Who is Likely Next (2013)

[peoriairish]

I just breathed a LOT easier with the walk-on punter coming. We really did not know if Brindza COULD even punt under pressure in the games, let alone what might happen with injury or sickness. This stuff can lose you games where you clearly outplay the opponent and royally screw up the punts. [Think blocks; ten-yard shanks from your 20 yard line; no pinning the other guys back or even flipping the field].

Thank God for Kelly and his "don't miss anything" excellence at roster management. Next season just got brighter --- and, yes, it was "only" a punter.

I'm very pleased with this pick up as well. The kicking game is imperative to a successful complete season. I always remember how frustrating the BC game was in '11 because their punter was a monster. We were starting inside our 10 yard line what seemed like the while game because he had a cannon of a leg (albeit more accurate than a canon). There is an immense difference between starting from the 8 yard line and from the 20.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Only thing that made me doubt it is Brindza couldn't win the job from Turk when they held that in-season competition in 2011, when Turk was punting TERRIBLY. Some people were talking about it on BGI recently, and Lou (the managing editor, I believe) chimed in that he watched some of the practices while the punting competition was going on and Brindza was nowhere close to winning the job. Wasn't looking good at all. So I'll just say I'm with OMM ... VERY glad we got a good punting prospect in this class, and thrilled we didn't have to use a schollie to do it.

Good point, I am not suprised at all to hear Turk is a much better punter; there was a while when everyone was talking about how he booted 60 yarders in practice.... But it just seemed to get lost in translation in game situations. This year he was much better, but he still was not a strategic player that was a real weapon.

A few years ago our FG kicker was missing everything in games and winning the competition every week in practice as well. Seems like how it goes sometimes.

 

[yankeeND]

I couldn't agree more. Excellent avatar for you, yankee.

It's growing on me, I wouldn't say I'm uncontrollable though.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

A few years ago our FG kicker was missing everything in games and winning the competition every week in practice as well. Seems like how it goes sometimes.

This is part of the reason I'm skeptical of offering scholarships to specialists out of high school, and it's the same reason that they're paid so poorly in the NFL (despite having a massive impact on the game). Very very few are consistent enough to merit the roster space/ pay.

If they walk on and prove themselves as consistent contributors, then they've earned a scholarship. But I'm not inclined to offer based on Sailer's or Rubio's word anymore. I think we can attract sufficient talent by offering preferred walk-on status alone. Let 'em prove themselves on the field first.

 

[Domina Nostra]

This is part of the reason I'm skeptical of offering scholarships to specialists out of high school, and it's the same reason that they're paid so poorly in the NFL (despite having a massive impact on the game). Very very few are consistent enough to merit the roster space/ pay.

If they walk on and prove themselves as consistent contributors, then they've earned a scholarship. But I'm not inclined to offer based on Sailer's or Rubio's word anymore. I think we can attract sufficient talent by offering preferred walk-on status alone. Let 'em prove themselves on the field first.

Right. Maybe even let them know that if they can win the starter's spot and be highly productive--setting some benchmarks--they will get a scholarship.

 

[Ndaccountant]

This is part of the reason I'm skeptical of offering scholarships to specialists out of high school, and it's the same reason that they're paid so poorly in the NFL (despite having a massive impact on the game). Very very few are consistent enough to merit the roster space/ pay.

If they walk on and prove themselves as consistent contributors, then they've earned a scholarship. But I'm not inclined to offer based on Sailer's or Rubio's word anymore. I think we can attract sufficient talent by offering preferred walk-on status alone. Let 'em prove themselves on the field first.

I agree with this for most kickers.

What is ironic about this tho is the two kickers that ND actually got into a recruiting battle for over the last 7 years or so (and lost them both) turned out to be pretty damn good. Those two that came to mind were Kai Forbath and Dustin Hopkins.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What is ironic about this tho is the two kickers that ND actually got into a recruiting battle for over the last 7 years or so (and lost them both) turned out to be pretty damn good. Those two that came to mind were Kai Forbath and Dustin Hopkins.

That's fair. I don't know enough about scouting these types of players to argue that one is never justified in offering them a scholarship right away. There may be some rare talents out there that will clearly be worth the roster space.

But those guys are definitely the exception. I see the type of production we've gotten out of our specialists recently, and it makes me think we could probably have gotten similar results out of preferred walk-ons while freeing up some scholarships in the process.

