There weren't many big time cruits there Dallas is going to OSU The white WR from Oregon? Bunch of good midwest 2019 players
I went to school in Colorado with a guy named Dallas. He ended up playing WR for Colorado State and was pretty damn good. That said, he was not from Texas.
Anybody got Loy's insights on recruiting. Also the guy who took over for Jake Brown is pretty into it like you guys said. I followed Brown on Twitter for updates and would get very few, and he was always last, but this Sinclair guy has been active.
Just watched the Kelly presser after the spring game. "Chip doesn't need me in his ear right now" scares me. Kelly just doesn't seem comfortable with letting his coaches coach like he said. He has a hard time letting somebody else call the plays, that seemed obvious to me.
I saw the indoor field right before it opened and it was incredible. I've heard the new locker room and other facilities in that building are super legit. In Chuck we trust amirite?
Jaw dropping how nice it is- there are YouTube videos up that give a tour Basically no way a MAC school should have facilities as nice as Miami has- it's gonna put a lot of stress on the other schools
Nervous as well, but would love to see him play uninterrupted this coming season because he seems to be a damn good football player with excellent instincts. We need him back there, so I really do hope this works out.
I'd basically forgotten about Crawford if healthy I think he would have been our best corner last year. Glad he is back.
Per the pressers and podcasts it sounds like ND is expecting Crawford to play nickel, some strong safety in passing downs, be in the dime package, and even play some rover He's gonna play everywhere but corner I think
Similar but opposite story...had both ACLs replaced. Never had a problem with the one knee and was installing flooring all weekend. Knees took a beating and now my left foot was numb all night. Transferring my nerve to Jaylon I guess. Congrats Cowboys
look what we have a here - a tale of the tape Spoiler Tale Of The Tape: Blue-Gold Game TIM PRISTER 11:53 AM Quarterbacks Brandon Wimbush and Ian Book combined to complete 72.2 percent of their passes. Completions to WRs (25), TEs (10) and RB (6) were spread well. BLUE-GOLD GAME OFFENSE It was clear which way the Irish offense is headed under Chip Long in Saturday’s annual Blue-Gold Game, starting with the rushing attack that featured more quick-hitting stuff than the long, drawn-out delay-type runs that allow the offensive line to do its work, but also gives the defensive front inroads to the running back. There is a concerted effort to distribute the football to the eligible receivers in the offense – wideouts, tight ends and running backs. Running back and tight end catches are going to skyrocket under Long, who not coincidentally is the tight ends coach. There were 41 passes caught. Tight ends – including Alizé Mack, who is a combination wideout-tight end – caught 10 passes for 103 yards. Mack had five catches for 46 yards, Nic Weishar had two for 25, Durham Smythe had two for 15 and Tyler Luatua had one for 17 Wideouts had 25 receptions for a whopping 425 yards: Miles Boykin (5-102), C.J. Sanders (5-52), Chase Claypool (4-63), Equanimeous St. Brown (3-69), Kevin Stepherson (3-75), Chris Finke (3-55), and Javon McKinley (2-17). The remaining six went to the running backs, including four by Dexter Williams, who, combined with his 96 rushing yards, accounted for 132 yards total offense. Tony Jones caught one pass, but we know he’ll be a favored running back target in Long’s offense. Josh Adams caught 21 passes in 2016, so the Irish have three ball carriers that can play the role of pass-catcher, and then tap back into their running back instincts. Because running backs frequently align in the slot, they become even more of a pass-catching threat. Long likes to utilize the “move-tight end” as Charlie Weis called it. Tight ends will motion behind the offensive line, serve as a lead blocker, run a space-clearing route for the running back, or become the primary target pealing out of the backfield himself. Tight ends, with two of them on the field much of the time, are check-down options once the quarterback has gone through a progression on the other side of the field with the wideouts. Weishar and Smythe are ideal big bodies to plant themselves, shield the linebackers with their bodies, and make short-gain catches. Using the tight end on the move in the backfield also allows for wheel routes, which are difficult to defend with all the other action taking place between the tight ends and running backs. There’s a whole bunch of underneath passing yardage to be gained by utilizing the tight ends in this fashion. This is a good chains-moving weapon that keeps drives alive. We saw quick-hitting slants, which generally are pitch-and-catch, high-percentage type throws. Boykin, Finke and even red-clad McKinley were particularly effective. We also saw why Stepherson is a key