Career Stats: Most Starts

The 2015 Notre Dame team entered the season replete with experience. Ten of the 11 starters on defense were either juniors, seniors or fifth-year seniors (the lone exception being freshman defensive lineman Jerry Tillery). On offense, the lone novice was sophomore left guard Quenton Nelson, who became one of the most consistently effective players.

Of course, injuries suddenly turned quarterback, running back and tight end into young positions by the third week, although converted slot C.J. Prosise did provide a veteran look in the backfield despite his inexperience at running back.

In 2016, there won’t be as much previous seasoning in the lineup. Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who started all 39 games his first three seasons (2013-15), turned pro early, as did receiver Will Fuller. Smith would not have been able to play in 2016, though, because of a severe knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl.

Meanwhile, had right guard Steve Elmer opted to return for his senior year in 2016, he would have taken top honors in most career starts returning with 30, notably all 26 in his sophomore (2014) and junior (2015) seasons.

Instead, here are the most seasoned figures returning:

1. CB Cole Luke, 26 — Like Elmer, he started all 13 games in each of his last two seasons. He was able to finish them too, no small feat given the injury situations the past couple of years for the Fighting Irish.

Starting every game three seasons in a row at cornerback has seldom occurred at Notre Dame. Allen Rossum was the last to achieve it from 1995-97 with 35 straight. The next most starts at corner are by senior Devin Butler with three.

2. DL Isaac Rochell, 25 — In reality, the strong side end should be listed with classmate Luke, but because he didn’t open the game against UMass last year (but still played), he is listed with one fewer.

Rochell might be better suited in the interior, and he has even started at nose guard, but the shortage of players along the edge has necessitated his use there, where he has been a mainstay. There is probably not a better captain candidate on the team in 2016 based on experience, performance and leadership qualities.

3. FS Max Redfield, 23 — The starting debut came in the Pinstripe Bowl as a 2013 freshman, and he then had 11 more each of the past two years. Along the way he has endured demotion, injury and then even suspension for this past season’s Fiesta Bowl. A stellar senior season in 2016 would go a long way toward aiding the Irish defense.

4. OLB James Onwualu, 21 — After four starts at receiver as a 2013 freshman, he was then shifted to defense and has made 17 starts at Sam, the position he is expected to hold down again in 2016.

5. OT Mike McGlinchey, 14 — His starting debut came in the 2014 Music City Bowl win versus LSU, and he answered the bell for all 13 starts at right tackle last season. The scuttlebutt is he could move to left tackle this spring to team with Nelson on the left side. The same happened with Ronnie Stanley moving from right tackle in 2013 to left tackle in 2014.

Also with double-digit start totals are senior running back Tarean Folston (13), shelved last year with a torn ACL, fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones (12), sidelined during the 2015 regular season with an MCL tear, and the junior tandem of quarterback DeShone Kizer and left guard Nelson with 11 apiece.