 

[Ironman8]

I agree with this for most kickers.

What is ironic about this tho is the two kickers that ND actually got into a recruiting battle for over the last 7 years or so (and lost them both) turned out to be pretty damn good. Those two that came to mind were Kai Forbath and Dustin Hopkins.

Yeah Charlie wanted Hopkins badly. We turned to Tausch after Hopkins turned us down.

 

[koonja]

eric sondheimer ‏@latsondheimer

Recruiting day has become so big that UCLA is having a pep rally. UCLA Official Athletic Site - Football …

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Jason Sapp ‏@BGI_JasonSapp

#NotreDame Recruiting Notebook - A "quiet" recruiting weekend, best shot at adding to the class & more (VIP) Notre Dame Recruiting Notebook #Irish

 

[Emcee77]

Jason Sapp ‏@BGI_JasonSapp

#NotreDame Recruiting Notebook - A "quiet" recruiting weekend, best shot at adding to the class & more (VIP) Notre Dame Recruiting Notebook #Irish

Basically what we already know:

EV is our best shot at landing another recruit in this class -- far from a sure thing, but it's a good sign that his mom isn't going to Bama with dad and grandpa.

Fitts is our next best shot, but distance and weather may be factors.

basically no idea what's up with Isaac ... he has kept in contact with our coaches but he's paying his own way to SC this weekend. Sapp basically seems to think something just smells fishy about the situation and wouldn't be totally shocked if Isaac flips, but he is still hearing that Isaac's family wants him at SC and he doesn't expect a flip.

Hollins and Prevot are out, although we really wanted both.

 

[Irish YJ]

Can Denbrock or somebody give LJ Moore another ring. I've always liked that kid. It seems now we will have room. Kid has great ball skillz and can go CB or S

 

[CanadalovesND]

Can Denbrock or somebody give LJ Moore another ring. I've always liked that kid. It seems now we will have room. Kid has great ball skillz and can go CB or S

Do we need another DB tho? The last two classes (2012,2013) we will have signed 9 players, and +1 since Badger is back and technically a freshman still.

I think we are good, IMO

 

[koonja]

We're good on DBs. We have Redfield, Butler, Cole, and Kinlaw just in this class. If nothing else, save it for next year and bring back a 5th year.

 

[PraetorianND]

We're good on DBs. We have Redfield, Butler, Cole, and Kinlaw just in this class. If nothing else, save it for next year and bring back a 5th year.

Don't forget Folston!

 

[Ndaccountant]

That's fair. I don't know enough about scouting these types of players to argue that one is never justified in offering them a scholarship right away. There may be some rare talents out there that will clearly be worth the roster space.

But those guys are definitely the exception. I see the type of production we've gotten out of our specialists recently, and it makes me think we could probably have gotten similar results out of preferred walk-ons while freeing up some scholarships in the process.

Because I was curious, I looked at the top 5 kickers from the classes of 2004-2007 to see how many of those kickers were in the nfl (my "test" to see if there were productive or not, not a great test, but a test none the less). Those in the league were Hartley, Gano, Succop, Forbath, and Tucker. So, that is a 20% hit rate on rivals top 5 kickers each year.

I compared these guys to the top 5 "athletes", since I find those guys hard to predict their NFL potential. Of the top 5 athletes in rivals classes 2004-2007, the following were in the league: Lavelle Hawkins, McFadden, Taylor Mays, and Joe Haden. Only four are in the league today.

I am not sure what this actually implies, other than the neither position was forecasted accurately. I realize the #6 athlete would have greater value to a team than the #6 kicker only in the sense of even if the athlete is a "miss", they are still valuable from a practice and special teams standpoint. I just thought the data was interesting.

 

[Booslum31]

Because I was curious, I looked at the top 5 kickers from the classes of 2004-2007 to see how many of those kickers were in the nfl (my "test" to see if there were productive or not, not a great test, but a test none the less). Those in the league were Hartley, Gano, Succop, Forbath, and Tucker. So, that is a 20% hit rate on rivals top 5 kickers each year.

I compared these guys to the top 5 "athletes", since I find those guys hard to predict their NFL potential. Of the top 5 athletes in rivals classes 2004-2007, the following were in the league: Lavelle Hawkins, McFadden, Taylor Mays, and Joe Haden. Only four are in the league today.