ingredient to the future of Notre Dame’s passing game. He has the speed to get behind cornerbacks and safeties, which we saw in 2016. It was encouraging to see the No. 1 offense overcome two sacks in the opening drive to complete a seven-play, 70-yard drive. The offense converted the touchdown drive despite 2nd-and-16 and 2nd-and-15 scenarios. Just as we saw on Memphis film with Long as the coordinator and then throughout this spring, the Notre Dame offense has more weapons a) because they have a bunch of skilled athletes and b) Long knows how to tap into those assets in a variety of ways. BRANDON WIMBUSH Doug Flutie said at the top of the broadcast: “I want to see (Wimbush’s) pocket presence and how he handles his eye discipline and his progressions. He’s a great athlete with a big-time arm. He’s going to do the quarterback-movement stuff great. I want to see how he functions in the pocket. “Brian Kelly believes in him. He thinks he’s a level-headed kid and when the bright lights are in the fall, he’ll be able to handle it.” The lights weren’t nearly as bright as they’re going to be, but Wimbush looked poised and in control, completing 22-of-32 passes for 303 yards. He was “sacked” seven times because of the quick whistle to protect the red-clad quarterbacks, but his elusiveness will allow him to get out of those jams a vast majority of the time. One aspect of the Blue-Gold Game that is deceptive as it relates to quarterbacks in the pocket is that we don’t know if Wimbush will hang in there and make throws with a rush in his face, or if he’ll peal off and try to run the ball in those situations. Because he was in a red jersey and didn’t have to fear contact, he could afford to hang in there in a Blue-Gold Game. We saw several instances in the first 14 practices of Wimbush feeling the rush, and then darting upfield with power. He should be a nice combination of pass-run when he drops back to pass. Some of his more impressive plays…A sideline touch pass to St. Brown over cornerback Nick Watkins and under safety Jalen Elliott for 32 yards…A bullet back-shoulder throw to Boykin on safety Nick Coleman for 32 yards…A six-yard scramble that was blown dead, but he would have gotten much more live as Wimbush goes from quarterback to wide receiver in the open-field. (Wide receiver, not running back, because his cuts are wider and in a more exaggerated fashion than that of a running back.)… With the pass rush in his face, Wimbush hung in there to complete a 14-yard pass to Claypool…In the fourth quarter, chased by linebacker Jonathan Jones while rolling to his right, Wimbush found Claypool in front of the pylon and just over the out-stretched reach of cornerback Julian Love. One of Wimbush’s two interceptions definitely wasn’t his fault. The first one bounced off the chest of Mack (with Coleman in good coverage) and ricocheted into Elliott’s hands. Flutie claimed that Boykin should have crossed the face of Elliott on the second interception. Wimbush’s throw certainly looked as if he were anticipating that route from Boykin, who instead took a path into the end zone. A ton to like and very little to criticize Wimbush in a very solid performance. IAN BOOK When Ian Book was recruited and signed by Notre Dame, I called him a Northwestern-type quarterback who could run the offense and move the chains with his ability to throw the ball on the run, scramble for yardage, and make all the easy throws. Coupled with what we saw the rest of the spring, Book looked the part. Book completed 17-of-22 passes for 277 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. “He’s exactly what we were hoping for,” Kelly said. For the most part, Book was accurate. Throwing on the run makes it more difficult to be accurate, and he threw behind Weishar on a roll to his right under pressure from Andrew Trumbetti. Still, there was a window for Weishar to make the catch. It was almost intercepted by Isaiah Robertson when the pass – thrown a bit behind Weishar – bounced into the air. Book also threw behind Stepherson on a slant. But he made an outstanding throw on the run to his right as Sanders settled in and caught the pass for an 11-yard gain. Book also showed good poise when he scanned the field to his right, didn’t like what he saw, and came back to Weishar for an eight-yard gain. Book knew he had his safety valve to his left and executed it perfectly. The lone touchdown pass of the scrimmage began with a Book pump fake, which caused cornerback Troy Pride Jr. to bite and run himself out of the play. When Sanders turned it upfield, safety D.J. Morgan couldn’t slide over in time to prevent the 37-yard score. In the pocket, Book’s lack of height will be an impediment when the pass rushers get a push on the offensive line, but that’s why his mobility and ability to throw on the run -- he’s really good going to his right; we don’t know about going to his left, which is a more difficult throw -- is a key ingredient to his success. OFFENSIVE OBSERVATIONS • Love the