With Lo Wood out for the season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will start freshman KeiVarae Russell at cornerback going into the 2012 season, according to Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune. Wood ruptured his achilles tendon during practice earlier this week, effectively ending his season prematurely.

For now, the Fighting Irish will be going with Russell opposite fellow starter Bennett Jackson, who played nine games for Notre Dame last season. The Irish really lack ideal experience in the secondary without Wood, but head coach Brian Kelly has insisted that the defense will be fine with the personnel already in place.

Russell, rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN out of Everett, Wash., was initially recruited to play running back for the Irish. He's already changed positions, though, and now he's likely going to be starting in Notre Dame's regular season opener as a freshman.

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