'08 CA ILB Anthony McDonald (Signed LOI to ND)

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by Junkhead

Good post, but I can see Kamara being a stud WR before long.

I think he can be quite good very soon but watching him or atleast his highlights for the last couple of years I don't think he the gamechanger that ND is looking for. He's alot like Mo Stovall and more of a possession WR. Thats not a knock on him it just what it is and he will be great at what he does but he's not that threat that teams freakout about.

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by irishunclebill

I agree GG, with the 3-4 and the current lack of depth, 7 is not an unrealistic number if Brown were somehow to commit. Even if there are 6 already, the Irish will hold open a slot for Brown if he is showing any interest at all. He is that good.

I agree, I see ND getting about 6 LB's and 7 if they can get Brown but I think alot of the confusion comes from the fact that I don't think that ND's going completely with 3-4 defense and that ir's more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 and that ND will take 4 to 5 4-3 LB's that can play in the 3-4 and two 4-3 DE's that can be DE's in the 4-3 and be 3-4 OLB's.

[irishunclebill]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

I agree, I see ND getting about 6 LB's and 7 if they can get Brown but I think alot of the confusion comes from the fact that I don't think that ND's going completely with 3-4 defense and that ir's more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 and that ND will take 4 to 5 4-3 LB's that can play in the 3-4 and two 4-3 DE's that can be DE's in the 4-3 and be 3-4 OLB's.

Absolutely, that is why for the purpose of the 6 or 7 number, you have to include Fleming as one of the 6 or 7, even though he is listed as a DE. He is also the only one of those guys who would play DE in a 4-3 alignment, which is why I am a little surprised that Erik LeGrand has not been offered. LeGrand could also play OLB in a 3-4 alignment, and DE in a 4-3 alignment. The only reason I can see for not offering LeGrand is that they are probably waiting to see what happens with Filer, Sweat, & Beal before they offer LeGrand because they must rate those three guys higher than him, and also because there is a pretty strong possibility that LeGrand would accept an Irish offer fairly quickly.

[Katzenboyer]

I love this.

Sure, these linebackers we're bringing in aren't "Elite" -- but that's ok with me. These are the "glue guys" -- the kind of guys you build a solid defense around.

Once this defense gets in gear and starts playing better and better, the elite recruits will WANT to come here.

USC doesn't offer too many people right away because the elite guys always choose them. But it wasn't always like that.

This class is starting to take shape like the Trojans' 2002 class -- no five stars, but TONS of 4-star guys (names like Darnell Bing, Oscar Lua, Fred Matua, Manuel Wright, and Dallas Sartz). These are the building blocks of a solid defense, and when you start to perform on the field, the elite guys will come.

I'm very, very happy to get guys like McDonald and Poz to fill out the rest of this class. Keep 'em coming!

[johnnd05]

Awesome stuff. Welcome, Anthony! Looking forward to seeing you on the field.

[nd1]

this class is going to be very good class. we don't need all the five stars if we can get the very good four stars. lets remember that some of these five stars doesn't turn out to be that good. I like the fact that they are going after good football players that can make plays. forget the star rating.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Great stuff guys. This has been one of the best threads in recent times, as far as I'm concerned. I do think we will go after 3 WR.