ESPN College Football

Who made names for themselves this spring? Glad you asked.

RB/WR Theo Riddick: Riddick seemed more comfortable this spring, as the learning curve from playing two different positions is all but gone and he is ready to make plays. The senior stood out during several intrasquad scrimmages. If Riddick can be an effective punt returner this fall, he can be the complete package for the Irish.

WR John Goodman: It's not often you see a fifth-year senior on lists like these, but Goodman, as coach Brian Kelly said, was the Irish's go-to guy this spring, and he served as an offensive captain in the Blue-Gold game as a result of being the unit's most improved player. No longer in the shadow of Michael Floyd and with one last chance to succeed after being invited back for another year, Goodman is primed for a breakout season this fall.

NG Kona Schwenke: Like Goodman, Schwenke was a captain in the Blue-Gold game, winning most improved defensive player honors while temporarily supplanting Louis Nix from the starting spot in the middle. He added some weight and improved his handwork, and he figures to see plenty of snaps next season, regardless of whether or not he starts.

LB Ishaq Williams: Kelly revealed that Williams went home to Brooklyn, N.Y., for a few days in the winter to think about his future. He has apparently come back with a new focus, as the rising sophomore had a strong spring, filling in for the injured Prince Shembo at the cat position and coming up with a pick and a fumble recovery in the spring game.

LB Jarrett Grace: Playing time may be hard to come by -- he is, after all, backing up a likely first-round draft pick in Manti Te'o -- but Grace has made the most of his opportunities. Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco loved him this spring, and, after redshirting his freshman season, Grace figures to spell Te'o every now and then this fall while also seeing duties on special teams.

2011 overall record: 8-5

Returning starters: Offense: 7; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
QB Tommy Rees, QB Andrew Hendrix, RB Cierre Wood, RB/WR Theo Riddick, RB/WR George Atkinson III, TE Tyler Eifert, LT Zack Martin, LG Chris Watt, C Braxston Cave, C/G Mike Golic Jr., WR Robby Toma, WR John Goodman, WR T.J. Jones, DE Stephon Tuitt, NG Louis Nix, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, ILB Manti Te'o, ILB Dan Fox, OLB Prince Shembo, S Jamoris Slaughter, S Zeke Motta

Key losses
WR Michael Floyd, RB Jonas Gray, RG Trevor Robinson, RT Taylor Dever, DE Aaron Lynch, NG Sean Cwynar, DE Ethan Johnson, OLB Darius Fleming, S Harrison Smith, CB Gary Gray, CB Robert Blanton

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Cierre Wood* (1,102 yards)
Passing: Tommy Rees* (2,871 yards)
Receiving: Michael Floyd (1,147 yards)
Tackles: Manti Te'o* (128)
Sacks: Aaron Lynch (5.5)
Interceptions: Robert Blanton/Gary Gray (2)

Spring answers

1. Tyler Eifert: His offensive teammates -- and the next starting quarterback, in particular -- owe Eifert the world for returning. New offensive coordinator Chuck Martin will use Eifert in a variety of different ways this season, and his position will resemble that of Michael Floyd's more than it will a traditional tight end's. A strong season will likely propel Eifert into the first round of next year's NFL draft.

2. No shortage of skill players: Yes, the all-time leading receiver is gone. But the Irish still boast a plethora of skilled, versatile assets who can make big plays with their speed. Tony Alford is in charge of the running backs and slot receivers this season, and Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, Robby Toma and George Atkinson III all have the ability to make things happen out of the backfield. Look for a big year from DaVaris Daniels on the outside as well.

3. Defensive leaders: Manti Te'o would appear to be a shoe-in for a captain role this season, and he'll have plenty of help bringing along some of the unit's young talent. Jamoris Slaughter is back for a fifth year, and becoming a father this spring has forced him to grow up fast. Kapron Lewis-Moore is back for a fifth year as well, and the defensive end is one of the more respected voices on the team.

