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Notre Dame Football: The Best Irish Players To Wear No. 9

By Connor McJunkin

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: Jaylon Smith #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates by wearing the hat of team mascot, Lucky The Leprechaun, following their 42-30 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 20: Louis Nix III #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Blair Tushaus #54 of the BYU Cougars at Notre Dame Stadium on October 20, 2012 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated BYU 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Jeff Burris, DB, 1990 – 1993

Burris was one of the best two-way players the Irish have had over the last 30 years. He finished his career with 10 interceptions on defense and 11 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball (10 rushing, 1 receiving). Burris was an All-American in 1993 and drafted 27th overall by the Bengals in 1994.

Louis Nix III, DT, 2010 – 2013

Also known as Irish Chocolate (the best nickname ever for an Irish player, we’ll discuss that in the future) — Nix had a personality big enough to stuff running lanes like he did. Nix was an anchor of the dominant 2012 defense that brought the Irish back to the National Championship game for the first time since 1988. He finished his career with 122 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and an eye-catching eight passes deflected.

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Robby Toma, WR, 2009 – 2012

Honorable Mention might be a little generous with Toma, but he deserves some love. Toma can best be described as a cult classic movie. He never made a big splash or as widely known, but there’s that one small, niche group of people who remember him and absolutely love him. He had his best season as a senior in 2012, setting career highs in receptions and yards. He finished his career with 60 receptions, 667 yards, and 2 touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving).

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