Thoughts on Next Years Depth chart, any comments

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Fighting_Irish9

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A breakdown of Notre Dames 2006 squad as it looks right now.

-ND losses
WR - Maurice Stovall
WR - Matt Shelton
TE - Anthony Fasano
T – Mark Lavoir
G – Dan Stephenson
DT – Brian Beidatsch
LB – Corey Mays
LB – Brandon Hoyte
K – DJ Fitzpatrick.


Incase you are unaware ND doesn’t redshirt like other schools. A 5th year is far from guaranteed. I listed players as rJr instead of Senior to make it easier to understand what their eligibility is.

As for Freshman I never expect a freshman to contribute as a starter thus if they do its a pleasent surprise

Quarterbacks

Sr Brady Quinn - Quinn will be a 4th year starter. He will have the most experienced O-line in the nation that has the potential to be one of the most talented. Two NFL caliber, experienced WR's and a talented group of RB’s to keep the pressure off and the play-action viable.
He has a Good mind and good arm. He is very accurate and has made marked improvements each year he has played at ND. It is likely his improvement will continue and he will make a run at the Heisman next year.

Backups
rSo David Wolke - The most experienced backup don't expect him to disapear quietly
rFr Evan Sharpley - Talented recruit from last year (#12 QB in the Nation) should fight for the #2 spot

Recruits
Zack Frazer 4 Star #6 Pro-Style QB
Demetrius Jones 4 Star #2 Dual Threat QB


Running Backs

Jr Darius Walker – Walker will be a 3rd year starter. He was a 1,000 Yard rusher, doesn’t have blazing speed but gets the job done, he can make players miss and is a quality receiver out of the backfield. All the load won’t be on his shoulders so he will always be fresh and should make some highlight films.

Backups
rJr Travis Thomas – Should see a lot of playing time has more speed than Walker and has the talent of a starter. More of a North South runner
rSo Justin Hoskins – Could move to WR but has more raw talent than Thomas and Walker. Hoskins may still break out as a gamer. (see Larry Johnson PSU)
rSo Junior Jabbie – Could move to WR or back to the defensive backfield but if he stays at running back he could emerge as a speedy 3rd down back with good size.
rSr Jeff Jenkins – If he returns for a 5th year I don't expect to see much of him but you never know.

Recruits
James Aldridge – 5 Star #4 RB
Munir Prince – 3 Star #26 RB


Fullbacks

So Asaph Schwapp – Schwapp will be a 2nd year starter of sorts. With the absences of Powers-Neal Schwapp stepped into the starting roll very well. Schwapp is a powerful FB that can run catch and block. He caught the eye of Weis early and after some early year mistakes he bounced back well. There is little to no doubt that he will be a 4 year starter for ND and will make a name for himself before he is gone.

Backup
rJr Ashley McConnell – Good reciever out of the backfield and a quality Backup FB.

Recruits
Luke Schmidt – 3 Star #4 FB


Wide Recievers

rSr Rheama McKnight – McKnight will be a 4th year starter. He has been the #1 Receiver at ND for years. Height, Speed, hands and can move with the ball. An Injury kept him out of 2005 but look for a 2006 explosion that makes him a first or second round draft pick.

Sr Jeff Samardzija – Samardzija will be a 2nd year starter. He broke out in 2005 putting up numbers among the best in the nation. He doesn’t have “great” speed but he has enough to get it done, great hands, knows how to get open and could have an NFL career if he doesn’t go the baseball route.

