'13 FL RB Tarean Folston (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[GBdomer]

Only issue I have with Folston is why none of the big boys in Florida offered him or are activity pursuing him?

 

[Redbar]

Interesting I hadn't heard about the Wisconsin interest ... with Collins and Clement Wisconsin would have quite a haul at RB.

To answer your question, it seems logical, but I don't think anyone's heard anything concrete. At last word Sapp still really likes where we stand with Folston, and Folston hasn't scheduled a visit to Miami or anywhere yet, so who knows if Miami is really a threat.

Miami wants Greg Bryant now but he is rather meh on them. They will also likely pursue Derrick Green and one other back before Folston. Don't think they are much of a threat.


And Collins is going to FSU.

Thanks to both of you, after some more reading it does seem like Collins' likely destination is FSU, it would not hurt my feelings if that letter from the NCAA was sent out FEDEX to Miami today.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Only issue I have with Folston is why none of the big boys in Florida offered him or are activity pursuing him?

I don't remember if it's on this thread or another but ALLGATOR posted that Folston is a good player but Florida area is just stacked with Rb's this year. If they miss on them then they would come after him.

 

[Emcee77]

It's true, Folston gets no love.

So many good RBs in FL this year.

Is it Folston's size that's causing him to be overlooked? Bryant and Ryan Green are 10 lbs. heavier. Collins is 20. I guess these schools figure why go for Folston when you can get a bigger guy who is just as elusive. (Derrick Green is in a different category, with his size ... and he's from Virginia, but I mention him because GITF mentioned him as a Miami target)

Hard for me to figure out, because I love Folston's film. He is just the kind of player we need, the type of guy who can make plays in space.

 

[Luckylucci]

One thing to consider was that he wasn't our top pick either, we missed on a couple early. With that said I watched him on TV one night and he went off. Great catches out of the backfield and looked perfect for what we would ask him to do.

 

[NDdomer2]

One thing to consider was that he wasn't our top pick either, we missed on a couple early. With that said I watched him on TV one night and he went off. Great catches out of the backfield and looked perfect for what we would ask him to do.

This. I can't remember if it was at the opening or gridiron kings but he was tearing it up out of the backfield.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

On a tangential note, if ND is seriously recruiting a FB and looking to carry 5-6 TEs, how important will Z WRs like Davonte Neal, Torii Hunter, Jr. and Tarean Folston be? Our slot guys aren't seeing the field much this year, and it looks like the staff will be moving further away from the spread in the future.

 

[Ironman8]

Only issue I have with Folston is why none of the big boys in Florida offered him or are activity pursuing him?

Florida = Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane
Florida State = Ryan Green (a better Folston) and pursuing Alex Collins / Greg Bryant

 

[Old Man Mike]

To piggyback on Whiskey's post, Kelly talked about a lot of WRs and a lot of back-shifting dazzle, but the reality of the season has not manifested that. We've used essentially five "starting" receivers [Jones, Eifert, Daniels, Toma, and Riddick] with a HUGE drop-off of "targeting" after them. Also, Coach seems to really like the Strong In-Line TE blocker idea. We are looking like drifting towards a "power football spread" if there is such a thing.

With the mountains we can recruit for O-Line, I can see Kelly wanting backs who can hit-the-holes-downhill and move piles, or hit the gaps and rip through the partial tackles right into the second level. [Exactly Jonas Gray style]. I can also see him insisting that the RB is strong enough to handle the blitz in a "sudden stop" sort of confrontation. Blocking and power and receiver height/blocking seems his dream.

Kelly's spread passing attack then might revert to its simpler Cincinnati manifestation and could allow less formations but faster sequenced plays. Either the athletic super-runner QB [Golson/Zaire], or the Pro-style QB who can run if called upon [Kiel], can sparkle in this attack. It is the vast array of formations and motions which may begin to diminish, while we muscle-up and pursue a blaster running game to supplement the passing.

 

[Luckylucci]

Whiskey, Kelly's goal is to have mulitple personel groupings. And that means different players and different formations. Instead of playing fast like OMM pointed out during his cincinnati days he wants to have an upperhand by the opponent not knowing what grouping is coming out next. He explained it at the beginning of the season much better than I am right now. But thats kind of the basic.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Whiskey, Kelly's goal is to have mulitple personel groupings. And that means different players and different formations. Instead of playing fast like OMM pointed out during his cincinnati days he wants to have an upperhand by the opponent not knowing what grouping is coming out next. He explained it at the beginning of the season much better than I am right now. But thats kind of the basic.

That was the plan this year, because our RS Freshman QB isn't capable of going high-tempo yet. My concern is that Kelly's fondness for 2-TE sets seems to be crowding out the Z WRs. We've got some serious talent at that position, but those guys simply aren't seeing much of the field.

What does that mean for Neal, Hunter, Jr., and possibly Folston going forward? If they can't break into the rotation at RB, it looks like they're not going to have a major role in the offense.

To be clear, I'm not really concerned. Nobody really knew what our offense would look like this year until the Navy game, so who knows what next year will bring with more competent QB play? Just food for thought.

 

[Luckylucci]

Robby Toma is a Z wr right? Didnt he also have 6 catches last game and has been a regular on the rec. list every game.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Robby Toma is a Z wr right? Didnt he also have 6 catches last game and has been a regular on the rec. list every game.

See for yourself.

