2023 Projected Depth Chart

[XanderCrews 16]

2 minutes ago, OKelleyIrish said:

 

Maybe. Morrison's film was raw too. Both Minich and Morrison played both ways (DB and WR, and both returned kicks). I think Morrison's game really clicked when he focused on D. Perhaps Minich does too. 

Minnich did not play both ways a ton. I’d say it was 80/20 D vs O in the game I saw. 

[OKelleyIrish 1,198]

32 minutes ago, XanderCrews said:

Minnich did not play both ways a ton. I’d say it was 80/20 D vs O in the game I saw. 

Minich had 300+ yards on offense receiving. He was their starting X IIRC, and was their #3 per what I read. 

Doesn't matter to be honest. The point is he wasn't focused only on D.  He at minimum he was either a starter WR or #3, also returned kicks and punts, and also ran track. 

Now, he'll be 100% focused. That doesn't mean he'll be good. Just now he'll be focused. 

[NDhoosier 1,228]

I see Minich's career going very similar to Tranquil's. Drue did not play much outside of special teams his first two years, but eventually became a stud and has a solid career in the NFL on top of that.

[jbrown_9999 1,007]

15 hours ago, OKelleyIrish said:

We don't know (about Shuler/Mininch). But yes, rare a frosh is elite, and starts...

But... nobody expected Morrison (90 rated, 35th CB, not top 300 kid) to kill it either... 

The more speed is key at a position over size /strength, the easier it is for younger players to see the field. i.e. WR, DB, and RBs.

[JeffV 327]

And there is a lot of speed in this class.  But you can't count on too many Morrison-types.  Hopefully, but they're uncommon.

I think overall our roster is pretty talented.  What do we have? 7 or 8 legit returning starters (as many as 9 with multiple consistent starts).  So there are limited opportunities for these freshmen - but I'm sure there's gonna be a dude or two that flashes in spring and works their way up the 2-deep.

As to D starters, the portal seems to have helped solve a couple spots.  But who is supposedly losing their starting spot?  LB competition will be interesting.  Sophomores get strength and conditioning, too - so I believe the jury is still out on Liufau.  He was uneven this season, but he can contribute.  He'll be better.  He'll be getting pushed, too.  Sneed, Kollie, Junior... even Zeigler (and who knows?, Maybe even Bowen and Zinter) will be pushing for reps.  I'm betting on a rotation.  Aside of Bertrand, few of them will see more than 30 snaps a game - they'll be situational subs.   That's a good looking group already, and they'll get more dynamic as the young guys get in the mix!

D-Line should be much the same, but we saw that rotation this year already.

Depth is a great strength to keep guys healthy, but it's tough for some to find their groove.  Biggest thing is we need some stars to emerge in all 3 D position groups.  But we're in a better starting place than a year ago.  Guys will step up.  Questions will get answered.  Can't wait for spring!

[jbrown_9999 1,007]

One thing that I saw somewhere which I thought is interesting - The S&C during the season for the back-up OL is more of an off-season program while the starters are focused on being ready for games. I cannot remember the exact details but think of it as the second and third string doing heavy legs on a Thursday while the starters take it easier. First (and only) time I saw anything about non-starters having a different program than starters. Not sure if any of the other positions also do this since HH seems to want his starters to play almost all snaps.

The net is that some of the younger OL may have made some jumps physically so that the pecking order may change come Spring Ball. Might impact the second string vs. third string battles more than who will be the two new IOL starters.

[jessemoore97 1,271]

3 hours ago, jbrown_9999 said:

One thing that I saw somewhere which I thought is interesting - The S&C during the season for the back-up OL is more of an off-season program while the starters are focused on being ready for games. I cannot remember the exact details but think of it as the second and third string doing heavy legs on a Thursday while the starters take it easier. First (and only) time I saw anything about non-starters having a different program than starters. Not sure if any of the other positions also do this since HH seems to want his starters to play almost all snaps.

The net is that some of the younger OL may have made some jumps physically so that the pecking order may change come Spring Ball. Might impact the second string vs. third string battles more than who will be the two new IOL starters.

Yowza I hope Thursday is not the day for heavy legs during game week.  You're an injury away from being thrust into the line-up and only two days removed from heavy legs would not be conducive in my book if that were the case.  That's just me though.

[Synoptico 334]

47 minutes ago, jessemoore97 said:

Yowza I hope Thursday is not the day for heavy legs during game week.  You're an injury away from being thrust into the line-up and only two days removed from heavy legs would not be conducive in my book if that were the case.  That's just me though.

Probably also depends on the definition of back ups. first few "next man up" are probably dif than scout teamers. 

[jbrown_9999 1,007]

49 minutes ago, jessemoore97 said:

Yowza I hope Thursday is not the day for heavy legs during game week.  You're an injury away from being thrust into the line-up and only two days removed from heavy legs would not be conducive in my book if that were the case.  That's just me though.

I just used heavy legs on Thursday as an example. No idea what the actual program is. But the S&C routine for backups basically assumes that they will not see much action in games and is focused on getting them ready for future seasons. Perhaps as @Synopticomentioned, key backups are excluded.