Backups
So DJ Hord – Top recruit from a year ago, good speed could be a future Star and exciting Kicker returner.
So David Grimes – Speedy receiver who will challenge Hord as the next star.
rJr Chase Anastasio – Could pull a Samardzija but likely a quality backup possession receiver.
rSo Darren Bragg – QB turned WR, a athletic kid who could become Arnez Battle or become a Carlyle Holiday at the WR spot, Time will tell.
rSr Rob Woods – Doubtful he returns for 5th year

Recruits
Richard Jackson 4 Star #16 WR
Robby Parris 3 Star #63 WR
Barry Gallup 3 Star #73 WR
George West 3 Star #43 Athlete


****You may see West returning punts and Kickoffs

Tight Ends

rJr John Carlson – Carlson the most likely candidate to step in to the TE spot with Anthony Fasano leaving for the Pro’s. Carlson has many of the same tools as Fasano, good hands and a good blocker. ND won’t lose to much of a step with Carlson replacing Fasano.

Backups
rSr Marcus Freeman – With Fasano leaving I expect Freeman to return for a 5th year and get a bunch of playing time as the #2 TE and most likely #1 Blocking TE
rFr Joey Hiben – One of ND’s top recruits last year A track star that can block, look for him to challenge Carlson for the starting spot and for the spotlight on offense in the future.

Recruits
Konrad Rueland 4 Star #2 TE
Paddy Mullen 3 Star #24 TE


O-Line

C-rSr Bob Morton
G-rJr John Sullivan
G-rSr Dan Santucci
T-Sr Ryan Harris
T- rSr Brian Mattes

- Mattes will be the only O-lineman that doesn’t have a lot of starting experience, This line is still up in the air though as some players may not return for a 5th year. If all do, this could be one of the better O-lines in the Nation, these kids have been playing with each other for years and should be very comfortable together.

Backups
rSr Scott Raridon
rFr Micheal Turkovich
rSr James Bonelli
Fr Paul Duncan

Each of these guys could step up into a starting roll and would be quality starters if they replace a guy that doesn’t return. We do need a lot of these guys to return for a 5th year though as depth becomes a serious issue if they do not return. Turkovich IMO is the most likely to challenge Mattes for the starting spot

Recruits

Sam Young - 5 Star #1 T
Daniel Wegner – 4 Star #3 C
Chris Stewart – 4 Star #8 G
Matt Carufel – 4 Star #6 T
Eric Olsen – 4 Star #10 T
Bartley Webb – 3 Star #30 Tackle


****Young could get in the mix with Mattes for the starting spot, I doubt he starts but wouldn't be surprised to see him play some

D-Line

DE Sr Victor Abiamira - Abiamira will be starting his 3rd straight year. He fell off a bit as he didn’t have Tuck on the other side putting on the pressure. He still has all the skills to be a star and a future NFL D-Lineman. If the other end steps it up I expect his effectiveness will go up exponentially.

DE rSr Chris Frome - If Frome returns for a 5th year it will be his 2nd as a starter. An injury sidelined Frome this year. He didn’t blow up but he did play a very Solid weak side end. He is a versatile lineman that can move inside and play DT and will be a valuable asset if he returns

DT rSr Derek Landri - If Landri returns for a 5th year it will be his 3rd as a starter. Landri is the anchor of the D-line. He will be playing on Sundays. He has a solid pass rush and is top notch against the run.

DT rJr Trevor Laws - This will be Laws 3rd year as a Starter. He is an animal against the run. His 300 Pound frame locks down the middle of the field. If Landri and Frome both return with laws and Abiamira this Line will be lock down against the run and decent against the pass needing some blitzing help.

Backups
rSr Travis Leitko – Leitko missed this past season but has the talent to step up and take over the starting job from Frome if he returns and could help the pass rush
rSo Ronald Talley – Replaced Frome went he went down and played well, has good speed and could be a good pass rusher in the future
rJr Dwight Stephenson Jr – Was recruited to play LB moved to D-line is listed as a DT but Hope to see him break out as a pass rushing End and crack the starting lineup or be used in a rotation
Fr Darrell Hand – Good recruit from a year ago 300 pound frame should be good against the run, could get a lot of playing time if Landri leaves.
Fr Patrick Kuntz – Big fast DE that will bring a pass rush to ND’s D-Line
rSo Justin Brown – A work in process but an athletic End with speed.
rJr Casey Cullen – A walk on LB that earned a Scholarship and was moved to D-line
rSr Nate Schiccatano – Top FB recruit, not likely he remains for 5th year