pistol formation. Just another aspect of Long’s offense that has to be addressed by opposing defenses. Pistol handoffs give the running back more of a straight-on attack of the line of scrimmage. • Josh Adams’ 25-yard run was a thing of beauty. It started with a phenomenal jump-cut at the line to evade Elliott. Adams then ran through Nick Coleman’s grasp before eluding Daelin Hayes, Nyles Morgan and Nick Watkins to complete the touchdown run. Wow. • On Dexter Williams’ 38-yard touchdown run, he kicked it outside to take advantage of a down block on Jay Hayes – who had beaten Mike McGlinchey -- took advantage of a shallow tackling angle by linebacker Jamir Jones, and then ran away from safety Ashton White. • When Jay Hayes beat McGlinchey for a second time, Tony Jones was in perfect position to pick up Hayes. • Williams left the field after running through a couple of tackles on an 18-yard swing pass. Williams had to leave the field temporarily due to a minor injury. This seems to happen frequently to Williams. He’ll need to stay healthy to hold off the charge of Tony Jones Jr. • Right tackle Tommy Kraemer stood out when he was beaten off the edge. Those questions will remain because Kraemer is not a great change-of-direction tackle. After watching the video, however, Kraemer performed better than he appeared to the naked eye. I still think he’s a guard, and that’s a concern because a couple of years ago, Steve Elmer was forced into a right tackle spot and had to be moved inside after the season began. The issue: Notre Dame doesn’t have a true right tackle. Well, that’s probably McGlinchey, but he has to play on the left side. (Quenton Nelson could play it to and play it well. But his professional career is at guard.) Liam Eichenberg didn’t show the footwork we expected him to show and was whipped one time by Adetokunbo Ogundeji. Alex Bars could be bumped back to tackle with Kraemer at guard, but Bars’ better position is guard. It’s a dilemma that will spill into the fall. SACK ATTACK First, a correction. In our post-game Instant Analysis, I said the offensive line was surrendering sacks against mainly basic fronts. That wasn’t true. In fact, we saw some of the disruption that Mike Elko’s scheme can cause -- off the edge with Daelin Hayes and up the middle with Greer Martini, as well as the weapon that is Drue Tranquill. Tranquill disguises well and then has an explosiveness that will give him an excellent chance to lead the team in tackles for loss this season, a la James Onwualu, who paced the Irish in stops for lost yardage in ’16 from his outside linebacker position. A review of a large portion of the sacks: • On a play-action fake by Wimbush to Adams, Wimbush is left fully exposed. It appeared that Kraemer needed to kick outside instead of double-teaming with Bars inside. • On a Wimbush deep overthrow that was ruled a sack, Jay Hayes beat McGlinchey badly. • Martini was unaccounted for on an up-the-middle blitz. This was a great read/blitz by Martini. • Book was sacked on a quick whistle. • Poor read by Wimbush, who play-action faked right into Daelin Hayes. • Coverage sack of Wimbush early in the second quarter. • Asmar Bilal untouched on Book off edge. • A delayed blitz by inside linebacker Te’von Coney as Book stepped up into the pocket and right into Coney. • Daelin Hayes whipped Kraemer for Wimbush sack. • Book was pressured by Brandon Tiassum, who beat right guard Jimmy Byrne (filling in for injured Aaron Banks). Trumbetti was credited with sack. • Jay Hayes sack of Wimbush late third quarter. Eichenberg, playing left tackle, couldn’t handle Hayes and Jonathan Jones had the angle on Tristen Hoge. DEFENSIVE OBSERVATIONS • It isn’t often you see a linebacker physically get the best of Quenton Nelson. But with Nelson on the run to his right and Nyles Morgan in pursuit, Morgan blasted Nelson off his feet. Morgan then tackled of Adams for a three-yard loss. • Tranquill has the quickness to come off the edge and make backside tackles down the line of scrimmage on running backs. That will be a weapon. It was also interesting to see Tranquill in a Will linebacker position with Martini coming off the edge. Tranquill zipped up the middle to dump Jones for a six-yard loss. • Solid coverage by Watkins, forcing Boykin to interrupt his route as the ball was thrown over the top. • Trumbetti whipped Eichenberg off the edge. • Martini gummed up a screen pass and had a late-first half pass break-up. • Really like Isaiah Robertson’s physicality and range. He played aggressively. Now it’s getting him to understand the big picture. • Tiassum showed up a lot, which finally validates what Brian Kelly talked about in the spring. He stymied Dexter Williams for no gain. Tiassum consistently penetrated, fought hard and quickly off the snap, and forced the No. 2 offensive line to account for him. