No. 16. Prince Shembo, OLB
2011 numbers: Shembo started eight of 12 games last season as a sophomore, missing the Week 3 contest against Michigan State after his father, Maurice, suffered a brain aneurysm. (He made a successful recovery.) Shembo recorded 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two quarterback hurries in 2011.
Making the case for Shembo: Few players on the Irish roster can match the athleticism of the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Shembo, who is moving from the dog to the cat, where his pass-rushing ability should be on display even more. Spring surgery (toe) for Shembo allowed Ishaq Williams to receive a majority of the reps there, and the rise of the sophomore should only push Shembo, who is replacing Darius Fleming.
No. 17 Zeke Motta, S
No. 18 Chris Watt, LG
No. 19 T.J. Jones, WR
No. 20 John Goodman, WR
No. 21 Bennett Jackson, CB
No. 22 Robby Toma, WR
No. 23 Ishaq Williams, OLB
No. 24 Dan Fox, ILB
No. 25 Gunner Kiel, QB