Spring practice is under way for quite a few schools, so forecasters have no choice but to trot out “Top College Football Player” lists for 2010. ESPN reporter Joe Schad has his top 100-names that we already know, or are sure to know as next season gets going.

His list includes a few Domers, Michael Floyd at #12, Manti Te’o at #32, Dayne Crist at #47, and Kyle Rudolph at #92.

Schad is correct on those names of course, but (for you super fans) there is a more complete list of Irish players to watch. We’ve already seen the first names on the list, and here comes part II.

Here we go (again).

Ethan Johnson, DE/DT. The Irish haven’t had a star defensive lineman since people churned out their word documents on typewriters. Great teams have great line play on on offense and defense. Great teams have defensive tackles that gobble up running backs like an IHOP breakfast. Johnson has shown flashes in two years, but Notre Dame needs him to be great if the team is to take the next step.

Harrison Smith, S. The man that chases ball carriers like Pepe Le Pew chases the ladies (as in-he never catches them). Smith has been uncomfortable to watch in the defensive backfield, letting receivers run open and free far too often. He has bounced back and forth between safety and linebacker to find his niche, but Brian Kelly has decided that safety is where he needs to be. He has athleticism, but has not proven he can translate that to the field. The Irish don’t have a lot of other options here, so Smith needs to be far better than he ever has been.

Shaquelle Evans, WR. Wide receivers are needed in abundance to make Kelly’s offense fly. Evans is supposed to have a Golden Tate-type of skill set, which could help. A lot.

Theo Riddick, RB. Look we know that Robert Hughes is a bruiser that can pick up some tough yards. We know that Armando Allen is a quick, duel-threat that can rip off a twenty yard gain, and catch out of the backfield. However, Riddick can be a difference-maker. He has the vision, speed, and moves that a ball carrier needs to be a big-play threat. He could be to this offense what Ben Roethlisberger is to lawyers who specialize in harassment cases.

Matt Romine, T or Matt James, T. Romine is a fourth-year player that was once one of the most highly regarded high school offensive lineman in the country. He has not made a mark yet. Matt James will be a true freshman that was on of the most highly-regarded high school offensive lineman in the country. He has a chance to make his mark. Notre Dame quarterbacks haven’t had tackles that can handle elite rushers (other than Ryan Harris) in years, so these two need to reverse the trend, and ensure that the Irish support staff doesn’t need to know whether Tide or Cheer gets the stains out of Dayne Crist’s shirts better.