the original Notre Dame run-plugging wall
Cedric Hilliard was a classic nose tackle for Notre Dame in the 2003 season: a 6-foot-2, 307-pound space-eater whose calling card was wrecking run games, collapsing interior lanes, and showing up in big moments. Notre Dame called him one of the best defensive linemen in the country in 2003, and he was ranked the No. 6 defensive tackle by The Sporting News that spring[10][13]. He paired power with surprising quickness, added leadership, and even earned Gator Bowl MVP honors in 2003, the kind of player coaches love when they want toughness over flash[10][12].