Recruits
Kellen Wade 3 Star #9 WDE
John Ryan 3 Star #28 WDE


*****I do hope to see some of Wade as a 3rd down pass rusher

Linebackers

OLB rSo Maurice Crumb Jr - Maurice will be a 2nd year starter. Maurice could become a Star at ND, he has speed and improved as the season went on. He is a solid tackler that can lay the boom on a guy. His speed makes him a decent cover LB and should only get better as he has 3 more years of eligibility left

MLB So Scott Smith – A future star at ND, Smith will be known by all before he leaves ND. He backed up Mays in the Middle this year and will most Likely step into the starting roll. Many take issue with his 40 time, but he won out the #2 spot at MLB over many faster guys, this guy has football speed and the size and quickness to shed blocks fast

OLB rJr Mitchell Thomas Mitchell would be a first year starter, he will be a step up in the speed department. Need to become a better tackler and get better at shedding the blocks but could be just the type of player ND needs.

Backups
rJr Joe Brockington – Its been said he has made marked improvements on the practice field and could be in the Mix for a starting spot.
rSo Anthony Vernaglia – Size, Speed, power, Vernaglia has all the tools to be a superstar look for him to fight for a starting spot at LB or SS
rJr Nick Borseti - A veteran LB who could challenge for the starting spot.
So Kevin Washington – A quality LB recruit last year should be a good backup this year and expect to see him on special teams
So Steve Quinn – Hand Picked by Weis, could be the Fastest LB we have on the team with 4.5 speed would be surprised if he played a lot next year but look for him in the future
rSo Abdel Banda – Speed Speed Speed big question in size though very athletic and very Raw didn’t play football till he moved to the US in highschool

<i> Recruits
Morrice Richardson 4 Star #14 OLB
Toryan Smith 3 Star #14 ILB </i>

**** Could see some position changes like moving Ndukwe to Apache (OLB) and moving Vernaglia back to DB bringing Stephenson back to LB etc etc etc, I trust Minter and Weis will do what’s best, these are just raw guess’s from a fan.

Defensive Backfield

CB rJr Ambrose Wooden - Wooden would be a 2nd year Starter. Wooden has caught some Grief because of the OSU game but the kid is a gamer, He has speed, just not Ted Ginn Jr speed, few do. He needs to work on the mental aspect of the game and probably won’t be a first round shut down type corner but this kid is a solid player and will have many eating their words next year. Don’t get caught up in the apparent lack of speed, like the offense last year its an illusion. Get him some help over the top and some pressure on the QB’s and he will look like the 4 star recruit he is.

CB rSr Mike Richardson – If he returns which it looks like he will, he will be a 3rd year starter at Corner, he has improved each year. He isn't the fastest or the biggest name recruit but he keeps getting it done in camp to earn the starting job. You will notice his name was called alot less last year than the year before...as a corner, that shows you have stepped up your game

SS Sr Chinedum Ndukwe Ndukwe will be a 2nd year starter. Ndukwe played very well against the run in his first year as a DB starter. Recruited as a WR the move to DB has been impressive. He is a solid SS and better than average against the run. There is the of chance he moves to the Apache LB spot and Zbikowski moves to SS

FS rJr Tommy Zbikowski - Zbikowski will be a 3rd year starter. Has good speed and is a future NFL Safety (prolly SS). Hits like a truck, is a ball hawk and is good for a game changing play in 4-5 games next year. He is a future AA and the anchor of our Defensive backfield, if he stays at FS though, he needs to get back in coverage and help out the corners on the deep ball, don’t know if its him or the scheme but admittedly nit picking on the person who is going to be the cornerstone of the defense next year.