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a football player there. Tiassum finished with four tackles, one for loss. • Also impressed with the long-term potential of red-shirt freshman end Adetokunbo Ogundeji. He whipped Kraemer on the last play of the first half, and exploded past Kraemer to make a stop of Adams in the third quarter. He also just missed a lunging tackle attempt on Tony Jones Jr., but was disruptive enough to allow his teammates to make a stop. In time – he needs to continue to get much stronger – there may be a pass rusher there. AROUND THE GRIDIRON • Validated by Notre Dame, Alizé Jones is now officially Alizé Mack. We will refer to him as such moving forward. • By today’s standard across the country, Notre Dame’s new scoreboard is relatively modest in size. That’s good enough. It doesn’t have to be a monstrosity that overwhelms the south end of Notre Dame’s Stadium. The atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium is about to change dramatically. • If you saw a No. 66 at defensive end and wondered whom it was, that was a number that rotated among players. I saw Jay Hayes wearing it the most. • Liked early-entry freshman left guard Aaron Banks all spring. Good sign that he came back and played in the second half after leaving the field with a left knee injury in the first half. • Kelly to NBC announcers Paul Burmeister and Doug Flutie: “We failed last year because I failed.” You can’t ask for anything more than that. Continued Kelly: “When you have a losing season, you have to look at yourself first. I’ve always felt like there’ s not really a bad football team, there’s bad leadership and I don’t think I provided the kind of leadership.” Great comments. Now let’s move on. • There are no guarantees with the health of Justin Yoon. There are no guarantees Jonathan Doerer will be ready as a true freshman. Sam Kohler, who joined the program last fall as a junior, will be a senior with two years of eligibility this fall. Think about this. He walked into Notre Dame Stadium Saturday, connected on all five of his extra points and nailed field goals with a 12 mph wind at his back from 42 and 46 yards. The 42-yarder was perfect: good height/trajectory and quick but patient to the ball. The 46-yarder was a line drive, but it was true. Granted, there wasn’t a live rush. But his kicks were very good, relaxed, and he got a good takeoff on his kicks. There’s a calmness to him. We saw this at an indoor practice this spring when he drilled every kick but one from, if I remember it correctly, from 40-plus yards. • I don’t understand Tyler Newsome. Here’s a guy with 109 career punts, and yet while an inexperienced Kohler has no trouble dealing with a Blue-Gold Game, Newsome couldn’t consistently find his groove on six punts. Don’t be deceived by his 49.3-yard average on three punts for the Blue team. A couple of those were fortuitous bounces. He averaged 43.3 yards per his six punts – three for each team. To be fair, Newsome has been instructed by Brian Polian to think more in terms of height than length. Net return is more important than distance of the punt. There’s a happy medium there, and based upon Saturday’s performance, Newsome hasn’t found it. I’m sure he’s taught to catch snaps without altering his footwork. But you also don’t want to have to reach across your body to make the catch, and then swing your momentum back into the punt. Sometimes it looks as if Newsome is catching the snap on a sheet of ice. Would it not be better to use his natural athleticism by moving his feet and then proceeding with the punt? Will have to talk to special teams coach Brian Polian about the proper technique. Walk-on Jeff Riney had two punts averaging 42.5 with a long of 48. That 48-yarder was all in the air, not with a bounce. Riney looked more relaxed and was more consistent than Newsome. Again, to be fair, Riney’s punts were with the slight breeze and only one or two of Newsome’s were with the wind. • Jac Collinsworth interviewed DeShone Kizer and discussed Kizer’s recent “controversial statements” regarding his future as it compares to Tom Brady and Cam Newton. “When you decide to play a game like this, you’re going to model yourself after the greatest,” Kizer said. “It was a comment that I made and I’m going to stand by it. Those are the people I want to get to. I am confident that I can become one of the best in the league and I would love to have the preparation and to exhibit the intellect of a guy like Tom Brady. “For me, why play this game if you don’t want to go out there and be the greatest. That’s my mindset behind this whole process and how it always will be moving forward.” I’ll buy that, but that’s what he should have said in the first place, that he emulates Brady and Newton, not that he’s the second coming. As for the claim that he can be one of the greatest of all-time, that’s as misguided as Malik Zaire saying upon the decision to transfer from Notre Dame: “I feel like I’m the best quarterback in the country.” Aim high; have some self-awareness, and when it comes to public statements of this kind, show some humility. It wears better.
