Clausen and Tate take their Games to Sundays

Clausen and Tate take their Games to Sundays
By John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate sat before the media hearts thumping and their emotions heavy. In between them former coach Charlie Weis was all smiles. With the flashing bulbs illuminating over their life size posters, both declared for the NFL draft during a Monday news conference.

They had talked about their intentions with fired Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis on Friday. Jimmy Clausen decided took his next step towards childhood aspirations.

"Growing up as a kid, one of my lifelong dreams has been to play in the NFL and with that being said, with the support of my family and coaches I will be forgoing my senior year and entering the 2010 NFL draft," Clausen said in a release handed out by the school before his news conference.

The decision was much harder for Tate. His relationships on the gridon and the diamond made it even tougher.
"But after talking with my family and coach Weis, I am going to pursue my dream and enter next year's NFL draft," he said.
Clausen came to Notre Dame from Westlake, California in 2007 and enrolled early. He was most-hyped Notre Dame quarterback since Ron Powlus back in 1993. Clausen was known for infamously announcing his decision to attend Notre Dame at the College Football Hall of Fame, arriving in a Hummer limo and flashing three high school championship rings. He came to South Bend claiming he would add 4 national title rings to his collection.

His career was one of high aspirations unfulfilled. Clausen never directed the Irish to a single Bowl Championship Series game. He did help the Irish break their 9 game bowl losing streak with a 49-21 victory in the Hawaii bowl in which he was the MVP.
He made 34 starts for the Irish compiling a 16-18 record. He finished 2009 ranked second in the country in pass efficiency behind Boise State's Kellen Moore. Clausen threw for 3,722 yards and 28 touchdowns this year. He only threw 4 picks, which was his biggest problem and averaged 310 yards a game passing.

Tate on the other hand was never thought to leave this early after barely finding the field as a freshman. Tate came in to South Bend as a running back and struggled to adapt to the precise route running necessary for Charlie Weis’s scheme. He only had six catches for 131 yards that season.

Last season he was the most improved player on the roster, leading the Irish in all-purpose yards with 1,754. He snagged 58 passes for 1,080 yards, an averaged 18.9 yards a catch. But he came of age this season becoming more of a well-rounded receiver and made highlight reel catches. After the Michael Floyd injury he repeatedly beat zone coverage’s, ran the ball from the wildcat, and increased his production game to game.

Tate was even talked about as a possible Heisman Trophy contender until the Irish lost their last four games.
The 5-11, 195-pound junior from Hendersonville, Tenn., finished the 2009 campaign with 93 catches for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdown receptions. He also added two scores on the ground and one on a punt return for a touchdown. He finished third in the nation in receiving yards per game (124.67), seventh catches per game (7.75), and is a Blinkoff Finalist for the nations best receiver.

According to most draft experts Clausen and Tate are top 15 picks. In the eyes of the Fro Tate is easily the best receiving prospect while Clausen presents mixed feelings towards his ranking.