Notre Dame’s Depth Chart Thermometer

Everett Golson was named as the starting quarterback for Notre Dame by Brian Kelly today after practice.

Everett Golson addressing the media as the Irish's official starting Qb pic.twitter.com/nKQ8CscqYE

— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) August 13, 2014

Comically, people (mostly reporters and zealous fans) lost their minds and took to the internet, newspapers, and television like they had just heard the prophetic words of a prophet of the Old Testament. All the while, I sat in front of my computer and folded laundry. I could not understand what all the fuss was about.

Did people really think Zaire would be named the starter over Golson? Is everyone out of their freaking minds? I guess so. At any rate- THAT’S AWESOME NEWS THAT I AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WERE 100% RIGHT ABOUT THIS WHOLE DAMN THING.

What was more interesting than the Golson news was what the rest of the depth chart looked like. Here are some key points:

• Freshman Andrew Trumbetti is currently the starter at defensive end opposite of Ishaq Williams. Romeo Okwara is #2 behind Trumbetti.
• Fifth year transfer Cody Riggs is listed as a starter at cornerback opposite KeiVarae Russell with Cole Luke and Devin Butler backing them up.
• There are a a couple of freshmen in #2 roles in Jonathon Bonner at defensive tackle behind Sheldon Day, and Greer Martini at WILL linebacker behind Jaylon Smith.
• The #1 and #2 at SAM linebacker are James Onwualu and John Turner respectively. Both are former safeties that just changed positions this past spring.

As you can see, the defense is very, very young and it is especially so in the front seven. Notre Dame has already been tabbed by Phil Steele as the youngest team in the FBS and this depth chart certainly supports that claim.

There is still a long ways to go from now until Rice, and a lot could still change along the depth chart, but there are a few things that will remain constant. First, Golson is the quarterback, and secondly, Golson is going to have to lead a high power offense on the field as this young defense (in whatever configuration) gets a firmer footing on the defensive system and, for some, their first year of college all together.