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Notre Dame junior cornerback Darrin Walls will not be a part of the 2008 Notre Dame Football Team. In short, Walls is gone, at least for now. Do not expect any specific reason to be handed out by the University of Notre Dame. Secrecy is its first policy. Walls is reportedly expected to return to Notre Dame for the 2009 spring semester.

So what's next? The next cornerback steps in to fill the void, that's what's next. Walls' classmate Raeshon McNeil (photo) and redshirt freshman Gary Gray will likely compete for the starting position vacated by Walls. Both players were highly recruited coming out of high school, and both players enjoy the physical aptitude to compete against the nation's top wide receivers. Now, each player will receive his own opportunity, come hell or high water.

If one aspires to be a top-notch cornerback with dreams of lining up against the likes of Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, and the like, that individual better be prepared to take on the challenge of becoming a full-time starting cornerback at least a year early during college. McNeil and Gray are and now in position to seize such an opportunity. It's their time.

Walls absence also means that senior free safety and All-American candidate David Bruton will be under more pressure to perform, as well as fifth-year senior cornerback Terrail Lambert and all of the other defensive backs. It will take a collective effort to minimize Walls departure, but Notre Dame stands for excellence. No excuses. The talent is potent enough to form one of College Football's top defensive backfields without no. 2 in the Notre Dame lineup. Time for McNeil and Gray to make their mark.