Face Three – QB Jimmy Clausen
Jimmy Clausen remains as hyped a Notre Dame recruit on the offensive side of the ball as any since the turn of the century, earning comparisons to John Elway when he announced his commitment in the spring of 2006.
A member of the 2007 recruiting class, Clausen started 10 games in what was a disappointing season as the Irish went just 3-9 overall and 3-7 in his starts.
The story of much of Clausen’s next two seasons at Notre Dame would be stellar play for a great offense that received no support from its defense.
Clausen and the Irish started 4-1 in 2008 only to finish the regular season 6-6 with an appearance in the Hawaii Bowl, which we’ll note again later.
The 2009 season offered more of the same as Clausen and the Irish began the year 4-1 and 6-2 before losing out in November and finishing 6-6, which resulted in the firing of Charlie Weis.
Clausen finished that 2009 season with an insane stat line of 3,722 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions.
He finished his Notre Dame career second in career passing yards with 8,184 which trailed only Brady Quinn at the time. His 60 touchdown passes ranked second to Quinn at the time as well.
Clausen was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, but he struggled, going 1-9 as a starter that season.
Clausen made stops with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens before his professional football career ended following the 2015 season.