The definitive Notre Dame football all-time Lou Holtz team
Los Angeles Rams. Pat Terrell. 49. player. 51. . S
Notre Dame football all-time Lou Holtz team S: Pat Terrell
1990 NFL Draft: Round 2, Pick 49
Los Angeles Rams, 1990–1993
New York Jets, 1994
Carolina Panthers, 1995–1997
Green Bay Packers, 1998
Pat Terrell had the national championship season-saving catch of the famed “Catholics vs. Convicts” matchup against Miami on a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter — one that paved the way for the last championship the program has won.
In the NFL, he stuck around for nine seasons while starting for half of those games. A man best-known for the unforgettable moments he caused/was part of, Terrell had enough of them to stick around in the minds of Fighting Irish fans that watched the ’88 team.
123. player. 123. . DB. Dallas Cowboys. Stan Smagala
Notre Dame football all-time Lou Holtz team S: Stan Smagala
1990 NFL Draft: Round 5, Pick 123
Dallas Cowboys, 1990–1991
Pittsburgh Steelers, 1992
Stan Smagala was a man of many positions. At Notre Dame, he was converted from running back to the cornerback spot by Holtz, and in the NFL, he’d later play all over the secondary as a strong safety as well.
Though he didn’t last long in the pro ranks, Smagala had a number of moments — including a pick-six against USC during the 1988 season — that solidify his spot in the secondary on the all-time Holtz team.
Notre Dame football all-time Lou Holtz team PK: Reggie Ho
Reggie Ho was slight of stature but not short on legacy at Notre Dame, earning the distinction of having had the Fighting Irish’s 19-17 victory over Michigan that season named after him as the “Reggie Ho Game.”
One Foot Down’s Matt Greene beautifully commemorated the landmark victory by calling Ho a Hero.
“Reggie became a hero for Notre Dame against Michigan in 1988,” Greene prefaced before saying, “In a game that ended with a 19-17 Irish victory, Reggie Ho kicked four field goals to add to the one Irish touchdown.”
Ho finished the Fighting Irish’s championship season having converted 32/36 PATs and 9/12 field goals.
P. New York Jets. Craig Hentrich. 200. player. 30.
Notre Dame football all-time Lou Holtz team P: Craig Hentrich
1993 NFL Draft: Round 8, Pick 200
New York Jets, 1993 (did not make team)
Green Bay Packers, 1993–1997
Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 1998–2009
To get drafted as a punter or place kicker is truly an accomplishment on its own, speaking to Craig Hentrich’s success in South Bend. Hentrich played both positions for the Fighting Irish during a four-year career in which he made 177/180 PATs.
Truthfully, Holtz could rely on Hentrich for both, though no all-time Holtz-era Notre Dame team could exclude Ho. Either way, Hentrich’s staying power in the NFL was proof enough that he was great at his position.
