SOUTH BEND, Ind. - If Charlie Weis has a wish list, you’d have to assume that the item atop it has already been granted, and that’s being given a chance to coach at Notre Dame in 2009.

But if Weis is putting together what he wants for 2010, it would have to include a pair of vital recruiting needs, and that would be a couple of quarterbacks and some stud defensive linemen.

If senior Evan Sharpley bypasses a fifth year of eligibility in 2009, as expected, in order to pursue a baseball career, the Irish depth chart will consist of two scholarship players — starter Jimmy Clausen and backup Dayne Crist, who did not play this season.

If it gets past those two, the next option is walk-on Nate Montana. Beyond Montana, there aren’t a lot of choices other than direct snaps to a skill player such as wide receiver Golden Tate. And beyond that, Weis’ best bet might be to petition the NCAA to see if Montana’s dad has any remaining eligibility.

The primary target for 2010 is Seattle-area standout Jake Heaps, a player Weis watched play when the Irish visited Washington in late October.

The numbers aren’t as daunting at defensive line, but the quality simply isn’t there.

Outside of freshman Ethan Johnson, Notre Dame has largely swung and missed on game-changers at this spot.

This is a spot at which ND must begin to record recruiting victories rather than second-place finishes.

The good news is that the class of 2009 in a way includes four players. Last year, including Johnson, ND signed five defensive linemen, but only Johnson played. Notre Dame doesn’t like to use the term "redshirt," but four of the five retain a fifth year of eligibility, making them freshmen eligibility-wise in 2009.

They include Sean Cwynar, Hafis Williams, Brandon Newman and Kapron Lewis-Moore. Of that group, Lewis-Moore is considered the best prospect.

But that doesn’t mean Notre Dame can count on that group excelling. None were considered a top-flight recruit, and if the Irish are to make a jump on the field, they’ll need to make a jump at defensive line recruiting.

Banks likely to miss spring practice
Notre Dame recruit E.J. Banks is expected to miss spring practice after undergoing surgery on his right knee last month.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Banks will enroll at Notre Dame in January, which would allow him to participate in spring drills. But Banks, a senior at Montour High School in McKees Rocks, Pa., injured the knee in a state playoff game. Banks was thrown into the bench on a late hit in early November and underwent surgery around Thanksgiving.

"He probably won't be ready for spring practice," Montour head coach Lou Cerro said. "He's probably ahead of schedule. I don't think he'll play, but who knows."

Banks is projected as a defensive back, but he could also receive a shot at slot receiver.

Evans OK
Irish wide receiver recruit Shaquelle Evans of Inglewood, Calif., suffered a minor injury in the recent Hawaii Prep Football Classic, but the injury won't keep him out of the Jan. 3 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Evans caught four passes for 30 yards in the game but left for precautionary reasons after suffering a "bruised behind."

"He took a funky fall on a ball that was thrown behind him," Inglewood assistant coach Khalid Ali said. "It wasn't anything that was season-ending."

Evans helped the Mainland team to a 22-8 victory over the Hawaii/Polynesia All-Stars. Notre Dame linebacker recruit Zeke Motta of Vero Beach, Fla., forced a fumble that led to a Mainland touchdown, and future Irish kicker Nick Tausch of Dallas kicked a 37-yard field goal.

Motta will part of the East team in next month's Army game. He will be joined on the East team by Princeton, N.J., defensive lineman Tyler Stockton and tight end Jake Golic of West Hartford, Conn.

Offensive lineman Chris Watt (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and running back Cierre Wood (Oxnard, Calif.) will join Evans on the West team.

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