Throughout his time at Notre Dame, DE Frank Stams looked like he was born to play defense – ironic in light of him starting his collegiate career as a fullback.
When coach Lou Holtz switched the Akron, OH, native over to the other side of the ball, it paid off big time. Stams was the defensive MVP of the 1986 Orange Bowl and a key cog on the 1988 team that went undefeated en route to the national title.
Following his graduation, Stams spent seven years in the NFL, where he switched positions again to linebacker. Today he keeps busy as a health insurance consultant for Evans Insurance Agency in his hometown of Akron while raising two children with his wife, Mari.
Stams will be watching Monday night to see if his Irish can win the program’s first national title since that ’88 season. Frank Stams profile
