Notre Dame football returns in 83 days as the Irish are set to open the 2023 season abroad, taking on Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
As we like to do, we’re counting things down as we get set for the long-awaited return of Notre Dame football. Will the Irish be a threat to crash the College Football Playoff party in 2023? Time will tell but with the addition of transfer quarterback Sam Hartman, expectations are high in South Bend.
With today being day 83 in the countdown it’s a proper day to look back at the Notre Dame with a couple of the best receivers the program has ever know. Of course I’m talking about Jeff Samardzija and Chase Claypool.
Looking back, it’s easy to make a case that Samardzija was the best player on the successful 2005 and 2006 teams while Claypool fit Samardzija’s track record a bit, taking time to develop on campus but having an outstanding final two years.
Check out the best pictures of both Samardzija and Claypool during their times at Notre Dame below!
NCAA 2005 Football: Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Oct. 15, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jeff Samardzija catches…
Oct. 15, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jeff Samardzija catches pass for a touchdown in front of Southern California Trojans defensive back Justin Wyatt in the second quarter of Notre Dame's game against USC Saturday Oct. 15 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: UCLA at Notre Dame
Oct. 21, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback (10) Brady Quinn throws…
Oct. 21, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback (10) Brady Quinn throws the ball to wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija for the game-winning score against the UCLA Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: UCLA at Notre Dame
Oct. 21, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Oct. 21, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija scores the winning touchdown in the 20-17 victory over the UCLA Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Michigan State
Sept. 23, 2006; East Lansing, MI, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Sept. 23, 2006; East Lansing, MI, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija jumps into the end zone in front of Michigan State Spartans defensive back (27)SirDarean Adams for a touchdown in the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
Sep 2, 2006: Atlanta, GA, USA: Notre Dame wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija pulls in a…
Sep 2, 2006: Atlanta, GA, USA: Notre Dame wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija pulls in a pass past Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cornerback (2) Kenny Scott in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. Notre Dame won 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Christopher Gooley-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Christopher Gooley
NCAA Football: Army at Notre Dame
Nov. 18, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Nov. 18, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Army Black Knights with wide receiver (11) David Grimes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: North Carolina at Notre Dame
Nov. 4, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Nov. 4, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija catches a touchdown pass in front of North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback (16) Jacoby Watkins in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Air Force
Nov. 11, 2006; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Nov. 11, 2006; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs LSU
Jan 3, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Jan 3, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija catches a touchdown in front of Louisiana State Tigers defensive back (19) Jonathan Zenon during the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 John David Mercer
NCAA Football: Michigan at Notre Dame
Sep. 16, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Sep. 16, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija and wide receiver (5) Rhema McKnight celebrate a second quarter touchdown by Samardzija at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
NCAA Football: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Blue-Gold Game
Apr 22, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Apr 22, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija scores a touchdown for the blue team during the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Matt Cashore
NCAA 2005 Football: Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Nov. 19, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Nov. 19, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija scores a touchdown in the second quarter in front of Syracuse Orange cornerback (25) Steve Gregory. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Matt Cashore
2005 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jan 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija stiff…
Jan 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija stiff arms Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback (26) Ashton Youboty during the 1st quarter of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Rick Scuteri
NCAA FB: Penn State at Notre Dame
Sep. 9, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija…
Sep. 9, 2006; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports © copyright (2006) Matt Cashore
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Jan 01, 2006; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija warms…
Jan 01, 2006; Tempe, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver (83) Jeff Samardzija warms up before the Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Copyright Rick Scuteri
US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish receiver Jeff Samardzija (83) runs…
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish receiver Jeff Samardzija (83) runs after a catch against the Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
NCAA 2005 Football: Tennessee Volunteers at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish #83 Jeff Samardzija outruns Tennessee…
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish #83 Jeff Samardzija outruns Tennessee Volunteers #24 Antwan Stewart after a long pass play in the third quarter. Irish beat the Volunteers 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
NCAA 2005 Football: Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Oct. 15, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jeff Samardzija catches…
Oct. 15, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jeff Samardzija catches a pass in front of Southern California Trojans defensive back Justin Wyatt in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Matt Cashore
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Head Coach Charlie Weis with…
Nov 5, 2005; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Head Coach Charlie Weis with #83 Jeff Samardzija and #10 Brady Quinn prior to kickoff against Tennessee Volunteers at Norte Dame Stadium. Irish beat the Volunteers 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Northwestern
Nov 3, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) makes…
Nov 3, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) makes a catch against Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Cameron Ruiz (18) during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Southern California
November 24, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83)…
November 24, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) catches a pass in front of Southern California Trojans cornerback Iman Marshall (8) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Michigan at Notre Dame
Sep 1, 2018; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Khalid Kareem (53)…
Sep 1, 2018; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Khalid Kareem (53) and wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrate in the student section after Notre Dame defeated the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Navy v Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores…
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 16: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown past Kevin Brennan #10 of the Navy Midshipmen in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 16, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
Nov 2, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83)…
Nov 2, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) gestures after catching a pass for a first down on a 4th and 10 play in the fourth quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Camping World Bowl-Notre Dame vs Iowa State
Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates…
Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates after being named MVP of the Camping World Bowl after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Camping World Bowl-Notre Dame vs Iowa State
Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) cannot…
Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) cannot make a catch in the end zone against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Bowling Green at Notre Dame
Oct 5, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83)…
Oct 5, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates with offensive lineman Robert Hainsey (72) after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Navy at Notre Dame
Nov 16, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83)…
Nov 16, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) scores in the first quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Navy at Notre Dame
Nov 16, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83)…
Nov 16, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) catches a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) catches…
Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) catches a touchdown pass over Stanford Cardinal cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (17) during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
2019: Chase Claypool (1037 yards)
Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Southern California at Notre Dame
Oct 12, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; USC Trojans cornerback Chris Steele (8) breaks up a…
Oct 12, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; USC Trojans cornerback Chris Steele (8) breaks up a pass in the first half intended for Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
