'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[dublinirish]

you gotta think a part of neals recruitment was the guarantee that he wouldnt have to RS. Would like to see him more involved in the offense, but we have no idea whats going on behind the scenes, he could have a large academic workload ala EG last year that prevents him from playing a larger role. You just dont know, I hope hes enjoying being at ND though and in 1/2 years time please God he will be an impact player

 

[koonja]

He's not red-shirting because:

A) He's a 5-star, which both myself and Domina have pointed out. They don't stick around often. And before you google 5-stars that stayed 5-years, Neal even said something this summer along the lines of "I can see myself at ND for the next 3 or 4 years".

B) Again, you expect him to be integrated into a complex offense when his first practices were in August? No way. He was never going to play early. He's learning the playbook as he goes, he's not an EE. Expect him to see more time as the season goes on (and schedule softens).

C) He's the starting punt returner and 2nd string slot. How could he possibly red-shirt?

D) I'm speculating here, but I bet if GAIII goes down, Neal is the next man in for returner.

There's really nothing to debate here.

 

[clashmore_mike]

BK said last night that there is more to being a wr on the field than athletic ability. Lining up correctly, running routes, and even getting the signals from the red army are some of the things mentioned. He said he expects Neal, Brown, and Ferguson to see expanded roles down the stretch. You have to figure in the competition they've faced so far too. Easier to break a freshman wr in against Pitt, wake, and bc than Sparty, Michigan and Stanford.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Last I saw (and maybe I'm being mislead) is that Neal has one catch and one carry....so he's not being used much (yet). Using Neal to play for field possession on PR is fine, but get him more snaps on offense then to justify using him back there to just fair catch a punt.

 

[IrishLion]

He's not red-shirting because:

A) He's a 5-star, which both myself and Domina have pointed out. They don't stick around often. And before you google 5-stars that stayed 5-years, Neal even said something this summer along the lines of "I can see myself at ND for the next 3 or 4 years".

B) Again, you expect him to be integrated into a complex offense when his first practices were in August? No way. He was never going to play early. He's learning the playbook as he goes, he's not an EE. Expect him to see more time as the season goes on (and schedule softens).

C) He's the starting punt returner and 2nd string slot. How could he possibly red-shirt?

There's really nothing to debate here.

My thoughts exactly. Especially with Carlisle saving a year, if something were to happen with Toma or Riddick, major reps open up in the slot if we come to a game where Golson has to throw the ball 30+ times. I know Chris Brown can line up in the slot (I may be wrong, but the first play against Miami was Rees trying to get it deep to Brown in the slot), but losing Riddick or Toma leaves you with one experienced slot guy either way. The freshman will get his reps down the road one way or another, and if he settles in and shows everyone how electric he can be, he may not even be around for a fourth year, let alone a fifth.

 

[NDdomer2]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eIhpJ01sBcc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:48 and 7:00 marks. Can we please get the ball to this kid on a jailbreak screen this year.

 

[Luckylucci]

Yea, no need to worry here. We have played some really good teams in close games where putting him in for a series or two just didn't make much sense. Kelly tried to get him involved against navy and I was surprised that he didn't against miami but he will when given the opportunity. Like others have said, if we get up on bc, wake, or pitt you'll see him play.

 

[rtrn2glory]

right now our defense is playing so well i think that the staff has decided to just play damage control in regards to punt returns, meaning don't do anything that bites us in the rear (like Miami did last weekend to keep a drive going that stalled in a 3 and out). right now that's the right idea imo, though, some may see it as a playing not to lose scenario

 

[sportallyr]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eIhpJ01sBcc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

:48 and 7:00 marks. Can we please get the ball to this kid on a jailbreak screen this year.

Damn, after watching that video I wouldn't mind seeing Davonte get a few carries out of the wildcat. Have we run any wildcat formation this year? I can't recall any, but it would be a good way to confuse the defense and capitalize on the skills of some of our explosive underutilized players such as Neal.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Damn, after watching that video I wouldn't mind seeing Davonte get a few carries out of the wildcat. Have we run any wildcat formation this year? I can't recall any, but it would be a good way to confuse the defense and capitalize on the skills of some of our explosive underutilized players such as Neal.

The wildcat is dead.

 

[tadman95]

Would love to see him break a little something in the game early. Would set Stanford back on their heels a little.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

This dude always seems to be there to congratulate a player.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Oline is a joke. Only show up against the weaker teams.

 

[Kak7304]

This dude always seems to be there to congratulate a player.

I noticed this as well. For all the previous talk about him decommitting, transferring, etc., he sure seems to be a great team player. I can't wait to see his teammates congratulating him for a big play.

 

[yankeeND]

I noticed this as well. For all the previous talk about him decommitting, transferring, etc., he sure seems to be a great team player. I can't wait to see his teammates congratulating him for a big play.

Me too! It's coming, it's coming...

 

[Riddickulous]

I noticed this as well. For all the previous talk about him decommitting, transferring, etc., he sure seems to be a great team player. I can't wait to see his teammates congratulating him for a big play.

Absolutely.

 

[ND101]

If he doesn't do anything less than what he is doing now he was a great recruit. Have no worries about him dropping a punt. His time will come u can tell by his demeanor he is a talent and a winner

 

[scUM Hater]

The wildcat is dead.

Yeah, but the Lepracat isn't

 

[tko]

Davonte is so close to breaking out.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Oline is a joke. Only show up against the weaker teams.

This is insane. Is it possible that other defenses are very very stout and the OL is even with them and that there will be some pluses and minuses? You can win every play.

 

[JughedJones]

Oline is a joke. Only show up against the weaker teams.

Your face is a joke.

 

[irishfan]

From the outside looking-in, Davonte seems like a great teammate. Any thoughts on his questionable signing day fiasco seem to have been premature. He was the first one to congratulate Rees after the Purdue win, and he has been all over the place congratulating people this year. If he is better about a lack of PT, he is not showing it at all.

Just in the past game alone, he was all over Farley after his pick, and was one of the first ones to congratulate Rees in OT after his TD pass. Also hugged Nix in the locker room and was one of the first guys streaming onto the field today after the last play.

Just great to see from a stud recruit who hasn't received as much PT as expected.

 

[irishknight35]

If Golson sees him streaking down the sideline wide open for his long scramble and subsequent fumble in the third then Davonte has his first TD at ND.

 

[ThePiombino]

If Golson sees him streaking down the sideline wide open for his long scramble and subsequent fumble in the third then Davonte has his first TD at ND.

These are the growing pains of a first-year QB. They will become less and less in time.

 

[Grahambo]

If Golson sees him streaking down the sideline wide open for his long scramble and subsequent fumble in the third then Davonte has his first TD at ND.

I thought that was Toma? He also had the block in the back?

There was another one like that but that was Daniels.

 

[ndfi78]

It seemed to me that they were actually trying to block some people on punts yesterday and not just playing safe, was I wrong on that?

 

[OrlaNDomer]

I agree. It did appear like on several occasions ND was trying to set up a return...just looked like we may be a little out of practice on it. My theory is that BK is punt safe unless he believes there's 0% chance they fake it.

 

[irishog77]

4th and 74 punting from their own 6 yard line.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Not sure why ND can't block for a punt return.
Seems like a waste to burn a year for the kid if all they're doing is fair catching.
Goodie could've kept doing that.

 

[BeauBenken]

Not sure why ND can't block for a punt return.
Seems like a waste to burn a year for the kid if all they're doing is fair catching.
Goodie could've kept doing that.

Goodman muffed a couple. Neal has been on it. A muffed punt would have lost us a game by now.