Who is Likely Next (2013)

[BleedBlueGold]

My list, FWIW:

1. Eddie V
2. Fitts
3. Prevot
4. Hollins
5. Isaac
6. Smythe
7. LaRue

I second this list. Only for me, personally, I'd move Hollins to the bottom if we landed Prevot.

EV - No reasoning is necessary
Fitts - More DL
Prevot - AQM replacement since we missed on him
Isaac - If he stays at RB, that could move Folston to the slot, thus strengthening our WR core. I'm hopeful Tori will make a full recovery, but you just never know.
Smythe - If and only if something is up with Welch that we currently don't know about.
LaRue - Falls off the board if Isaac commits and Folston gets moved. Just my opinion.
Hollins - Only if Prevot doesn't commit. Or if all of this falls through and there's room.
The Twins - I don't know enough about these guys. But 4star ATH's committed to Oregon at one point? Sign 'em up.

Note: If there really is more spots than we all currently think (aka Whiskey's post)...then sign 'em all up! Go Irish.

Btw, to OMM, usually I'd agree with holding a scholly or two for next year since we know it'll be a small class. But I think with ND's current momentum, it's probably a better idea to get all the top tier talent you can and ride this wave for as long as possible.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I second this list. Only for me, personally, I'd move Hollins to the bottom if we landed Prevot.

EV - No reasoning is necessary
Fitts - More DL
Prevot - AQM replacement since we missed on him
Isaac - If he stays at RB, that could move Folston to the slot, thus strengthening our WR core. I'm hopeful Tori will make a full recovery, but you just never know.
Smythe - If and only if something is up with Welch that we currently don't know about.
LaRue - Falls off the board if Isaac commits and Folston gets moved. Just my opinion.
Hollins - Only if Prevot doesn't commit. Or if all of this falls through and there's room.
The Twins - I don't know enough about these guys. But 4star ATH's committed to Oregon at one point? Sign 'em up.

Folston is allegedly OK with moving to CB, too; not sure if that would change your analysis regarding LaRue.

 

[Emcee77]

Wiltfong just reiterated that the buzz in San Antonio was that ND leads for Prevot. He could be our most likely get. Sapp corroborated: asked Prevot what he thought of ND's Redfield get, and Prevot smirked and said, no comment.

So I think Prevot is next.

 

[Ironman8]

I agree that if we get Prevot, Hollins should drop. I really love Hollins, but Prevot has great upside and I will take one in the hand every time, especially a former USC commit.

 

[ThePiombino]

I agree that if we get Prevot, Hollins should drop. I really love Hollins, but Prevot has great upside and I will take one in the hand every time, especially a former USC commit.

Nailed it.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Folston is allegedly OK with moving to CB, too; not sure if that would change your analysis regarding LaRue.

That's a good point. I guess that's just a judgment call for the staff. If they're seriously considering Folston at DB, then yea, I think getting LaRue at WR isn't a bad idea. I'm pretty confident in our WR core though, so for me, it's still not as high on the list as some of these other possibilities.

 

[koonja]

So my guess is the combo of Fox/Carlo will both be gone. Wouldn't have guessed that 2 months ago, that's for sure.

The next few weeks are going to blow my mind.

Tried to tell you guys that .

 

[GBdomer]

Fox or Carlo will be back most likely Fox. I think ND wants both back why wouldn't you? It'ts not like inside backer is a strength on this team right now.

 

[LoveThee]

Kuehnja care to make a vbet? I bet you 1mil that we will take back at least one of Fox and Carlo

 

[Ricochet]

Would they consider Fitts an edge rusher?

IMO Fitts is a true 4-3 DE but not a CAT who's an OLB in the 3-4 and 4-3 DE.

 

[Ironman8]

Fox or Carlo will be back most likely Fox. I think ND wants both back why wouldn't you? It'ts not like inside backer is a strength on this team right now.

Agreed. I think at least 1 is back 100% (Fox is most likely IMO as well), and the chances both are back are around 51/49 to me. We have more room than people think.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Agreed. I think at least 1 is back 100% (Fox is most likely IMO as well), and the chances both are back are around 51/49 to me. We have more room than people think.

