Notre Dame Football: Quarterback Controversy Will Rage on Through Spring

With spring practice in full swing in South Bend, Ind., a quarterback controversy continues to brew, and it doesn't look like there will be a conclusion to it any time soon. 

Now that they are almost two-thirds of the way through with the spring schedule, the Irish seem to be getting closer to making some decisions about who will be under center next year. Though it's still being touted as a four-man race, head coach Brian Kelly is likely to narrow it down to two candidates before long. 

The first, obviously, is Tommy Rees, who was the starter last year but whose 19 turnovers put his job in question. During his sophomore campaign in 2011, he helped lead the Irish to an 8-5 overall record and a date with Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl (Notre Dame lost, 18-14). 

Rees compiled 2,871 yards and 20 touchdowns, but he threw 14 picks and was sacked 13 times. His losses—to South Florida, Michigan, USC and Stanford—were against some of the Irish's biggest rivals.

In Notre Dame's worst moment of the season—a 35-31 loss at Michigan in which the Wolverines scored and took the lead with two seconds left—Rees had three TDs but also threw two interceptions, one near the end zone, and he fumbled deep in Michigan territory. 

His job next year is far from secure, especially considering the play of upcoming junior Andrew Hendrix, who is expected to start the season as the top quarterback, according to the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen. 

Hansen writes that Kelly has made it clear that his primary concern is having a quarterback who takes care of the football, which puts Rees' chances of reclaiming his job in doubt. 

Hendrix rushes 6.5 yards per carry and brings to the table the experience and athleticism Kelly is looking for in his leader, and his accuracy throwing the ball puts him a step ahead of Rees. 

An 8-5 season isn’t exactly disappointing, but it’s still not BCS-bowl caliber, and that is where Notre Dame wants to be in 2012. When the Irish will kick off their season against Navy on September 1 in Dublin, Ireland, there will most likely be a new quarterback under center who, hopefully, can help them get there.