4thand1

Seeing how Denbrock's offense looks will go along way towards landing potentially 2 more very good WRs.

The portal is now closed but I'm not sure when teams are required to announce the moves.  ND is over the scholarship limit so players have to come off the roster whether it's portal, medical redshirt, etc.

Great pick up!  Next game changer DB.  Let him return kicks.

The only shirt I am looking forward to is Notre Dame National Champions 202x!

Hoping the DL recruiting downturn is temporary.  I had thought Washington turned the corner in that regard.  DE recruiting is struggling to the point that the podcasts are now discussing whether or not Hulak is forced into a more prominent role or LBs being turned into DEs.  I do tend to trust that Freeman won't allow recruiting under performance for long.  

Hoping the Irish can land 2 of Meadows, Taylor, Hines & Boggs. I will feel much better about the WR class if that happens.

Regarding Boggs, I look at his stats from last season and his impressive offer list leading me to think he's a very good WR prospect.  

I agree that Taylor doesn't seem like a likely WR commit for ND.  I have read Deuce Knight mentioning multiple 2025 WR recruits but never Taylor.  

I don't think ND is out of the running for Shanklin but odds are decreasing....My 2 cents crystal ball says that he was leaning towards ND till another team (thinking OSU) ramped up their pursuit of him.

With Lewis gone, not sure ND has enough depth in the CB room.  Freshmen will need to be able to contribute at this point.

Getting weird vibes regarding Shanklin's recruitment. ND is continuing to pursue other guys at DE making me think there is an issue.  

Appears that I'm seeing increased ND focus on key states and schools.  Gotta hit CA, TX, OH, GA and FL hard.  I believe that focus will pay off.

Angelli is as good of a backup QB as ND has had in a long time.  An Angelli lead team can beat anyone on the '24 schedule.  Hope Leonard heals up fast though.

Best job ND has done hiring and retaining coaches in a long time.  You can tell something has changed for the positive in the way ND administration goes about football staff decisions.

Not in all cases but many, coaches that desire NFL jobs don't like recruiting.  That certainly seemed to be the case somewhat with O'Leary.  Guessing Freeman put his foot down with the staff on stepping up recruiting efforts for those that were lagging behind.  

Absolutely no issue with assistants pursuing promotions within the college ranks.  

Good luck to O'Leary.  It was a matter of time before it happened.

Hoping Freeman does his best to avoid hiring coaches that have "known" NFL aspirations.  

I am less worried now than I would have been if Kelly were still the coach.  It seems that Freeman creates a fun energetic environment for the staff to work in.  Kelly just seemed miserable to be around.

Secondly, it seems that administration is stepping up and paying staff members better than they have in the past.  

I view Bowden as critical to the team's success.

Adding Taylor and Boateng to the list was huge.

Disappointed to hear that ND isn't in the top group for Owsu-Boateng. He seemingly wants to remain in Fla with one of the state schools.  

Looks like ND is mainly pursuring Marco Jones, Christian Jones, Anthony Sacca and Ko'o Kia.  Getting 3 of those 4 would be really good.

I haven't heard, from what I remember, why it's been so quiet with Tayln Taylor.  Would have thought that Cam Williams would have been really helpful getting Taylor on board.  It can still happen but it sure seems that ND is slipping with Taylor. 

I had always heard that Keeley didn't go to Ala for money or NIL.  It was strictly a decision based on his belief that he would be better developed there.  Assuming that he goes thru with the transfer, I would think it will be up to Freeman, Golden and Washington to convince him that he will reach his potential at ND.  It's always been my opinion that players with his talent level will reach their potential no matter which team they play for, in most cases.

The staff is building a well rounded team.  I really like the WR/Returner addition.  Special teams is not always given enough attention but it should be.  

Sorry to see him go.  Its the unfortunate reality of a roster that is upgrading its depth and talent.  

I think it says a lot that Watts wanted to return.  I would have to think he would have been drafted no later than round 3 or 4, maybe higher if he declared for the draft.  

Happy to have him back but ND does need to get more production from the vyper position.  

The more I think about this the more I realize it's a great "problem" to have for ND.  It's encouraging to see the progress ND has made at the QB position.  

Possibly some people can see things in players that others can't..... I have watched plenty of inexperienced ND QBs play and few have had the poise that Angeli shows.  Doesn't mean he will be a star.  Rees had something similiar to what I am describing and he wasn't an elite QB so no guarantees.  

I want to preface my comments by saying I have had these opinions well before today's game result.

I hope Coach Freeman didn't promise the starting job to Leonard.  I hope Leonard didn't require that as a condition of committing.  He wouldn't be the competitor that I hope he is if he did.

College and pro coaches fall in love with QB physical traits over intangibles time and time again.  Physical traits are important but I don't think as much as vision, ability to read defenses, ability to call audibles, touch and accuracy.  Touch and accuracy could be argued as physical traits but not nearly as valued as size, speed and arm strength.  

I would allow Angeli to compete for the starting job next year with a 50/50 reps split in spring and fall camps.  I don't want Minchey to transfer and would advise him against it but in the end, I would prefer to keep Angeli over Minchey.  

Angeli has the "it" factor.  I think there's a chance he's a better QB for ND next year than Leonard.  I think Leonard has the higher floor with Angeli having the high floor with higher top end potential.  I heard the announcers mention that Angeli was asked why he didn't transfer last year when Hartman was brought in and his response made me think there's a chance he doesn't transfer now either.  Awesome game for him today!  He was everything I thought he could be and more.  The guy plays like he's been starting for years.