'12 NJ S Elijah Shumate (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[Irish YJ]

This is just BK throwing another flexible and athletic patch on a critical hole. If it means he gets early PT instead of riding the pines for a year or two, I'm all for it if he has the talent to pass the others.

 

[Kanye West]

He's a stud, you gotta get him on the field as quickly as possible. Great move.

 

[FLDomer]

Who freaked out?

Notice the italics, and the previous post before mine speaking of the poor state of our DB recruiting or the poor start of our nickel and dime package.

 

[TheChosen1]

I see him filling in the Slaughter type role. Nickel safety/hybrid safety this year.

Kinda how Antrel Rolle played for the Giants this year too.

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[RuntheBall]

I think (as most of you seem to) he will eventually be a safety. Ideally you'd like to be strong enough at CB that he could just learn safety for the whole year, but clearly we need help (and depth) at CB. As long it does effect his development too much I can't see a problem with it.

Plus I thought he had transferred/ got hurt after going through the last couple threads... much rather him change positions...

 

[Grahambo]

I think (as most of you seem to) he will eventually be a safety. Ideally you'd like to be strong enough at CB that he could just learn safety for the whole year, but clearly we need help (and depth) at CB. As long it does effect his development too much I can't see a problem with it.

Plus I thought he had transferred/ got hurt after going through the last couple threads... much rather him change positions...

With depth at safety, a move like this makes sense and gets the best possible combinations of players on the field at once. With Spond also being out with a concussion, maybe they have him drop down a bit more. With BJax and Wood on the corners, Slaughter and Motta deep, I can see it.

 

[NYMIKE6]

I'm looking at this in a positive way. His high school film spoke volumes about this kids ability to hit. I feel once you learn how to tackle properly and hit hard you don't lose that ability. So get him in, have him work with the CBs, get some flexibility in those hips. Let him learn the proper way to zone and man cover. Then when all the upper class safetys graduate he can transition right into that available slot.

 

[Bobias]

I like this move by BK. I see the '12 Safety class playing out kinda like the '11 DE class. That class was overstocked on DEs but they were all very diverse and athletic enough to play at several positions ie springmann, councel, ishaq, carrico, and rabasa. All of them are playing at positions other than DE.

The '12 safety class has shumate and prosise who are both expected to see time at corner. I also like that this opens up the depth chart for Baratti who I believe to be one of the best of this past class. He just seems like Harrison Smith 2.0, and that is fine in my book.

 

[IrishLax]

So Eilar Hardy and Matthias Farley have officially disappeared?

 

[TheChosen1]

So Eilar Hardy and Matthias Farley have officially disappeared?

Had a pick today

 

[Ironman8]

So Eilar Hardy and Matthias Farley have officially disappeared?

No special info, but it just seems to me from what I have seen and heard (or haven't heard) that Eliar might not be fully recovered from his injury yet, that is, to pre-injury form. He was turning heads before he got hurt. I can only hope he can get back to that, and sooner rather than later.

Love that some of our less heralded freshman are turning heads early though - really shows how well BK and his staff identify talent and reel them in, regardless of stars or high school notoriety.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

No special info, but it just seems to me from what I have seen and heard (or haven't heard) that Eliar might not be fully recovered from his injury yet, that is, to pre-injury form. He was turning heads before he got hurt. I can only hope he can get back to that, and sooner rather than later.

Love that some of our less heralded freshman are turning heads early though - really shows how well BK and his staff identify talent and reel them in, regardless of stars or high school notoriety.

Spot on. The coaching staff's evaluations > The Pretty that everyone's always yammering about.

 

[PraetorianND]

No special info, but it just seems to me from what I have seen and heard (or haven't heard) that Eliar might not be fully recovered from his injury yet, that is, to pre-injury form. He was turning heads before he got hurt. I can only hope he can get back to that, and sooner rather than later.

Love that some of our less heralded freshman are turning heads early though - really shows how well BK and his staff identify talent and reel them in, regardless of stars or high school notoriety.

I have high hopes for Farley. I hope he can get onto the field this season and make an impact. He only had a couple of years of experience in high school and was very raw so maybe it's taking some time to get going.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'm gonna be bummed if eilar won't be ready to help out this fall

 

[NYMIKE6]

i'm gonna be bummed if eilar won't be ready to help out this fall

I'm with you on that...

 

[Ironman8]

Per the South Bend Tribune, BK stated on Shumate and the move:

"I think he's got a lot of athletic ability, and physically he's very, very mature," Kelly said of the 6-0, 190-pounder out of New Jersey prep power Don Bosco Prep. "He's physically able to compete right now. We want to make it easier for him.

"He's got some really got some good football instincts. It's easier to get (him) on the field at that position than trying to break through (at safety)."