Fall questions

1. What will happen to Tommy Rees and, by extension, the QB race? Rees' immediate future is up in the air following his May 3 arrest, though his chances of starting this season figure to have greatly diminished in light of being charged with four misdemeanors. Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson will likely benefit the most and should enter camp as the favorites, while prep phenom Gunner Kiel continues to adjust after enrolling in January.

2. What about those corners? Bennett Jackson has the talent to play well at the boundary in his first year starting but will likely have to endure some growing pains, especially against some of the elite passing offenses the Irish will face in 2012. At the field, Josh Atkinson has pushed Lo Wood for the No. 1 spot, and that will be one of the more intriguing position battles once preseason camp opens.

3. Can anyone handle this schedule? The two Big Ten favorites, the Big 12 favorite, the Pac-12 favorite. A trip to Dublin. The 2012 schedule is absolutely loaded, and the Irish will have several new pieces in key places entering the season. How quickly everybody can adjust to their roles will go a long way in determining whether Brian Kelly's third season at Notre Dame is a success.

Following consecutive 8-5 campaigns, Notre Dame entered this spring with a re-shuffled staff, a wide-open quarterback competition and arguably one of the nation's best defensive lines.

So, uh, about those three new assistants ...

"I love the energy out there, I love what I'm hearing in terms of teaching," head coach Brian Kelly said April 4, roughly halfway through the spring. "Guys are teaching and I can hear it. So for me it's exactly what I need to hear from our coaches. There's a lot of teaching going on, there's a lot of energy. So for me I feel really good about going out to practice, and what I hear I really like."

Nine days after that comment, defensive end Aaron Lynch announced his decision to transfer, eventually ending up with Notre Dame alum Skip Holtz at South Florida. A series of cryptic Twitter posts by nose guard Louis Nix in the days after Lynch's departure unsettled an already-uneasy fan base, and Nix's admittedly honest public comments afterward about having missed his Florida home did little to quell Irish fans' worst fears.

Then came the spring game, Everett Golson's coming-out party. The rising sophomore quarterback completed 11 of 15 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns, adding 25 yards on six rushes. Most importantly, he was the only of the four quarterbacks to not turn the ball over.

If that wasn't enough for Golson to improve his chances of starting in 2012 -- Kelly said afterward that he had trouble getting plays in on time -- the events of May 3 certainly did.

Tommy Rees, the only of the four signal-callers with starting experience, was charged with four misdemeanors as a result of his arrest at an off-campus house party. Police said that they had to use pepper spray to subdue Rees, who faces two counts of resisting law enforcement, in addition to minor consumption and battery.

So begins an offseason whose storyline, like last year's with Michael Floyd, will be dominated by an off-field run-in by a big-name player. Rees is due in court May 17, but his status with the Irish remains up in the air. Discipline of any kind -- even an offseason suspension -- would strongly diminish his hopes of taking the first snap Sept. 1 in Dublin, Ireland.

Kelly said after the spring game that the guy to emerge as the starter will be the one who commits to all the details in the summer. Golson and Andrew Hendrix — in addition to early enrollee Gunner Kiel — would be in much better positions to do that should Rees be dealt a ban. Regardless, leadership issue becomes an obvious question in light of the arrest.

Whoever does start should have plenty to work with in proven playmakers like Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick and Tyler Eifert. He will also be protected by an experienced offensive line, which returns four players with starting experience.

Linebacker Manti Te'o, who passed up NFL millions this offseason, returns to lead a defense that should still be strong enough up front, though a depleted cornerback corp could have benefited from playing behind an elite pass-rusher like Lynch.

A season that begins overseas is still four months away, but the drama attached to the hip of the nation's most polarizing program has only increased with spring ball in the rearview mirror.

Gearing up for the Knicks' trip down the Canyon of Heroes this week ...

