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The decision that will most impact the future of Notre Dame football will not be made by President John I. Jenkins, athletics director Jack Swarbrick, coach Charlie Weis or the small group of influential alumni who have served as behind-the-scenes power brokers in the not-so-distant past.

The player whose right arm has been most responsible for Notre Dame's resurgence now holds the program's fate in his hands. Jimmy Clausen was who Weis most wanted to build around after Brady Quinn left. Four years later, Clausen's possible premature departure could result in the Irish not reaching their ultimate potential.