After this year’s NFL draft, Notre Dame took home third-place honors for having nine players selected. The Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes finished with just one more at 10. Although that is a ton of talent to lose at one time, it will not affect special teams much at all. It still has its trinity intact with fifth-year kicker Jonathan Doerer, junior punter Jay Bramblett, and senior long snapper Michael Vinson.
Much of their supporting cast will be returning as well. Veteran special teams coach Brian Polian admitted that he could not remember another season in which special teams had as much continuity returning.