most career receptions (140) and receiving yards (1,840) by a tight end in program history.
Career Stats
- 34 starts
- 140 catches
- 1,840 receiving yards
- 11 touchdowns
- 13.1 yards per reception
Honors and Awards
Mackey Award Winner (2012)
AP Second-Team All-American (2012)
Mackey Award Finalist (2011)
ISD Top 25 of the Brian Kelly Era
25. CB KeiVarae Russell
24. RB CJ Prosise
23. DL Louis Nix III
22. K Justin Yoon
21. RB Cierre Wood
20. DL Kapron Lewis-Moore
19. OL Nick Martin
18. WR TJ Jones
17. QB DeShone Kizer
16. OL Mike McGlinchey
15. CB Robert Blanton
14. RB Theo Riddick
13. DL Stephon Tuitt
12. RB Josh Adams
11. OL Chris Watt
10. DL Sheldon Day
9. OL Ronnie Stanley
8. S Harrison Smith
7. LB Jaylon Smith
6. TE Tyler Eifert