Rich Hidy, Sports Editor

The Irish are not going to be able to fly under the radar this year. As spring practice unfolds, Notre Dame will prepare for the 2013 schedule with each opponent gunning to give the team its first regular season loss in over a year. Losing only the National Championship to Alabama gives Brian Kelly momentum to propel a new group, including ESPN’s fourth-rated recruiting class, to the BCS Championship for a second straight year in the hopes of bringing the trophy to South Bend for the first time since 1988.

Spring practice is a time  to sharpen the skills of the returning key players and to integrate the incoming freshmen and young players who are expected to contribute. Notre Dame will attempt to replace 11 prominent players on both sides of the ball who helped return the Irish to national prominence. These include staples of the BCS Championship team Tyler Eifert and Manti Te’o.

The spring game will showcase the competition for the remaining starting spots. Notre Dame will have to decide soon who is playing in order to prepare for a tough schedule that features Michigan and Stanford on the road and a home battle with Oklahoma. Here is an in-depth look at each position and who will emerge as the leading candidates for playing time.

QB: Brian Kelly stayed faithful to his rising star Everett Golson, and if his development continues as a junior, Golson could become one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Gunner Kiel transferred, making Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendricks the de-facto backups. The battle for the backup job should be interesting to watch during the spring practices and the Blue and Gold game.

RB: Watch out for Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston to replace Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood at running back. Both will soon be on campus and could contend with the favorite, George Atkinson III, for the starting spot. Atkinson will receive the majority of the carries after his 361 yards and five touchdowns last year. Amir Carlisle, who was injured last season, and freshman Will Mahone will also compete for playing time.  This position group might be the most uncertain one of all.

WR/TE: TJ Jones and DaVaris Daniels have the starting spots locked down and Chris Brown will probably emerge in the slot after the transfers of Justin Ferguson and Devante Neal. Beyond those three, Notre Dame will use a combination of ESPN’s twelfth-rated receiver, Torii Hunter Jr., and a group of young players looking to prove themselves over the spring. This will be another interesting positional battle on the depth chart. The tight end position is as deep as ever with Alex Welch, Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack.

OL: The bookends return on the Notre Dame offensive line, which will be key in supplementing a younger group overall. Mike Golic Jr. and Braxton Cave are graduating but Zack Martin, Christian Lombard and Chris Watt should provide enough talent and leadership to keep the group strong. The two openings on the offensive line are at guard and center. Jarron Jones or Ronnie Stanley could slide over to the inside, or five of the incoming freshman could compete for the two spots. Hunter Bivin and Colin McGovern are ESPN Top 100 recruits and could immediately fill a void. Connor Hanratty and Nick Martin are the favorites to take over for the graduates, though, since they were the backups at those spots last season.

DL: Stephon Tuitt and his 12 sacks return for the Irish to lead the group. Sheldon Day, Louis Nix and Tony Springmann also are back to provide stout run defense. Playing time could also be earned by five-star prospect Eddie Vanderdoes and four-star defensive end Isaac Rochell. Both of Kelly’s prized recruits could pay dividends next year.

LB: Replacing Manti Te’o’s leadership presence will be difficult, but Prince Shembo, Danny Spond, Ishaq Williams and Carlo Calabrese all return. Five-star recruit Jaylon Smith possesses the ability to distinguish himself as soon as he steps on campus and will probably compete for playing time along with 6’4 sophomore Romeo Okwara. Doug Randolph and Michael Deeb could also turn some heads during practice.

CB: The two starters are back and should be much improved. Bennett Jackson will be a future first round pick and KeiVarae Russell will enter his second full year playing corner. Lo Wood can contribute as a third corner after missing all of last season with an injury. Devin Butler and his 6’1 frame could also shut down tall receivers on the outside.

S: This could be the most stacked position on the roster. Matthias Farley stepped up last year and leads the way at the free safety spot. Austin Collinsworth is coming off injury and should see the field. Elijah Shumate could be a star if he reaches his potential after contributing to the special teams unit last year. Last but not least, Max Redfield was one of the best recruiting coups of the year after he switched his verbal commitment from USC. Redfield will disappoint many if he does not immediately contend for a starting position.

Rich Hidy is a First Year of Studies student entering the Business school next year. His bracket was ruined in the first round this year after Georgetown’s loss to Florida Gulf Coast. You can contact him at rhidy@nd.edu.