Looking at our recruiting board it seems as though the offense is locked up. We know we want another running back but that's it.

 

Defense still seems to be targeting a good amount of guys at this point at LB and CB.

 

I can see taking an elite cb if we can get one but with kinlaw, butler, and probably fuller coming in at cb. It seems overkill. Have we learned nothing from this logjam at qb? we have massa on scholarship and probably won't ever see more then garbage time.

 

LB is really the reason for this post. There seems to be at least 3 guys out there from which they would accept a commitment.

 

That makes me wonder about how solid some of our guys are. I know alex and dan may take visits. Jaylon is an elite guy who will be a target until he faxes his LOI. Are we gonna over sign that position to COA? or is it possible to push a committed player out if a better guy comes along later?

 

Personally, I'd like to have another Dlinemen or two. Tuitt's not gonna stick around forever.

I am a little worried at LB and pushing someone out who is already committed. For some reason Danny Mattingly is the first one to come to mind, but he could always play TE... I personally think Mattingly will end his ND career as a TE, just my personal opinion though.

 

Deeb is the only other one, but he seems VERY solid in my opinion.

I am a little worried at LB and pushing someone out who is already committed. For some reason Danny Mattingly is the first one to come to mind, but he could always play TE... I personally think Mattingly will end his ND career as a TE, just my personal opinion though.

 

Deeb is the only other one, but he seems VERY solid in my opinion.

 

It's always possible. Of course, one of the guys we think is rock solid may not be. You just never know. The other thing about this coaching staff is that guys are moved to where they need to be. Do we need Mattingly to play TE? Do any of them project on either of the lines? Could one of them possibly stay thin and move to the SS position, thus allowing us to move a safety or two over to CB? There's all kinds of moves that can be made. Get the top talent, and move them around later. It's a good problem to have.

Personally, I'd like to have another Dlinemen or two. Tuitt's not gonna stick around forever.

 

I agree with everything you said for once. I think we take an elite CB if we can get one and try to get a solid DT. We don't need to be offering LB's as we are already overloaded in this class unless one goes elsewhere.

That and you never know when you going to run into a Cam situation where an ugly injury comes up. We have found out this year depth is very important.

QB - done

RB - one more (Tarean Folston, Corey Clement or Khalfani Muhammad)

TE - done

WR - done

OL - done

 

DL - one more (Al-Quadin Muhammad)

DE/OLB - one more would be good (Isaac Savaiinaea)

CB - one more (Luke Cole, Mackensie Alexander, Priest Willis or Johnny Johnson)

S - one more (LJ Moore)

QB - done

RB - one more (Tarean Folston, Corey Clement or Khalfani Muhammad)

TE - done

WR - done

OL - done

 

DL - one more (Al-Quadin Muhammad)

DE/OLB - one more would be good (Isaac Savaiinaea)

CB - one more (Luke Cole, Mackensie Alexander, Priest Willis or Johnny Johnson)

S - one more (LJ Moore)

 

i agree, although i think that if a highly ranked receiver like treadwell were to commit we take him, but we need to focus on defensive line and secondary.

Fuller won't be a CB at ND, barring any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, transfers). And I'm pretty sure we're not taking any more LBs.

 

As for you comments about CBs, I disagree completely. That's a position that's absolutely nothing like the "QB logjam," as we usually have three CBs on the field at the same time. And while I'm happy with the play of the young guys, we also have very little depth there. And in the last few years we've lost EJ Banks, Spencer Boyd, Tee Shepard, Lo Wood, etc. You absolutely accept as many CBs who want to jump on board as possible. Would we really be upset about a possible logjam if we had USC's current defensive back commitments?

 

I'd take Moore and Luke, and if Alexander wants to join, you take him too.

Fuller won't be a CB at ND, barring any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, transfers). And I'm pretty sure we're not taking any more LBs.

 

We would take Isaac if he wanted to come, the staff seems to still be talking to him.

Al-Quadin Muhammad is not a 3-4 DE. He's a 4-3 DE or in in ND's 3-4 Defense he's a CAT OLB.

 

What makes him special is his burst and agility which makes him a perfect for the CAT but if you bulk him up to 280 to 300 lbs then your negating his natural gifts.