If we really have around 8 spots like Whiskey projects (including a MS and transfer), then I'm crossing my fingers that both come back and we use the other 6 accordingly over the next couple of weeks.

 

[koonja]

Kuehnja care to make a vbet? I bet you 1mil that we will take back at least one of Fox and Carlo

I won't bet because it all depends on what recruits want to come to ND. If the right recruits want in, we'll let Fox and Calabrese go, imo. We have more room now that AA is a Gator, so it's probably a moot point.

Personally, I'd turn down Fox and Calabrese if it meant we could add AQM, EV, Isaac, or some other stud that wanted in. Recruiting is about to get crazy I have a feeling. These last couple weeks will be interesting.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I won't bet because it all depends on what recruits want to come to ND. If the right recruits want in, we'll let Fox and Calabrese go, imo. We have more room now that AA is a Gator, so it's probably a moot point.

Personally, I'd turn down Fox and Calabrese if it meant we could add AQM, EV, Isaac, or some other stud that wanted in. Recruiting is about to get crazy I have a feeling. These last couple weeks will be interesting.

We all know how you feel about this topic and to each his own. But losing AA is exactly why we need to retain Fox/Carlo. Regardless of who wants to commit, none of those remaining targets are ILBs and that's where the roster is thin.

Also, unless you know something we all don't, AQM won't be attending ND as a student or football player (unless I missed something as of late...)

 

[NDPhilly]

Think we land 3 more:

EV
Prevot
Best Available

I'm leaning towards Ty Isaac for best available. I don't really think he's that committed to USC and after a ND visit if we want him I think we'll have a great shot at him.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I won't bet because it all depends on what recruits want to come to ND. If the right recruits want in, we'll let Fox and Calabrese go, imo. We have more room now that AA is a Gator, so it's probably a moot point.

Personally, I'd turn down Fox and Calabrese if it meant we could add AQM, EV, Isaac, or some other stud that wanted in. Recruiting is about to get crazy I have a feeling. These last couple weeks will be interesting.

The thing you have to be careful about is momentum. If Fox and/or Carlo are the difference between 1 or 2 wins, that will impact future recruiting. 9 is a lot better than 8, 10 is a heck of a lot better than either.

Think we land 3 more:

EV
Prevot
Best Available

I'm leaning towards Ty Isaac for best available. I don't really think he's that committed to USC and after a ND visit if we want him I think we'll have a great shot at him.

We landed Lynch, Tuitt, and Williams, and then got pretty darn close with the Armisteads, so I guess there is precedent. Personally, I have no feeling on EV. I think Prevot might pop before his visit if we keep lining recruits like the twins up. As far as Ty, I hope he fits in with the class. I have no guesses for who else we land, but Larue seems like a good kid.

 

[Emcee77]

Think we land 3 more:

EV
Prevot
Best Available

I'm leaning towards Ty Isaac for best available. I don't really think he's that committed to USC and after a ND visit if we want him I think we'll have a great shot at him.

THIS. Dream ending for me. Would absolutely love these three. Top DL (major need), LB pass rusher (major need with the Mattingly and AA decommits ... might allow Smith or Randolph to move inside) and a versatile, athletic playmaker who could play a lot of different roles for us. Love it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Just spit-balling here, but how is Fitts not a "must take" recruit? A run-stuffing DE is a huge need for us going forward with KLM's departure. We're only at 6/8 for DL in 2013 right now, and only two of them has any real experience.

If we really have around 8 spots like Whiskey projects (including a MS and transfer), then I'm crossing my fingers that both come back and we use the other 6 accordingly over the next couple of weeks.

Don't forget about Z. Martin and Watt. If we end up with 8 spots due to some attrition, that'll mean only 4 for new 2013 verbals (assuming both Fox and Calabrese return).

I won't bet because it all depends on what recruits want to come to ND. If the right recruits want in, we'll let Fox and Calabrese go, imo. We have more room now that AA is a Gator, so it's probably a moot point.

Personally, I'd turn down Fox and Calabrese if it meant we could add AQM, EV, Isaac, or some other stud that wanted in. Recruiting is about to get crazy I have a feeling. These last couple weeks will be interesting.

