In terms of players who have done a complete 180-degree turn during their time at Notre Dame, senior Chris Stewart might be the best case study.
From position changes to thoughts of a transfer, Stewart has lived it all since arriving as an early enrollee for the spring semester in 2006, and he’s survived every bit of it.
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After returning home for a short time in 2007, Stewart enters his second year as a starter in 2009.
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By Stewart’s own admission, some of the struggles and self-doubt he faced early in his career were just part of the maturation process. But from those shaky roots, Stewart has become a student of the game, a valuable member of the offensive line, and likely a three-year starter if he returns for a fifth year in 2010.
But it’s important to look back before looking ahead.
Stewart worked as an offensive lineman during his freshman year before failing in an audition along the defensive line during the spring of his sophomore season. Position uncertainty, no playing time and a lousy start to the 2007 season boiled over after a 0-4 start, leading Stewart to leave the team and head back to Texas to evaluate his future at Notre Dame.
Through family guidance and his own personal growth, Stewart decided to return to the team and has been regular in the offensive line rotation ever since, playing in six games as a reserve after his leave of absence and starting in 10 games last season. His emergence as a starter last year made Stewart No. 3 on the BlueandGold.com list of top spring surprises last April.
“He’s gradually made improvements not just on the field but the whole mentality that goes with the game,” Charlie Weis said at the time. “He’s kind of settled in. You’ll have a tough time getting him out of there.”
A knee injury did take Stewart out of there for three games last season and gave freshman Trevor Robinson a chance to shine. And with concerns over Stewart’s stamina remaining an issue, expect those two to share time at right guard again this season. Stewart will start and likely play two series, then Robinson the third.
But that’s not to suggest Stewart hasn’t made terrific gains in his fitness and stamina during his three years in the program. Stewart came to Notre Dame as a project player because of his weight. “He’s two Big Macs short of 400 pounds,” is the infamous quote from strength coach Ruben Mendoza that Stewart will never live down.
Just getting Stewart’s body right was at least a two-year project, and now at 337 pounds, the results are starting to show. His evolution from uncertain sophomore to confident senior was evident during one spring practice this season when Stewart dominated early-enrollee freshman Tyler Stockton in a one-on-one drill and wasn’t afraid to tell the rookie defensive lineman about it afterward.
Calling out the freshman wasn’t the most sportsmanlike move, but offensive line is a dirty job and Stewart seems ready to take the gloves off this season.
“I become more comfortable with my job and my position every day,” Stewart said. “I understand what the teams needs and expects from me and I’ve never been more ready to provide it.”
What’s A Good Season?
Continued physical improvement and staying injury free is a good place to start. As mentioned earlier, Stewart will platoon some at right guard, but fresher legs could be a luxury for him late in games.
Every one of these post-spring projections for the Irish offensive linemen will include a segment about improvement in the running game. And considering Stewart lines up inside of fellow senior Sam Young, the beef (about 700 pounds) and experience (54 career appearances) are certainly in place to dominate on the right side with the running game. Of course, that’s what we all thought last year.
Stewart is smart, easy to coach, and for the first time, completely comfortable with his place on the team, and his position on the field.
It was only about two years ago that we were all wondering if “Project Stewart” was going to be bust. To borrow a Charlie Weis line, “the arrow is pointing nowhere but up.”
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