Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive linesman Barrett Jones (75) prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

All 23 players in Notre Dame’s Freshman class have enrolled in classes and are currently on campus. The countdown begins for the 2013 Notre Dame football season. Notre Dame will need impact performances from several Freshman this year to have a successful season this year. Last year, KeiVarae Russell and Sheldon Day made huge contributions for the Fighting Irish.

Who has the best opportunity to make that type of impact this year? Slap the Sign will countdown 10 of these players.

Issac Rochell

6’5″ 260 lbs

Strongside Defensive End

McDonough, Georgia

Issac Rochell probably would not have made it on this list if Eddie Vanderdoes was still enrolling at Notre Dame. However, with the transfer of Vanderdoes, the timetable for Rochell just got bumped up. Notre Dame obviously has a starting line of Tuitt, Nix and Day. The second rotation is less certain. If the season began today, the second unit would consist of Utupo, Schwenke and Springmann. Utupo has not played a significant amount for the Fighting Irish. Rochell could fit in well at his spot. He does not need to give the Fighting Irish a lot. He just needs to give them about 20 snaps per game.

Top 10 Impact Freshman

1. TBA
2. TBA
3. TBA
4. TBA
5. TBA
6. TBA
7. TBA
8. TBA
9. TBA
10. Issac Rochell

Would Brian Kelly leave Notre Dame for the NFL?

Jan 5, 2013; Miami FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly during media day for the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly has won 28 games in his three seasons at Notre Dame, which ties Dan Devine’s school record of most wins by an Irish head coach in their first three years.  Kelly’s 122 wins are third behind Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops and Texas’ Mack Brown for the most FBS wins since 2001.  He has won everywhere he has gone; Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati and now has won 20 of his last 24 games coaching for the Fighting Irish.

One can only wonder about the opportunities that could arise for Kelly in the future.  Leaving for another college powerhouse will not likely happen.  Although the pressure can tighten more than any other program in the country at Notre Dame, Kelly’s comfort level is at an all-time high.  The Irish just played in a title, Notre Dame is his alma mater and few can recruit with a name like Notre Dame.  With the successes of Pete Carroll at USC, Chip Kelly at Oregon, Greg Schiano at Rutgers, the NFL has been after hot-name college coaches and Brian Kelly is towards the top of that list along with A&M’s Kevin Sumlin.

Although Kelly passed on the NFL for now, job opportunities at the next level open quicker than most believe.  If the right position presents itself, you can only assume Kelly would give the opening some serious consideration like he did with the Philadelphia job.  For now, Brian Kelly is the head coach of Notre Dame.  What exactly does that mean?  That means continuing a winning tradition in South Bend and hopefully keeping young men on the right path towards a degree.

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