On offense: Jimmy Clausen; on defense: tie between....

Tony Furjanic and Mike Kovaleski.

Clausen was rather cocky and rubbed folks the wrong way sometimes, but in 2009 he completed 289 passes out of 425 attempts, for 3770 yards, 28 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. His efficiency rating was 161%. If he played for a coach who didn't have his head up his enormous ass, if said coach had the wherewithall to develop an offensive line who could protect the QB and establish a running attack, Clausen could have either won a national championship or a Heisman trophy at ND. Winning both may not have been out of the question. Plus he played hurt most of the year with a bad turf toe. Clausen didn't pan out in the pros but he was a hell of a college QB in 2009.

Tony Furjanic and Mike Kovaleski were two consistent bright spots on the defense during the vast wasteland of the Gerry Faust era. They were usually 1-2 in leading the D in tackles and were tough as nails.

All three deserved to play for much better coaches.