COLLEGE FOOTBALL | NOTRE DAME MEDIA DAY
SOUTH BEND | It might be one of the best kept secrets in college football.
Finding out who might have the upper hand in the battle to become the next quarterback at Notre Dame might be more difficult than locating Jimmy Hoffa's grave.
Heck, even administering sodium pentothal to Irish head coach Charlie Weis, his assistant coaches and the three offensive players made available for interviews during the team's annual media day Monday, might not even have done the trick.
Weis didn't really provide a hint, but said he wouldn't rule out playing two quarterbacks, especially since he has players with different athletic skills. But Weis said he's always felt if you have two quarterbacks, you usually don't have one.
Quarterbacks coach Ron Powlus wouldn't even analyze the skills of the three candidates -- junior Evan Sharpley, sophomore Demetrius Jones and freshman phenom Jimmy Clausen. Instead, he talked in circles and politely danced around inquiries about the three players -- none of whom were available for comment -- competing for the right to succeed Brady Quinn, who set three dozen school records before heading off to the NFL.
Who will step in behind center John Sullivan when the Irish run their first play from scrimmage in the home opener against Georgia Tech on Sept. 1?
"I certainly don't want to tell Georgia Tech what I'm doing, because I'd rather they spend more time having to figure out what we're doing," Weis said. "Are they going to play a true dropback quarterback? Are they going to play an athletic quarterback? I'm not really in the business of giving out free information."
Weis said he wanted to enter fall camp with only two players competing for the job, but said the competition has been too close. He wants to make a decision within two weeks because who starts will influence the team's style of offense.
Offensive coordinator Mike Haywood didn't offer any insight and spoke in vague generalities.
Tight end John Carlson, a preseason All-American and Mackey Award candidate, wasn't forthcoming, either.
"I have confidence in all three guys and I know the coaching staff will put the best player out there on Saturday, so I'm not concerned," he said.
Safety Tom Zbikowski didn't seem concerned.
"They can all make all the throws you need to make," he said. "Having an offensive mind like coach Weis, you know you're going to have success no matter who's back there."
Sharpley is the most experienced. He played nearly 21 minutes in eight games last year, completing one of two passes for seven yards.
Jones, whom many observers believe eventually could emerge, made the most plays in the spring game. He's a slippery runner with a strong arm and is very athletic.
Clausen, more of a pure dropback passer, is the most highly decorated recruit since Powlus arrived on campus 14 years ago. He's blessed with a tremendous arm and expectations for him are astronomical.
"I have high expectations for these guys," Powlus said. "They're studying hard. They're working hard. They are going to progress. They are going to have success."
The jury's still out, though, on which one will be under the microscope.
