'12 WA RB Keivarae Russell (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[amgarvey]

I've heard tons of people talking about Turner as a guy with big upside. The ideas not exactly out of left field.

 

[koonja]

Jamel James isn't even close to being a signed LOI yet, let alone even being on campus

My point is that since Russell will redshirt (likely) and if that's the case, we'll have GA III, Mahone, James, Carlisle and possibly even Cierre Wood on roster when we have jack **** at corner.

 

[NDinFL]

My point is that since Russell will redshirt (likely), we'll have GA III, Mahone, James, Carlisle and possibly even Cierre Wood on roster when we have jack **** at corner.

In that same vein then, you could potentially put Butler, Kinlaw, and maybe L.J. Moore at corner as well...

If you want to count our lone RB commit (James) then surely you should count our current and potential CB commits as well....

 

[koonja]

In that same vein then, you could potentially put Butler, Kinlaw, and maybe L.J. Moore at corner as well...

If you want to count our lone RB commit (James) then surely you should count our current and potential CB commits as well....

How's that the same?

I'm adding ONE incoming freshman (James), you're counting on three.

Let's ignore James. So at RB after a redshirt, Russell is fighting for time with GA III, Mahone, Carlisle, and potentially Cierre, most of which have a lot of eligibility left. Seem pretty set there. Why have another 4-star talent buried at back when we're lacking talent at CB?

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

I think that he was the best candidate to move over. I still think his announcement ceremony is by far my favorite of all-time. When the lights went out and I heard the fight song, I got chills. I can't believe that football is almost here again. Such a good feeling.

 

[NDinFL]

How's that the same?

I'm adding ONE incoming freshman (James), you're counting on three.

Let's ignore James. So at RB after a redshirt, Russell is fighting for time with GA III, Mahone, Carlisle, and potentially Cierre, most of which have a lot of eligibility left. Seem pretty set there. Why have another 4-star talent buried at back when we're lacking talent at CB?

It was the same because these recruits are in the same recruiting cycle....

I don't disagree with you kuehnja, just pointing out some things.

Besides who knows what kind of playmaking ability Josh Atkinson and Lo Wood have...

Wasn't Jamoris supposed to play corner (on occasion) this year as well?

 

[koonja]

It was the same because these recruits are in the same recruiting cycle....

I don't disagree with you kuehnja, just pointing out some things.

Besides who knows what kind of playmaking ability Josh Atkinson and Lo Wood have...

Wasn't Jamoris supposed to play corner (on occasion) this year as well?

I just think BK is happy with the youth at the RB position and since the future at CB remains a ? he made the move. Time will tell. And RB only has one position open at a time, whereas DBs can move around. Who knows how heavy Baratti will end up and same with Proise. There's a lot of opportunity in the DB field.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Remember when Russell said he didn't want to play RB his freshman year,he thought he was too small. CB might be good for him. I think he has the tools.

 

[NDinFL]

I just think BK is happy with the youth at the RB position and since the future at CB remains a ? he made the move. Time will tell. And RB only has one position open at a time, whereas DBs can move around. Who knows how heavy Baratti will end up and same with Proise. There's a lot of opportunity in the DB field.

Agreed 100%

As another poster stated, his shuttle time and fluidity (made up word?) seem to suggest he'd make a potentially great CB

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I just think BK is happy with the youth at the RB position and since the future at CB remains a ? he made the move. Time will tell. And RB only has one position open at a time, whereas DBs can move around. Who knows how heavy Baratti will end up and same with Proise. There's a lot of opportunity in the DB field.

Maybe not. We have so much talent at RB/ Z WR, I expect to see at least 2, and occasionally 3, players from that position group on the field at any given time.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Maybe not. We have so much talent at RB/ Z WR, I expect to see at least 2, and occasionally 3, players from that position group on the field at any given time.

This is more than likely true as there will always be a tight end on the field. I think that there will be many two-back sets utilized this year to get the talent on the field, which will sometimes be combined with two tight ends. Either way, this gives the presentation of a run first formation, and allows for motion within the play. Riddick will be utilized in motion more than Wood in my opinion, and more than likely Neal will see the same role as Riddick.

One thing that I see hasn't been considered throughout the offseason is the versatility of our offensive players. Half of the battle on offense is confusing your opponent, and keeping them on their toes. When you have players that are able to contribute in multiple ways on offense the defense will not be able to pinpoint the plays that are being run. For instance, if Theo and Cierre line up in the backfield with both Eifert and Koyack in a two tight end set, there will be little indication as to if the play will be a pass or a run. All of these players are capable of contributing in multiple ways, which makes the defenses job more difficult.

Sorry guys, I kind of went off topic a bit. We can get this back to Russell.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Irish Illustrated ‏@NDatRivals
#NotreDame HC Brian Kelly lists wide receivers, KeiVarae Russell and Jarron Jones as freshmen catching his eye in first practice.

I love this month.

