'13 GA DE Isaac Rochell (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[chubler]

I think the issue is less going 3-deep than maintaining a level of play at or at least reasonably close to what the starters give us even when they come off the field. Our 1st-string Dline was good enough to go toe-to-toe with any 1st string Dline this last season. Problem came in when we put the 2's in and there was such a big dropoff, which leads to the 1s staying in more, which leads to the 1s not being as effective. If we can get a consistently excellent level of Dline play (whether thats simply eating every block for the 'backers like bama did or being disruptive like tuitt and nix were) no matter which unit is on the field, it doesnt matter whether we do that with 6 guys who play a lot of minutes, or 4 who play a lot and 5 who play only a few plays at a time.

 

[Old Man Mike]

We basically played two-deep last season [Day/ Schwenke/ Springmann, with a dash of Hounshell rarely and some Shembo/Williams at DE in a 4-3 for added freshness]. Diaco is willing to ironman it with Tuitt as well. There wasn't much dropoff when Day replaced KLM, because Sheldon is so good, but Kona and Tony, though "OK", can't really spot Big Lou or Stephon for long and have us really hold up.

I agree with the remark that coaching staffs really don't want to go to the third level in games, and so two really kicka$$ units are fine. Some of this is that you just don't get that number of elites, and some of it is that there are only so many practice minutes to work with each player. Still, the staff WANTS the third level to be ready when someone goes down. If you know that the third level guy is good, you don't have to rush the wounded warrior back out on the practice field. We actually had such a situation of an unusually good third level player two years ago with Hafis Williams, who, I'll bet, made redshirting Big Lou an easier decision.

 

[Emcee77]

We basically played two-deep last season [Day/ Schwenke/ Springmann, with a dash of Hounshell rarely and some Shembo/Williams at DE in a 4-3 for added freshness]. Diaco is willing to ironman it with Tuitt as well. There wasn't much dropoff when Day replaced KLM, because Sheldon is so good, but Kona and Tony, though "OK", can't really spot Big Lou or Stephon for long and have us really hold up.

I agree with the remark that coaching staffs really don't want to go to the third level in games, and so two really kicka$$ units are fine. Some of this is that you just don't get that number of elites, and some of it is that there are only so many practice minutes to work with each player. Still, the staff WANTS the third level to be ready when someone goes down. If you know that the third level guy is good, you don't have to rush the wounded warrior back out on the practice field. We actually had such a situation of an unusually good third level player two years ago with Hafis Williams, who, I'll bet, made redshirting Big Lou an easier decision.

True ... one nit to pick though: Hounshell redshirted in 2012.

 

[irishff1014]

While I agree that depth is very important, we dont' need to go 3 deep two win big time games. Two deep is plenty in my opinion. I don't think very many coaches around the country are playing 3 deep on a consistant basis. And if its only going to be in blowouts its a waste of a year.

I wasn't trying to suggest 3 deep just stating that we have made huge strides to make sure we have very good depth on the Dline

 

[Old Man Mike]

EMCEE: yes, that's probably true that he didn't play at all, even early. What always fooled me about Chase's status last year was Kelly putting him behind Tuitt on the depth chart, and then saying in presscon that when you're behind a player like Stephon Tuitt there aren't many snaps. So my mind fogged on that one. It does have the memory of Tony playing a lot WITH Kona on the line, though so that says Chase wasn't used.

Looked up my errors: I dislike it when my mind goes messy, and wondered how bad. Chase was being listed by Kelly as a DE back-up until the MSU game when they found out about his shoulder. So it is completely correct as EMCEE said that Hounshell didn't even play a down, but that Kelly had spoken about him as being "buried" behind Tuitt on the depth roster. Makes me feel slightly better that my mind didn't just make the entire thing up. When you get old you begin to worry about such things.

.... what were we talking about?

 

[Emcee77]

It's really bizarre how the services have him rated very highly as a top 10 SDE and top 150 overall player, but how he was totally ignored by the post-season all-american game organizers. Don't get why he was overlooked.

Can't vouch for the accuracy of this, but a poster on 247 just said that Rochell was invited to the Offense/Defense Bowl early on, and while he ended up getting invited to bigger all-american games later, he felt he needed to honor his commitment to the O/D people.

If it's true, more power to him. Classy move.

 

[CanadalovesND]

True ... one nit to pick though: Hounshell redshirted in 2012.

Hounshell dressed for the Pitt game.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I love this class. Everyone of these kids seems like the cream of crop when it comes to class. The one who didn't fit scurried his way out and I'm glad. Now we won't have another AL situation and this team can begin to form a bond to push us through 2013.

