Welcome to another edition of Wu Am I? for the 2009 season. Once again- I am trying to identify the 36 players of impact for the 2009 squad. So without any further bullshit, I open chambers 33 & 34…
Paul Duncan #72
Offensive Tackle
6’7″ 315 lbs.
Senior (5th)
Dallas, Georgia
Wu Name: Jolly Observer
Paul Duncan was one of seven players in the 2005 recruiting class, that committed to Notre Dame in that last month before signing day. He spurned offers from such programs as LSU and Oklahoma to head to South Bend and become a member of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Paul saw a decent amount of playing time his freshman year, and was on pace to start for Notre Dame in his sophomore year- until Sam Young stepped on campus. Paul started the 2007 season as the left tackle, but was moved over to the right side after Young suffered a right wrist injury that moved him into the left spot. After the 2007 season, Paul had surgery on his hip following his junior year and redshirted his senior year.
Now Paul is healthy and slated as the number one left tackle since spring ball.It will remain to be seen how much improvement Duncan has made since the 2007 season -where honestly, no offensive lineman looked any good for most of the season. At 6’7″ and 315 pounds, Duncan has the size to succeed, but the real question is his athleticism and his feet. Mike Turkovich did a surprisingly good job last year as he was plugged into the LT position, and now it is time to see if Duncan can do the same. If he is able to do what Turk did- or exceed it, than this line has a chance to really help make this offense very explosive.
John Goodman #81
Wide Receiver
6’3″ 203 lbs.
Sophomore
Ft Wayne, Indiana
Wu Name: Pesty Commander
This was a tough choice for the 34th chamber. I took Goodman over Deion Walker, Robby Parris, and Shaq Evans. I sincerely think that this is where he belongs. John had a ton of offers coming out of high school, such as Michigan and Purdue, but chose the Irish early. John was part of a recruiting class that included Deion Walker, and Michael Floyd. That’s pretty serious company- and he will have the chance to prove himself this year.
John has a not so secret weapon- he can throw the rock. John played QB during his senior year in high school, and now he owns the distance record of over 80 yards against fellow Irish players Dayne Crist and Jimmy Clausen. That’s why I have him in this slot over the other 2 WR’s mentioned. John will not only be able to provide a good 4th, and sometimes 3rd, option at WR- but he will be a dynamic addition to “trick it up.” John keeps getting compared to Jeff Samardzija thanks to his skin pigment (meaning: he’s a white WR), however- he is much more like a Rhema McKnight with his quickness and his ability to create after the catch. Goodman will make some amazing plays this year, but on what end of the ball?
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