I have been on my soap box all year and last night just made it even more and more evident. ND canNOT have enough DL. You MUST be able to rotate 2-3 guys per position to compete against the big boys.

 

Last night, we lost KLM. He was replaced by a true freshman. You must have 3-4 guys per class.

 

SADLY, we have only ONE true DL in this class. We are going to try to make Matuska a DL, but that is a project. We are going to be woefully thin at DL in 2014 for upper class guys.

 

Nix and Schwenke are gone after next year for sure. We could also lose Tuitt.

 

Kelly and gang need to spend every waking moment making sure we lock up atleast Vanderdoes in this class. If he is wavering, they better have a back-up plan.

 

Everyone is going to bash on me that we have all this talent at LB and DB. None of that means much if your DL is getting manhandled. Big UGLIES on both sides of the ball win the tough games.

I hear we are in good shape with some excellent 2014 DT prospects. We have one signed already and it is a point of interest with the staff.

My heart broke last night. The important thing is that we're finally moving in the right direction. I don't care what ESPN says about Oregon giving Bama' trouble. No team in the world would've beat Bama' last night. Kelly is just starting this thing. Here's the bottom line; top 10 classes are a must. The difference between the #9 class and the top 3 is insanely huge. The past 2 classes were #9, and that's without losing Tee, Lynch and others. So we may have not even been top 10 both years. Probably not honestly. This class changes the game up, but only if we continue next year and the year after and so on. We need more defensive line 300 pounders. No doubt.

 

I do not want to lose 5th years for incoming freshman. They know Kelly's message and they are the kids who'll pass down this message. However, and this is just off of ratings from guys who know more than we do, is it worth the risk to lose the #70 ranked OLB for an ESPN 300 or ESPN 150 player. After last night, I hate to say this, but it may be. This overall HS senior class is stronger than previous years. Why not just bring in as many animals as possible. So we lose Calabrese, we lose Fox...whoever. I hate talking about it, but it may happen, and it may be worth it. Notre Dame's defense is basically this to me; solid front 3 and Manti. Te'o is playing LB without 3 superior, athletic beasts alongside him. That's a fact. Shembo is a great athlete though. Ishaq Williams will be better next year, so we'll be seeing a lot of him, especially if we don't bring back Fox or someone else. We need depth at D-Line.

 

Next year we'll have Tuitt, Nix and Jarron Jones. Sheldon Day adds a 2 deep in one spot. So Rochell and Matuska are not going to be enough. I cannot stress the importance of landing Vanderdoes. Prevot and Hollins are two others. For them to play on the line we all know they need time. 1 year may not be enough for Hollins and Prevot. I doubt it will, but getting more players like those 3 is worth it. We have to take the chance. Right guys? Plus, this class must hold strong. I pray they stay, and no one leaves due to last night. That's a very realistic possibility. If they leave, then they never deserved to play at Notre Dame. A'Shawn Robinson...any word on him. I don't think about him coming here, but he would be a good one.

I hear we are in good shape with some excellent 2014 DT prospects. We have one signed already and it is a point of interest with the staff.

 

We need developed lineman in a rotation. What's 2014 prospects gonna do for next season? They need to bring more in this year. Jarron Jones needs to be ready next year to at least rotate in. Day should be ready to start. Springman needs great improvement to reduce the drop off between him and Nix. Alabama rotates with LITTLE drop off. If we expect to play against a team remotely like Alabama in the future and have success stopping the run, we need more than three good DL.

I get your point, I'm just saying that like LB and WR were this year, DT is supposed to be a heavy target next season. I'm not saying what SHOULD be or what we need, just reporting what I have heard. We are not in disagreement.

Edited January 9, 201311 yr by Gatsby

Guys,

Here is the two deep going into 2013 if all can play.

 

DE - Sheldon Day, Chase Hounsell, Jarron Jones

 

NT - Big Lou, Kona Schwenke

 

DE - S. Tuitt, Springmann

 

 

2014 with current roster

 

DE - Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones, Matuska

 

NT - ?????? Lou and Schwenke are gone

 

DE - Tuitt??? NFL is going to be calling, Springmann, Hounsell, Rochell

 

We need Vanderdoes badly!!!!

I agree with what the OP is saying.

 

I know this is obviously an exaggeration, but I would be the happiest man on Earth if Notre Dame brought in a 25-man class every year that had 13 defensive linemen and 12 offensive linemen. You'd never hear one complaint from me.

if ND can land EV then that would go a long way with helping our depth but i agree about the DL recruiting this year. it all starts up front and you need to bring in at least 3 DL every year imo.

Yep the rotation is a big part of DL. Gotta have the 2 DE's and one NT every single year.

Yep the rotation is a big part of DL. Gotta have the 2 DE's and one NT every single year.

 

...an ideal class is very close to resembling a full team every year...

Kelly knows we need these big guys. He addressed that immediately when he got here and brought in Tuitt, Lynch, Sprinmann and Hounshell. Losing Lynch didn't help, but we are progressing, especially if we get Vanderdoes. In 2014 look for at least 4 defensive linemen to commit.

 

It was mentioned on Irish Illustrated that Ishaq Williams could move inside. I know we had someone post this as a possibility and he got blasted. He's not the linebacker we thought he would be. If he shows up at spring practice at 270 pounds we will know something is up.

Ishaq moving up really makes sense to me. We do need Vanderdoes. He's my main target. If we get him then we have some breathing room, but thats only if we load up next class with defensive lineman. Ishaq came in weighing at least 220. 6' 5", 220 lbs as a senior in high school. So I really think he'll come in bigger. Today he's 6' 5", 255. He could gain 30 pounds by september. Haha thats crazy, but its possible. He has a tall frame. We'll see but I like the thought. I've thought about that too recently.

Losing out on AQM really hurt, especially since it came so late in the cycle. He's a dynamic playmaker. Hopefully we can land Vanderdoes. I know a lot of people said Prevot impressed at the AAA game, but he's definitely a little on the smaller side.

Losing out on AQM really hurt, especially since it came so late in the cycle. He's a dynamic playmaker. Hopefully we can land Vanderdoes. I know a lot of people said Prevot impressed at the AAA game, but he's definitely a little on the smaller side.

 

Yeah right now Rochell is the only DL I see for us. Unless Matuska is destined for the DL too.

Yeah right now Rochell is the only DL I see for us. Unless Matuska is destined for the DL too.

 

Matuska was recruited for D

Jarron Jones was recruited at defensive tackle but we are still pretty thin regardless. Vanderdoes is the biggest recruit by far even of the signees, we need him. Not only is it a need he is arguably the best d tackle in this entire class. I have a feeling Kelly is really pitching playing early, which is a reason I think we'll get him.