i got to go on a tour of the Cowboys new practice facility in Frisco TX this past weekend...they let us tour the locker rooms and i got to take a picture in front Jaylon and Zach's locker...sadly, they weren't there the tour guide did tell us they are expecting huge things from Jaylon this year and she seems him working out most everyday also, the Cowboys practice facility is incredibly nice - jerry doesn't do anything halfway
since it's slow, another pretty interesting read to give some perspective Spoiler O’Malley’s Monday Musings TIM O MALLEY 2:15 PM The best of the best at each level of the roster, necessary areas for improvement, true depth, and the most important change highlight today’s edition. My regular in-season film review (“I have x# things to say”) will appear on our Irish Illustrated message board Wednesday so until then, I’ll go light on the Blue Gold Game particulars… 1 – Top 5 (Spring Only): Had I never witnessed a moment of Notre Dame football prior to this spring session – March 8 through Saturday’s Blue Gold Game – I’d enter the summer months believing the following Irish rank, in order, as the squad’s five best veteran starters. By veteran, let’s assume at least 10 career starts: OG Quenton Nelson, LB Nyles Morgan, RB Josh Adams, LB Drue Tranquill, and WR Equanimeous St. Brown… Conspicuous in their absences? LT Mike McGlinchey, who’ll probably crack the group next fall, and NT Jerry Tillery – who better join the group next fall. 2 – Five on the Rise (Some Starting Experience): Not exactly grizzled veterans, but they’ve already got their feet wet in the college game (In order): TE Alizé Mack, CB Julian Love, CB Nick Watkins, TE Durham Smythe, and LB Greer Martini. Love is the most polished, Mack the most talented, Smythe the most improved, and Watkins continues to impress. Finally settled at one position, the former jack-of-all-trades Martini can finally master one. 3 – Six Surging (No Prior Starting Experience): In order – QB Brandon Wimbush, RB Tony Jones, Jr., WR Miles Boykin, RB Dexter Williams, DE Jay Hayes, and WR Chase Claypool. Now, if we’re reclassifying in order of importance it goes Wimbush, Hayes and take your pick. 4 – Help Wanted: Spring ball also revealed the following truths from my purview: Incoming DL prospect Darnell Ewell must contribute weekly along the defensive interior. Jalen Elliott and Nick Coleman etched their names in pencil as the team’s starting safety duo, but it was by default. I wouldn’t mind if early enrollee Isaiah Robertson presses the former through mid-August… There are two natural offensive tackles on Notre Dame’s spring roster. One of them might transition to guard in the NFL and the other is the team’s starting nose tackle. Ideally, a backup strong side defensive end (paging Khalid Kareem? Could DT Jonathan Bonner move out?) needs to emerge to backup Jay Hayes, because the Irish defense would benefit from senior Andrew Trumbetti backing up Daelin Hayes at drop end for 2017. (Then Julian Okwara for 2018-19; Ade Ogundeji for 2018-19-20.) 5 – Actual Exchange: I met an Irish Illustrated subscriber and podcast listener in the parking lot Saturday. As I exited my car talking on the phone, I said goodbye to my sister and was greeted with: “I recognize that voice.” Always flattering to hear someone say they enjoy listening to our podcasts, and apparently my sister relayed the story to my 88-year-old mother who responded: “Was he waiting outside the phone booth? How did he hear Timmy?” Now I know why she’s easier to reach on the landline than her cell… 6 – True Strengths: There’s depth in numbers (fake depth) and depth in reality. The following positions seem well equipped to handle the rigors of August through bowl preparations: Tight End, where it’s #1 (Durham Smythe), #1A (Alizé Mack), #3 (Nic Weishar), #4 (early enrollee Brock Wright). And they’re all legit. Running back, where it’s #1 (Josh Adams) and #2A and 2B (Dexter Williams and Tony Jones, or vice versa). Do they need a fourth? They might have one in injured early enrollee C.J. Holmes – though his missed time and separated shoulder won’t help – and re-converted redshirt-freshman Deon McIntosh, a straight-line, one-cut speedster that toiled at wide receiver last season Linebacker, featuring a Top 5 roster player in Nyles Morgan, a Top 5 spring riser in Drue Tranquill, a Top 15 reliable guy in Greer Martini, and a solid backup for two positions in Te’von Coney. Add to the mix Asmar Bilal – perhaps the most intriguing player that’s not likely to win a starting job next fall – and you have a strong quintet to battle with. Wide Receiver, a group buoyed by size and speed (Equanimeous St. Brown), size and hands (Miles Boykin), size, speed, and raw talent (Chase Claypool), quickness and knack (Chris Finke), and exceptional quickness with the ball in his hands (C.J. Sanders). Add take-the-top-off a defense talent Kevin Stepherson to the mix, not to mention future threat Javon McKinley and the Irish should be fine on the outside. Cornerback, highlighted by one top 10 roster player (Julian Love), one potential top 10 for the future (injured junior Shaun Crawford), one potential Top 15 roster piece in Nick Watkins, plus two future starters in Troy Pride and Donte Vaughn. I thought Pride had a better spring than did Vaughn, who battled back spasms early in the six-week session. 