RB Situation

[mwinely]

Svo - I appreciate your excellent summaries of the DE and LB positions so far. What do you think about RB?

If it is true that Tyler goes USC - though I still hold out hope that he does not, where does that leave us. If I look at the Scout rankings for the top 20 RB's, it does not appear that we are on many's interest list which is surprising.

We are not on King's, Allen's, McKnight's, or Gerald Jones's list. Surprisingly not on Hughes's list either though I hope it is only because we have not offered.

If Tyler chooses USC - does that pretty much assure that Hughes is getting an offer, and if so - do we move up to the top of the list? Where is the speed guy coming from after that? I assume we still want the two RB's minimum this year.

Anyone else have any thoughts here? I was getting a tad worried looking at the position rankings. Do not feel as comfortable here as at QB obviously, WR, or OL. Those positions on offense seem to be falling into place or at least have pretty good leans to date.

 

[knute]

I was thinking the same thing. One thing in our favor on running back depth is the number of dual position athletes that we're recruiting. I believe that Nagel and Paskorz played running back in high school and several others that we're recruiting play running back in addition to LB, S, or WR.

I believe that Weis even mentioned that Paskorz would get a look at RB. He ran something like 2200 yards his sophomore year before he got hurt.

This is similar, I think to what might happen to Trattou if we need additional depth at DT, like Paddy Mullen last year. Looking at it that way, we potentially have depth in every position in 2007 except OL and CB. That's cool, because I think it allows Weis to be a bit patient and wait a bit on the top-tier players.

My hope is that we have 10-15 recruits (4 & 5 stars) locked in by the end of the summer (with at least one at each position) and then we convince the final 10 top guys by dominating in the fall.

 

[knute]

I'm also guessing that Weis is recruiting Tyler with the old "if you come play with us, you'll be the only RB that we take in 2007." Notice that there have been no other offers to running backs...

If this is the case, then an early decision by Tyler is good either way. If we get him, awesome. If not, Weis can jump on someone like Golden Tate who is listed as a WR, but would be awesome as a running back as well.

 

[Axl Rose]

Didn't Greg Little play some RB.

 

[St.Kittsnd]

Running Backs are hit and miss. I would like to see Charlie take a good, smart runner. I don't care whether he has 4.4, 4.45 or a 4.5 speed. Frankly, give me a 4.6 guy who loves ND, and I will take him.

We have the luxury of picking and choosing from the cream of the crop on offense. Charlie should not break from his beliefs and accept a player who is not willing to put forth the effort to improve his grades to qualify for ND football. Scratch Tyler, Devine, King etc. Lets have Paskorz and Nagel line up with Darius Walker, James Aldridge, Munir Prince and Luke Schmidt until we can find two suitable(qualified academically and athletically)running backs.

 

[Axl Rose]

Anyone know where I can find video of Prince or Schmidt?

 

[jiggafini19]

Lets have Paskorz and Nagel line up with Darius Walker, James Aldridge, Munir Prince and Luke Schmidt until we can find two suitable(qualified academically and athletically)running backs.

If it comes to this, the 2007 Recruiting Class will have taken a serious turn for the worst.

Nagel and Paskorz are safeties who are being brought in to play linebacker for their speed and coverage ability, something ND linebackers have severely lacked for as long as I can recall. ND linebackers like Watson, Hoyte, Mays, Curry are all tremendous run stoppers but when it comes to pass coverage....kill me.

We'll get at least one running back, which will be Hughes, and maybe Tyler. Nagel and Paskorz are going to play defense and will excel in both tackling and pass coverage.

 

[knute]

If it comes to this, the 2007 Recruiting Class will have taken a serious turn for the worst.

Nagel and Paskorz are safeties who are being brought in to play linebacker for their speed and coverage ability, something ND linebackers have severely lacked for as long as I can recall. ND linebackers like Watson, Hoyte, Mays, Curry are all tremendous run stoppers but when it comes to pass coverage....kill me.

We'll get at least one running back, which will be Hughes, and maybe Tyler. Nagel and Paskorz are going to play defense and will excel in both tackling and pass coverage.

It wouldn't bother me having Paskorz play running back if we bring in Martez Wilson or one of the other top-tier OLB/DEs that we're pursuing.

 

[Indydomer]

Im still holding out hope that Jimmy has Tyler in his back pocket and this whole USC thing is just a front. Hey it has happened to ND when a recruit looks like a lock and then goes somewhere else. If not I think Hughes will be ours and thats not a bad thing. He seems to be a hell of a back as well. Hopefully Aldridge's knee is ok and he turns into the stud he is supposed to be, and whoever comes on board this year will be his breather bac

Prediction: Munir Prince starts at RB his sophomore.

