'14 IL DT Enoch Smith (Michigan State Verbal)

[STLDomer]

I'm just wondering why so many people have him on their wish list when we have a chance with much more highly raked prospects?

Because he is one of the few possible NG prospects and the other two Clark and Evans don't have that much interest right now while Smith does

 

[GBdomer]

He is a wait and see guy and Imo doesn't have a commitable offer. What do you guys think of him?

 

[NDPhilly]

With the Elite DL prospects we have on the board Enoch should be a back up plan IMO. We aren't hurting for a Interior DL man now that EV committed.

 

[Irish_irish]

Because he is one of the few possible NG prospects and the other two Clark and Evans don't have that much interest right now while Smith does

Well both list ND as a school that interests them and as far as I know neither have visited yet so if I'm making a "wish list" I definitely have them above Smith. As I said I could see him becoming a part of this class depending on other prospects, but why try and get an early commitment from him. Personally I would prefer it if the staff tried for the higher rated guys and held of an accepting a commitment from Smith should he offer one.

We also have had word of a new offer and a few new interests over the last couple of days so it's very possible the staff have others in mind for the NG position as well. I don't mean to bash the kid and if he does end up committing to ND in the near future I will back the coaches decision and get right behind him. I'm just saying I'm not sure why some people are so high on him.

Side note: Is there confirmation Smith is being recruiting at NG? I'm pretty sure Tom Lemming said his frame may be maxed out so he might be a bit small for the position no?

 

[Rack Em]

He is a wait and see guy and Imo doesn't have a commitable offer. What do you guys think of him?

I'm with STL on this one. And I would like for us to be able to pick who we want out of Chicago. Gotta start somewhere.

 

[yankeeND]

I would take him and take him yesterday. Can always sit a year or two while on the LongoBeachDiet. I like other prospects better sure, but a bird in the hand...

 

[GBdomer]

I'm with STL on this one. And I would like for us to be able to pick who we want out of Chicago. Gotta start somewhere.

Guys its so damn early in the process. Think of the guys last year who weren't that interested in ND last year at this time and ended up in this class? Selling to play with Jarron Jones, Eddie Vanderdoes, Stephon Tuitt, Isaac Rochell, Sheldon Day will help our cause. Lots of options on the board and the staff can be very picky this year.

 

[Irish Man3]

I really like this kid. He's a bulldog. Everything I've read on this kid says he is so well put together. Almost like a ball of muscle, with room to add 25-30 lbs. I don't know where he'd fall in order with other prospects, but I'm a big fan of Enoch.

 

[STLDomer]

I'm with STL on this one. And I would like for us to be able to pick who we want out of Chicago. Gotta start somewhere.

I don't think he has a commitable offer either an after landing EV I don't think it's necessary to land a NG prospect. I was just saying I believe some want Smith for that reason

 

[GBdomer]

I don't think he has a commitable offer either an after landing EV I don't think it's necessary to land a NG prospect. I was just saying I believe some want Smith for that reason

Staff still wants a pure NG. Maybe 2 and there are guys on the board higher than him.

 

[Grahambo]

I'm not keen on projects just yet. Would like to go after the heavy hitters first and go from there. Work our way down the list instead of up the list.

 

[Rack Em]

I don't think he has a commitable offer either an after landing EV I don't think it's necessary to land a NG prospect. I was just saying I believe some want Smith for that reason

Well then GFY!

I'm glad you guys brought up EV because I keep forgetting about him (I don't know how though). I guess we don't need a big time 0 or 1 technique, but I like the idea of someone like Smith commanding a double team and freeing up our LBs. To use a OMM reference, I like a bowling ball in the middle of the line.

But our DL recruiting is trending up very quickly and with limited spots I understand. I wouldn't want someone like McDowell to get shut out because we took Smith this early.

 

[Grahambo]

Staff still wants a pure NG. Maybe 2 and there are guys on the board higher than him.

Clark and Evans?

 

[STLDomer]

Staff still wants a pure NG. Maybe 2 and there are guys on the board higher than him.

I'm just saying before EV I would have reached for Smith and now I don't think it's necessary

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Staff still wants a pure NG. Maybe 2 and there are guys on the board higher than him.

What counts as a "pure" NT? I'm not sure Kelly's staff has ever recruited one (Nix signed before Kelly's hire, and neither Schwenke or Springmann looked like one coming out of high school).

Thus far, it seems like they just recruit DEs with good frames; the least athletic ones get bulked up and moved inside. Will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[STLDomer]

Evans was told he would replace Louis Nix so he definitely is
Clark is a pure NG IMO too

 

[GBdomer]

What counts as a "pure" NT? I'm not sure Kelly's staff has ever recruited one (Nix signed before Kelly's hire, and neither Schwenke or Springmann looked like one coming out of high school).

Thus far, it seems like they just recruit DEs with good frames; the least athletic ones get bulked up and moved inside. Will be interesting to see what happens.