I am not sure what this actually implies, other than the neither position was forecasted accurately. I realize the #6 athlete would have greater value to a team than the #6 kicker only in the sense of even if the athlete is a "miss", they are still valuable from a practice and special teams standpoint. I just thought the data was interesting.

I appreciate the "accountant in you" pulling this together because I was wondering about the relative impact of both. I'll just say that when we have our backs to our own end-zone that we have a guy potentially putting a 55 yard punt togehter with no return.

 

[Irish YJ]

We're good on DBs. We have Redfield, Butler, Cole, and Kinlaw just in this class. If nothing else, save it for next year and bring back a 5th year.

Yes we have plenty,,, but..... My money is on several (not 5+, but more than 2) DBs leaving over the next 2 years. Hence my desire to grab a could-be stud if we have room. Honestly I don't wish anyone gone, I just think several will get passed over. They all see the log jam, so nothing mysterious about it. Our STs will benefit in a big way as these guys develop!! I can see Max jumping to first in line by mid season, and Cole gaining PT as the year goes on. Kinlaw and Butler have potential, but they are both projects in a big way. Could be BOOOOOOM, or could be busts.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/recruiting/premium-football-recruiting/8627-recruiting-notebook

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Not sure best spot for this, so I figure I'd throw it here. Safe to assume someone will start a NSD Thread on Wed.?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> head coach Brian Kelly will announce the 2013 signees during a National Signing Day press conference on Feb. 6 at Noon ET. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Irish">#Irish</a></p>— Jason Sapp (@BGI_JasonSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_JasonSapp/status/298482243779829760">February 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irishman77]

Espn interview with Kelly they mentioned we have 3 scholarships left and Kelly said we plan on using them by the end of the day.

1. Folston (wasn't in at the interview)
2. Eddie Vanderdoes
3. Wtf? Do we really have a suprise yet or did espn goof on the numbers and Kelly just didn't want to take the time to correct them?

 

[CincyDamer]

Espn interview with Kelly they mentioned we have 3 scholarships left and Kelly said we plan on using them by the end of the day.

1. Folston (wasn't in at the interview)
2. Eddie Vanderdoes
3. Wtf? Do we really have a suprise yet or did espn goof on the numbers and Kelly just didn't want to take the time to correct them?

I think he was referring to the full 85 scholarship limit and 5th years.

 

[connor_in]

Espn interview with Kelly they mentioned we have 3 scholarships left and Kelly said we plan on using them by the end of the day.

1. Folston (wasn't in at the interview)
2. Eddie Vanderdoes
3. Wtf? Do we really have a suprise yet or did espn goof on the numbers and Kelly just didn't want to take the time to correct them?

Hey...didn't BK say he was expecting an answer on Slaughter by NSD? Any word?

 

[irishroo]

Espn interview with Kelly they mentioned we have 3 scholarships left and Kelly said we plan on using them by the end of the day.

1. Folston (wasn't in at the interview)
2. Eddie Vanderdoes
3. Wtf? Do we really have a suprise yet or did espn goof on the numbers and Kelly just didn't want to take the time to correct them?

Assuming Nichols takes a medical, 4 5Ys, and we get Vanderdoes, we're still at 84 scholarships, so yes there is one more spot available.

 

[Irishman77]

EV and slaughter would be mind blowing. A five star and a 6 star respectively.

 

[Anchorman]

EV and slaughter would be mind blowing. A five star and a 6 star respectively.

Not really a 6 star. I like Slaughter, but he's no Floyd or Manti, and that's if he can even get back to where he was.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

So this thread has a life expectancy now of about 3 hours.

 

[irishpat183]

Not really a 6 star. I like Slaughter, but he's no Floyd or Manti, and that's if he can even get back to where he was.

Exactly... I Like that he's a vet, but come on.

 

[Irishman77]

He would be a captain on an elite defense . Everyone in our secondary would greatly benefit witnessing the way he practices and plays everyday.. Sorry just my opinion.

 

[vuirish]

Espn interview with Kelly they mentioned we have 3 scholarships left and Kelly said we plan on using them by the end of the day.

1. Folston (wasn't in at the interview)
2. Eddie Vanderdoes
3. Wtf? Do we really have a suprise yet or did espn goof on the numbers and Kelly just didn't want to take the time to correct them?

Could it be the punter? Can't remember his name.