 

[loweND]

Funny. I was thinking about this a little bit before I went to sleep last night. I actually think this could be a very good year for RB recruiting. First of all, I'm guessing you (mwinely) went on Scout to judge player interest. I did too and was surprised to see all of the players that didn't have ND interest that I thought would. Then I went on Rivals and all the players I expected to are showing ND on their lists.

Tyler announcing next week is good news for us. He's probably the guy ND's been recruiting the hardest - maybe because they thought he'd be a package deal with Claussen. From what I've heard though, McKnight and King are both better. That's not to say that we're going to get either of those guys. But I think we have a chance. Apparently, McKnight isn't saying anything at all to the media - which might be why we're not hearing anything from him. Caleb King has us on his list, but I don't think we're that high up. I think once Tyler decides, provided he chooses SC, our staff will choose a new focus and go hard after them.

And, if we don't get any of those top three guys, there are still good options available. Gerald Jones (who Charlie apparently was impressed by his tape), Armando Allen, Robert Hughes and Bradley Stephens.

My guess is, we'll get two of the names above.

 

[jiggafini19]

Marc Tyler is probably the most complete back I've seen in this year's crop. Stress complete.

I also think he probably has the most upside of any of them based on how he'll project after four years of school, staying healthy and out of jail, etic.

 

[chrislw35]

We are not on King's, Allen's, McKnight's, or Gerald Jones's list. Surprisingly not on Hughes's list either though I hope it is only because we have not offered

I read an article today on Scout quoting hughes as saying he did recieve an offer from notre dame recently.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

It's hard to be optomistic on our RB situation. No Tyler is a bad thing. Any guys we go after once Tyler commits to SC will know they are the second choice. That sucks.

 

[rontdtarchala]

We aren't getting tyler and frankly I don't care. What I do care about is that we get atleast one top back and a good side kick surely wouldn't hurt...I can only believe CW has everything in hand.

 

[loweND]

We are not on King's, Allen's, McKnight's, or Gerald Jones's list. Surprisingly not on Hughes's list either though I hope it is only because we have not offered I read an article today on Scout quoting hughes as saying he did recieve an offer from notre dame recently.

If you listen to Mike Frank's Power Hour (who's from Scout) he thinks we have a legit shot at all of the guys you just listed. I would trust that over the scout interest charts.

We aren't getting tyler and frankly I don't care. What I do care about is that we get atleast one top back and a good side kick surely wouldn't hurt...I can only believe CW has everything in hand.

With the way our offense performed last year, I don't think we need to sell ourselves to offensive recruits the way we had to in the past. These guys know that if they come to ND they're going to have a good QB, a killer offensive line, and good WRs to take the heat away. Not to mention great play-calling and tons of exposure playing on National TV. I think that's the real sell - not "hey, you're our favourite recruit."

 

[mirertobrooks]

Won't Travis Thomas be eligble in 2007

 

[mwinely]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks all for your responses. I obviously was being a nervous Nellie last night. Yes I was looking at the Scout list and it was a little depressing. I realize though that if Tyler announces next week to a school other than ND - then CW really picks up the pace other places and other kids who maybe are nervous about committing to the same school as Tyler automatically get a little more interested.
Who would not be interested playing for a coach who has been offensive coordinator for multiple Super Bowl winners and a team that will contend for the NC what looks like yearly now and on national TV every week. Seems a no brainer to me unless you don't like Indiana winters.

 

[jiggafini19]

The Rivals database is a bit more detailed when it comes to these things. Scout has better articles but the Rivals recruiting network is pretty good. From the radar list:

OFFERED
Armando Allen 5-9/181/4.31 Hialeah, FL
Caleb King 5-11/186/4.4 Lilburn, GA (Conditional)
Marc Tyler 6-0/215/4.5 Westlake Village, CA

OTHERS
Frank Edmonds 5-8/187/4.4 Lakewood (OH) St. Edward
Darren Evans 6-0/208/4.6 Indianapolis, IN
Ross Gargano 5-11/185/4.47 Hermitage (PA) Kennedy Catholic
Robert Hughes 6-0/220/4.6 Chicago, IL
Roddy Jones 5-9/185/4.45 Chamblee (GA) Chamblee
Jordan Mabin 5-11/185/4.44 Nordonia, OH
Shawn Major-Winston 5-9/185/4.5 South Bend, IN
Dale Martin 5-11/195/- Bolingbrook (IL)
George McInnis 6-0/195/4.6 Norfolk, VA
Tony Smith 5-9/211/4.62 Englewood (NJ) Paramus Catholic
Corey White 5-7/182/4.4 Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman
Morgan Williams 6-0/190/4.5 Canton, OH