CALLING ANTHONY VERNAGLIA
Circumstances have forced him to bide his time.
First, he was asked to change positions from safety to linebacker. Once he did, he found there were some fairly accomplished players situated in front of him so starting anytime soon probably wouldn't be an option.
Then, came some injury issues that clearly impeded his progress and set him back a bit.
Because of these and other factors, he's had to methodically work his way back up the depth chart a time or two.
Ever so patiently, he's waited for the opportunity to show that his destiny should be that of a prime-time player rather than one who merely occupies a complimentary role.
Now, at long last, his moment of truth has arrived. The time has come to fish or cut bait. The chance he's been waiting for is laying right before him. It must be seized or perhaps it will never come again.
For Notre Dame outside linebacker Anthony Vernaglia, the time to assert himself is in the present. It's hard to imagine circumstances being any more advantageous for the California senior to finally make his mark. He's currently positioned to become a real force on a defense in desperate need of some playmakers and hard-hitters. The young man from the Golden State has a golden opportunity to shine and turn his up-to-now spotty career into something worth remembering.
Of all the players on the Irish roster that genuinely opened some eyes and greatly enhanced their standing during the just concluded spring practice, Vernaglia was at the top of the list. By all accounts, the 6-3, 233-pounder truly stood out. He continually made plays and seemed to readily grasp and embrace the new 3-4 scheme that the Irish are in the process of implementing.
Vernaglia was doing so much, so well he couldn't help but get noticed.
Vernaglia also showed a heretofore missing maturity in his approach to the game. He seemed much more confident and assertive on the field. He radiated an aura that he was fully confident in his ability to get the job done. One could almost say that Anthony was coming of age right before the eyes of his coaches and teammates.
It could be argued that perhaps Vernaglia has elevated his play because so much is now expected of him and that relates directly to ND's new defensive coordinator Corwin Brown.
You see Brown and his young charge have a history. While at Virginia as a assistant coach, Brown was duly impressed with Anthony's efforts at Lutheran High in Orange, California and actively recruited him. Brown was convinced Vernaglia had definite upside.
So when the two reunited at the Golden Dome, Brown was familiar with Vernaglia's background and thus felt he could be a key contributor to helping to resurrect a floundering Domer defense. Because Brown's expectation of Vernaglia has been high from the outset, he's set the bar very high for the 21-year old who, in truth, hasn't accomplished much to date.
To the Irish coach, unless Vernaglia meets certain criteria and begins performing at a high level, he will considered a disappointing underachiever and that's not the legacy that Brown wants to see Vernaglia saddled with.
But if Vernaglia's efforts in the recent Blue-Gold game are any indication, Anthony might be ready to become the impact player that Brown envisions. Playing for Ara Parseghian's Blue crew, number 54 wreaked some havoc and made his presence felt. Vernaglia registered 8 tackles, 4 of the solo variety and registered a nifty 9-yard sack. Only Joe Brockington (Blue) with 11 and Toryan Smith (Gold) with 9 had more stops than did Vernaglia.
Once again, Anthony made it hard for onlookers to ignore him.
And yet, it might be a bit premature to read too much into Vernaglia's stellar spring. Whether his recent emergence will prove to be a precursor of things to come or merely a transitory occurrence remains to be seen. After all, there have been plenty of ND gridders who kicked butt in March and April only to flameout when it really mattered the most. Sometimes what happens in the spring doesn't necessarily translate to the fall. Unfortunately, spring success can have a very short shelf life.
But it's hard to conclude that the situation isn't ripe for Vernaglia to make a mark.
To begin with, he's got a dynamic coach who believes in him and will push him hard to reach his full potential
With Notre Dame's conversion to the 3-4 set-up, another linebacking position has opened up which figures to exponentially increase Anthony's chances to start.
Vernaglia also has the benefit of having been immersed in the program for three years and thereby learned some valuable lessons about all that it takes to get out on the field.
Vernaglia has slowly inched his way forward from his freshman year in '04 when he saw no action to last year when he made a few appearances and garnered some modest playing time (21:49). He's made what might be considered incremental progress.
However, Anthony's more than ready for an accelerated learning curve. He's just itching to take on a bigger workload. He's old enough and prepared enough to take that next step. That monumental step from being a reserve to carving out a name for yourself. To being a factor that helps lift your team to a new plane on the defensive side of the ball.
Based upon what he's shown of late, there's no earthly reason to think that Vernaglia's time hasn't arrived. Opportunity now beckons him. It will be interesting and instructive to see if the senior answers this clarion call.
His very football future probably depends on it.