Notre Dame does not accept JUCO athletes … period. The football team consists solely of high school students who decide to attend the university, or transfers from other universities who must sit out a year and follow other various NCAA rules. Other schools are open to JUCO athletes. Each year, a hundred or so JUCO transfers make rosters across the nation. The acceptance of these students ranges from the minimal:

• USC, Florida, etc. take one or two a year

To the ridiculous:

• Dennis Erickson builds entire programs based on JUCO players (remember that Oregon State team from the Fiesta Bowl in 2001?)

So what is the significance of this phenomenon? Barring the Erickson teams – which are outliers – programs across the country use JUCO transfers to bolster already-stable rosters. Maybe USC needs a new starting corner. Perhaps Texas could use a backup left guard. In general, JUCOs offer a few substantial benefits:

• Depth – A team is only as good as its depth. You may have the best frontline players, but if they are dragging around the field in the 4th quarter, or on the sidelines with strained quads in November, what good are they? JUCO transfers add to the depth of thin positions.

• Experience – JUCOs come into a program with 2 years of college football experience. Is it D-1? No, of course not. But, it’s at a level higher than prep school, possibly playing with other guys who may make it to D-1. Also, they’ve had 2 years to mature as individuals, get bigger in the weight room, and get past a bunch of college class requirements.

• Gamebreakers – Heard of Chad Johnson? Steve Smith? TJ Houshmandzadeh? JUCO, JUCO, and JUCO. These guys entered programs and made a difference from day 1. The right transfer can propel a team to the elite level, overnight.

• Competition – You may think that you’re best running back on the west coast, but your coach has news for you: there’s a guy who can step in tomorrow and take your job. Looks like you better show that you belong in the starting lineup. Good players make each other better. Competition breeds success.

I am not advocating that ND start admitting junior college transfers to its football program in order to win another game or two a season. I am, however, pointing out a disadvantage that gets little attention. Still, a part of me would be excited if we didn’t take seemingly every opportunity to tie our own hands.