 

[Emcee77]

Hounshell dressed for the Pitt game.

As OMM verified above, however, he never played at any point and preserved a year of eligibility.

OMM, you are the man.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I will put this in a couple threads, I watched and re-watched the noon Kelly interview. I think Kelly tips things off, if you can read him. And I think I can. I believe he feels that one of the best things about this class is the hidden talent. He outright said that Will Fuller was all of that. Here are the ones that Kelly thinks will be monsters before they leave: James Onwaulu, Corey Robinson, and Isaac Rochelle.

I am getting the feeling that he thinks that Rochelle has as high a ceiling as any defensive lineman he ever recruited.

He is blown away by Onwaulu's hidden characteristics, not limited to but including his beastly strength and conditioning. This kid can do things that other elite athletes cannot.

If I gage it, I would bet that BK has actually spent time thinking about whether Corey Robinson will end up better than DGB. This is guy is a Brian Kelly gold mine. He is on a totally different trajectory than DGB and just about any other wide receiver. (Yes, that was a little bit of my personal opinion, but hardly any hyperbole at all!)

 

[NDdomer2]

I will put this in a couple threads, I watched and re-watched the noon Kelly interview. I think Kelly tips things off, if you can read him. And I think I can. I believe he feels that one of the best things about this class is the hidden talent. He outright said that Will Fuller was all of that. Here are the ones that Kelly thinks will be monsters before they leave: James Onwaulu, Corey Robinson, and Isaac Rochelle.

I am getting the feeling that he thinks that Rochelle has as high a ceiling as any defensive lineman he ever recruited.

He is blown away by Onwaulu's hidden characteristics, not limited to but including his beastly strength and conditioning. This kid can do things that other elite athletes cannot.

If I gage it, I would bet that BK has actually spent time thinking about whether Corey Robinson will end up better than DGB. This is guy is a Brian Kelly gold mine. He is on a totally different trajectory than DGB and just about any other wide receiver. (Yes, that was a little bit of my personal opinion, but hardly any hyperbole at all!)

I dont know if I picked up on it with CRob, but you may be heading over the deep end with the DGB talk. The only thing I know Kelly is excited about with him is the fact that we have an amazing red zone threat. Hybrid wr/te. It literally will be go run to the endzone and grab this rebound with Corey. TD's and PI's all the time.

As far as Isaac. I definitely picked up Kelly's excitement. This kid is going to be a stud.

I was comparing his offer sheet to Vanderdoes', as I feel that is a better comparison to evaluated talent. Other than the entire Pac10 offering EV and not one offereing Isaac they are very similar.

My guess is most of the Pac10 didn't bother offering a stud from Georgia in the thought of, "He ain't leaving the south," then he commits to us and shuts down recruiting.

If he would have been uncommitted all year, went to every camp/all-star game as most top 150 kids do who knows.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I dont know if I picked up on it with CRob, but you may be heading over the deep end with the DGB talk.

This is IE. Every recruit can be an NFL HOF'er or Wes Welker/Danny Woodhead.

I remember someone said that Robsinson will have a Calvin Johnson-like college career, because, you know, Calvin Johnson wasn't all that at Georgia Tech.

I will say this though, if the offense ever decides to resemble Kelly's Cincinnati days instead of this running-based 2012 stuff, then literally all of the receiving/passing records will be rewritten under Kelly.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I dont know if I picked up on it with CRob, but you may be heading over the deep end with the DGB talk. The only thing I know Kelly is excited about with him is the fact that we have an amazing red zone threat. Hybrid wr/te. It literally will be go run to the endzone and grab this rebound with Corey. TD's and PI's all the time.

As far as Isaac. I definitely picked up Kelly's excitement. This kid is going to be a stud.

I was comparing his offer sheet to Vanderdoes', as I feel that is a better comparison to evaluated talent. Other than the entire Pac10 offering EV and not one offereing Isaac they are very similar.

My guess is most of the Pac10 didn't bother offering a stud from Georgia in the thought of, "He ain't leaving the south," then he commits to us and shuts down recruiting.

If he would have been uncommitted all year, went to every camp/all-star game as most top 150 kids do who knows.

Good point! About the uncommitted and camp/all-star game with Rochelle, not the part about me going off the deep end! Next thing you will think I am some clown like Peter Griffins.

This is IE. Every recruit can be an NFL HOF'er or Wes Welker/Danny Woodhead.

I remember someone said that Robsinson will have a Calvin Johnson-like college career, because, you know, Calvin Johnson wasn't all that at Georgia Tech.

