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Ron Israel |
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Fifth-year player who provided depth in the 2001 secondary
that finished the season ranked 10th in the nation in pass defense ... was starter at strong safety until he missed a majority of the second
half of the season with a hamstring injury ... versatile performer who
played both safety positions at Notre Dame ... comes from a football
family as brother Steve is a defensive back with the New England
Patriots and brother Tim played football at Temple ... signed a free
agent contract with the Washington Redskins.
AS A SENIOR: Fifth-year veteran returned as starting strong
safety for Irish in 2001 ...made a career-high nine tackles vs.
Nebraska ... second on Irish in tackles, recording a
career-high-tying nine vs. Michigan State, before missing the fourth
quarter with a tight hamstring ... missed second half of Texas A&M
game with same hamstring problemSwas unable to play vs. Pittsburgh
due to a hamstring injury ... started, but hamstring kept him out in
the second half vs. West Virginia ... did not play vs. USC and Boston
College due to the hamstring injury ... saw limited playing time vs.
Tennessee ... returned in a starting role vs. Navy and recorded three
tackles.
AS A JUNIOR: Irish starting strong safety in 2000 and top
name on interception chart with three ... played in all 12 games in
2000, starting all but Air Force and Boston College games and 2001
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Oregon State ... had four tackles vs.
Texas A&M, Purdue, Michigan State and USC ... registered five
tackles vs. Stanford ... snatched first career interception in
fourth quarter vs. West Virginia ... also shared team lead with
career-high eight stops vs. Mountaineers ... played only on special
teams vs. Air Force ... made seven tackles vs. Boston College in
reserve role and had interception to end Eagles' last drive ...
matched career high in leading team with eight tackles vs. Rutgers ... also had a third-quarter interception vs. Scarlet Knights ...
made four tackles vs. Oregon State in Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, including
one for four-yard loss.
AS A SOPHOMORE: Top Irish reserve at strong safety in '99,
playing in 10 games and starting twice ... fractured his wrist vs.
Tennessee and missed Pittsburgh game, but returned to play vs. Boston
College ... made two tackles and broke up a pass vs. Kansas ...
made first career start vs. Purdue , but left game after spraining
right ankle, causing him to miss Michigan State game ... returned
in starting role vs. Oklahoma ... broke up a pass and caused a
fumble vs. Arizona State ... recorded five tackles and a sack vs.
USC ... made 98 special-team appearances.
AS A FRESHMAN: Played in all 12 games in '98, making 103
regular-season special team appearances, then five more in '99 Gator
Bowl vs. Georgia Tech ... only appearance in secondary came vs.
Stanford ... finished season working with Irish kickoff unit ... did not play at all as rookie cornerback in '97.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: USA Today honorable mention
All-America selection ... earned four letters as defensive back and
wide receiver at Haddon Heights High School in Haddon Heights, N.J.
... two-way, four-year starter ... all-state pick as senior and
three-time all-conference selection ... made 104 tackles and eight
interceptions as senior free safety in '96 ... caught 40 passes for
715 yards in '96 ... helped team to 6-3 record in '96 as school
finished with winning record three straight years for first time in
26 seasons ... finished with 254 career tackles, 16 interceptions,
five fumble recoveries and seven caused fumbles, along with 145
catches for 2,565 yards ... captain of both football and track
teams as senior ... finished seventh in state 400 meters as junior
and anchored 4x400 relay team to second place slot ... selected for
New Jersey North-South all-star game ... brother Steve is defensive
back with New England Patriots after playing at University of
Pittsburgh, while another brother Tim played football and ran track
at Temple ... youngest of five children ... born 1-5-79 in
Vorhees, N.J. ... full name is Ronald Clifton Israel ...
graduated from the College of Arts and Letters, majoring in film,
television and theatre.
Israel's Career Statistics
| | G-GS | Solo | Asst. | Tot. | PBU | FC | TL | Sacks | Int. |
| 1998 | 11-0 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 1999 | 10-2 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1-16 | 1-16 | 0-0 |
| 2000 | 11-9 | 34 | 13 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 4-9 | 0-0 | 3-41 |
| 2001 | 8-5 | 15 | 6 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| TOTAL | 40-17 | 61 | 23 | 84 | 5 | 2 | 6-27 | 1-16 | 3-41 |