Toma, our #1 Z WR, only has 20 catches on the season. Riddick ends up motioning out of the backfield into the slot much more frequently, but he's a RB. If I were a Z WR without much hope of getting Riddick-like starter's minutes at RB, I would be seriously concerned given the nature of our offense right now.

 

[Luckylucci]

Two things. First your forgetting that Toma isnt the playmaker that kelly wants in the z position(he's reliable). I am extremely confident that kelly will be using the Z wr more when it is somebody that is electric, enter Davonte Neal. And secondly with Golson back their targets are extremely sporadic. Eifert 28 catches, its the product of a qb that isn't reading and reacting correctly yet. Kellys goal is to get the ball in playmakers hand in space and it will be a z wr like neal.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Two things. First your forgetting that Toma isnt the playmaker that kelly wants in the z position(he's reliable). I am extremely confident that kelly will be using the Z wr more when it is somebody that is electric, enter Davonte Neal. And secondly with Golson back their targets are extremely sporadic. Eifert 28 catches, its the product of a qb that isn't reading and reacting correctly yet. Kellys goal is to get the ball in playmakers hand in space and it will be a z wr like neal.

I hope you're right. Teams that utilize a lot of 12-personnel don't have much use for Z WRs. Our offense can't be both pass-first spread and run-first power; now that we're recruiting a FB, it looks like we're moving toward the latter.

But maybe Kelly can make some sort of hybrid system work. I never would have expected a 2-QB system to get this far, but here we are.

 

[Irish YJ]

I hope you're right. Teams that utilize a lot of 12-personnel don't have much use for Z WRs. Our offense can't be both pass-first spread and run-first power; now that we're recruiting a FB, it looks like we're moving toward the latter.

But maybe Kelly can make some sort of hybrid system work. I never would have expected a 2-QB system to get this far, but here we are.

Whiskey, what FB? Cox again? If Cox, could we be looking more for a flexible ATH, someone who could possibly go to LB? If not Cox, I'm lossed too, unless someone that could flex positions.

 

[aubeirish]

Oregon wants him. Good enough for me.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Whiskey, what FB? Cox again? If Cox, could we be looking more for a flexible ATH, someone who could possibly go to LB? If not Cox, I'm lossed too, unless someone that could flex positions.

Daniel Gresham.

 

[Irish YJ]

Thanks Whiskey. The tape isn't bad but surprised that we are looking for a FB with what should be a small class in 14. Another tool in the toolbag I guess. We are lacking a bruiser for goal line....

 

[Luckylucci]

I haven't read much about Gresham but I would be surpised if he has a committable offer. From the way sapp is talking we r going to go after a small but elite class willing to wait on the big boys.

 

[Irish YJ]

I haven't read much about Gresham but I would be surpised if he has a committable offer. From the way sapp is talking we r going to go after a small but elite class willing to wait on the big boys.

I'm with you. Might be the #1 FB, but does not look elite. Hard runner, athletic, blocks well, but would not take an early commit. Not sure what our number is for next year, but we need to take several DLs, BK will likely take a QB and TE... With 3 on board already....

 

[Emcee77]

I haven't read much about Gresham but I would be surpised if he has a committable offer. From the way sapp is talking we r going to go after a small but elite class willing to wait on the big boys.

He does not have any offer at all, as far as I know.

I wouldn't worry about the offense. Kelly has said that it will evolve to fit the personnel. We will recruit both spread guys and power guys, but recruiting a fullback does not mean we are leaving the spread behind. Think how OU uses Millard.

 

[NDhoosier]

See for yourself.

Toma, our #1 Z WR, only has 20 catches on the season. Riddick ends up motioning out of the backfield into the slot much more frequently, but he's a RB. If I were a Z WR without much hope of getting Riddick-like starter's minutes at RB, I would be seriously concerned given the nature of our offense right now.

I think Theo Riddick is a special player in a special position that takes catches away from the Z WR. A true RB that can catch like a true WR. Folston fits that mold very well with RB and WR experience. When Theo graduates, as well as Toma, Neal could easily become the WR with the most catches next year because he will almost be forced to cover Toma and Riddick's production in the passing game.

I think the Z WR will play a vital role in Kelly's offense as long as we have the playmakers there. I have wanted Folston for awhile because I can see him becoming the next Theo Riddick type of player (a true RB with true WR experience), but it may take awhile to mold Folston into that at the collegiate level.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Per ISD

2013 FL RB Tarean Folston has set his second official visit. (Premium) http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/rec...-recruiting/8087-folston-sets-second-official … #NotreDame #Oregon #USF #FSU #VT

 

[Ironman8]

Per ISD

2013 FL RB Tarean Folston has set his second official visit. (Premium) http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/rec...-recruiting/8087-folston-sets-second-official … #NotreDame #Oregon #USF #FSU #VT

Per ISD and 24/7, he will be at Oregon this weekend for an OV.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Hope Stanford comes in there and smacks them.

 

[dublinirish]

it will be tres annoying if Folston racks up crazy numbers in that oregon offense in the years to come :/

 

[Luckylucci]

This is supposed to be the big recruiting weekend for Oregon. They are trying to get Redfield and Mattingly to town with a bunch of high caliber prospects for the beatdown they are about to give Stanford.

 

[CHIDomer9]

Well they have plenty of spots to fill. According to Rivals, they only have 11 commits for 2013.

 

[beryirish]

If Stanford can run Taylor and dominate the clock and keep Oregon's offense on the sideline it will turn into a good game.