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

[Buster Bluth]

As long as our front 7 continues to play lights out, our secondary will look like they are great. There are some big holes to fill next year on the front 7 though.

SE: Tuitt
NG: Nix (?)
WE: Day/Jones

CAT: Shembo
MIKE: Fox
WILL: Grace/Calabrese
DOG: Spond

That is still a terrific front seven. If Nix goes pro it will hurt more than Te'o.

 

[IrishLax]

They will absolutely be one of the best tandems. Russell is a freaking converted RB who had NEVER PLAYED CB and just ran with Marquis Lee... a top 3 NFL draft pick and Heisman contender... for an entire game. And no, we din't have good pass rush for the vast majority of the game.

As a true freshman. True. ****ing. Freshman. Never having played the position. It is downright crazy to think he won't continue to improve and he could be headed for freshman AA this year... assuming freshman AA teams don't include redshirt players, right?

Name me 10 other teams that will have markedly better CB tandems next year. I don't think you can. I'm with NDPhilly.

 

[IrishLax]

SE: Tuitt
NG: Nix (?)
WE: Day/Jones

CAT: Shembo
MIKE: Grace/Moore
WILL: Fox/Calabrese
DOG: Spond

That is still a terrific front seven. If Nix goes pro it will hurt more than Te'o.

It will be shocking if Grace is not in the MIKE rotation next year much less the starter... he doesn't play WILL according to Diaco and the only thing keeping him off the field this year was that "Manti never comes off the field" per the coaches. He seems like he will be the heir apparent there.

Might even see Anzalone play some at WILL if only one of Fox/Calabrese comes back but I expect them both.

 

[GoIrish41]

SE: Tuitt
NG: Nix (?)
WE: Day/Jones

CAT: Shembo
MIKE: Fox
WILL: Grace/Calabrese
DOG: Spond

That is still a terrific front seven. If Nix goes pro it will hurt more than Te'o.

Agreed. I hope Nix comes back, but could hardly blame him if he didn't.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

It will be shocking if Grace is not in the MIKE rotation next year much less the starter... he doesn't play WILL according to Diaco and the only thing keeping him off the field this year was that "Manti never comes off the field" per the coaches. He seems like he will be the heir apparent there.

Might even see Anzalone play some at WILL if only one of Fox/Calabrese comes back but I expect them both.

Hope Moore steps up his game and sees some action at Mike also.

 

[NDPhilly]

They will absolutely be one of the best tandems. Russell is a freaking converted RB who had NEVER PLAYED CB and just ran with Marquis Lee... a top 3 NFL draft pick and Heisman contender... for an entire game. And no, we din't have good pass rush for the vast majority of the game.

As a true freshman. True. ****ing. Freshman. Never having played the position. It is downright crazy to think he won't continue to improve and he could be headed for freshman AA this year... assuming freshman AA teams don't include redshirt players, right?

Name me 10 other teams that will have markedly better CB tandems next year. I don't think you can. I'm with NDPhilly.

Exactly my thinking. Keivarae had what 2 weeks at corner before the season started?

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

I guess some posters here even fall for the SEC bias. Alabama's secondary is not elite. I'm sorry, it just isn't. Mettenberger -- Zach freaking Mettenberger -- ripped them to pieces, and they couldn't cover Swope or Evans if their lives depended on it.

To say Jackson and Russell won't be among the best pair of corners in the country next season is ignorant. If you want to look at stars and recruiting rankings and the names on the back (or front) of the jersey... whatever. I'll watch the football and decide from that.

 

[PraetorianND]

Farley has been very solid too

 

[Emcee77]

They will absolutely be one of the best tandems. Russell is a freaking converted RB who had NEVER PLAYED CB and just ran with Marquis Lee... a top 3 NFL draft pick and Heisman contender... for an entire game. And no, we din't have good pass rush for the vast majority of the game.

As a true freshman. True. ****ing. Freshman. Never having played the position. It is downright crazy to think he won't continue to improve and he could be headed for freshman AA this year... assuming freshman AA teams don't include redshirt players, right?

Name me 10 other teams that will have markedly better CB tandems next year. I don't think you can. I'm with NDPhilly.

I'm with you guys. Even if he had to interfere a couple times, which I'll take all day, KVR hung in there with the best in college football. Considering his lack of experience, I think the sky's the limit for him. Jackson also has limited experience and has been relying largely on athletic ability. Give them both another spring and summer and you are going to have some damn good football players.

 

[phillyirish]

You guys do realize that Russle and Jackson are one of the best tandems THIS year, right?

 

[yankeeND]

I'm with you guys. Even if he had to interfere a couple times, which I'll take all day, KVR hung in there with the best in college football. Considering his lack of experience, I think the sky's the limit for him. Jackson also has limited experience and has been relying largely on athletic ability. Give them both another spring and summer and you are going to have some damn good football players.

Yup, then throw in 15 bowl practices. Lot's of things to work on sure, but lots of talent now with experience to work with!

 

[FLDomer]

I think we need to move him back to RB next yr! These damn coaches don't know anything!!!

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

At the beginning of the year I was so worried and thought that our young and inexperienced secondary was going to cost us 2-3 games. To my utter amazement and joy, I can honestly say that BJax and Russell have been amazing! Two first time starters at Corner and one of which was a HS running back a year ago! Absolute athleticism and great coaching! The sky is the limit for these two guys and it would not be surprising to see them as a top five CB tandem next year!

 

[Ironman8]

Eric Hansen ‏@hansenNDInsider

#NotreDame cornerback KeiVarae Russell makes FOX Sports on MSN l Sports News, Scores, Schedules, Videos and Fantasy Games 's Freshman All-America second team

Scout.com: 2012 Freshman All-American Team

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Eric Hansen ‏@hansenNDInsider


Scout.com: 2012 Freshman All-American Team

For a kid that was recruited as an offensive player. So much props to him.

I remember preseason reports when the media would ask the players and coaches "who's gonna surprise people?"

Almost everyone said Keivare. I thought maybe they were just saying it as a vote of confidence knowing he was going to have to play a lot, but man was in wrong. This kid was the real deal for us this year.

This kid has a bright future.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Well deserved. Congratulations Keivarae.

 

[tko]

baller.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Why I have not been sweating the CB recruiting for many weeks.

I cannot imagine how good Keivarae will become before he's to the NFL.

 

[AFisch86]

Does Luke take Shumate's spot as next man in next year and Shumate does Shumate start at safety?

 

[ThePiombino]

Does Luke take Shumate's spot as next man in next year and Shumate does Shumate start at safety?

Wrong thread.

 

[Emcee77]

Does Luke take Shumate's spot as next man in next year and Shumate does Shumate start at safety?

Yep, KeiVarae will remain a starter for us next year. Excited to see what he'll be able to do with a full year under his belt.

 

[Redbar]

I knew when the accolades started to be handed out, this young man would not be left out. Congrats on a great freshman campaign.

 

[Riddickulous]

Should've been first team.

 

[Redbar]

Should've been first team.

No question. +1

 

[Crimson streak]

Should've been first team.

Especially when there's a West Virginia fb on that list lol

 

[irishff1014]

Congrats Russell. Hard work does pay off.

 

[jakerbluegold]

Heck ya Keivarae!

 

[NDhoosier]

definitely should have been 1st team if you ask me... This kid was a starter on the top defense in the land and did his fair share of work.

 

[Count_on_Me]

RKG!!! Fast! Ball skills! Great job this year young man!!!

 

[Riddickulous]

Irish Illustrated ‏@NDatRivals
Transcribing a 5-minute interview with KeiVarae Russell = Transcribing a 15-minute interview with anybody else.

LMAO