• Malik Zaire couldn't hide his disappointment Friday, our Chantel Jennings writes.
• Our Mitch Sherman has the strange story surrounding OSU de-commit Alex Anzalone, who has been high on the Irish throughout the process.
• Michael Floyd has an early endorsement, NFC West blogger Mike Sando writes.
• The Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton says that the Tommy Rees situation clouds Notre Dame's quarterback competition further.
• David Ruffer is still hoping for a shot at the NFL, Wes Morgan writes on BlueandGold.com.

Abro was all that was right about college sports. Cheers.

• SI.com's Andy Staples looks at what postseason reforms could mean for Notre Dame.
• Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt tells the NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano that Larry Fitzgerald wasn't involved in the franchise's decision to draft Michael Floyd.
• Harrison Smith won over the Vikings at the Senior Bowl, Mike Strange writes in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
• The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Sid Hartman says the Vikings are getting an Irish accent with so many draft picks from Notre Dame.
• Darius Fleming thinks his early role with the 49ers will be on special teams, Eric Branch writes in the San Francisco Chronicle. (Also, Fleming used to room with new San Francisco teammate Ian Williams at Notre Dame.)

On Thursday, Michael Floyd and Harrison Smith gave Notre Dame multiple first-round draft picks for the first time in 18 years. Chances are the Irish won't have to withstand another drought like that anytime soon, as they may just have players get taken from each side of the ball next April 25.

Notre Dame breathed a sigh of relief this winter when Manti Te'o and Tyler Eifert announced their returns to school, and with good reason. Each is considered to be among the best players at his respective position entering the 2012-13 season.

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks has Te'o as the sixth overall prospect in his early top-30 prospect rankings for 2013, and his colleague Chad Reuter has Te'o as the No. 2 inside linebacker prospect and Eifert as the top tight end prospect.

Inside linebackers aren't routinely valued at a premium, given the proliferation of the passing game at the pro level, but Te'o is a special player with extraordinary skills. He is athletic enough to roam freely from sideline to sideline against the run or pass while also providing a stout presence within the box. Given his unique skills and versatility, Te'o could emerge as a blue-chip talent by season's end.

CBSSports.com has Te'o as its No. 1 inside linebacker for the 2013 class. It actually has Eifert listed as the No. 1 tight end for the 2014 class, as he would technically have another year of eligibility remaining after this upcoming season. Still, the chances of him playing a fifth year in college are, to be generous, slim to none.

SI.com's Andrew Perloff, meanwhile, has neither player in his early 2013 mock first round.

Happy Birthday to one of the biggest Irish fans I know, my grandma. (Who doesn't own a computer and therefore will never see this message.)

• Our NFC West blogger Mike Sando says Arizona taking Michael Floyd shakes up the division. Sando also details the rude welcome to the division that Floyd has gotten from Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
• Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton weren't the only set of college teammates the Vikings drafted, Kevin Seifert writes in the NFC North blog.
• RecruitingNation looks at some of the top uncommitted linebackers, including Jaylon Smith.
• The Saturday stress was worth it for Darius Fleming when he was drafted, Brian Hamilton writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• Blanton returned to some unfinished business upon being drafted, Wes Morgan writes on BlueandGold.com.

Michael Floyd looked up to Larry Fitzgerald as far back as high school. The two shared a trainer and would often text each other, as the former Notre Dame standout sought advice from the all-pro receiver who happened to hail from his home state of Minnesota.

So when the 602 area code popped up on Floyd's cellphone shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday, the Irish's all-time leading receiver had to resist jumping for joy at the thought of playing in Arizona alongside one of his mentors.

Floyd and Fitzgerald will look to form one of the NFL's top pass-catching tandems in Arizona, which drafted Floyd 13th overall and made him the highest Notre Dame selection in 18 years.

"It's exciting just knowing that he's on the opposite side of me, one of the best receivers in the game," Floyd said. "It's a good learning experience for me to know that when I get down there I'll be able to learn from one of the best."

