IRISH LOSE ANAGRAMMATICAL BLUE-CHIPPER FOR SEASON

Notre Dame freshman cornerback Gary Gray , the highest non-Clausen rated incoming freshman on their roster, will likely miss the 2007 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Gray, who arrived on campus in January (as did Clausen), broke his arm in Notre Dame's second spring practice...when he could have been daydreaming in Driver's Ed or Typing class back home in South Carolina...and has not played since. He recently had shoulder surgery and reports are that he'll be on the shelf this autumn. Sophomore Munir Prince, a backup at running back last season, is moving over to cornerback.
Last fall Notre Dame's top two coveted recruits, again in the non-Clausen category, were Gray and North Carolina native Greg Little (an absolute stud of a wide receiver, from what I was able to see in person at the Army All-American game). Little changed his mind at the last moment and will play for the home-state Tar Heels, while Gray will have the best seats to home games this season of any freshman not in shoulder pads.

Also in Irish grid news:

--Sophomore tight end to-be Will Yeatman, a 6-6, 260-pound manster from San Diego, was recently named an Honorable Mention All-America in lacrosse. What was I saying the other day?

--Your top bet to replace Darius Walker at tailback, since Walker is unable to replace the decision he made last January? That would be Junior Jabbie .

--Charlie Weis says that three QBs--freshman Clausen, sophomore Demetrius Jones and junior Evan Sharpley are all still in the mix to start when Georgia Tech visits South Bend on Sept. 1. Clausen throws the best ball, Sharpley understands the system best, and Jones makes the most plays. Here's one opinion that won't be listened to, but I'll let it be heard anyway: Make sure Clausen and Jones both play, either by rotating them or moving Jones to a flanker/wideout/Antwaan Randle El type role.
Why? The Irish are going nowhere this season anyway. 7-5 would be a great year for this squad. Sharpley's nice but he's not the future. Clausen will be terrific, but why have him shoulder all the burden as a true frosh? Does anyone remember how long it took before Brady Quinn ever broke a smile in South Bend, largely in part to his freshman year experience? Meanwhile, Jones is the kind of big, fast athlete the Irish need on the field. He's exciting and they really don't want him to transfer. At least give the young man a chance. Last season there were two former athletic Irish quarterbacks making a living in the NFL as wide receivers: Arnaz Battle (49ers) and Carlyle Holiday (Packers). Jones has no less potential than they did and he's a bigger body than most of the dudes in gold helmets. He needs to play.

--I've said it before and I'll say it again: Keep an eye on David Bruton in the defensive secondary this autumn.