'12 VA S C.J. Prosise (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[peoriairish]

His ball skills are impressive, and he was a very dangerous WR/ PR in high school.

I think the move is mainly due to the logjam at S right now. His odds of passing Collinsworth, Hardy, Farley, Baratti and Redfield are not good, so better to give him a shot at a position where he might actually see the field.

We don't have much in the way of proven possession receivers. Smith is a good blocker, but has consistently struggled making plays; Ferguson saw very little action last year; Massa's unlikely to ever be a significant contributor; and Robinson is a true freshman (and probably a project). There's definitely room for a big bodied WR with soft hands to break through on our depth chart in 2013.

I'm too lazy to go look, but isn't Onwualu just as big and has been getting great praise? I know, he's a freshman too, but BK gave his huge praise in the presser today.

I guess why not though.

I also thought he might have been able to step down and transition into a LB. It was a long shot, but he was a solid body and fast. I trust Bk though.

 

[irishog77]

Then why not just move him to WR altogether? I'm not a big fan of "cross training." It can make it even tougher for a kid to break through-- he's getting limited reps now at 2 different positions.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm too lazy to go look, but isn't Onwualu just as big and has been getting great praise? I know, he's a freshman too, but BK gave his huge praise in the presser today.

They've got similar size and athleticism, but Onwualu's high school tape doesn't showcase the same sort of impressive ball skills that Prosise's did. Not to imply that Prosise will be a better WR; I'm very high on Onwualu. But there may be enough discrepancy in their skillsets for both to carve out distinct niches at WR.

I also thought he might have been able to step down and transition into a LB. It was a long shot, but he was a solid body and fast. I trust Bk though.

It's not like his prospects at OLB would have been much better. Okwara, who may be the biggest athletic freak on the team, will likely end up stuck as the #3 DOLB or ROLB.

A successful transition to ILB would help shore up depth, but asking a S to put on 40-50 lbs and start battling 300lb OGs is a tall order.

 

[peoriairish]

It's not like his prospects at OLB would have been much better. Okwara, who may be the biggest athletic freak on the team, will likely end up stuck as the #3 DOLB or ROLB.

A successful transition to ILB would help shore up depth, but asking a S to put on 40-50 lbs and start battling 300lb OGs is a tall order.

Yeah, I wasn't wanting him at OLB with the studs we have lined up there, but maybe a WILL. Either way, I'm hoping to see something good from him over the next few years. I was pretty high on him last year.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I believe that Coach, when looking at his WRs, sees too few of them that he feels he can yet count on. He knows TJ is there, and that Davaris is his stud if he can just get him to practice hard. After that? I believe that he's counting on CBreezy, but even at that this is not enough.

Add to that the situation where Collingsworth is back and impressing, they like Farley, they REALLY want Shumate to get on the field, and Baratti is liked too. All of these are at least somewhat proven commodities.

Kelly sees CJ as an extremely good athlete and wants to see him on the field someway. Safety seems unlikely [Add Redfield among others]. He seems to be Daniel Smith sized but TJJones hands/skills. That means big potential yardage plus run blocking downfield [which is the only real reason DSmith gets on the field].

So, I get this. Kelly's no fool; he knows it might not work out. But he's giving a great athlete a shot at becoming a major contributor.

 

[Cackalacky]

How about Badger? I have not heard anything about him recently.

This whole DOG thing has me confused. I have heard of safeties growing into LBs (Ogletree -UGA) but......

I guess maybe its packages and personnel too though? It might not be bad to have 3 safeties on the field in certain circumstances. By that I mean larger bodies that can cover receivers in specific situations.

 

[dublinirish]

This whole DOG thing has me confused. I have heard of safeties growing into LBs (Ogletree -UGA) but......

you can afford to do this with 4-3 Lb's as they wont have to go inside and take on Guards very much and can use their speed to run sideline to sideline while the D-Line does the grunt work.