 

He's a pure a pass rusher as there is and would be wasted as a 3-4 DE as he's going to max out his size before losing his speed and agility at around 260.

We would take Isaac if he wanted to come, the staff seems to still be talking to him.

 

Disagree. Isaac only has a spot if Anzalone jumps ship.

Fuller won't be a CB at ND, barring any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, transfers). And I'm pretty sure we're not taking any more LBs.

 

maybe not. Fuller did say he was told by the coaching staff that where he played depended on how recruiting played out. Meaning if they did not land another cb, he could wind up over there. since they committed, it may make him a cb option. Also, I see robinson redshirting and possibly growing into another position and JO plays more running back in high school then WR. He may be the blueprint for this hybrid rb/wr thing. So I think that's a very fluid position where very little can be set in stone.

 

As for you comments about CBs, I disagree completely. That's a position that's absolutely nothing like the "QB logjam," as we usually have three CBs on the field at the same time. And while I'm happy with the play of the young guys, we also have very little depth there. And in the last few years we've lost EJ Banks, Spencer Boyd, Tee Shepard, Lo Wood, etc. You absolutely accept as many CBs who want to jump on board as possible. Would we really be upset about a possible logjam if we had USC's current defensive back commitments?

 

At first, you say there is no way fuller will be a cb. Now you say we have very little depth and should take all we can get? Huh?

 

wood, bennett, atkinson, brown, shumate, russell, butler, kinlaw and a possible fuller and mcdaniels. Any way you slice it, that's not only a solid amount of corners but damn good depth. Yea, I'd take an "elite" corner, if one becomes available, But that's it. There are other positions to fill and corners aren't the only position where you lose players. lynch, cwynar, klm, johnson, tuitt, hounsell are some names off the top of my head we lost on the line for various reasons and time periods.

 

You simply can't cover every positions need if you "absolutely accept as many CBs who want to jump on board as possible".

maybe not. Fuller did say he was told by the coaching staff that where he played depended on how recruiting played out. Meaning if they did not land another cb, he could wind up over there. since they committed, it may make him a cb option. Also, I see robinson redshirting and possibly growing into another position and JO plays more running back in high school then WR. He may be the blueprint for this hybrid rb/wr thing. So I think that's a very fluid position where very little can be set in stone.

 

Very true. But with how we're shaping up with other recruits, I see Fuller staying on the offensive side of the ball.

 

At first, you say there is no way fuller will be a cb. Now you say we have very little depth and should take all we can get? Huh?

 

Where's the confusion? Fuller was recruited to play WR, and we sit well with other top-flight CBs. So there's still a need there. Just because Fuller, in your opinion, could play CB doesn't mean that we should stop looking at the other guys. And moving Fuller to CB opens a space at WR -- Kelly said he wants to take four wideouts this year.

 

wood, bennett, atkinson, brown, shumate, russell, butler, kinlaw and a possible fuller and mcdaniels. Any way you slice it, that's not only a solid amount of corners but damn good depth. Yea, I'd take an "elite" corner, if one becomes available, But that's it. There are other positions to fill and corners aren't the only position where you lose players. lynch, cwynar, klm, johnson, tuitt, hounsell are some names off the top of my head we lost on the line for various reasons and time periods.

 

The depth is there in terms of sheer numbers, but it's very, very young. And that's because in the 2007 and 2008 class we barely took defensive backs. You need to continue to grab guys, and while Kinlaw and Butler (and Lo Wood, and Atkinson, and Jalen Brown) are nice players, you go elite if you can.

 

And Cole Luke, LJ Moore, and Mackensie Alexander are elite guys that all have ND at or near the top. The staff takes AT LEAST two of those guys if they try to jump aboard, and may take all three (highly unlikely, but the staff would probably consider it).

 

You simply can't cover every positions need if you "absolutely accept as many CBs who want to jump on board as possible".

 

For every single class? I agree. For this class? You take as many as you can. The depth at every position is there, and this year was the year to attack corners (much like the 2011 class focused on defensive lineman). We seem to have 3 -5 spots left, and people assume that will be a RB, another DL/OLB (probably Muhammad, although I don't know if he's nearly as sure a bet as everyone makes him out to be) and then spots for "elite" guys. Any "elite" guy you take past 23 or 24 takes away a fifth year -- and I'd rather see Mackensie Alexander/LJ Moore/Cole Luke commit then another year of Carlo Calabrese/Tyler Stockton, etc.

