Dec. 6, 2001
Notre Dame, Ind. – Notre Dame had seven players named to the 2001 collegefootballnews.com all-independent team announced today, including seniors Anthony Weaver and Tyreo Harrison and junior Jeff Faine. Others named to the squad were senior offensive linemen Jordan Black and Kurt Vollers, senior outside linebacker Rocky Boiman and junior kick returner Julius Jones.
Weaver was the leader of the Irish defense all season. A ’01 captain, the defensive end from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., finished third on the Irish in tackles with 59, including 21 for loss and seven sacks. Weaver, who collegefootballnews.com ranked as the third-best independent player in the country, also had an interception, three pass deflections and three forced fumbles on the year, leading an Irish defense that ranked 13th in total defense and 22nd nationally in scoring defense. A Lombardi Award candidate at the beginning of ’01, Weaver was named a second-team All-American by ABC Sports Online and an honorable mention All-American by Football News.
Harrison, from Sulphur Springs, Texas, was a force in the middle for the Irish in 2001. The linebacker led the Irish with 97 tackles in ’01, including a team-leading and career-high 15 versus Stanford (including 10 solos). Harrison, who collegefootballnews.com ranked as the fifth best independent player in ’01, recorded double-digit tackles in four games this season and was the leading Irish tackler in eight games. Harrison’s 97 tackles were the most for an Irish defensive player since A’Jani Sanders had 91 at the conclusion of the 1999 season. Harrison was named an honorable mention All-American by Football News.
Faine, a center from Sanford, Fla., was Notre Dame’s leader in the trenches in 2001, protecting young quarterbacks Carlyle Holiday and Matt LoVecchio. Ranked as the third-best center nationally by Lindy’s before the start of the 2001 season, Faine led the Irish in minutes played with 314:17 and started all 11 games. Faine, who ranked as the ninth best independent player in 2001 according to collegefootballnews.com was also the lead blocker for the Irish rushing attack, which ranked 30th in the nation this season. Faine was an honorable mention All-America selection by Football News.
Black, from Rowlett, Texas, started all 11 games at either left tackle or right guard for the Irish in 2001. Black was third on the Irish in minutes played at 277:57, and was named a preseason honorable mention all-independent team member by Football News. Black was ranked eighth among independent players for the 2001 season by collegefootballnews.com and was an all-independent team selection by Football News.
Vollers, from Whittier, Calif., started all 11 games for the Irish in ’01. Ranked as the 25th-best independent player by collegefootballnews.com, Vollers played 264:36 minutes in ’01. Boiman, who fought a foot injury most of the season, played all 11 games for the Irish in 2001. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native and co-captain ranked sixth on the Irish with 41 tackles, including 10 for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Boiman was also a member of the Football News all-independent team.
Jones, a tailback from Big Stone Gap, Ga., averaged 22.5 yards per kick return this season, ranking 55th in the country. He also averaged 10.7 yards per punt return, good for 37th nationally and ranked 32nd nationally in all-purpose yards at 124.73 a game. Hampered by injuries all season, Jones still finished as Notre Dame’s leading rusher with 718 yards and seven touchdowns in ’01. Jones ranked 13th among all independent players in collegefootballnews.com’s list of the top 30 independent players.
Other Irish players who made the list include Holiday (18th), senior split end Javin Hunter (29th) and sophomore cornerback Vontez Duff (30th).