... while Jimmy Clausen was under center this past season, even if that same season ended with six disappointing losses.

Clausen, with special thanks to Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, skyrocketed up NFL draft boards after an impressive junior campaign in which he threw 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He is predicted to be taken somewhere in the early first round come April, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Brady Quinn.

Now, the Irish begin a new era of football under Brian Kelly and his spread-style offense.

With the early departure of Clausen and the graduation of fifth-year senior Evan Sharpley, Kelly inherits a roster that is dangerously thin at quarterback.

Dayne Crist, a highly-touted Califor...

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