I will say this though, if the offense ever decides to resemble Kelly's Cincinnati days instead of this running-based 2012 stuff, then literally all of the receiving/passing records will be rewritten under Kelly.

Exelent point. But I think Corey will have all of the Calvin talents, with a tad less speed. Calvin would need a pilot's license if he were any faster!

 

[beryirish]

Funny how we were talking (thread?) about commits starting their college workouts from Longo.

Who knows when they got it but Isaac just tweeted a picture of his workout.

"It starts today"

Cover sheet of the workout says:

"Notre Dame Football Freshman Class 2013 Strength & Conditioning"

EDIT: ALREADY POSTED IN A WILLIAMS THREAD

 

[dublinirish]

Calvin did have Reggie Ball as his QB at GT though..thats like having a Porsche with a Golf cart engine in it

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Excelent point Dublin! lol. There is still hope for megacorey after all!

 

[Me2SouthBend]

https://twitter.com/isaacrochell88/status/307319095089561600

He is a large individual.

 

[Buster Bluth]

 

[CanadalovesND]

6'5'' 260... Yeah, I can see that

 

[goldandblue]

Rochelle is up to 272 lbs. Looks like he has been taking the ND freshman weight training program seriously. Doesn't appear to be harboring any bad weight either...

 

[Irishman77]

Boom.

 

[NDdomer2]

I know I have said this before but I think this kid is going to be big time for us in his career.

 

[Luckylucci]

1. Definitely looks like he's been putting in some work.
2. Love that he's representing ND at his HS track meet.
3. Those two need to be playing college ball together. A.Williams is straight beast mode for a HS Junior.

On a side note. If Eddie V. and Isaac both come in ready to play fall camp will be very interesting. Personally I want to redshirt some of these kids if they aren't going to play enough minutes but it sure will kick Jarron Jones in the butt if those two are making an impact during practice.

 

[NDPhilly]

Andrew Williams looks more like a 3-4 DE than CAT to me.

 

[Ndaccountant]

1. Definitely looks like he's been putting in some work.
2. Love that he's representing ND at his HS track meet.
3. Those two need to be playing college ball together. A.Williams is straight beast mode for a HS Junior.

On a side note. If Eddie V. and Isaac both come in ready to play fall camp will be very interesting. Personally I want to redshirt some of these kids if they aren't going to play enough minutes but it sure will kick Jarron Jones in the butt if those two are making an impact during practice.

The age old problem. If you think the kid is a talent and will be draft worthy after 4 years, do you red-shirt? I believe if you think he is a Big Lou type that will be gone after 4 years, play them if you think it will not hurt their development.

 

[koonja]

I approve of his body fat percentage and overall composition.

 

[Luckylucci]

The age old problem. If you think the kid is a talent and will be draft worthy after 4 years, do you red-shirt? I believe if you think he is a Big Lou type that will be gone after 4 years, play them if you think it will not hurt their development.

Its really a hard aspect in coaching for me to understand. Specifically with Rochell he's not a Tuitt or Nix type talent. Not a knock on him but he's not a lottery pick. But in four years I could definitely see him being a 3-5th round draft pick in which that could be very attractive. So I get trying to get him on the field but I hate seeing 3rd string guys play less than 30-40 snaps in a season and use up a redshirt. Unless they are very important to special teams. One example is look at how important Fox and Calabrese are to our ILB position this year. Without them we'd be in a world of hurt.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Its really a hard aspect in coaching for me to understand. Specifically with Rochell he's not a Tuitt or Nix type talent. Not a knock on him but he's not a lottery pick. But in four years I could definitely see him being a 3-5th round draft pick in which that could be very attractive. So I get trying to get him on the field but I hate seeing 3rd string guys play less than 30-40 snaps in a season and use up a redshirt. Unless they are very important to special teams. One example is look at how important Fox and Calabrese are to our ILB position this year. Without them we'd be in a world of hurt.

I hear ya. It is a tough thing to balance. Plus, as a coach, you have to balance the depth chart. You may need him next year to play big minutes if Tuitt leaves early. Do you want him to play with no experience or a little experience? There are so many different variables, which is why I have a hard time arguing for/against it.

 

[PANDFAN]

LMAO

LMAO

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/isaacrochell88">isaacrochell88</a> i hope you have been getting fat</p>— lOUIS NIX III (@1IrishChocolate) <a href="https://twitter.com/1IrishChocolate/status/330353543003381760">May 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish Man3]

Really excited about this kid. Feel like he's been lost in the shuffle a little by by a lot of ND fans becuse of Big Eddie and Jaylon and even Andrew Williams. I really like this kid and think he is willing to put in the work to go along with his god given abilities. Could be special.