7 – That Said… Notre Dame’s projected relative weaknesses appear remain unchanged. The defensive interior isn’t Russell Athletic Bowl level, much less Major Six caliber. That means the positions listed as strengths above – plus quarterback and special teams – have to perform at a Major Six Bowl level as forecasted. The safeties are at least as worrisome as they were this time last season save for the addition of a defensive coordinator that specializes in their craft. But there’s no senior Über-athlete such as Max Redfield at the head of the group. That’s both a great thing (clearly) and a bad thing – because they could use a guy that can run and jump like the enigmatic former Irish defender. The projected starting right tackle (Tommy Kraemer) is probably better suited for guard and he’s beating out a guy we thought would be a tackle (Liam Eichenberg). The starting right guard (Alex Bars) is ideally suited for guard and he might have to go back to tackle. The line has ample work to do to establish the cohesion necessary to approach the levels of their 2015, 2013, and 2012 predecessors. 8 – Stock Up: Quarterback Ian Book as an emergency starter if needed…Daelin Hayes’ presence off the edge and in space…Miles Boykin’s consistency…Drue Tranquill the attacking strong side linebacker (hey, where have I read that before?)… Nick Watkins’ confidence in himself – actually, that appears unchanged, but his level of play is on the rise to match…the changing late-career (not this year) aspirations for Brandon Tiassum and Ade Ogundeji…Dexter Williams rising to the challenge…Hope for Daniel Cage come August…A running second half clock in the spring game. (Could have used that against Duke.) And Jay Hayes. Jay Hayes is a football player (always has been) and it appears he’s finally putting it all together. Whatever wasn’t in place, it seems to be now. 9 – The Most Important Change: We’re nearly four months into Notre Dame’s necessary off-season program overhaul and to date, my guess is most Irish fans rate the changes in the following order of importance: The new strength and conditioning program and its trickle-down effect. The new defensive coordinator. This would be No. 1, clearly, but we’re not comparing Mike Elko to the Brian VanGorder error, but rather the Mike Elston-led defense that battled admirably under untenable circumstances last fall. A new offensive approach behind coordinator Chip Long, because the previous while able to move the football with regularity, lacked the necessary physicality and patience to compete at a level commensurate with a champion. The addition of a new and dedicated special teams coordinator. Because while sometimes unintentionally funny can be good, it’s not when applied to your football team’s weekly special teams hijinks. Reasonable minds can agree to disagree on the order above, but for me it’s clear that a fifth change not listed ranks as the most important. It appears Notre Dame has a different head coach. Until next week, Irish fans… also the Irish Illustrated podcast with Prister, O'Malley, and Sampson is by far the best ND podcast out there...seriously, those guys mesh so well together and they don't say "uh" and make stupid comments all the time like Mike Frank does
One loss and the season is over such is being an ND fan My anxiety when the team does well early in the season is brutal
Prister's position rating for the team Spoiler Rating The Irish: Position-By-Position TIM PRISTER 10:58 AM Notre Dame’s deepest, most talented positions: slots/wideouts, cornerbacks, linebackers and running backs, although the starting interior offensive line should be top-notch. There’s a reason why “the more things change, the more they stay the same” is a frequently-referenced truism. It certainly applies to Notre Dame football post-spring 2016 and post-spring 2017 as Irish Illustrated puts a wrap on Brian Kelly’s eighth spring at Notre Dame. One year ago, we ranked 12 areas of Notre Dame football: Offense – quarterbacks, running backs, slot receivers/tight ends, wideouts, tackles and interior line; Defense -- ends, tackles, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties; Special teams -- kickers/punters. In our very subjective analysis, from greatest asset (No. 1) to biggest concern (No. 12), here was the order of our ranking post-spring 2016: Quarterbacks Running Backs Kickers/Punters Offensive Tackles Cornerbacks Defensive Ends Wideouts Slot Receivers/Tight Ends Interior Offensive Line Linebackers Defensive Tackles Safeties The linebackers overachieved based upon that analysis. One could argue that the quarterback position with DeShone Kizer (and Malik Zaire) didn’t live up to expectations, although there were contributing factors involved. But look at the last two on last year’s list – defensive tackles and safety. Sound familiar? We’re still playing the same tune one year later. 