 

[dublinirish]

BK just said CJ will be tried out in the slot

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

And punt returns

 

[IrishLax]

Don't worry, guys. The Commonwealth of Virginia will save the day.

 

[CanadalovesND]

6'1'' 220 pound slot receiver.... daaammmnn!

 

[PANDFAN]

And punt returns

are you sure? i posted this from presser---- BK: TJ Jones will get a chance at punt return.

i didn't see anything mention about CJ although there has been speculation earlier he would

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

are you sure? i posted this from presser---- BK: TJ Jones will get a chance at punt return.

i didn't see anything mention about CJ although there has been speculation earlier he would

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Prosise, TJ Jones and "a host of others" are all potential candidates to take over punt returner duties for Neal.</p>— Dan Murphy (@BGI_DanMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_DanMurphy/status/316916320140660736">March 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Prosise, TJ Jones and "a host of others" are all potential candidates to take over punt returner duties for Neal.</p>— Dan Murphy (@BGI_DanMurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_DanMurphy/status/316916320140660736">March 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ok sweet! i don't follow him on twitter so i was just posting from isd

 

[Old Man Mike]

I'm sure that Kelly doesn't like Neal leaving, but I'm also sure that he likes the idea of bigger slot receivers.

He also wants that guy to be able to run with the ball --- I'll have to see TJ do that before I believe that Coach sees TJ as anything but his conservative back-up plan.

If Prosise can occasionally run it, then that bigger slot [think also Onwualu and the DSmith comment, and the second TE] seems pointing strongly to BIG receivers all across the field, as an offensive philosophy.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He will be the punt return man on opening day, mark it down.

 

[Emcee77]

I'm really psyched to see what Prosise can do for our offense. A 6'1'', 220 lb. former safety, with toughness, ball skills AND elusiveness, at slot receiver?? He combines the after-the-catch playmaking ability of a RB/small WR with the tough-catch-in-traffic playmaking ability and blocking ability of a tight end or bigger WR. Kelly has supposedly been experimenting with Daniel Smith at slot receiver for his blocking ability ... that's all well and good, but if Smith is in the slot instead of Neal, doesn't the defense know that the ball is going to someone else? I mean when Smith was on the field last year, you could be pretty sure it was a running play. With Prosise, the defense will be kept guessing. He combines the advantages of putting a TE in the slot and putting a shifty after-the-catch playmaker in the slot. He'll be able to block, make tough catches and make people miss.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's just see how the spring goes.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Prosise's HS coach said his ceiling was always higher at WR so this will be a fun experiment to watch.

 

[ThePiombino]

Prosise's HS coach said his ceiling was always higher at WR so this will be a fun experiment to watch.

Yup. I'm really excited about this move- I have a really good feeling about it.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i think it's more likely he'll end up on the outside and TJ moving between the slot and outside since he's got the most experience and mental capability to pull it off

 

[rocket66]

Did Procise RS last year?

 

[rtrn2glory]

yes

 

[NDdomer2]

Slot vs Outside

In reality it's all the same position = WR.

The difference usually comes from the philosophy and goals of the offense set by the Coach.

Do you want a burner who can stretch the field so your outside guys can come underneath?

Do you want a guy who is really good at finding the void in the middle and your outside guy stretching the field?

Do you want a blocker that acts as an extension of the o-line?

I believe Kelly and Martin want all of the above. It honestly will depend on the scheme of the defense we play and finding out what works best for the personnel we have to work with.

If you think back to when we had Floyd, he was all of the above. This is best case scenario. On any play we could have a number of guys in the slot or outside without making a substitution. This will put the defense in a burden and usually forces them to either go straight man or a basic zone that is an easy key for Golson.

Easy keys for Golson allow our offense to run at the pace Kelly wants. FAST!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Slot vs Outside

In reality it's all the same position = WR.

The difference usually comes from the philosophy and goals of the offense set by the Coach.

Do you want a burner who can stretch the field so your outside guys can come underneath?