 

[IrishLax]

According to a poster on ISD, TOS (not sure which one...) is reporting that Russel will be named a starter at CB.

Discuss.

 

[tko]

According to a poster on ISD, TOS (not sure which one...) is reporting that Russel will be named a starter at CB.

Discuss.

I hope it means Russell is that much of a stud to secure the reigns. I really like this kid and want to see a star born.

 

[irishff1014]

As much as it scares me to have a freshman stating there it also makes me feel good he is good enough to beat the other options that have more time in the system.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I think someone mentioned it in the Falll Camp Thread earlier. I personally think it will be more by committee but we shall see. Staff certainly loves what they have seen out of him and I am sure we won't be leaving him on an island very much. Just hope he is a wrap-up tackler.

 

[NDPhilly]

That's what II is reporting also.

 

[NDdomer2]

I understand our DB's are going to give some plays up but hopefully they come with very limited YAC and few bail out bombs.

 

[Irishman77]

Makes me feel much better about our nickel pkg. I am sure he will have his rookie moments, but if he learns this fast we could have something special.

 

[RDU Irish]

I like my CBs like I like my women. With loose hips and a short memory.

 

[AllGoldEverything]

Makes me nervous

 

[IrishLax]

FWIW... OL, QB, and CB are typically the 3 positions where you almost never ever want to start a true frosh. OL because you need to physically mature and QB/CB because mental errors or hesitation can be total gamebreakers. But he did have 3 INTs in his highlight video so we should be fine.

 

[Grahambo]

Is this an indictment on how bad the other CBs are or actually how good he really has been in his short time at CB?

I would really love to lean the latter. Some guys just get it and it just clicks right away, others it doesn't.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I bet he never thought in a million years when he was being recruited here that he would end up being the starting CB in his freshman year. Obviously at this point last year we were sitting on Tee and Ron so we would have never guessed it. Caaarazzzay.

 

[irishff1014]

I bet he never thought in a million years when he was being recruited here that he would end up being the starting CB in his freshman year. Obviously at this point last year we were sitting on Tee and Ron so we would have never guessed it. Caaarazzzay.

I agree with this but at the same time good to see a player that was recruited for another position put everything he has into so he can play. I am not get my hopes up but hopefully he will shine.

 

[IrishLax]

According to some mods it looks like BJax will switch over to field corner (where Lo was playing) and Russel will play boundary. I cannot wait for him to get an INT in the Navy game on a bad pass and have people irrationally go "WOOOO!!!! WE ARE SAVED!!!!!!!111!!!one!!!1!"

 

[RDU Irish]

Based on these comments, no one should yell at Russell if he ever makes a mistake since he is only a victim of circumstance. Safety is a strength so hopefully we can scheme to take some of the pressure of the CBs. We already have more of a zone focus which I would think lends to less pressure on having a lock down corner.

I guess I am not as concerned as most and I'll find it irritating if (when) people fire off on this kid. I can guarantee he will give up plays this year, all CBs do.

 

[irishog77]

Is this an indictment on how bad the other CBs are or actually how good he really has been in his short time at CB?

I would really love to lean the latter. Some guys just get it and it just clicks right away, others it doesn't.

Unfortunately, this may be the case. Look, people can talk all day about how special of an athlete Russell is, how great of a story it is, how much he's made of his opportunity, how much they know from watching his high school HIGHLIGHT tape, (and those all may very well be true), etc., but this is still basically a true freshman who has been playing corner for a couple weeks.

Maybe this is a wake up call to Atkinson and Brown. Truth be told, Kelly could line up one of us IE posters to start at CB against Navy and it won't make much difference. Perhaps Atkinson can see this and say, "Damn, coach wasn't kidding around when he said I needed to work on ___ or coach wasn't messing around when he said whoever works the hardest in practice will start."

I don't know. I guess we'll see how all this plays out this year soon enough.

 

[notredomer23]

According to some mods it looks like BJax will switch over to field corner (where Lo was playing) and Russel will play boundary. I cannot wait for him to get an INT in the Navy game on a bad pass and have people irrationally go "WOOOO!!!! WE ARE SAVED!!!!!!!111!!!one!!!1!"

Let's be honest though. We don't really play any teams who have a really good, proven, passing QB until possibly BYU. Navy and Purdue aren't scary, MSU's QB could be good but its yet to be seen, Denard is Denard, if our front 7 holds, Russell should be okay, Miami isn't too scary at QB, Stanford is starting Nunes who can be good, but again its yet to be seen. BYU is really the first game that scares me for sure. BYU, Oklahoma, and USC are the worst possible match up we can ask for our defense.

 

[Rhode Irish]

What kind of concepts is the boundary corner asked to execute in this defense? With simplified concepts, Russell's athleticism could allow him to hold his own even with limited time in this (or any) defense. With the veteran presence at safety, maybe they can shift some of the more complex concepts in the scheme to the safeties?