Pat Haden

Brady Quinn clearly is Notre Dame’s most improved player because he has become a flat out better passing quarterback this season. What’s more, his improved poise and leadership ability have helped put the Irish in contention for a Bowl Championship Series berth. Below is a more in-depth look at Quinn and my other four picks. Don’t forget to vote for your pick.

Jr. Brady Quinn, quarterback
The Irish were an unspectacular 10-11 in Quinn’s first two seasons as a starter. Last season, he was rated 51st in the nation as a passer, completing 16 passes per game. This season, however, the junior from Dublin, Ohio is rated fifth and he is completing roughly 25 passes per contest. His pass-completion rate has jumped from 54 percent last season to slightly more than 65 percent this season.

In Saturday's win over Navy, Quinn broke Jarious Jackson’s school record for passing yards in a season. And he is on track to shatter the mark for most career passing yards set by Ron Powlus from 1994-97. Quinn’s three TDs against the Midshipmen give him 52 for his career, tying the mark set by Powlus.

He set a new school record with 6 touchdown passes in an Oct. 22 win over BYU.

Quinn’s teammates have said he is a more confident player this season. And he is more vocal too, meaning he is more likely to get on other Irish players for foolish mistakes. Quinn is not only a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, I believe he is the most improved player in college football this season.

Sr. Mike Richardson, defensive back
Richardson, a cornerback, has made great strides in pass coverage this season, and has intercepted three passes.  But perhaps more important is the restored confidence of Richardson, and the entire secondary, which stood out as a weak link last season. And it showed in the 5-foot-11, 193-pound Georgia native as he struggled to cover opposing receivers, and did not intercept a single pass. Coach Charlie Weis - who is not known for heaping praise on his players – cited in his Nov. 8 press conference the strong play of Richardson and the Irish secondary this season.

Jr. Jeff Samardzija, wide receiver
The 6-foot-5 Samardzija started the season without a touchdown catch. Now he has 12, a new school record, which is one better than Derrick Mayes’ 1994 total.

Against Navy on Saturday, Samardzija saw his school record streak of games with at least one TD catch end at eight.

Samardzija has 56 catches for 919 yards through nine games and is 204 yards shy of Tom Gatewood’s 35-year-old school record for most receiving yards in a season.

Jr. Tom Zbikowski, defensive back
Zbikowski, with a team best four interceptions, and has emerged to make an impact a solid all-around player and leader.

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But Zbikowski, an aggressive safety and punt returner, also has a knack for making big plays. In three of his last four games, he has either returned either a punt or interception for a touchdown.

In the Nov. 5 victory over Tennessee, Zbikowski became the first Irish player since 1965 to return a punt and interception to pay dirt.

Sr. Maurice Stovall, wide receiver
Stovall committed himself to get in better physical condition this season, and it appears his hard work has paid off.

The native of the City of Brotherly Love has already double his totals from last season in both receptions and yards, and is second only to Samardzija in those categories.

In an Oct. 22 win over BYU, Stovall became the first Irish player to catch four TD passes in a game. He also had career highs of 14 catches (also a school record) and 207 yards.

Stovall has shown noticeable improvement as a blocker. In the Nov. 5 win over Tennessee, he used his 6-foot-5 frame to aid in three Irish TD plays.

Stovall’s three TD catches vs. Navy gave him eight during a three-game stretch.

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