The Cardinals liked Floyd's 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame, as he figures to give the team the true No. 2 option it has lacked since Anquan Boldin, who in 2008 helped the franchise reach its first Super Bowl. Having Fitzgerald in touch with a fellow receiver in the leadup to this year's draft only made things easier for coach Ken Whisenhunt.

"I think it says a lot about Larry, that one of your best players is engaged, that he cares about what the team is doing, and that a receiver who wants the ball thrown to him every down is willing to bring in another guy that is obviously going to spread the receptions out," Whisenhunt said. "That says a lot. Larry is not as involved in the process as a lot of people like to think that he is, but certainly I think that Larry likes him, that Larry is going to take him under his wing, that is going to be important to Larry that this young man does well. I think that says a lot."

General manager Rod Graves said Floyd was simply too good to pass up at the No. 13 spot, and Whisenhunt was pleased with the way the record-breaking wideout handled the often-intense pre-draft vetting process about his string of alcohol-related run-ins with the law.

Pointing to Floyd's maturation, Irish coach Brian Kelly cited Floyd rallying the team in the wake of its midseason loss to USC, as the once-beleaguered star didn't let personal gains trump team ones despite BCS-bowl dreams all but gone.

"The things that Larry Fitzgerald already has, those are the things that Mike is going to aspire (to) and that is the technical aspect of the game," Kelly said. "I think you could consider Mike still a raw receiver in a sense that he can get better in the technical elements of route running and things of that nature. But he is certainly a guy that attacks the football and attacks defenders. And blocking, he is an outstanding blocker."

Is it too early to call Notre Dame the minor league affiliate of the Vikings?

Minnesota added its fourth Irish player, trading up to take safety Harrison Smith with the 29th pick of the NFL draft.

Smith now joins former Notre Dame teammates Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson and John Sullivan in Minnesota. The former captain becomes the Irish's highest defensive player drafted since 1997, when the Jaguars took Renaldo Wynn 21st overall. He is also Notre Dame's highest defensive back selection since 1994, when the Bills took Jeff Burris 27th.

"Harrison Smith is one of the best leaders I've ever had on any of my teams," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "He is an intelligent and instinctual player on the field and a true student of the game off the field. He'll be a great fit for Minnesota's defense and I can't wait to watch his long and successful pro career."

That 1994 draft was the last time Notre Dame had multiple first-round picks, as Burris followed Bryant Young (No. 7, 49ers) and Aaron Taylor (No. 16, Packers). The 18-year stretch came to an end Thursday, as Smith was taken 16 spots after Michael Floyd was drafted by the Cardinals.

Smith finished his career second in Notre Dame history with 28 career pass breakups, and he is ninth on the school's tackles list, with 309 for his career.

Michael Floyd's place in Notre Dame history grew even bigger Thursday night when he was taken by the Cardinals with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Floyd became the highest former Irish player taken since 1994, when defensive tackle Bryant Young was selected seventh by the 49ers. He became the first Notre Dame receiver taken in the first round since 1988, when the Raiders took Tim Brown sixth. And he became the school's highest offensive pick since 1993, when Rick Mirer and Jerome Bettis were selected second and 10th by the Seahawks and Rams, respectively.

"I could not be happier for Michael and his family," coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "I've said many times I have never coached a person as talented as Michael, and his selection tonight shows that. Michael's work ethic and passion for football are unparalleled and fans of the Cardinals will love the productivity he'll bring to Arizona’s offense."

Overcoming three alcohol-related brushes with the law, Floyd returned to school for his senior year this past fall and set a single-season school record with 100 receptions. He blitzed through pre-draft evaluations with strong combine and pro day showings, watching his stock soar from a fringe first-rounder to being invited to Radio City, where commissioner Roger Goodell called his name and later embraced him. Now he will team with fellow Minnesota native Larry Fitzgerald, becoming one-half of what has the makings to be one of the NFL's top 1-2 receiving punches.

Floyd leaves Notre Dame as its career leader in receptions (271), receiving yards (3,686), touchdown receptions (37), receiving yards per game (85.7) and 100-yard receiving games (17).

