Massive week of games, especially with Friday being a full day. Teams in RED would help ND’s seeding in some way and the team I will be rooting for in the respective games. * All times are Central Time Zone 22 Ranked Teams play a decent game this week Thursday Night 6:30 - Memphis @ #17 Tulane - ESPN - Decent Thursday night game plus Tulane could get in if a number of things go their way Friday Morning 11:00 - Oregon State @ #11 Boise State - FOX - Dont see the upset happening, but there is a ch
Can't post all of this tonight but wanted to start it. We have some meaningful weight gains. Some of the freshmen lost a couple inches in their reported height. Let's start with...
1. Jaylon Smith +5 to 235. I love this. some of you moaned he was too light for a middle backer. Well, he didn't gain 20 lbs by eating fried chicken. He gained 5 lbs. of pure gristle. Two hundred and thirty five pounds with that speed is very impressive. He is cautious not to lose a bit of that speed. His improvement from last year is going to be astronomical. Expect an All American type year. We are going to have a very good defense if Jaylon stays healthy.
2. Chris Brown ~~ +4 to 195. Again, a superior speed merchant that gains pure muscle. He was a skinny rail when he arrived and now he is a strapping lethal weapon. That added muscle makes a huge difference for a wide receiver. Big year for Brown ~~ our number one receiver.. Look for a big game against Florida State. He could be the best receiver on the field. A lot can change in one year.
3. Chase Hounschell +4 to 275. Yeah that's not a lot of weight gain, but he hasn't gained a pound in three years. This is significant in that it shows he is working out. He was effective as a true freshman. Please stay healthy, this is a major piece to the puzzle.
4. Max Redfield +4 to 198. Add 4 more pounds to the equation when he smacks you in the face with a full head of steam. Muscle just makes you feel more confident and invincible. Max has a long way to go and at some point this season he will start making plays. It's going to be really exciting. I don't remember a 5 star at the safety position for Notre Dame. You have to go way back to Bobby Taylor to find a better athlete.
5. Jacob Matuska +4 to 289. Not sure what to expect here, but I heard he had a burst coming off the edge. He's pretty big, pretty big and hopefully explosive. Best news here is that he has 4 years of eligibility. We have so much to learn when the season starts.
6. Mike McGlinchey +10 to 310. This is exactly what I predicted in an earlier thread, but I thought it would lead to him getting the starting nod. Now I am not so sure. Quenton Nelson throws a monkey wrench into those plans. He may star and move Elmer to right tackle. Never the less, McGlinchey is a superior talent and will get up to about 335 before he is done. Serious skills including tight end ability. He will play. Probably the first back up at right tackle.
7. Corey Robinson +10 and up to 215. Perfect. He's getting bigger and stronger. He's the coaches darling. Huge catch radius and strong hands. This will be a break out year for him. Chris Brown may start out with the ones but Corey will get his due. He is more consistent then Chris. I look for him to be the starter at some point. So much quality depth.
8. Devin Butler +14 and up to 195. WOW!! People forget about him because he was injured, but this is a quality player. I remember when he got his 4th star as I had a thread about him being under rated. I think he could play safety but he will be incredibly important next year when we lose 2 corners. This is huge.
9. Jarron Jones +5 to 315. Nice!! He's already big and has transformed his body. Took off the bad weight and on with the good. Don't be surprised if he becomes as good as Nix. He has tremendous length to block kicks and deflect passes. Defense takes a step up this year if these guys stay healthy.
10. Will Fuller +9 to 180. Speed receiver is in the hunt with the added muscle. Hope he makes BlackIrish proud as long as he doesn't out perform my boy Corey Robinson. Not much chance in that though!!
More on this tomorrow including the freshmen. Feel free to add anything you know.
Edited by OklahomaIrish