Bring The Pain

In honor of TAH-NOO-TAH's latest remarks, I give you the next two chambers to open in this ongoing series...

Kerry Neal #56

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

6'2" 240 lbs.

Sophomore

Bunn, North Carolina

Wu-Name: Foolish Magician

Kerry Neal started it all. Coming from a recruiting class in 2007 that saw the commitment of Jimmy Clausen in up-scale fashion, Kerry Neal crept up on Irish fans like a Pantera song. He was the first player to commit that year and it took the recruiting services a while to catch up to the talent.

Right away in summer camp, Irish insiders started to notice a certain player from North Carolina playing his way into the depth chart. He not only did that, but he earned a starting job and by all accounts, he will be there for the next 3 years. He should thrive in the hybrid Tenuta/Brown system as he is very much a hybrid himself. Look for Neal to be an everydown player and absofuckinlutly menacing coming off of the edge. Devastating is what he could be along with his partner...

Brian Smith #58

Linebacker

6'3" 239 lbs.

Sophomore

Overland Park, Kansas

Wu-Name: 100-Watt Warlock

Brian came to Notre Dame as a consolation prize. The Irish lost out on a couple of higher profile recruits and had a couple of decommitments, so there was room on the roster for Brian late in the game. Brian's father is a former fullback that played for the Irish in the 80's and is a legacy that was almost lost as he was committed to Iowa. Consolation prize my ass. Brian did what Neal did and played himself right into the mix at linebacker and then became a starter.

Brian is another type of hybrid. Although he was used primarily on the outside last year, the coaches have moved him around a bit and it will not be a shock when we see Brian playing the Mike position. He plays with a tremendous amount of emotion, that if kept in check, should be a big lightning rod for the "D" this year. 100-Watt Warlock indeed. Brian is looking to fuck you up and bring some pain.