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The two most famous quarterbacks at Notre Dame when spring practice started were Tommy Rees, who had started 16 games in his first two seasons, and Gunner Kiel, the hotshot freshman considered a major recruiting score for the Fighting Irish.

One became a reliever. The other took a redshirt.

If all goes well for the top-ranked Fighting Irish, Rees and Kiel will be watching Everett Golson lead Notre Dame past No. 2 Alabama in the BCS championship game Monday night.

Golson won the starting job after what started as a four-way competition in spring practice with Rees and Kiel that also included Andrew Hendrix.

Rees has played a lot this season, helping the Irish win several games by coming off the bench when Golson was struggling or injured. Kiel hasn't played, but says he has enjoyed being a part of an undefeated team and hasn't given much thought to what might be in his future.