Do you want a guy who is really good at finding the void in the middle and your outside guy stretching the field?

Do you want a blocker that acts as an extension of the o-line?

I believe Kelly and Martin want all of the above. It honestly will depend on the scheme of the defense we play and finding out what works best for the personnel we have to work with.

If you think back to when we had Floyd, he was all of the above. This is best case scenario. On any play we could have a number of guys in the slot or outside without making a substitution. This will put the defense in a burden and usually forces them to either go straight man or a basic zone that is an easy key for Golson.

Easy keys for Golson allow our offense to run at the pace Kelly wants. FAST!

Thanks for taking the time to give us an edumacation! (NDDomers real name is Sticky fingers McFly. Ooops, I am sorry Stick, I mean NDDomer.)

 

[Old Man Mike]

From what I've heard from Kelly:

1). Slot is not considered at all the same position as an outside receiver. Kelly wants the slot to be much more like the RB position so that he can line up two RBs sometimes, and also handoff to the "slot" on "surprise" short reverses.

2). Prosise is considered by Kelly as a slot, not as a WR. Kelly is utterly fired up about it.

And, in my opinion, there is only vanishingly small possibility that TJ will move out of his starting wide position, where he has proven that he excels.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

From what I've heard from Kelly:

1). Slot is not considered at all the same position as an outside receiver. Kelly wants the slot to be much more like the RB position so that he can line up two RBs sometimes, and also handoff to the "slot" on "surprise" short reverses.

2). Prosise is considered by Kelly as a slot, not as a WR. Kelly is utterly fired up about it.

And, in my opinion, there is only vanishingly small possibility that TJ will move out of his starting wide position, where he has proven that he excels.

To add to your points, about bigger receivers, and Prosise, I think that when Kelly talked about James Onwaulu yesterday, "making it on the field", it had to do with the competition (namely Prosise) and Smith who is doing well, than it did whether JO was ready. I think this position, with the fact that the offense is changing is going to be a big upgrade this year. I also believe wide receiver is, too. I think that is going to be one of those weird things where you have just the right group of guys. And I think Everett is comfortable with them.

 

[arrowryan]

I can't wait to watch him in person at the Spring game. Kelly doesn't usually speak highly of guys, that's what I have noticed at least. This year it's a different story, he has spoken highly of a couple guys this spring including Prosise

 

[NDdomer2]

The "slot" is a location in the formation, not necessarily a position.

Since Kelly has been at ND the following individuals have or are expected to line up in this location:

Rudolph
Floyd
Armando Allen
Eifert
Toma
Cierre
Theo
TJ
Daniel Smith
Amir C.
Cam McDaniel
George A. III
D. Daniels
Koyack
CJ
D. Neal
C. Brown
Folston
Hunter Jr.
Onwualu
Welch
Fuller
Bryant

Others that may have already that I can't recall or have the possibility:

Troy Niklas
Smythe
Heureman
Robinson
Mahone

I don't see any trends in those individuals.

The game of football is about creating mismatches. Puting player A in spot A every single play in all formations does not do so, and neither does Kelly.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I can't wait to watch him in person at the Spring game. Kelly doesn't usually speak highly of guys, that's what I have noticed at least. This year it's a different story, he has spoken highly of a couple guys this spring including Prosise

Now we can get somewhere. Last season it was Te'o and Eifert, and who was going to play quarterback. This year it is 6 or 7 guys stepping up and lighting up the coaches eyes! Which do you prefer?

 

[Irishman77]

I can't wait to watch him in person at the Spring game. Kelly doesn't usually speak highly of guys, that's what I have noticed at least. This year it's a different story, he has spoken highly of a couple guys this spring including Prosise

The way Kelly lit up talking about Russell last year when he moved him to cb, he is doing the same with CJ this year. When Redfield, Jaylon, Vanderdoes, Bryant and folston arrive and practicing every day he may look like Jack Nicholson in Batman.