Nickelback rSo Terrail Lambert - Lambert would be a 1st year "starter". I see him winning this spot over Ferrine. Lambert has the speed many are calling for. An Injury slowed his progress this past year. He has sub 4.4 speed and has the tools to be a top notch Corner. I expect him to play as well as Wooden did this past season, good but not great but will improve as the year goes on and will step into Richardson spot for next year or maybe even by the end of this year.


Backups
CB rSo Leo Ferrine – Not a highly touted recruit but looks to be a diamond in the rough. Has size 6’ and speed 4.4 played well as a nickel back and will get a lot of playing time some say he could challenge Richardson and Lambert for a starting spot
CB rJr Labrose Hedgemon – recruited as a true corner has good speed lacks size could be in the mix
CB rSr Brandon Harris – Not likely he returns for 5th year

FS So Kyle McCarthy – With his size and speed he could move into the Starting FS spot if Zbikowski is moved to SS
SS So David Bruton – Doubt he will see any starting time next year but a will give Quality depth and has a bright future expect him to be a 2 year starter
SS So Ray Herring – Like McCarthy he is versatile and could end up at Safety or even CB

Recruits
Darrin Wall 4 Star #3 CB
Raeshon McNeil 4 Star #14 CB
Leonard Gordon 3 Star #48 CB
Sergio Brown 3 Star #27 Safety
Jashaad Gaines 3 Star #30 Safety



***** Like the Linebackers there could be some position changes in the Defensive backfield especially if Walls steps in like some hope. Don’t listen to the Gloom and Doom of the naysayers, saying we have no speed back there. There is enough speed on this team to have a solid defensive backfield if we can get the safeties back and more pressure on the QB’s

******Also some of the recruiting stars and rankings may have changed, most were marked down before the last adjustment on Rivals.

Any suggestions/comments?
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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AlbuquerqueIrishFan said:
I think we are going to miss Fasano a lot this year. Hopefully, Carlson steps up.

Fasano is definatly going to be missed but I think between Hiben and Carlson we should be ok. Hiben looks to have all the tools of Fasano, and Carlson isn't that far behind and has the experience.

Where Fasano will be Missed the most IMO is his versitility, he basicly an extra Tackle when blocking like Freeman can be but Freeman can't stretch the field like Fasano could.

But don't forget Fasano did have a knack for fumbling at the WORST times
 

jiggafini19

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Crum should be in the middle.

Sam Young will win that starting job at some point during the 2006 season. Mark it down.

Carlson is going to show a lot of people just how good he can be.
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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jiggafini19 said:
Crum should be in the middle.
Sam Young will win that starting job at some point during the 2006 season. Mark it down.
Carlson is going to show a lot of people just how good he can be.


If Crum moved to the Middle that would open up a lot of options with the outside LB's. We have a lot of speed at the OLB spots I just think Size would become a problem.

I hadn't heard anything about Crum to the middle but if he has the size and ability to get off the blocks It would be fun to watch him there

I would be very surprised if Young ended up starting, he was manhandled in his State Championship game by a no name DE...I think the kid has potential to be great I just don't see him pulling a Ryan Harris and starting as a freshman
 

scooper

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Carlson is actually more athletic than Fasano. I think the drawback is as mentioned-his blocking. I'm not saying his is bad. Fasano was just darned good at it.

TE is one position I will never worry about with this team.
 

Aerosmith777

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I really like Smith in the middle, but I've been saying that for a year. Crum just seems too small to me for MLB, while smith is the prototypical MLB. He's big, a sure tackler, and fast enough. I say leave Crum where he is, and slide Ndukwe down to LB and let Bruton step in at SS. That, or put Vernaglia in there at LB.

I'd think Lambert has the inside track for that nickel spot, but considering how little playing time he's gotten despite how bad the secondary is, I wonder if the coaching staff is a bit sour on him for some reason. wouldn't surprise me too much to see Walls come right in and grab that spot.

