The arbitrary cutoff line of a top 25 left out Notre Dame freshman safety Houston Griffith, senior defensive back Nick Coleman and sophomore receiver Michael Young, the leaders among those Others Receiving Votes.
The “Counting Down the Irish” top 25 does include 11 defensive players compared to 12 offensive, along with two special teams stalwarts. It begins with …
25: Jonathan Bonner, fifth-year defensive tackle, 29 points
High ranking: No. 18
Low ranking: No. 23
Five ballots total.
For a defensive tackle who started 13 games last season, this ranking may seem low.