Notre Dame’s 18-man freshman class has been assigned their jersey numbers. Early enrollees E.J. Banks, Zeke Motta and Tyler Stockton already donned 27, 17 and 92, respectively, during spring drills, but the other 15 numbers were recently sent to Blue & Gold Illustrated by Notre Dame’s sports information office.
Notes: Both will wear the numbers of two of the greatest running backs to ever suit up for the Irish. Vagas Ferguson (1976-79) at 32 still holds the single-season rushing mark for the Irish (1,437 as a senior), while Pinkett (1982-85) is the first three-time 1,000-yard rusher in the program’s history and the all-time leader in touchdowns (53).
Evans will wear No. 11 at Notre Dame.
Receivers:Shaquelle Evans (11), Roby Toma (84)
Notes: Evans inherits the graduated David Grimes’ number and should seriously vie for the No. 3 receiver slot Grimes had last year. The most prominent pass-catcher at Notre Dame to wear 84 was 1993 first-round pick Irv Smith at tight end
Notes: Best tight end to wear at Notre Dame? How about the late Monty Stickles (1957-59), the 11th pick in the 1960 draft and played nine years in the NFL.
The one All-American to wear 88 was defensive tackle Mike Fanning (1972-74), another first-round pick.
Notes: Because left tackle Matt Romine switched from 70 to 77 this spring, the former number was available to Martin. It’s been mainly a defensive number, highlighted by All-Americans Steve Niehaus (1972-75) and Scott Zettek (1976-79).
Andy Heck (1985-88) was a tri-captain for the 1988 national champs, a consensus All-America selection and a first-round pick.
Bullard, who was recruited as a guard but will begin taking reps at center, will try to break the streak of no Notre Dame player named an All-America who wore 68.
Defensive Line: Tyler Stockton (92)
Note: This is one of 17 numbers at Notre Dame not to feature an All-American, although Joe Gramke (1978-81) made the stop on fourth down that gave the ball back to Notre Dame for the game-winning score in the 35-34 Cotton Bowl victory versus Houston.
Notes: Similar to Ethan Johnson on defense and Kyle Rudolph on offense both wearing 9, Te’o will share 5 (his high school number) with running back Armando Allen. In 1995-96, Notre Dame had three single-digit starters at linebacker with Kinnon Tatum (2), Kory Minor (4) and Lyron Cobbins (6).
All the other numbers have been mainly famous on offense, including 44 with Tom Gatewood (1969-71) and Eric Penick (1972-74), and 48 with 1943 Heisman winner Angelo Bertelli. Jim Stock (1972-75) was a stellar end/linebacker.
Defensive Back: E.J. Banks (27)
Notes: Nick Rassas (1963-65) and Mike Townsend (1971-73) were two of the greatest DBs ever to suit up for the Irish
Specialists: Nick Tausch (40), Ben Turk (35), Jordan Cowart (60)
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