12) Safety (1. Nick Coleman, 2. Jalen Elliott, 3. Devin Studstill, 4. Isaiah Robertson, 5. Nicco Fertitta, 6. Ashton White, 7. D.J. Morgan) Last spring, there was still hope that Max Redfield would finally tap into his potential, which, of course, went by the wayside in August. None of this year’s frontrunners has a) more than one year of experience at the position on the collegiate level or b) a pattern of collegiate success. Coleman and Elliott are trending in the right direction, but consistency remains an issue. From early-entry freshman/possible starter to third man in the rotation, Studstill’s game does not appear to be on the uptick. Robertson has the highest upside. Fertitta is a classic overachiever who’s productive in short space. White and Morgan don’t appear to have much of a future with the Irish. 11) Defensive Tackle (1. Jerry Tillery, 2. Daniel Cage, 3. Jonathan Bonner, 4. Elijah Taylor, 5. Micah Dew-Treadway, 6. Brandon Tiassum, 7. Pete Mokwuah) With Jarron Jones returning for a fifth season, Daniel Cage in his third year of duty, and Jerry Tillery in his second, quite frankly, it looked better on paper last year than it does this year. Playing experience is what bumps this area ahead of safety. Tillery was said by the coaching staff to have had a good ’17 spring, but he had little success against Notre Dame’s veteran interior offensive line in the Blue-Gold Game and didn’t show much improvement in open practices to the media. Cage is the most experienced…and still has the furthest to go physically. Bonner is undersized and lacks play-making skills. Taylor, who suffered a serious foot injury the first week of spring, is key. He flashed late in 2016. Tiassum made plays in the Blue-Gold Game vs. second-teamers. Still not sure what Dew-Treadway brings to the table. Mokwuah doesn’t appear to be making headway on the depth chart. 10) Kicker/Punter (1. Justin Yoon, 2. Tyler Newsome, 3. Sam Kohler, 4. Jeff Riney) This unit probably doesn’t deserve to be ranked this low. Yoon and Newsome have a proven track record of success. But we didn’t see Yoon all spring as he strengthened some leg/lower body issues, which means there’s no guarantee this fall. Newsome’s consistency slipped in 2016 and he still hasn’t found the balance between length/distance that special teams coach Brian Polian is preaching. Kohler was flat-out impressive this spring, capping an opportunity with field goals of 42 and 46 yards and 5-of-5 on extra points. Riney had two nice punts in the Blue-Gold Game. 9) Offensive Tackle (1. Mike McGlinchey, 2. Tommy Kraemer, 3. Liam Eichenberg, 4. Robert Hainsey, 5. Jimmy Byrne) That’s a pretty harsh rating for a unit that has a player with the potential of McGlinchey. But McGlinchey has not played to the first-round draft choice level that was purported a year ago while Kraemer and Eichenberg haven’t set foot on the playing field in a game situation. Hainsey is an early-entry freshman and Byrne can’t play at this level. This group, like the linebackers last year, has a chance to work its way up this list if McGlinchey plays to his abilities and Kraemer/Eichenberg begin realizing their four-star potential, although that likely won’t come until 2018-20. 8) Quarterback (1. Brandon Wimbush, 2. Ian Book, 3. Montgomery VanGorder) This ranking doesn’t represent Wimbush’s upside, but he hasn’t played a meaningful snap, and growing pains for first-time starters at the critical quarterback position can be game-changing. Book showed well this spring, but he, too, hasn’t played, and the Blue-Gold Game is a different animal than a regular season game. Wimbush has the ability to single-handedly shoot this position into the top 5. 7) Slot Receiver (1. Alizé Mack, 2. Chase Claypool, 3. Durham Smythe, 4. Nic Weishar, 5. C.J. Sanders, 6. Brock Wright, 7. Tyler Luatua) Only Smythe has significant playing time, but if Mack can fully overcome his academic issues and remain eligible this fall, this can be a very productive area, particularly if Claypool continues to adapt to the game and taps into his athletic potential. Weishar will get his touches in Chip Long’s offense. Sanders could get lost in the shuffle between wideout/slot receiver. Wright likely won’t be needed this fall. Among non-incoming freshmen, transfer Freddy Canteen could impact this area. 6) Defensive End (1. Daelin Hayes, 2. Jay Hayes, 3. Andrew Trumbetti, 4. Julian Okwara, 5. Khalid Kareem, 6. Adetokunbo Ogundeji) There’s potential here, led by fast-rising sophomore Daelin Hayes and sturdy, improved Jay Hayes. Trumbetti has a much better chance for productivity in Mike Elko’s system. Okwara needs a bunch more strength, but clearly has off-the-edge potential. The Irish really could use a big step up by four-star Kareem, although evidence of a move is limited. Ogundeji showed well in the Blue-Gold Game, but needs size and strength. 