On offense, I really think Hiben's gonna come into camp in the summer and get that starting TE spot away from Carlson. I know Carlson has more experience, but I just think Hiben is such a better athlete, and he does have a year under his belt as well. I think Mattes has the inside track on the RT spot too, but I think if he loses it it'll more likely be to Duncan than to Turk.
 

jiggafini19

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I'll take speed over size any day.

I'd like to see a starting D that looked like such:

Strong DE: Abiamari
DT: Laws
DT: Landri
Weak DE: Frome
Apache: Vernaglia
Mike: Crum
Will: Brockington
LCB: Wooden
RCB: Richardson
SS: Zbikowski
FS: Ndukewe

No changes other than moving Crum to middle and Vernaglia/Brockington completing the trio.

Expect Walls, McNeil and Morrice Richardson to see the field. Toryan Smith could force Crum back to Apache at some point in the season as well.

The D Line is still horribly thin.
 

jiggafini19

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O-Line

C-rSr Bob Morton
G-rJr John Sullivan
G-rSr Dan Santucci
T-Sr Ryan Harris
T- rSr Brian Mattes


Not a single one weighs 300 lbs or more.
 

Aerosmith777

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jiggafini19 said:
I'll take speed over size any day.

Crum would still be on the field, just not in the middle. And personally, at MLB, I think being able to tackle is a lot more important than overall speed. Besides, it's not like Smith is that slow, Crum's 40 time is only a tenth of a second faster.
 

jiggafini19

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Crum is more of a middle linebacker naturally, or so they say. Vernaglia (and even Ndukwe) on the outside would allow better coverage matchups against tight ends and running backs.

As it stands now, Crum will be at Apache, Smith at Mike and Brockington at Will. I'd like to see Vernaglia get into the mix somehow, but he's the Apache backup to Crum. Not sure how fast Brockington is.

Didn't see much of either this year or Smith. Lots to be figured out this spring.
 

Aerosmith777

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I guess I just don't like a guy who's 6'0" in the middle of the field. I want a big guy who can tackle well and disrupt the QB's throwing lanes on passing plays in there. If that means giving up a little bit speed, so be it.

If he really can't cover TE's and RB's, then maybe I should just say that I don't want Crum on the field, and have Smith at MLB and Vernaglia and the 'duke at the OLB positions, and then slide in Bruton. I thought Crum played admirablely last year though, give him another spring and I think he'll turn into a better player in the upcoming year.
 

jiggafini19

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Must agree Aerosmith. Crum will be a junior and still has room to increase his production and skill.

I know where you're coming from on the MLB thing. Danny Morgan of the Panthers is the rare exception to size. Urlacher is a freakish combo of size and speed. It appears the trio will be Crum, Smith and Brockington as it stands now. But I expect some shuffling come spring time.

Whatever 11 are out there, I just hope they stay healthy and can improve on getting the yardage numbers down.

WIN EVERY PLAY!!
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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My Ideal Defensive lineup would be

DE - Abiamira
DE- Leitko
DT - Landri
DT - Laws

With Wade as a 3rd down pass rusher
with Frome rotating to rest the line
With Stephenson rotating to rest the line

SLB Scott Smith
WLB Maurice Crum Jr
Apache Chinedum Ndukwe

***this would give us speed on the outside and a powerful fast enough LB in the middle.

SS Zbikowski - He just plays with the mentality of a SS and doesn't get back to help on the Deep ball, either cure him of that or move him to SS

FS Wooden - many think he is slow because of one game against OSU, but the kid can move and IMO would make a good Safety

CB Richardson - A good solid Corner
CB Lambert - I think he is going to step up to be a real talent

Nickel - Ferrine would be my first choice but could see Walls or McNeil here
 

jiggafini19

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Most of the guys in the ND secondary are better off as safeties. The real true cover corners are Walls and McNeil.

