The Notre Dame Domino Effect

SB Nation’s Mountain West Connection explains that Clausen’s decision is actually part of a domino effect for this year’s Irish team:

First, is the inevitable that Charlie Weis is nearly all but fired which is now creating a domino effect within the program. Now it appears that QB Jimmy Clausen is jetting to the NFL as well, and the first clue was when the Clausen family put up and then sold their house this past week.

The next domino is WR Golden Tate who is a draft eligible stud receiver who is the second rated wide receier and 32nd overall prospect according to SB Nation’s Mocking The Draft. The Irish offense was their glue and besides that Clausen and Tate are more then gone the Irish also lose two senior offensive line man who look to be drafted in the NFL: Center Eric Olsen and tackle Sam Young.

To make matters worse the quarterback situation for the Irish might be up in the air next year because current backup and only rostered scholarship quarterback Dayne Crist tore his ACL. The injury happened back on Halloween against Washington State in a 40-14 blowout by the Irish. Notre Dame realistically could be looking at starting a true freshman for next season if Crist’s knee is not completely healed and the front runner is four star verbal commit Andrew Hendrix. I am not sure on the rules of enrolling early at Notre Dame, but if Hendrix is able to be on campus in January to compete in spring drills then the quarterback situation might be a little more stable.