I received this question today from ND GO IRISH BLOG regular, R.J. Doyle: "What Notre Dame football players are eligible for a fifth year next season?" A very good question -- let's first start with the list of seniors, who played this year for the Irish, who still have a fifth year of eligibility left. Here goes:
Notre Dame Senior Football Players -- Eligible for a Fifth Year:
- Taylor Dever, OT
- Gary Gray, DB
- Andrew Nuss, OG
- Emeka Nwankwo, DE
- Steve Paskorz, LB
- Mike Ragone, TE
- Matt Romine, OT
- David Ruffer, K
- Harrison Smith, S
- Brandon Walker, K
- Dan Wenger, C -- is seeking a "medical 6th year" of eligibility from the NCAA
If I had to make an educated guess -- I would suspect the following players have been asked by Coach Kelly to come back for a "fifth year:" Dever, Gray, Nuss, Ragone, Romine, Ruffer and Smith. And, I believe Notre Dame is doing what it can to assist Wenger in getting a sixth year of eligibility.
We should know later this month!
