College Football Betting Odds

Irish Lose Starting Corner - July 15th, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

The defensive backfield was one of the few bright spots for Notre Dame last year and was expected to be a strength of the defense for the 2008 Irish because three of four starters were returning.

Make that two of four. Starting cornerback Darrin Walls will not be enrolled for the fall semester at Notre Dame because of personal reasons. He plans to return home to Pittsburgh following the end of summer school, coach Charlie Weis said.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Walls played in eight games as a true freshman in 2006, starting two. He started every game but the UCLA contest in 2007, and led the team with 10 passes defended. He recorded one interception, which he returned 73 yards for a touchdown against Penn State.

"We won't have Darrin with us this season but I hope to have him return for the spring semester," Weis said. "Fortunately, cornerback is a position of strength on our team and this will provide opportunities for increased playing time for our corners."

An athletic department spokesman said he could not elaborate on any reasons for Walls' departure due to privacy laws. Irish Illustrated, citing sources, reported that it is an academic matter.

Notre Dame will have returnees David Bruton at safety and fifth-year senior Terrail Lambert at one cornerback spot; Lambert has made 22 consecutive starts at cornerback, and played in more games than any other current player over the last three years. The Irish lash year finished 22nd nationally in pass-efficiency defense with a 111.7 ranking but lost strong safety Tom Zbikowski from that group.

 

With Walls gone, the starting spot likely will be a battle between junior Raeshon McNeil and sophomore Gary Gray. McNeil played in 11 games last year, starting one. Gray sat out the season after undergoing preseason shoulder surgery. Also in the mix could be freshmen Robert Blanton and Jamoris Slaughter.

Weis also announced that receiver D.J. Hord, a former Missouri Player of the Year, will transfer to a Division I-AA school. Hord, one of Weis' first top recruits, had two catches for 7 yards in two seasons with the Irish. He missed his sophomore season with an Achilles' injury.

Notre Dame futures coming soon to WagerWeb.com