 

Where's the confusion? Fuller was recruited to play WR, and we sit well with other top-flight CBs. So there's still a need there. Just because Fuller, in your opinion, could play CB doesn't mean that we should stop looking at the other guys. And moving Fuller to CB opens a space at WR -- Kelly said he wants to take four wideouts this year.

 

 

Everything I'm saying is not made up or an opinion. Unless fuller was misquoted, he said he was recruited as an athlete, where he played depended on who or what other recruits commit. Everything I've read has ND only taking 3 WR's. I don't care where he plays, Just passing along info.

 

The depth is there in terms of sheer numbers, but it's very, very young. And that's because in the 2007 and 2008 class we barely took defensive backs. You need to continue to grab guys, and while Kinlaw and Butler (and Lo Wood, and Atkinson, and Jalen Brown) are nice players, you go elite if you can.

 

 

See that's not true and I was very specific in pointing out the difference in the amount of bodies at the position and the guys who actually play and contribute to the strength of a particular unit. All those guys I listed: Lo, bennett, atkinson, brown, russell and shumate are all guys who will have extensive experience next year. That makes the position deep by any definition. And not very very young I might add. you can't make up for youth in numbers anyway.

 

And Cole Luke, LJ Moore, and Mackensie Alexander are elite guys that all have ND at or near the top. The staff takes AT LEAST two of those guys if they try to jump aboard, and may take all three (highly unlikely, but the staff would probably consider it).

 

These guys are very good players but i don't see them as "elite". Please don't reply by saying this guy is ranked whatever on scout and the other guy is ranked blah blah blah on rivals. We know what elite is. jaylon smith is elite. the 3 corners you cite are good players that some like more then others.

At first you said the staff should take anyone they could get. I'm glad you backed off of that. they'll be plenty of corners in the 2014 class.

 

 

For every single class? I agree. For this class? You take as many as you can.

 

Oops, spoke too soon.

 

The depth at every position is there, and this year was the year to attack corners (much like the 2011 class focused on defensive lineman).

 

we return less guys on the Dline then we do corners next year. So why is the need at corner so much greater when even the 3 deep will have plenty of game experience? If they were so depleted, why did they feel they could move mcdaniels back to offense?

 

 

Any "elite" guy you take past 23 or 24 takes away a fifth year -- and I'd rather see Mackensie Alexander/LJ Moore/Cole Luke commit then another year of Carlo Calabrese/Tyler Stockton, etc.

 

The guys you mentioned aren't unanimous 5* guys, they are 4's. If we start calling 4*'s "elite", then are they really elite?

 

I think it's unfair to compare seniors like carlo and tyler--2 guys who weren't great to some shiny and new prospects. About a month ago I looked back in the archives and came across some tyler threads when we were recruiting him. People were excited about him and expecting big things from him. I'm sure a carlo threads reads about the same.

Edited September 28, 201212 yr by davislove

I simply don't think we are going to lose anybody out of the current commits. Things feel like they did under Holtz. Winning takes care of a lot of things. I would wager that Fuller stays on offense. He has incredible separation skills and great hands.

 

Even if we don't get another corner in this class, and I think we will, look at what we have. Next year is starkly different then this year. We return both starters in Russell and Jackson and these guys will be salty dogs next year. Russell has 3 more years of eligibility. Atkinson has the physical tools and is slowly developing. He will play. Very good speed. Shumate is a stud. Maybe he goes back to safety. In my book he starts next year at safety, but he has the change of direction to play corner. He is a game changer. Gets his hands on the ball.

 

Rashad Kinlaw is the most underrated kid in the incoming class. He has an injury that keeps people from knowing how good he is. He should be back very soon. Very good athlete. Devin Butler is another big corner that could redshirt.

 

With good teams, weaknesses become strengths. We are a good team. Lo Wood won't sniff the field.

I simply don't think we are going to lose anybody out of the current commits. Things feel like they did under Holtz. Winning takes care of a lot of things. I would wager that Fuller stays on offense. He has incredible separation skills and great hands.

 

I think its even spilled into our BB team in landing D. Jones yesterday.