What's Jimmy Clausen Thinking?

A year ago, Jimmy Clausen was thought to be a sure-fire first round NFL draft pick.  He left Notre Dame early to cash in on the big bucks that goes with being an early pick in the annual NFL talent auction.  Most draft experts felt Jimmy was a lock to be the first QB taken in the draft -- probably among the top ten picks.  It was the right decision to leave Notre Dame early...

Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell this to the guys running the draft for each of the NFL teams in the first round -- as Jimmy fell to the 48th pick (second round) to the Carolina Panthers.  This cost Clausen more than $40 million in his first NFL contract negotiation.

The best decision Clausen and his handlers made was not to have him sitting in the NFL Draft's "green room" -- like Brady Quinn three-years prior.

Notre Dame fans will recall these same NFL draft experts "spinning" that Clausen ended up in the perfect situation for a rookie QB.  The Carolina Panthers offered Jimmy a good offensive line, strong running game a talented wide receiver and the opportunity to play early.

Once again, all of the experts were wrong -- as Carolina's season went BAD FAST.  Clausen was forced to play early and he didn't play well.  For the season, Clausen threw for 1,558 yards, three TD's and nine interceptions.  He completed 52.5% of his passes for a QB rating of 58.4.  He started 10 games winning just one -- as the Panthers went 2-14 for the season, securing the #1 pick in next Thursday's NFL Draft.

Now, a year later -- all of the people who made the decision to draft  Clausen are gone in Carolina.  And, those same NFL Draft experts believe the Panthers may take Auburn's Cam Newton -- the Heisman Trophy winning QB -- with their first overall pick.  Can't be easy for Clausen.

Here's a link to some of the more recent stories about what Carolina might do with the #1 pick Thursday -- and it's impact on Clausen:

LINK:  ESPN

LINK:  CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

LINK:  NBC

Notre Dame's Top Student -- From Michigan!

Edward Larkin was selected as the University of Notre Dame's Class of 2011's Valedictorian.  The East Lansing, MI native carries a 4.0 GPA in Biological Sciences and a supplementary major in Classical Civilization.  Here's a link to a ND Newswire story on Larkin's honor.

LINK:  ND'S CLASS OF 2011 -- VALEDICTORIAN

Ever Wonder How Many Days To ND Football?

The folks at AgencyND -- the talented "in-house" ad agency at the University of Notre Dame, created a "widget" that counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to every kick-off for the 2011 football season.  Thought you'd enjoy seeing this.  Click on the link below:

LINK:  COUNTDOWNS TO NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

The One Game He Won't Root For the IRISH!

Every Saturday morning in the fall since 2005 -- Notre Dame football fans can always count on Louis Leo Holtz picking the Irish to beat their opponent on ESPN's College Gameday.  Well, that might change 134 days from today.

On Saturday, September 3, 2011 -- Skip Holtz will bring the Bulls of the University of South Florida back to his alma mater to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  And earlier that day -- I fully expect Lou Holtz will pick the Bulls to upset his beloved Irish for the first time ever on College Gameday.  Irish fans, brace yourself -- because I also expect Mark May to pick ND to win that day!

Lacrosse History This Week -- ND #1

The University of Notre Dame's men's lacrosse team made history this week -- as they were voted #1 in college lacrosse for the first time in school history!  The undefeated IRISH -- the only undefeated team in college lacrosse -- were ranked #1 in both major lacrosse polls; Nike/Inside Lacrosse Poll and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Poll.

The "cool" thing about the number #1 ranking of the Irish is this -- this sport has been dominated by schools on the east coast.  In fact, Notre Dame is the "furthest school west" to ever be ranked #1 in lacrosse.  Here are links to the polls along with a link to a South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  INSIDE LACROSSE POLL

LINK:  UNITED STATES INTERCOLLEGIATE LACROSSE COACHES POLL

LINK:  SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE STORY