Notre Dame football: A few surprises scattered in Irish practice - southbendtribune.com

 

[Cackalacky]

Per the South Bend Tribune, BK stated on Shumate and the move:



Notre Dame football: A few surprises scattered in Irish practice - southbendtribune.com

That makes me feel better, as compared to my earlier post. Looks like BK wants athletes on the field right away.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I agree. The point seems to be taking a guy who is physically able to contribute right now out of a crowded position and putting him somewhere where we need him more this year. I assume that next year, after Motta, Slaughter, McCarthy and Salvi are all gone, he will move back to safety.

Per the South Bend Tribune, BK stated on Shumate and the move:



Notre Dame football: A few surprises scattered in Irish practice - southbendtribune.com

These two seem to go hand-and-hand. Most frosh, regardless of talent, just aren't physically ready to compete on the collegiate level so early in the season. If Shu is ready physically and can pick up the nuances of DB, why not get him on the field where he can help out the team instead of being buried on the depth chart at S? Makes perfect sense to me. Down the road, maybe he moves back.

How has Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson been performing so far?

Edit: I thought I was in the Fall Camp Thread. Feel free to move this post if needed.

 

[Ironman8]

These two seem to go hand-and-hand. Most frosh, regardless of talent, just aren't physically ready to compete on the collegiate level so early in the season. If Shu is ready physically and can pick up the nuances of DB, why not get him on the field where he can help out the team instead of being buried on the depth chart at S? Makes perfect sense to me. Down the road, maybe he moves back.

How has Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson been performing so far?

Edit: I thought I was in the Fall Camp Thread. Feel free to move this post if needed.

Can continue the discussion in the other thread, but Josh has shown great athleticism and just needs to refine his technique and gain experience. Jalen apparently has shown flashes but has a longer way to go. The top 4 CBs right now seem to be: 1. Jackson 2. Wood 3. Atkinson 4. McDaniel

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Safeties include:
Slaughter
Motta
McCarthy
Salvi
Collinsworth
Farley
Hardy
Baratti
Badger
Prosise
Turner

Right now breaking into the 3 deep at corner seems like a much easier way onto the field this season and for future seasons. I love all that safety depth, and we all know how badly we need guys playing corner. I personally love this move. Big Physical corners are exactly what BK and Diaco want.

Don't forget, fellas, our 3rd and 4th leading tacklers last season were Gary Gray and Robert Blanton. A move to CB might mean MORE opportunities to be physical and make tackles than staying at safety.

 

[Irish YJ]

Safeties include:
Slaughter
Motta
McCarthy
Salvi
Collinsworth
Farley
Hardy
Baratti
Badger
Prosise
Turner

Right now breaking into the 3 deep at corner seems like a much easier way onto the field this season and for future seasons. I love all that safety depth, and we all know how badly we need guys playing corner. I personally love this move. Big Physical corners are exactly what BK and Diaco want.

Don't forget, fellas, our 3rd and 4th leading tacklers last season were Gary Gray and Robert Blanton. A move to CB might mean MORE opportunities to be physical and make tackles than staying at safety.

Excellent point. I was thinking they may push Prosise over to CB as well, or at least a hybrid role.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Excellent point. I was thinking they may push Prosise over to CB as well, or at least a hybrid role.

I like Prosise (6'2" 210ish) as a safety, I think if I were to switch one more guy (which I don't think is at all necessary anymore) it'd be Hardy. He played corner in high school, he's big and physical, and could play really well at the los.

I think Shumate was the perfect switch from that group, though.
He has really long arms, a tenacity to play aggressive, and my goodness can he tackle. His athleticism is amazing...he could develop into a safety, CB, or OLB for really any major D1 football program. Anytime ND has an athlete like that, I'm happy! Reminds me of Jaylon's versatility...he could play LB, Safety, Corner, or DE for most major schools...Gotta love the athletes ND has and is bringing in!

Also, remember Russell switched to corner as well. Lots of YOUNG athleticism all of a sudden throughout the secondary....I LOVE it!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Lou at BGI thinks this is a one year stop gap and that Shumate will likely move back to safety after this year with the departure of Motta, Slaughter, McCarthy, and Salvi.

 

[PANDFAN]

Lou at BGI thinks this is a one year stop gap and that Shumate will likely move back to safety after this year with the departure of Motta, Slaughter, McCarthy, and Salvi.

man when i see your name come up on a post i know an update is coming....i was getting a lil nervous like something happened..

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Lou at BGI thinks this is a one year stop gap and that Shumate will likely move back to safety after this year with the departure of Motta, Slaughter, McCarthy, and Salvi.

Yep makes sense

 

[Riddickulous]

This kid is going to be a stud.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

This kid is going to be a stud.

Will be starting at safety next year, no doubt.

 

[jmurphy75]

get really familiar with his name we will be hearing it alot from now on! GOOD GAME SIR!

 

[irishff1014]

He is showing this team he wants to play every week. Wow this kid is good.

 

[scUM Hater]

He did a great job tonight. How many third down pass break ups did he have? 4?