NOTRE DAME - A five-star recruit in high school, Dayne Crist could've gone to just about any school in the country and played as a freshman. Instead, he chose Notre Dame.

"It came down to the right fit, the right coach, the right program, and the right players," Crist says. "I believe we can win a national championship here."

Of course, before Crist can lead the Irish to a national title the sophomore quarterback has to get on the field. A job currently being held down by Jimmy Clausen.

"It's great being the quarterback at Notre Dame," Clausen admits. "You've always got people watching you. That's how it is."

Unlike in season's past, this spring Clausen has Crist looking right over his shoulder.

"I don't think that Dayne wants to sit and wait til Jimmy graduates to say, 'O.K. its time for me to play now." head coach Charlie Weis said at the start of spring practice. "I think Dayne is coming into the spring to try and make it tough on Jimmy. That's exactly what he should be doing."

Crist certainly has the arm to push Clausen, not to mention the demeanor to compete with the starter, as Weis found out when recruiting Crist.

"He challenged me", Crist recalls. "He said 'I understand we've gopt some guys here. If you're scared to compete, I understand that too.' That didn't sit well with me."

Charlie Weis says the starting job is Jimmy Clausen's to lose and if Dayne Crist wants it, he's gonna have to take it. That's exactly what Crist is trying to do this spring, on every snap.

"You don't win a spot by being good here or there. You've got to be great every down."

That greatness...is something Clausen sees in Crist already.

"Dayne's gonna be a real, real good player someday" Clausen says of his teammate. "I've known Dayne since middle school. He's gonna be something special".

Sounds like all Crist needs, is a chance.