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay chips in with one last first-round mock before the NFL Draft gets underway later Thursday night. If he's right, Michael Floyd may not be making a return trip home anytime soon.

A day after pegging the former Notre Dame wideout for Buffalo at No. 10, McShay has Floyd Jersey-bound at No. 16, to the Jets .

Harrison Smith stayed at No. 31 with the Patriots.

Our Dave Hooker, meanwhile, re-visited some of the top draft prospects' high school story lines, and look back, it's no wonder why Floyd ended up in South Bend.

Class of 2008
Kiper rank: 13 | McShay rank: 17
ESPN 150: 29 | Position rank: 9 | Grade: 83 | High school eval
The receiver out of St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham fielded offers from several big-time schools but was always infatuated with the Fighting Irish. He only took one official visit, to Notre Dame, before committing to the school in October during his senior season.

One last Wednesday, one last roundup of our experts' forecasts for this weekend's NFL draft.

One thing I think we can all agree on after some earlier offseason debate: Michael Floyd will be chosen Thursday.

Floyd, who will be in New York for the draft, is ranked as the No. 15 prospect on Todd McShay's 32-man draft board , 14 spots ahead of safety Harrison Smith, who's at No. 29. Mel Kiper has Floyd 12th on his 25-man Big Board .

Kiper has both players going in the first round in his latest mock , with Floyd Buffalo-bound at No. 10 and Smith headed to New England at No. 31.

There are plenty of draft boards that will have Floyd as the best overall WR in this class. The Bills could go a few different ways here, but they really need another threat in the passing game, and Floyd gives them size and smarts. He'll grasp the route tree early, and can both stretch the field and work underneath.

The Patriots will address the pass rush with one of the first two picks, but I think they'll also look for help in the secondary if they like the value. Smith is a very good player. He takes great routes to the ball, and he doesn't shy away when he's closer to the line and has to take on runners. Corner could be a target here, but Smith also makes your coverage better.

McShay, meanwhile, teams up with Scouts Inc. partners Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl to mock the entire seven-round draft . In addition to Floyd and Smith, the group has Darius Fleming going in the fifth round (No. 143, Panthers), Robert Blanton going in the sixth round (No. 185, Cardinals) and Jonas Gray going in the seventh round (No. 249, Falcons).

Our esteemed group of NFL bloggers took part in a mock draft this week, with all eight making first-round selections for the four franchises each represented. Trades, backhand deals -- all was fair game for this deal, which painted a picture of what Thursday night in New York may look like.

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, one of the biggest risers in the weeks leading up to the draft, was taken by NFC West blogger Mike Sando with the 13th overall pick, which belongs to the Cardinals.

As always, there is no science to how these things play out, both on draft day and over the course of one's career. Believed to be a fringe first-round prospect upon season's end, Floyd has seen his stock shoot up in recent weeks, thanks to strong combine and pro day showings. I've seen him in mocks going as high as No. 7 to the Jaguars, though it's worth pointing out that AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky dealt that selection -- along with Jacksonville's sixth-round pick (No. 176) -- in this mock to NFC East blogger Dan Graziano and the Eagles for Philadelphia's first round pick (No. 15), third round pick (No. 88) and fifth-round pick (No. 153).

I just don't want to imagine a world without the Nets in New Jersey ...

• Colleague Andrea Adelson likes the potential of USF's defensive line with Aaron Lynch and Ryne Giddins.
• The South Bend Tribune's Al Lesar says Notre Dame's questions outnumbered its answers this spring.
• Braxston Cave worked his way back this spring, Pete Sampson writes on IrishIllustrated.com.
• The Irish can lean on experienced safeties, Dan Murphy writes on BlueandGold.com.
• Cris Collinsworth thinks Michael Floyd is the top receiver in the draft.

Brian Kelly talks about the quarterback battle, season outlook and Michael Floyd.