I understand what your saying. Guys like Edward and Jarron Jones could just play NT. But they also can go play DE in the 3-4 set. Jake Brown and Pete have stated ND wants a pure NT. We haven't landed one since Louis Nix and we could use some more depth along the D line. Because Tuitt and Louis Nix won't be here for much longer. I wish I could add more insight but I truly don't know what the staff is looking for in a pure NT Whiskey.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Evans was told he would replace Louis Nix so he definitely is
Clark is a pure NG IMO too

My last post was poorly phrased. We're clearly recruiting a few guys in this cycle that are prototypical NTs. We just haven't landed one since Nix, and Kelly's staff didn't even really recruit him.

I understand what your saying. Guys like Edward and Jarron Jones could just play NT. But they also can go play DE in the 3-4 set. Jake Brown and Pete have stated ND wants a pure NT. We haven't landed one since Louis Nix and we could use some more depth along the D line. Because Tuitt and Louis Nix won't be here for much longer. I wish I could add more insight but I truly don't know what the staff is looking for in a pure NT Whiskey.

Not questioning you, Sully. That was good info. I'm just surprised it's taken the staff this long to look for Nix's replacement. I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Wouldnt a Pure NT be just a fat guy that can already carry the weight? Ala Nix.

I thought the problem for ND was finding pure NT's they could take or were interested, not necessarily them not going after them.

 

[Irishnuke]

It's too early to take a commitment from a guy like Enoch. Not saying he's a bad guy, just that there is a year left and I'm sure there are guys ahead of him. With a relatively small class I don't think we can afford to land too many "projects."

 

[GBdomer]

It's too early to take a commitment from a guy like Enoch. Not saying he's a bad guy, just that there is a year left and I'm sure there are guys ahead of him. With a relatively small class I don't think we can afford to land too many "projects."

exactly once again we are on the same page.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm not keen on projects just yet. Would like to go after the heavy hitters first and go from there. Work our way down the list instead of up the list.

This is where I'm at. We have Hayes on board. Are in the top group with a number of elite DLine prospects we don't need to rush this right now. In fact like some have stated our Dline will be better this coming year than last due to more depth and guys maturing. That will be a huge selling point. McDowell is very realistic, as well as Trumbetti and Williams. Let the spring take its course and we'll see some names pop up. With that said I would welcome a commitment from Smith just don't think this is a can't miss prospect at this point.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Clark's scenario is very similar to Nix. Huge Miami fan that doesn't look like he will leave the south let alone the state of Florida. Can we pull it off twice? Maybe, but I just can't see it right now.

 

[Emcee77]

My last post was poorly phrased. We're clearly recruiting a few guys in this cycle that are prototypical NTs. We just haven't landed one since Nix, and Kelly's staff didn't even really recruit him.



Not questioning you, Sully. That was good info. I'm just surprised it's taken the staff this long to look for Nix's replacement. I'm not sure what to expect.

I agree, why this cycle and not last cycle? Nix won't be around in 2014, I'd think that's a foregone conclusion. So why not recruit a true NT to redshirt/play behind Nix in 2013 and then be primed to take over in 2014? I assume the plan is to NT-by-committee in 2014 while the incoming freshmen get on their feet, and I'm sure that will be fine with guys like Springmann, Vanderdoes, Jarron Jones, Day and perhaps others able to play NT, but still, seems like it would have been advantageous to get a NT in the 2013 class. Of course it's also possible that the staff just didn't see the right guy out there in 2013 and decided to wait till 2014 when there were more guys with higher ND interest available and they could really focus on the "power" players.

I'm sure the staff has a perfectly logical plan for this stuff; just wish I was in their heads.

EDIT: omg just noticed my title ... lol whichever mod changed that for me, thanks for the recognition.

 

[IrishFrog]

Don't like playing the what if game..but what if we **** down our leg this yr or the injury bug hits. Feel like this kid is a solid player who could contribute in a yr or two in the program. EV and Bryant don't give us a look without last years success. IMO he is a mattingly type player..take him now and let the process work itself out.

 

[Irishnuke]

Don't like playing the what if game..but what if we **** down our leg this yr or the injury bug hits. Feel like this kid is a solid player who could contribute in a yr or two in the program. EV and Bryant don't give us a look without last years success. IMO he is a mattingly type player..take him now and let the process work itself out.

Disagree. I don't think you can take him now. If we had 25 open scholarships it might be a different story. He might be at a position of need, or at least strong desire, but he's not elite and not really even a very good prospect. Good prospect sure, not very good or elite. There's a reason his offer list sucks. We can't fill our spots up with borderline prospects and then not have room for someone ranked higher later in the season. If BK accepts his commitment then so be it but I think he is the classic "wait and see" prospect, as in wait and see where we stand with the top guys come January. Then, if we miss, go after Enoch.

 

[chicago51]

Kansas

 

[chicago51]

I want this guy to end up at ND. If for no other reason to that saw on local TV here and he was unblockable against a very good team that has won state titles here.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Received an offer from Michigan State. Had recent contact with ND recently and wants to visit next month per ISD.

 

[NDPhilly]

Michigan st offered