The idea for this exercise spawned from a preseason 2022 edition of what is now known as the Earned Five-Star Podcast. The Emperor (etc.), Commissioner and Chief Inspector took turns drafting their five “boys” on the Notre Dame football roster — i.e., the five guys they would roll with that season and be rooting hardest for.
To be clear, partaking in this exercise doesn’t mean you can’t root for anyone else on the Notre Dame roster. Obviously, fans of the Irish should want everyone in a gold helmet to succeed. But sports are inherently competitive and playing time is finite.