5) Wideout (1. Equanimeous St. Brown, 2. Miles Boykin, 3. Kevin Stepherson, 4. Chris Finke, 5. Javon McKinley) St. Brown is a star-in-the-making while Stepherson established himself as a legitimate playmaker as a true freshman. Boykin had an outstanding spring and Finke just makes plays. McKinley is a potential wildcard. The upside of this group – provided Stepherson is in good standing this fall – is very high. 4) Interior Offensive Line (1. Quenton Nelson, 2. Alex Bars, 3. Sam Mustipher, 4. Hunter Bivin, 5. Tristen Hoge, 6. Trevor Ruhland, 7. Aaron Banks, 8. Parker Boudreaux) Nelson alone makes this a noteworthy area. He has a great chance to be the first guard taken in the 2018 NFL draft. Now throw in solid performers like Bars and Mustipher, both of whom started all 12 games last year, and you have the makings of a real quality starting interior line. What separates this from our Nos. 2-3 listings is the concern over depth. Bivin had a shot at starting last year and missed on the opportunity. He was on the periphery all spring. It’s difficult to ascertain just what the Irish have in Hoge and Ruhland. Right now, neither is threatening for a starting spot. Banks has the makings of one helluva guard while Boudreaux already is in serious catch-up mode. 1t) Cornerback (1. Julian Love, 2. Nick Watkins, 3. Shaun Crawford, 4. Donte Vaughn, 5. Troy Pride, Jr.) The term “lockdown” is used too often as it pertains to cornerbacks in college football because there are so few legitimate lockdown corners. But Love – despite not having great speed for the position – has been like Velcro since his arrival last summer. Watkins has the makings of a very good boundary corner. Crawford is the wildcard coming off a second major injury, but if he’s full-go in the fall – he recently tweeted that he’s been fully cleared – the Irish have a dynamic top three at the position. Vaughn and Pride Jr. aren’t quite there yet, but there aren’t many teams in the country with Nos. 4-5 cornerbacks as talented as these two. 1t) Linebacker (1. Nyles Morgan, 2. Greer Martini, 3. Drue Tranquill, 4. Te’von Coney, 5. Asmar Bilal, 6. Jonathan Jones, 7. Jamir Jones, 8. Josh Barajas) In Morgan, Martini and Tranquill, the Irish have three linebackers with play-making ability. It’s difficult to rank them 1-2-3. They’re all good. Coney actually started more games last year than Martini and is a solid replacement. Bilal helps form an impressive one-two punch at Rover. Jonathan Jones has a lot of Bobbie Howard (1995-98) in him as an undersized but productive inside linebacker. Jamir Jones might grow into a defensive end while Barajas’ profile continues to sink. 1t) Running Back (1. Josh Adams, 2. Dexter Williams, 3. Tony Jones Jr., 4. Deon McIntosh, 5. C.J. Holmes) When healthy, which he was this spring, Adams is a dynamic running back. Did you see his 25-yard touchdown run early in the Blue-Gold Game? A beautiful jump-cut at the line of scrimmage to avoid one tackler, a tackle-breaking move through the hole, and then a determined effort to get to the end zone while beating three of Notre Dame’s best defenders to the stripe. He should tack on another 1,000 yards to his 1,768 two-year total. Williams flashed big-time in Saturday’s spring finale and Jones Jr. was impressive all spring. Throw in the pass-catching ability of these three, as well as the pass protection capabilities of Adams and Jones Jr. in particular, and you have a three-pronged attack that should thrive in Long’s offense. i'm not really sure i disagree with any of his ratings although putting 3 at the top like that is a cop out I think LB is the strength of the team in terms of experience, talent, and depth. Drue Tranquill really does look like a totally different player RB is second CB third looking at the players and talent at the positions as a whole, i think we could be a very very good team if Elko can get the safeties playing right and Tillery can turn it up a notch. Really hope Ewell is as good as we all hope because he's going to need to play
Yeah. Ive been burned being optimistic about corner a few times too often. Remember the walls/gray/blanton year Or the jackson/russell/riggs year
i have an interview with a certain university coming up. i probably won't get it but it's fun to dream