Our lack of depth at ILB is terrifying. There is no way the staff lets both of them walk.

 

[NDPhilly]

Would rather have Fitts than Isaac but I think he'll recommit to USC.

 

[NDinFL]

Just spit-balling here, but how is Fitts not a "must take" recruit? A run-stuffing DE is a huge need for us going forward with KLM's departure. We're only at 6/8 for DL in 2013 right now, and only two of them has any real experience.



Don't forget about Z. Martin and Watt. If we end up with 8 spots due to some attrition, that'll mean only 4 for new 2013 verbals (assuming both Fox and Calabrese return).



Our lack of depth at ILB is terrifying. There is no way the staff lets both of them walk.

Do you think Baratti or Shumate could potentially play the "star" LB'er/hybrid role to alleviate some of these depth concerns?

 

[Ironman8]

@adamgorney:

Hearing #NotreDame might not be a viable option for the Robinson Bros.

 

[koonja]

I do think it's likely Fox will be back. But as crazy as recruiting is, if we get EV, Terrodney, and Fitts, and a stud 4/5-star ILB comes along at the last second because of a coach leaving, sanctions, whatever, I think the staff has a tough choice to make. Fox is an above average ILB, but he's not worth 4 years of a play maker.

As Whiskey said, the decommitment of AA really hurts and almost guarantees that at least Fox will be back, but who knows. It seems every day there's a new name on our radar and I bet the staff is going to make a push for a ILB. I haven't heard anything, but don't be surprised.

 

[Emcee77]

Would rather have Fitts than Isaac but I think he'll recommit to USC.

Right, I agree. Fitts is to SC as AA is to UF. Both players' hearts are just not at ND. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[GBdomer]

hahah Kuejhna you've lost your mind.
AQM- wont qualify for ND per every source out there
Eddie V- Is a take no matter what
Ty Isaac- Still committed to USC and Notre Dame is recruiting him but won't push him over the edge unless he shows more interest.

Fox or Carlo will be back I know we are all allowed our own opinion even though not many will agree with it. You're goin to rely on Jarrett Grace and Kendall Moore next year? Leadership is so important to a team.

 

[Irishman77]

@adamgorney:

I think their opportunity was long gone. I predict they stay in cal and that is just fine by me.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Do you think Baratti or Shumate could potentially play the "star" LB'er/hybrid role to alleviate some of these depth concerns?

Not really. In retrospect, the "Star" LB thing seems like a gimmick to me. We didn't have any functional DOLBs at the time, so putting Slaughter there was the best we could do. It worked against undersized opponents (like the academies), but there's no way we could get away with that against bigger more talented teams.

And in any case, the "Star" LB was a de facto OLB. It wouldn't help our lack of depth at ILB at all.

Now, we can address the lack of depth (at least from a numbers standpoint) by moving guys like Rabasa, Randolph, Councell, Utupo, etc. inside, and then beefing up a S to step in at DOLB. But those types of changes can't be made overnight.

 

[chicago51]

[/B]


Do you think Baratti or Shumate could potentially play the "star" LB'er/hybrid role to alleviate some of these depth concerns?

That really wouldn't fix the ILB problem. Sure could move some of the Dog LB guys like Spond or Ben Councel inside. Not sure though how they would perform though at ILB.

 

[GBdomer]

@adamgorney:

Per BGI not official offers.

 

[NDinFL]

Not really. In retrospect, the "Star" LB thing seems like a gimmick to me. We didn't have any functional DOLBs at the time, so putting Slaughter there was the best we could do. It worked against undersized opponents (like the academies), but there's no way we could get away with that against bigger more talented teams.

And in any case, the "Star" LB was a de facto OLB. It wouldn't help our lack of depth at ILB at all.

Gotcha, just a thought. Thanks for the explanation big cat

 

[Irishman77]

Absolutely positively gotta have Martin, watt, fox, and carlo back. I would be fine with EV and shutting it down, but also understand that you gotta strike while the iron is hot.

Also if we make it to the nc next year and can pick whom we want for the 14 class...their has got to finally be some transfers by some guys that realize they will not see a down.