'11 OH LB Jarrett Grace (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Wild Bill]

Could you please explain to me why he didn't beat out Carlo or Fox at the WILL last year? Is there a significant difference between the positions?

Their responsibilities are very similar. Generally speaking, both the Mike and Will read the guard. If it is a run, they both pursue inside out. Most teams run to their strong side and cut back to make big plays. So, I'd prefer a strong, aggressive and instinctual Mike to blow up the plays at the point of attack and I want a fast and disciplined Will to pursue with speed and have the discipline to maintain their gap assignment.

Pass defense is, to a certain extent, dictated by the team they are playing any given week. Generally speaking, their responsibilities are very similar.

 

[Mark Morrison]

Kid reminds me in the same mold as Dan Connor or Dan Morgan. Just hopefully a tackling machine with a badass attitude.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Thanks, OMM and Irish19!

Grace's attitude reminds me of Zibby. The kid just exudes confidence and toughness.

 

[ulukinatme]

Kid reminds me in the same mold as Dan Connor.

I dunno, I think Grace is quicker, but probably doesn't hit as hard when he collides.

 

[dublinirish]

IrishIllustrated.com - Grace seeks sharpened edge

free article on 'Wolf

 

[rtrn2glory]

personally I think that he more than solidified Saturday that he should be starting in the middle...he's much better in space and night and day when it comes to pass coverage compared to calabrese (fox isn't much better either)

he needs to be on the field this weekend

 

[irishff1014]

personally I think that he more than solidified Saturday that he should be starting in the middle...he's much better in space and night and day when it comes to pass coverage compared to calabrese (fox isn't much better either)

he needs to be on the field this weekend

Yes Yes Yes

 

[stlnd01]

personally I think that he more than solidified Saturday that he should be starting in the middle...he's much better in space and night and day when it comes to pass coverage compared to calabrese (fox isn't much better either)

he needs to be on the field this weekend

I like Fox, but Calabrese looked rough out there. Always has on anything other than stuffing the run. Grace at least has way more upside.

 

[Redbar]

Jarrett may not be the most physical at the point of attack yet, but he flies around the field with a ton of passion and just loves to compete. I really think he has improved already this year and I think with a few more reps he will be as advertised, a werewolf.

 

[NDhoosier]

I like him so far, but everyone is complaining about the ILB and lumping Grace in there, so I am predicting not many will agree.

 

[ulukinatme]

I like him so far, but everyone is complaining about the ILB and lumping Grace in there, so I am predicting not many will agree.

I like what I've seen from Grace so far. People have complained about our ILBs because offenses have had success attacking us over the middle. I think part of the problem with that is the fact we dropped Manti quite a bit last year which lead to INTs. Carlo hasn't shown he can do that, his strength is stopping the run. Fox makes some plays, but he's not as good as Manti, those are big shoes to fill. I do like what I've seen from Grace so far though, I think he needs to be on the field all the time.

 

[PANDFAN]

Jarrett may not be the most physical at the point of attack yet, but he flies around the field with a ton of passion and just loves to compete. I really think he has improved already this year and I think with a few more reps he will be as advertised, a werewolf.

2 things i see from my couch:
1. he gets trucked a lot on blocks and can't seem to get off them or gets knocked
2. i def love his energy and him competing...but he is always falling over like he slips on a banana peel or he is running w/ his head down that he completely misses the ball carrier or is easily side stepped...both correctable w experience but aggravating at the same time

 

[dublinirish]

IrishIllustrated.com - Video: Grace emerging from the shadow of Te'o

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

"I could definitely see him potentially being a captain," said cornerback and captain Bennett Jackson. "I think he's started to become more of a vocal personality when he's in there. Even last year, if something were to happen, he was ready to go in, he knew all his assignments. He was on beat. He's just a really energetic player. He runs around and flies around and hits people.

IrishIllustrated.com - Grace could have captain potential

 

[NDohio]

I thought he played well last week. It does seem to be clicking for him. I hope he is up to the challenge this week.

 

[stlnd01]

Broken tibia tonight, apparently. Sucks. He was really starting to come on. I'd assume he's done for the year, but I guess they'll know more soon. Does he have two more years?

Looking forward, Foxabrese had a good night tonight, but I'd think we've got to put someone else in the ILB rotation, even if only to develop depth for next year. Councell? Okwara? Kendall Moore?

 

[aubeirish]

Ouch! Hope for a quick recovery for him. He must be in great pain right now. Stay strong Jarrett.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I believe they said he's staying in Texas overnight for evaluation as well.

 

[rtrn2glory]

feel so bad for him...takes some heat on here sometimes, but i don't think anyone cares about the team more or plays harder than this guy...best wishes in his recovery

 

[Junkhead]

Sucks, I was hoping it was just an ankle sprain. He always played with passion and was ND's leading tackler this year.

 

[Emcee77]

Broken tibia tonight, apparently. Sucks. He was really starting to come on. I'd assume he's done for the year, but I guess they'll know more soon. Does he have two more years?

Yes. He redshirted as a frosh.

Looking forward, Foxabrese had a good night tonight, but I'd think we've got to put someone else in the ILB rotation, even if only to develop depth for next year. Councell? Okwara? Kendall Moore?

Joe Schmidt played in nickel tonight, right? I think he'll start to get reps. Maybe Moore too. Kelly said preseason that his problem has never been athleticism; it's been knowing his assignments. Hopefully he is making progress there because we need him to be ready.

 

[ThePiombino]

Would he be eligible for a medical redshirt?

 

[clashmore_mike]

Would he be eligible for a medical redshirt?

No, unless he sat out his freshman season with an injury.

 

[BGIF]

No, unless he sat out his freshman season with an injury.

He saw no action as a freshman. There is no mention of an injury in '11 in his ND Bio.

 

[ThePiombino]

He saw no action as a freshman. There is no mention of an injury in '11 in his ND Bio.

Sooooo he gets the 'Devin Gardner exception'?

 

[stlnd01]

Would he be eligible for a medical redshirt?

Wouldn't think so. You can't have played in more than three games. He played in six.
But he would have a standard fifth year if he didn't play as a freshman.

 

[50milesSE ND]

This sucks. Great kid starting to get better now this happens.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Jarrett Grace was our most decisive linebacker period... this is one of the worst things that could happen to our defense. Grace naturally missed some angles in the first real game action that he had, but you could see it getting less and less. The Light was just about fully on --- what a pile of crappy bad luck!!!

Grace was precisely the young werewolf that Diaco said he'd be. .......... Dammit!!! Give us some alleged Irish luck, not this!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Reading between the lines, I want to alert you guys to the fact that Jarrett probably suffered a compound fracture. A) Shembo and other players could immediately see it; B) Kelly saw it; C) The leg was immediately immobilized; D) he was kept in the hospital overnight.

Compound leg fractures are a leading cause of death in automobile accidents and a leading cause of amputation, (yes, amputation) in athletics. The primary reason is that the shattered bone not only protrudes from the skin, but it can sever the femoral artery.

I hope this in not the case but I fear it is and I hope everyone says an extra prayer for Jarrett, because, though the threat of death is over, this could have a profound effect on his long term ability to play the game. Just wanted you all to know.

 

[BeauBenken]

Really hope to see this kid recover fully. Will be missed this season.