'13 NJ DE Alquadin Muhammad (Miami Verbal)

[Rocky2820]

My theory is he's wanted to go to ND all along. He was having trouble getting into ND and took the Miami trip as a backup plan. Got clearance to get into ND and will choose them. Also all the Bama gear and flashing the "U" sign is just for show. I could be wrong though.

My thoughts as well.

 

[Old Man Mike]

So everyone on IE is in consensus agreement that they could be wrong... unusually healthy mindset for IE discussions. Maybe we have reached an ascended state of detached consciousness.

As to AMuhammad possibly being a DE, I note that he has a height and weight that is similar to KLM at this stage. Where he goes from here is anyone's guess. But I could be wrong.... Also, I harp too much that if the natural brutish power and violent speed is there, DEs can be quite successful [even in 3-4s] without weighing 300. This is particularly true in the college game where all sorts of D-Linemen demonstrate that. And I believe that on many teams, Prince Shembo would be lining up at DE and creating havoc all over the place.

... but I could .........uhhh..... nevermind.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Wearing the bama gear and speaking highly of ND might be his way of showing that the top two teams in the nation want him. Letting everybody know how good he is.

 

[rocket66]

Remember the producers and guys behind the scenes want to add as much drama as possible for the kids making decisions at these games. How many times do you see guys with hats on the table from teams they aren't even in it with, etc? The last thing they want is for these kids to make it known where they are going. I'm sure they're told to have some fun with it to keep the anticipation high.

 

[peoriairish]

So everyone on IE is in consensus agreement that they could be wrong... unusually healthy mindset for IE discussions. Maybe we have reached an ascended state of detached consciousness.

As to AMuhammad possibly being a DE, I note that he has a height and weight that is similar to KLM at this stage. Where he goes from here is anyone's guess. But I could be wrong.... Also, I harp too much that if the natural brutish power and violent speed is there, DEs can be quite successful [even in 3-4s] without weighing 300. This is particularly true in the college game where all sorts of D-Linemen demonstrate that. And I believe that on many teams, Prince Shembo would be lining up at DE and creating havoc all over the place.

... but I could .........uhhh..... nevermind.

OMMs point on being a lighter DE is a good point. I was watching the Texas game yesterday and Okafor was monster while being listed at 6'4" 265. Very lean but got off the line fast and was awfully powerful. That could work.

 

[Cackalacky]

He is just showing everyone how big his hands are.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

He's obviously in the middle of a paper football game.

 

[yankeeND]

OMMs point on being a lighter DE is a good point. I was watching the Texas game yesterday and Okafor was monster while being listed at 6'4" 265. Very lean but got off the line fast and was awfully powerful. That could work.

Throw Mingo in there as well. Lightning quick and strong goes a long way. I believe OMM got me to change my tune. Speed kills, and the game is changing in that way.

 

[yankeeND]

Here's the picture. I got it too GB.

No doubt about it, this picture = ND silent

 

[Booslum31]

No doubt about it, this picture = ND silent

I agree that he is silent for ND. However, the thought occurred to me that he might just be showing us that he has yellow paint on one of his hands.

 

[NDman3]

I agree that he is silent for ND. However, the thought occurred to me that he might just be showing us that he has yellow paint on one of his hands.

I'm pretty sure that is a football glove.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Sapp says he is making big plays in the drills at the AA practice.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The reloading....

Most recruiting is for the sophomore year of the player coveted. When Muhammed arrives next year, we will be the most powerful three-man front in the nation [Day/ Nix/ Tuitt --- that's two consensus AAs by that time, and one going rapidly in that direction]. With Schwenke, Springmann, Okwara, Jones, and Hounshell in the wings, the young giants can watch and learn.

The following year, the sophomore years, we need help. I imagine that Day will have to slide inside as was once originally intended. This leaves the DEs open for ferocious competition. What a war that should be in the Spring between Okwara, Muhammed, Jones, and Rochell [I expect Matuska and Springmann to back up Day in the foggy crystal ball]. That first team should be pretty good, but we'll have been spoiled by Lou and Stephon. AND our inability to get a true NIXIAN DT hurts... even if one comes in the 2014 class. [we'll also lose at linebacker, but the current group and current verbals are so talented that even losing a Shembo and a Spond is probably handle-able --- Williams/ Randolph, Councell/Smith].

Because of the outrageous mass of talent that we already have in uniform or verbaled, the LBs and DBs should sparkle like All-Stars everywhere. Despite not having a Big Lou, we should be so good all over the place that no OC will want to play us even after the two great ones have gone.

People are going to begin saying: well, "they've" [referring to some SEC team] never really played a Notre Dame quality defense yet.

Good post. I think that keeping Jaylon Jones and Romeo Okwara out of the lineup next year is going to be impossible. We may have another freakishly talented nose by then. And we may be two deep with AA caliber players.

(I am the guy before the '11 season that said we were going to have the best defense in America. So I may be a year early, but I don't think so.)

 

[johnnykillz]

I agree that he is silent for ND. However, the thought occurred to me that he might just be showing us that he has yellow paint on one of his hands.

Better than a yellow belly.

 

[IrishLax]

I'll be surprised if he announces for ND this weekend. And yes, I am 100% sure he indicated to coaches at ND that he wanted to be part of the class months ago.

