| Jason Ching |
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Again slated to battle for playing time on Irish defensive line in '99 . . . probably will work with projected regular Anthony Weaver at left defensive end slot . . . has shown signs of becoming a legitimate factor up front if he can avoid injury bug that has slowed his progress . . . gained limited experience during injury-plagued '97 campaign, then became week-to-week contributor in '98 . . . seems to be more effective playing in the 260-to-265 range after playing at 280 in '98 . . . originally came in as nose guard but has proven to be more effective at end . . . rebounded to make good strides in '97 spring drills after back and abdominal problems in rookie season limited his involvement . . . lost good deal of weight and strength due to rookie year physical problems but has regained that power.
AS A JUNIOR: Played in nine regular-season games in '98 as backup at defensive end, then made reserve appearance in '99 Gator Bowl vs. Georgia Tech . . . missed only Purdue and Arizona State games . . . worked behind Anthony Weaver at left end . . . played more than 11 minutes (23 plays) vs. Army . . . played 22 plays vs. Michigan, 15 vs. Navy.
AS A SOPHOMORE: Played in six regular-season games in '97, despite sprained left knee early in second game of season at Purdue that put him out of next five contests . . . played only seven seconds vs. Purdue before injury . . . played more than seven minutes in season opener vs. Georgia Tech in longest stint of season . . . made brief appearances on Irish defensive line vs. Boston College, LSU, West Virginia and Hawaii . . . worked at right end slot with Melvin Dansby in '97 . . . did not see action in '97 Independence Bowl vs. LSU.
AS A FRESHMAN: Did not see varsity action as rookie defensive lineman in '96 . . . battled back from November back surgery and December abdominal surgery.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Parade and USA Today first-team prep All-American . . . rated 26th on Chicago Sun-Times list of top 100 players nationally . . . earned three letters in football as defensive end and tackle at Punahou High School in Honolulu . . . co-captain of football squad as senior in '95 . . . Interscholastic League of Honolulu defensive player of the year in '95 . . . first-team all-state on defense . . . made 112 tackles (56 solo, 56 assists) in 12 games in '95 . . . had 14 sacks and 32 hurries . . . played center in basketball, earning three letters and co-captaining team as senior . . . competed in shot put and discus in track, earning three letters . . . played on Hawaii Select AAU basketball team . . . born 2-11-78 in Honolulu . . . youngest of five children . . . brother Shawn played center for University of Hawaii football team . . . full name is Jason Matthew Ching . . . enrolled in College of Business Administration with major in accounting . . . earned 3.067 grade-point average during '97 fall semester.
G-GS Time Solo Asst. Tot.
1997 6-0 9:12 0 0 0
1998 9-0 62:00 3 2 5
TOTAL 15-0 71:12 3 2 5
The Jason Ching File
- The Irish offensive player who will surprise people this year is Tom Lopienski
- The Irish defensive player who will surprise people this year is Anthony Denman
- The sports team I followed when I was younger was The Los Angeles Raiders
- A word to describe me on the field is Focused
- A word to describe me off the field is Quiet
- Other than Notre Dame Stadium, my favorite college stadium in which to play football is Aloha Stadium
- The area I would like to improve as a football player is Health
- If I could play another position on the other side of the ball it would be Receiver
- My greatest personal athletic moment was Receiving my scholarship to Notre Dame
- The most stimulating class I ever took at Notre Dame was Business Communications
- If I could compete against any Notre Dame athlete (non-football), it would be Troy Murphy (men's basketball)
- The people who have helped me the most since I've been at Notre Dame are My parents
- The top team in college football this year will be Notre Dame