Ferrine and Lambert will need to improve by quantum leaps to get on the field in 2006. Walls and McNeil can make them afterthoughts very quickly.

I'd get Hand in at DT on short yard and goal line situations.
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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jiggafini19 said:
Most of the guys in the ND secondary are better off as safeties. The real true cover corners are Walls and McNeil.
Ferrine and Lambert will need to improve by quantum leaps to get on the field in 2006. Walls and McNeil can make them afterthoughts very quickly.
I'd get Hand in at DT on short yard and goal line situations.


I think people are giving up on Wooden, Lambert and Ferrine a bit to quick.

Lambert does have a lot to prove but he came in just as highly touted as Walls and McNeil

Ferrine is showing to be a real diamond in the ruff. Cornerback is not a postion that many Freshman or Sophomores excel at. I seriously do not expect to see a whole lot of Walls and out side of Nickel back barring injury to a starter that is
 

jiggafini19

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You're going to see the best players on the field, whoever can play, regardless of class.

And I'll tell you right now, on defense, get ready for Wade, Richardson, Smith, Walls and McNeil to be on the field lots.

Wooden will get better from 2005 to 2006 as Richardson did. Bill Lewis did a nice job with Richardson.

Ferrine and Lambert came in highly touted, but let's look at two things: Who recruited them and 2) what they've done since they've been here, which is nothing. Lambert hasn't been on the field enough (54 minutes in 2005) to prove anything to us, so there is no way to measure how good he is or could be.

Leo Ferrine looked like a high school JV defensive back against Stanford. He's got a loooooong way to go before he gets on the field come fall.
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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jiggafini19 said:
You're going to see the best players on the field, whoever can play, regardless of class.
And I'll tell you right now, on defense, get ready for Wade, Richardson, Smith, Walls and McNeil to be on the field lots.
Wooden will get better from 2005 to 2006 as Richardson did. Bill Lewis did a nice job with Richardson.
Ferrine and Lambert came in highly touted, but let's look at two things: Who recruited them and 2) what they've done since they've been here, which is nothing. Lambert hasn't been on the field enough (54 minutes in 2005) to prove anything to us, so there is no way to measure how good he is or could be.
Leo Ferrine looked like a high school JV defensive back against Stanford. He's got a loooooong way to go before he gets on the field come fall.


No doubt the best players will play, I just doubt that freshman are going to be the best corners on the team. I don't see them beating out either Wooden or Richardson, I don't think they would beat out Lambert either but I suppose their could be a shot of that but IMO very unlikely.

Lambert was hurt the first half of last year and I'm sure that slowed his progress alot.

Ferrine was far from a highly touted recruit, he was a 2 and 3 star recruit depending on the site you use. He was considered a diamond in the rough though as he has the size and speed to make a good DB.

As for who recruited Lambert....Well Pete Carroll at USC offered him, so did Jim Tressell at Ohio State, not to mention Bobby Bowden at Florida State

http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=17439


I do expect to see Wade playing some in pass rush situations, Toryan Smith could see some time as we are thin at MLB, but Richardson would be a pretty big surprise since we are pretty deep at OLB
 

jiggafini19

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Whatever Lambert and Ferrine did or were in high school is basically irrelevant now. Ferrine looked God awful against Stanford, the last time I saw him. Whatever Lambert did on the field, it didn't stand out to me enough. Maybe I wasn't paying attention.

I think many of you are underestimating just how good Walls and McNeil are. Once Mendoza builds them up a bit, expect both to start by 2007 regardless of Ambrose Wooden.
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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jiggafini19 said:
Whatever Lambert and Ferrine did or were in high school is basically irrelevant now. Ferrine looked God awful against Stanford, the last time I saw him. Whatever Lambert did on the field, it didn't stand out to me enough. Maybe I wasn't paying attention.
I think many of you are underestimating just how good Walls and McNeil are. Once Mendoza builds them up a bit, expect both to start by 2007 regardless of Ambrose Wooden.