 

[arrowryan]

I'll be very, very surprised if he announces for ND this weekend. And yes, I am 100% sure he indicated to coaches at ND that he wanted to be part of the class months ago.

So where do you think he goes?

 

[IrishLax]

So where do you think he goes?

I guess Miami? I know some people here are still super confident, and I understand why... but most places are reporting his "situation" hasn't changed so I'm not sure how announcing for ND is an option unless he's willing to risk that he might not get accepted. I mean I used to have him as a stone cold lock because about a dozen independent people told me that he told ND coaches he wanted to play there. But unless someone has some new info that he's all clear then I don't really see how he can pick us this weekend.

My personal darkhorse bet I've been championing for a couple weeks is that he ends up not announcing this weekend and pushes it back.

 

[arrowryan]

I could sure use an "all is well" right about now

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Sapp posted that if AQM wants to go to ND the situation hasnt changed so he would still have some work to do. Basically if he keeps his announcement for Saturday it probably isn't good for us.

 

[rtrn2glory]

well that's quite a flip...frickin sucks

 

[Rack Em]

Sapp posted that if AQM wants to go to ND the situation hasnt changed so he would still have some work to do. Basically if he keeps his announcement for Saturday it probably isn't good for us.

2 things:
1) This isn't a Greenberry situation where we don't have enough time to backfill his spot with another player of similar position and caliber.

2) We're in good position to land one of Vanderdoes/Hutchings/Hollins/Prevot if we miss here. I know they don't all play the same position (but they're all excellent players) and we don't have the same odds of landing each, respectively. But this year is different and we shouldn't lose any sleep over AQM's recruitment because we have other elite prospects waiting in the wings.

 

[BeauBenken]

Sapp posted that if AQM wants to go to ND the situation hasnt changed so he would still have some work to do. Basically if he keeps his announcement for Saturday it probably isn't good for us.

I've been worried this might be the case.

 

[Riddickulous]

Poo.

On to Hollins?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Keep in mind a lot of kids show up saying they are going to announce and then end up backing out. Should be an interesting week.

 

[arrowryan]

Poo.

On to Hollins?

I would think/hope so.

Redfield
Hollins
Folston
Vanderdoes *fingers crossed*

 

[FLDomer]

I would think/hope so.

Redfield
Hollins
Folton
Vanderdoes *fingers crossed*

Who dat?

 

[Rhode Irish]

Sorry but your wrong. It's not a universal fit but the majority of the time 4-3 DE's become 3-4 OLB if they move into 3-4 scheme.

If Strahan was playing for ND in this Defense he would be a CAT OLB and as he was with the Giants in the 4-3 he would be a DE, it's as simple as that and the same goes for AQM. They are pass rusher so no matter the system of what the position is called there primary role is about rushing the passer as there main asset is there athleticism, speed and agility.

The reason your wrong is because the 50 lbs to his frame just isn't correct. Strahan played at 265 for the first half of his career and in the 2nd half he was playing at 250 to become faster and more agile.

It is way, way too oversimplified to say that a 4-3 DE = 3-4 OLB. First of all, every defense is a little different and so there isn't always a 1:1 comparison, but there are some generalities that you can apply. Second of all (and in general), there are two 4-3 DE positions, which have different roles and responsibilities, and there are two 3-4 OLB positions, which also have different roles and responsibilities. It is true that weak side 4-3 DEs are thought to be the "swing guys," meaning that if they were on a 3-4 team they'd likely play the rush linebacker role. But you can't just say that a 4-3 DE = 3-4 OLB, because a strong side 4-3 DE is certainly not the same thing as a 3-4 drop linebacker. A strong side DE in a 4-3 is also a DE in a 3-4, and a drop LB in a 3-4 is used primarily in coverage most of the time.

And lastly, not even all weak side 4-3 DEs can just easily transition to the 3-4 rush linebacker role. Some guys are natural with the switch, like Willie McGinest. DeMarcus Ware is another perfect example of a 4-3 DE moving to 3-4 rush LB. Others, like Dwight Freeney and Mario Williams aren't natural fits in a 3-4 scheme. Williams tried in Houston, and it was such a success that he went to Buffalo to get back into a 4-3 system. Freeney will also find a 4-3 team to play for next year, as his transition to 3-4 rush LB has only been slightly better than a disaster. I'd put Strahan in the same category as Williams and Freeney. I don't think we know nearly enough about AQM to say where he will be physically and skill set-wise when he is more fully developed as a player, and I know that was the original point here. But I think a lot of what you said (in a pretty condescending manner) isn't even totally true.

 

[arrowryan]

Who dat?

*Folston

 

[irishog77]

Supposing for a minute that AQM doesn't come to ND, I'm not so sure getting Hollins or Prevot is a must. People are speculating AQM will be a Cat here. Williams has 2 more years left, Okwara could probably be a very fine Cat, and people are speculating Randolph will be a Cat. Others are saying he'll be a DE. If true, then I believe Vanderdoes becomes much more valuable (even though I believe he should already be number 1 on our wish list right now anyway) to ND, not necessarily another Cat prospect.

In other words, I think a Cat is luxury, but DL are a necessity.

 

[Emcee77]

For all we know AQM may know that his updated transcript or whatever the hold up was is in the mail on its way to ND today. Nothing would surprise me here. I'm definitely not giving up on him yet.