Recruiting Analysis - Medicine to sooth the nerves!

[jonesman]

Over the last few days we have seen many folks here freak out because we lost a recruit who went back to his original choice. Further, because we have less than 20 recruits and our ranking is out of the Top 10, some folks are on the cliff ready to jump. Finally, this is giving some further evidence that CW is losing his grip.

So, let's all take a deep breath and relax. The world is not crumbling around us and all will be fine in South Bend. Don't get the impression that I am a CW cult member, far from it. I have criticized his decision making many times. But, one aspect of his job has been successful, RECRUITING!!

First, just the facts. CW has brought in three Top 10 recruiting classes. He has loaded the skill positions with 5* talent. He is courting the best LB in the country in Manti Teo who has us in his top 3. Analysts are already stating that ND is in the drivers seat for a Top 5 class in 2010.

Second, how do we stand at each position?? Let's look.

QB>>>>> We have Clausen with 2 years and Crist with 4 years of eligibility. We have a Montana as a back-up. So, would any real talent want to come in and sit for 4 years, NOT. We already have several in our sights for next season which is realistic.
2009 verdict - No commits, no problem.

RB>>>>> We have a stable of 4 studs. We have two serious talents coming.
2009 verdict - full house, sweet.

FB>>>> We have Schwaap for one more season and Paskorz for 3 years. Need is one every other year. Gaffney is still in play.
2009 verdict - Nice if we get Gaffney, but not critical

TE>>>> We have two studs in Ragone and Rudolph along with another potential in Fauria. They all have 3 years. We got 2 guys this year who are mid tear guys with good upside.
2009 verdict - Two guys, upside talent.

WR>>>> The talent pool is spilling over. Floyd, Tate, Kamara all have 2-3 years. Walker and Goodman 4 years and skills. Shaq is great get considering the full depth. Nobody else was going to come aboard.
2009 verdict - perfection

OT>>>> Duncan and Young with 1 year left. Dever, Romine, Clelland with 3-4 years and solid talent. We got Martin who is solid tackle.
2009 verdict - good would have liked one more.

OG>>>> We have Olsen for 1 more year. Stewart has 2 years. Nuss and Robinson 3 years. Bullard and Watt are committed. Talent and depth are there.
2009 verdict - perfection

OC>>>>> Wenger has 2 years, Bemenderfer 1. Cave and Golic still have 4 years. No need currently. No offers
2009 verdict - none as expected

NT>>>> We have Ian Williams for 2 more years. Newman for 4 years. We needed one here, got none.
2009 verdict - dissapointing

DT>>>> Hafis, Nwanko and Cwynar for 4 years. We need two studs here. We got one in Stockton.
2009 verdict - one stud, needed two

DE>>>> KLM and Ethan Johnson have 3-4 years. Johnson is AA in the making. Need two. Fox is listed at LB, but will most likely become a DE/OLB highbreed like Neal and Fleming. We are still in the mix for Custis and now Buchanon. If we close on one of those, we will DE need.
2009 verdict - half way there, either Custis or Buchanon means perfection.

ILB>>> Smith, Smith and Smith return for next season. Brian has 2 years left. McDonald, Filer and Poz will be here for 3-4 years. We would llike to have 2 but need one for sure. Carlo is committed and Manti is a possible.
2009 verdict - looking good, could be AWESOME

OLB>>>>Fleming and Neal have 2-3 years left. Filer could move OLB, so could Brian. Need 1, with 2 being perfect.
2009 verdict - Motta is perfect fit, would like 1 more.

S>>>> McCarthy and Brown have 1 more season. Smith has 3 years. Dan McCarthy has 4 years. Gaines could return and give more depth for 2 years. Would like to have two, need 1.
2009 verdict - big miss so far, Moore could change it all. Late charge at Starling possible.

CB>>>> Walls and McNeil for 1 more year. Blanton and Gray for 3 years. Slaughter for 4 years. The need is for one for sure. Two would be good in case, Walls leaves after 09 and Gray does not return.
verdict - Banks and Nyshiere fit the bill, solid.

Kicker>>>> Walker has turned the corner. He has 2 years left. Taush and Turk fill the class.
verdict - full house

2009 Cupboard Results after this class arrives:

Full Cupboards - Lots of meat and potatoes. Extra helpings and some desert. Replenish as needed.
QB, RB, WR, TE, K/P, OL

Solid Cupboard with lean stock. These cupboards are great for 2009, but not beyond. Restocking needed.
CB, Safety, ILB, OLB

Ole Mother Hubbard Cupboard. These only contain a couple good meats at each position. Need grocery cart full of goods.
DT, DE

Final thoughts, CW is doing pretty darn good job again in 2009. Furher, he does not want to fill to many spots which could take away from 2010 class which has much more talent as stated by almost evey recruiting service. So, relax and enjoy are boyz in 2009. GO IRISH!!!!!

[SpeedsterX]

Excellent post! Thanks for taking the time to open some eyes!

[wahoo]

The recuits may be there but the results have not been. ND can have the highest ranked recruiting class in the country but until we start seeing them produce on the field then the ranking doesn't mean a damm thing. I'm hoping the bowl game will be the first step in a long line of success on the field!

[NDinL.A.]

Jesus Jonesie, where have you been? I've been fighting this damn fight for the past 2 days with only a couple guys on my side. I've been trying to say exactly what you said, but you said it much better, esp with the depth charts. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

As for the coaching Wahoo, yeah, we know. But we're talking recruiting here. As you said, recruiting means jack if the coaches can't get the results on the field. But people have taken the opportunity to drill CW on recruiting because one hometown kid that was already iffy to begin with switched to his hometown school and they hate CW as it is. And he's getting hammered for his closing, when it makes no sense. You don't have 3 top 10 classes in a row if you don't know how to close. You don't have talent the likes of Michael Floyd, Jimmy Clausen, Brian Smith, Kyle Rudolph, etc etc, if you don't know how to close. People got all frenzied because of one waffling kid, when there was no need. Yeah, he's lost a couple recruits, but so has EVERY coach, including Sneaky Pete and Urban Legend.

Now, if we could get CW to close out games, then...

[Rocket's Rocket Fan]

Great post jonesman...reps

[NeuteredDoomer]

Great post as always Jonesman. But I wish ND football would recruit and coach football athletes instead of Prima Donnas. Tate getting friggen annoying with his celebration crap.

I hates mees a Prima Donnas.

Friggens kneecaps comes to minds...

Cartilage is delicious to chomp on. Really. It crunches so nice.

[BeatSC]

Originally Posted by NeuteredDoomer

Great post as always Jonesman. But I wish ND football would recruit and coach football athletes instead of Prima Donnas. Tate getting friggen annoying with his celebration crap.

I hates mees a Prima Donnas.

Friggens kneecaps comes to minds...

Cartilage is delicious to chomp on. Really. It crunches so nice.

Thought I was the only one noticing GT getting a little carried away posing for the fans and mugging for the cameras. I think he's great but the team comes first. This is ND not USC or FL. He needs to class it up a bit.