Notre Dame QB living up to hype

Jimmy Clausen is one of the most celebrated recruits to commit to Notre Dame. For the most storied program in college football history, which annually signs a slew of Parade All-Americans, that is really saying something.

Clausen announced he was choosing Notre Dame over USC on April 22, 2006 at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., arriving in a stretch Hummer limousine and stating that his goal was to win four national titles. At the time of that oral commitment, the California native was considered the school's most highly touted recruit since Ron Powlus in 1993.

Clausen compiled a career record of 42-0 as the starting quarterback Oaks Christian High, completing 68 percent of his passes for 10,764 yards and 146 touchdowns. He was named USA Today Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Much of the hype surrounding Clausen came as a result of the fact his two older brothers, Ricky and Casey, both played quarterback at the University of Tennessee. Young Jimmy hung around his brothers and learned at a young age how to become a major college prospect.

"When Rick and Casey were at Tennessee, I got a chance to watch practice and go to meetings with them. They showed me what it takes to play at this level and how to prepare," Clausen said.

Powlus arrived in South Bend with outsized expectations, due largely to national television analyst Beano Cook's proclamation that he would win three Heisman Trophy awards.

Clausen's status as the savior of Notre Dame football was enhanced when he started the second game of his true freshman season against Penn State. It was the earliest any Notre Dame quarterback had started at the position since freshmen regained eligibility in 1972. He wound up starting nine games in 2007 for a Fighting Irish squad that struggled to a 3-9 record.

The 6-foot-3, 223-pounder started all 13 games in 2008 with mixed results, completing 61 percent of passes for 3,712 yards and 25 touchdowns, but also throwing 17 interceptions and attracting significant criticism.

Clausen has completely quieted the critics this season while thrusting himself into the Heisman Trophy race. Through eight games, the Westlake Village resident has completed 172 of 257 passes (67 percent) for 2,318 yards and 18 touchdowns with just two interceptions.

"Jimmy is certainly having a terrific season. He has matured and developed into a leader and right now his confidence is through the roof," Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis said. "Right now, Jimmy is playing the quarterback position at a high level. He is throwing the ball very accurately, making good decisions and elevating the play of those around him."

Clausen said a major reason he chose Notre Dame was to work with Weis, whose reputation as a quarterback guru was solidified by the fact he helped develop Tom Brady while with the New England Patriots.

"I wasn't really considering Notre Dame until Coach Weis was hired. I just really trusted him and liked the type of offensive system he used," Clausen said.

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said it's obvious that Clausen is more comfortable in the Notre Dame system and as a result his natural talent is showing through. "You are seeing why Clausen was rated the No. 1 quarterback in the country coming out of high school. He is playing at a high level and living up to the hype."

Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green has game-planned against some great quarterbacks during his 30-year career, including Steve McNair (Alcorn State) and Brett Favre (Southern Mississippi). In eight seasons at Navy, Green has schemed against the likes of Trent Edwards (Stanford), J.P. Losman (Tulane), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) and Joe Flacco (Delaware). He said Clausen is playing as well or better than of those aforementioned quarterbacks and has NFL stamped on his forehead.

"I think he's playing as well as any quarterback in the country, without a doubt. He's putting every throw right on the money, right between the numbers. He reads coverage and is playing smart," Green said. He's throwing the deep ball real well. He's making throws from hash to the far numbers, fades in the red zone. He's not missing."

Green said the most impressive element of Clausen's game this season has been his ability to scramble away from pressure and still make accurate throws downfield. Weis agreed that is the area that Clausen has improved the most.

"Physically, it's by far the No. 1 thing that Jimmy has gotten better at. He has taken it to a whole different level about moving in the pocket and moving from the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield," Weis said. "What he has done totally different from his first couple years is that now he feels the pressure and gets himself out of bad situations. He's not looking to run too often, which is a good thing. His eyes are downfield, he remembers where the receivers are, and that gives him an opportunity to make a play."

NOTRE DAME AT GLANCE

Location: South Bend, Ind.

Enrollment: 11,479

Colors: Gold and Blue

Nickname: Fighting Irish

Conference: Independent

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)

Head coach: Charlie Weis, 4th year (35-23)

Offense: Pro Set. Defense: Multiple.