'08 OH TE Kyle Rudolph (Signed LOI to ND)

[Jason Pham]

Originally Posted by Irishknight1023

Is it really possible to get the best TE's every single year? not to mention getting Fauria this year who's reaal good if you watch his tape.

It really is almost unbelievable the amount of talent we are getting on the field on the offensive side of the ball. We are more than set at QB, TE, RB. A few more Olinemen and one or two more recievers to complement newly rated 4-star Goodman and we'll have one of the most versatile and electric offenses in the nation. I don't know what he's doing, but Charlie is doing something extremely right to pull in the top guys at these positions who aren't afraid to compete for playing time.

[Doomsday Device]

There's still almost 10 months until the final recruiting rankings come out but here's some context for where Rudolph is ranked by both Rivals and Scout so far.

I've listed all the TE who were ranked top 30 overall by both Rivals and Scout since 2002.

Rivals (Rudolph #22)
2005 - Martellus Bennett #8
2003 - Tony Hills Jr. #7
2003 - Greg Olsen #10

Scout (Rudolph #25)
2006 - Nate Byham #25
2005 - Tony Moeaki #20
2005 - Martellus Bennett #26
2004 - Zach Miller #23
2003 - Greg Olsen #20
2002 - Mercedes Lewis #22

As you can see, only 2 other players are ranked top 30 on both lists. And only 1 player over the last 6 years is ranked higher than Rudolph on both (and he signed with ND initially anyways).

Just a little info to help appreciate what an elite recruit we picked up here.

[Jason Pham]

Originally Posted by Doomsday Device

There's still almost 10 months until the final recruiting rankings come out but here's some context for where Rudolph is ranked by both Rivals and Scout so far.

I've listed all the TE who were ranked top 30 overall by both Rivals and Scout since 2002.

Rivals (Rudolph #22)
2005 - Martellus Bennett #8
2003 - Tony Hills Jr. #7
2003 - Greg Olsen #10

Scout (Rudolph #25)
2006 - Nate Byham #25
2005 - Tony Moeaki #20
2005 - Martellus Bennett #26
2004 - Zach Miller #23
2003 - Greg Olsen #20
2002 - Mercedes Lewis #22

As you can see, only 2 other players are ranked top 30 on both lists. And only 1 player over the last 6 years is ranked higher than Rudolph on both (and he signed with ND initially anyways).

Just a little info to help appreciate what an elite recruit we picked up here.

Great stuff Doomsday.

I just watched more film on Rudolph and he is just a freak. Everyone is quick to praise his catching ability and rightly so. He runs good routes, makes the incredibly tough catches, and gives his team as sure of a shot you can get to move downfield. Few seem to mention his blocking ability which, from the film I've seen on him, is just freakish. Kyle just dominates and humiliates the linemen he comes up against pushing them around up to 10 yards letting his runningback or quarterback make the play. I highly recommend watching some of his clips if you get the chance to.

[Irishknight1023]

Yeah his blocking looks above average. Just wait till he puts some weight on, he'll be a force on the line and in coverage.

[irishfan81]

Kyle will be one of the finest TE's ever to come out of Notre Dame I think he's better than Ragone. But Reuland he's got a ways before he's at his level. Needa to refine his blocking skills. But he's a threat to catch the ball every time. He needs to get bigger but he's 6-7 245 needs to be 260 or so. Then your talking one fine TE.

[Irishknight1023]

A 6-7 245 TE is an absolute monster on the line. I think it's a little early to compare Rudolph and Ragone because they are two different types of TE IMO. Rudolph is a redzone threat and can go up and get any ball and move the chains, but Ragone is a field stretching LB mismatch nightmare and a threat in the open field. I think them being so different will make us that much more of a complete offense. We usually use two TE's at a time so the defense will never know how to play us. Oh yeah and did I mention most likely Jimmy Clausen is the man throwing them the ball where they can catch it and nobody else? It's an exciting time to be an ND fan i'll tell you that. I'm 20 and full of piss and vinegar after a night of partying so i'm taking it out on the 2000 threads on IE tonight.

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by irishfan81

Kyle will be one of the finest TE's ever to come out of Notre Dame I think he's better than Ragone. But Reuland he's got a ways before he's at his level. Needa to refine his blocking skills. But he's a threat to catch the ball every time. He needs to get bigger but he's 6-7 245 needs to be 260 or so. Then your talking one fine TE.

Hold on there irishfan81, I'm TE guy when it comes to football you know like with women some of us are leg guys other as guys and so on and the TE is my thing and I'm extremely excited about ND getting Rudolph, the kid is a stud and I think he has a chance to be very, very special but IMO as talented as he is I wouldn't say he's a better talent than Ragone. Ragone IMO is at a whole another level then anyone I've seen at the HS level and he would've been a 5 star if that matters if he played his SR year. Don't get me wrong Rudolph is close and IMO they both more talented than Reuland and that says alot because he damn good and special and in his own right and IMO all have been the best TE in there class. Thats a helluva recruiting haul.