I'm confused, are you saying what Walls and McNeil did in highschool matters but not when it comes to Wooden and Lambert?

Both Wooden and Lambert were just as "highly toughted" as Walls and McNeil, and don't forget Jabbie was up there too...


I think Walls and McNeil will be great in time, I just don't see either startering as freshman, they would have to be 1 of those incredibly rare athletes like Dion Sanders to pull something like that off.

I just don't see that from either of them, but I do expect big things from them in time.
 

jiggafini19

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NOT START, I said ON THE FIELD. They'll both be starting by their second years. McNeil and Walls will get to #2 on the depth chart by the middle of the year, maybe sooner.

No WAY were Lambert and Ferrine ranked as high as Walls and McNeil. Lambert and Ferrine "highly touted" by whom? Compared to these two? Now I'm confused.

Wooden: four star safety and dual threat QB
Ferrine: Two star safety
Lambert: Three star safety

Walls and McNeil are TRUE corners. Wooden was coverted and Richardson was a two star receiver.

Inept recruiting due to major amounts of golfing.
 
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Fighting_Irish9

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jiggafini19 said:
NOT START, I said ON THE FIELD. They'll both be starting by their second years. McNeil and Walls will get to #2 on the depth chart by the middle of the year, maybe sooner.

Oh I'm sure we will see them on the field, I doubt they both Start as Sophomores since I see Wooden coming back for a 5th year and not getting passed. One of them MAY pass Lambert their second year but I would be surprised...

As for Ferrine, I just have hope for the guy, he has the tools we will see if he becomes a starter or not, he played well in the 10 other regular season games before the Stanford game.


jiggafini19 said:
No WAY were Lambert and Ferrine ranked as high as Walls and McNeil. Lambert and Ferrine "highly touted" by whom? Compared to these two? Now I'm confused.
Wooden: four star safety and dual threat QB
Ferrine: Two star safety
Lambert: Three star safety
Walls and McNeil are TRUE corners. Wooden was coverted and Richardson was a two star receiver.
Inept recruiting due to major amounts of golfing.


Scout.com lists them all as 4 star recruits.

Terrail Lambert
#8 CB recruit in the Nation

Ambrose Wooden
#14 CB recruit in the Nation

{B]Resheon McNeil[/B]
#9 CB recruit in the Nation

Darrin Walls
#7 CB recruit in the Nation


Walls & McNeil - http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=9&c=8&yr=2006
Lambert - http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=9&c=8&yr=2004
Wooden - http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=109&p=9&c=8&yr=2003

I'd say that puts them in the "just as highly touted" catagory

Its rare for kids to break out as underclassman, I'm not sure why so many have given up on alot of these kids, Is it because they were recruited by Willingham? I only ask because of the comment earlier about "Look who recruited him"....I would think USC, VaTech, Maryland, OSU, WSU, FSU etc recruiting these guys would show they are damn good talents
 

jiggafini19

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Rivals and Scout differed on these guys a great deal. Scout ranked them all highly as corners and Rivals had them low as safeties.

Wooden: http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=9952

Lambert: http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=17439

Ferrine: http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=18398

Ferrine was rated ahead of one player in his class: Legacy Tregg Duerson, who had ZERO business getting a scholarship from Notre Dame. He was MAC material at best. He had interest from Ivy League schools as well.

I'm not sure how Ambrose Wooden was brought into the conversation. I recall posting earlier he'd improve at corner under Lewis the way Richardson did. You actually suggested he be moved to safety, which is what he played in high school. And I agree. Most of this secondary are better off at safety, Wooden included.

We can all agree on one thing: Ferrine and Lambert have a lot to prove and they'll be pushed HARD by Walls and McNeil. Walls and McNeil need playbooks and alone time with Mendoza. After that, it's giddy up time.
 
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