Welcome back to the final edition of Subway Domer’s 2010 Wu Am I?series. This is a look at who the 36 players of impact are on this Notre Dame Football team for 2010. If you have missed some of the previous Wu Am I? posts from 2010, please check out: Chambers 1&2, Chambers 3&4, Chambers 5&6, Chambers 7&8, Chambers 9&10, Chambers 11&12, Chambers 13&14, Chambers 15&16, Chambers 17&18, Chambers 19&20, Chambers 21&22 , Chambers 23&24, Chambers 25&26, Chambers 27&28 Chambers 29&30 Chambers 31&32 and Chambers 33&34.
Although this is the last installment of the 2010 Wu Am I list, there will be a Wu Overview post coming up very soon. If you have followed the series all summer, than it should be a good read. If you haven’t followed the series all summer, I hope you break your fucking neck walking down an alley then it should be an even better read.
Stand in awe, as we open Chambers 35 & 36…
Tai-ler Jones #7
Wide Receiver
5’11” 187 lbs.
Freshman
Gainesville, Georgia
Wu Name: Slim Voodoo-Maker
Tai-ler Jones wasn’t just another top recruit that everyone wanted to play for them. He was a top recruit that everyone wanted to play for them- and an Irish legacy. His father, Andre Jones, played defense for the Irish and won a national title with Lou Holtz at the helm. So, it was a little odd that TJ committed to Stanford in May of 2009. This was a recruit that most people thought was a sure commit for the Irish. Well, he was- it was just a different path as he committed to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in October, just 5 months later. Two months later, he was introduced to a new Head Coach at Notre Dame, and a month later he was enrolled at Notre Dame early to participate in spring ball. It was kind of a whirlwind romance. While in spring, he became a hot topic of discussion as he thrust himself into the depth chart with solid practices and a really nice spring game.
Jones is the only freshman to be recognized in this years Wu Am I? series. Even though he is the 6th WR on this list, he is also listed on the 2-Deep for the Irish in fall camp. With the spread coming to South Bend, WR’s will be used often and in mass quantities if they are playas… and TJ is a playa. His true test isn’t where he ends up on the depth chart, but how he plays against Purdue and Michigan. In a year where you probably won’t see a lot of freshman get playing time, TJ is the exception to that rule. If he plays well, early, than I would expect a nice impact having season for the irish. If his play isn’t up to the task, than you may see him slip down the depth chart as there are 5 other WR’s on the roster that aren’t on this list that could pick up the slack.
Carlo Calabrese #44
Inside Linebacker
6’1″ 240 lbs.
Sophomore (RS)
Verona, New Jersey
Wu Name: C4 Tha Cannibal Crusha
Carlo Calabrese is a monster. He has the look, the size, and the home zip code of a tough inside linebacker. During Carlo’s recruitment, Irish fans could not contain themselves at the thought of signing a kid who just looked like the perfect fit. Notre Dame didn’t have to wait long as Calabrese committed to the Fighting Irish in May of 2008 while turning down offers from Rutgers, Florida, Penn State, and Boston College. It was thought that Carlo would play right away for the Irish, and if it wasn’t at linebacker than it would be on special teams. Neither happened as Notre Dame signed Manti Te’o on signing day, giving Notre Dame two dynamic inside linebackers while allowing Calabrese’s a chance to redshirt and get a year of college under his belt before unleashing him upon the rest of the country.
I have to be honest with you. Calabrese was not originally on this list. He was going to be considered by me as a guy who “just missed the cut,” but would very likely be on the list for the next 3 years.However, after a strong spring and a week of fall camp, Carlo has put himself in a position to not only be on the 2-Deep, but he is right in the battle to become the starter next to Te’o on the inside- possibly beating out Anthony McDonald in the process. Only a few short weeks remain, and then we will know for sure who the game 1 starters will be for 2010. Even if Calabrese isn’t one of the starting 11, he should be a key member of special teams, and sitting right there to take over at inside linebacker should an injury or poor play dictate that he play. All of a sudden, I have a real good feeling about this…