[SDIrishFan 607]

18 hours ago, jbrown_9999 said:

I just used heavy legs on Thursday as an example. No idea what the actual program is. But the S&C routine for backups basically assumes that they will not see much action in games and is focused on getting them ready for future seasons. Perhaps as @Synopticomentioned, key backups are excluded.

I mean, it makes sense, if you're a freshman or sophomore whose multiple spots down the depth chart, why wouldn't your S&C program be different? Most freshman come in and need to add size and strength. That's tough to do during season of play for front line guys when you're getting beat up on Saturdays and need a few days rest and recovery. But if your chance of playing is next to nothing, get bigger and faster. 

[JeffV 327]

Can confirm.  All programs do this - even (many) years ago.  Trained much harder my redshirt year than starters/rotation guys, who were essentially lifting to maintain in season.  Everyone is beat up from practice, but we'd be in the weight room on Fridays when they were travelling to the away games.  And even backups would be joining us during the week - as stated, gotta get bigger, stronger, faster to crack the lineup.

Much chiller than off-season, though, in my experience.  Zero heavy leg days in season.  Most guys can't actually gain weight during the season.

Seems like it's even more dialed in now.  Very few days off for these kids.  E.g. I heard Sneed put on 20 plus lbs in the past 10 months, and kept it through the season - and still fast.  He'll walk in at 220 this week.  Some dudes just put in the work, and they don't stop.  There's a bunch of other guys we won't recognize in a couple months (in a good way).

Edited January 16, 2023 by JeffV

[Big23Head 2,252]

I'm interested to see what they can do with Marist and Kiser. Kiser was very good when he was inside toward the end of the season. Rotating him and Kollie would be nice. Slide Ausberry out with Sneed at Rover. Marist needs to find himself again or be put in a specialist role to pass rush.

Big off season this year to figure out a bunch. It feels like ND needs a Tevon Coney and Asmar Bilal improvement jump from 2-3 players on D.

[SDIrishFan 607]

2 minutes ago, Big23Head said:

I'm interested to see what they can do with Marist and Kiser. Kiser was very good when he was inside toward the end of the season. Rotating him and Kollie would be nice. Slide Ausberry out with Sneed at Rover. Marist needs to find himself again or be put in a specialist role to pass rush.

Big off season this year to figure out a bunch. It feels like ND needs a Tevon Coney and Asmar Bilal improvement jump from 2-3 players on D.

My only problem with this is he was so bad at it. His rush consisted of running straight at the blocker every time and get stoned. I don't know if he thought he could run over more ppl than he can or what, but he was completely ineffective here. It's fine to move him here, but you have to coach the kid, he needs to learn some "moves" to get passed the blockers. 

[Big23Head 2,252]

1 minute ago, SDIrishFan said:

My only problem with this is he was so bad at it. His rush consisted of running straight at the blocker every time and get stoned. I don't know if he thought he could run over more ppl than he can or what, but he was completely ineffective here. It's fine to move him here, but you have to coach the kid, he needs to learn some "moves" to get passed the blockers. 

He was clearly told to do that though, to some level anyway. He could come off the edge some as well is what I meant. It is unfortunate too because all reports before he broke his ankle were watch out this kid is destroying practices. 

[SDIrishFan 607]

1 minute ago, Big23Head said:

He was clearly told to do that though, to some level anyway. He could come off the edge some as well is what I meant. It is unfortunate too because all reports before he broke his ankle were watch out this kid is destroying practices. 

Which if it was more of a run-fit blitz I get, but on passing downs, is the point to get to the QB?

Yeah, agreed, he seemed like a different player this year to what you could see pre-injury. Maybe he just wasn't ever truly healthy this year. 

[Big23Head 2,252]

Just now, SDIrishFan said:

Which if it was more of a run-fit blitz I get, but on passing downs, is the point to get to the QB?

Yeah, agreed, he seemed like a different player this year to what you could see pre-injury. Maybe he just wasn't ever truly healthy this year. 

Yeah, I would love to know more about the injury. If he can have that Asmar Bilal jump then the LB crew becomes nasty. Hopefully another healthy off season and a second year in the defense gets him there. 

[SDIrishFan 607]

Just now, Big23Head said:

Yeah, I would love to know more about the injury. If he can have that Asmar Bilal jump then the LB crew becomes nasty. Hopefully another healthy off season and a second year in the defense gets him there. 

From your lips to god's ears, haha. 

[FaithInIrish Forever 4,701]

Which of these DE's Could Play DT @SDIrishFan? I'm thinking Gobiara had long arms. Forget how much he weighs?

[OKelleyIrish 1,198]

On 1/14/2023 at 1:35 PM, jbrown_9999 said:

The more speed is key at a position over size /strength, the easier it is for younger players to see the field. i.e. WR, DB, and RBs.

Speed, strength, etc.. gotta love it. 

I wish it could it took it. 

Instincts, brains, etc. need too. young. 

[JeffV 327]

11 hours ago, FaithInIrishForever said:

Which of these DE's Could Play DT @SDIrishFan? I'm thinking Gobiara had long arms. Forget how much he weighs?

Mills moves inside for sure, right?  I'm holding out hope that one of the LB converts (includes Botelho, Junior, and Burnham) will click at DE along with JJB so anyone else can work at DT.  Even Nana can play inside against some matchups.  I'm not convinced this position group is hurting, although there would be concerns against the top tier OLines (Georgia, Bama).