Welcome back to another edition of Subway Domer’s 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, and Chambers 15&16.
Let’s keep this bitch rolling as we get royal and open Chambers 17 & 18…
Manti Te’o #5
Inside Linebacker
6’2″ 250 lbs.
Sophomore
Laie, Hawai’i
Wu Name: Tha Prolific Polynesian Prince
Manti Te’o has a recruiting story, and it is one of the fondest and best known in ND Nation. Sparing the details that we all pretty much know by heart, Te’o committed to the Irish on signing day over U$C and UCLA. BYU was actually in the mix at one point, but something went wrong on Manti’s visit and he was asked to leave. Bronco said that Te’o wouldn’t have started for BYU in 2009 anyways. Yeah right. When Te’o did finally get to South Bend, it wasn’t as an immediate of an impact as a lot of us had thought it would be- he had to wait a couple of games to be the starter, but he probably should have never been off of the field in 2009. He ended up having one of the best season on the defensive side of the ball for a freshman in school history as hi 65 tackles were the 3rd most for a freshman in the history of ND football.
In 2010, Manti Te’o is lining up to become a star. He may have chose to play for Charlie Weis, but Brian Kelly is there now. Te’o took an active role in both the HC search and in the welcoming of Coach Kelly. Few sophomores, that aren’t quarterbacks, are called upon to lead a team, but it looks as if Te’o is that kind of player and personality. Te’o is one of the few players on the defensive front 7 that the 4-3 to 3-4 switch matters so very little. Yes, his position and role are changed, but he would kick ass regardless. Te’o is already a household name amongst college football fans, but this will be the year that he puts performance on track with hype. Put a lei on it.
Shaquelle Evans #11
Wide Receiver
6’1″ 205 lbs.
Sophomore
Inglewood, California
Wu Name: Prince Prophet
Shaq Evans was a huge win for the irish on the recruiting front. His commitment help to solidify what was becoming a strong recruiting base for Notre Dame in southern California. (A trend that is starting to become a fad now-a-days). Evans chose the Irish over a host of schools, but most importantly, U$C. High hopes were in store for Evans as he started his freshman year for Notre Dame. Shaq played in the first 5 games of the season, but did not see the field against U$C or BC. He played in the Wazzu matchup- and then for some mysterious reason… he didn’t play another down in 2009. After the season was over, there was speculation, which was later confirmed by Evans, that Shaq was going to transfer out of Notre Dame. He, of course, didn’t and stayed with the team and the University.
Shaq could be in for a real treat in 2010 and beyond. Brian Kelly knows how to use multiple WR’s and even with Michael Floyd and possibly Duval Kamara becoming the prime wideouts, Evans should still see plenty of balls thrown his way. His speed and physicality should/will be used on a lot of inside routes as well as some short posts. If there was one offensive player that most people aren’t talking about- but should be on the Notre Dame roster… it’s Shaq Evans. 2010 will be a nice stepping stone into 2011, which could see Evans as the “main man.”
Editor’s Note: The following video is from Gang Starr with a cameo from Wu-Tang member, Inspectah Deck. R.I.P Guru, you are a legend of hip-hop.
