'13 FL RB Greg Bryant (R.I.P.)

anarin

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Also, in reality only the numbers game is similar to SC's past situations... at times they had five-six elite backs all competing... I can't say we have that at ND right now with a straight face.


Im not doubting what you said. But can you refresh my memory on these stud backs in carrolls years? Other than the obvious Bush and White.
 

ACamp1900

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Im not doubting what you said. But can you refresh my memory on these stud backs in carrolls years? Other than the obvious Bush and White.

I think a lot of them aren’t “names” now because they went to SC and got lost in the shuffle but all of these guys were high four stars or higher, in fact I think most of them were five stars… and while I can’t tell you which class they were all from I’m pretty sure almost all of these guys were on the roster at around the same time, meaning all within a four-five year cycle, competing against each other… starting right AFTER they got done with Bush and White for crying out loud... just a sick run of talent at RB... AND I may have forgotten some...

Stafon Johnson
Kenny Ashley
Emmanuel Moody
Stanley Havili
Joe McKnight
Chauncey Washington
Marc Tyler
Dillon Baxter
Soma Vainuku


now while our backs are better than most teams EVER dream of having, they don't live up to the above, which is a REAL hard run to live up to in fairness.
 
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greyhammer90

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I think a lot of them aren’t “names” now because they went to SC and got lost in the shuffle but all of these guys were high four stars or higher, in fact I think most of them were five stars… and while I can’t tell you which class they were all from I’m pretty sure almost all of these guys were on the roster at around the same time, meaning all within a four-five year cycle… starting right AFTER they got done with Bush and White for crying out loud... just a sick run of talent at RB... AND I may have forgotten some...

Stafon Johnson
Kenny Ashley
Emmanuel Moody
Stanley Havili
Joe McKnight
Chauncey Washington
Marc Tyler
Dillon Baxter
Soma Vainuku


now while our backs are better than most teams EVER dream of having, they don't live up to the above, which is a REAL hard run to live up to in fairness.

If I remember right, SI even had a cover story that's sole purpose was to talk about how many good RB's they had at the same time.
 

Irishcop

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I wonder how good Stafon Johnson could have been if he had not almost been killed working out.
 

IrishLion

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Also, just as a reference to the stars/playing-time/sticking-around discussion, they did have their share of transfers from that list. Moody, Baxter and Gable all transferred I believe (maybe Gable did stick at USC, can't remember). Also, Havili was a fullback so I don't count him in that WR/RB shuffle when discussing the nature of having so much talent at RB.
 

ACamp1900

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Also, just as a reference to the stars/playing-time/sticking-around discussion, they did have their share of transfers from that list. Moody, Baxter and Gable all transferred I believe (maybe Gable did stick at USC, can't remember). Also, Havili was a fullback so I don't count him in that WR/RB shuffle when discussing the nature of having so much talent at RB.

Pretty sure he came in as a RB though... and then was moved... so i think he plays to my point.
 

IrishLion

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Pretty sure he came in as a RB though... and then was moved... so i think he plays to my point.

I wasn't trying to debate haha. And I went back and reread the convo, which has been difficult to follow (GB -> crowded backfiled -> better climate for keeping them -> talent run). So I understand your point. USC was absolutely loaded with studs at all times. However, none of them lived up to that "stud" billing in my opinion except for maybe McKnight (and obviously Reggie Bush and Lendale White).
 

irishandy

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The only way I see Bryant leaving ND is that if ND gets a big name back in the 2014 class (which I don't think we will, nor do we need one). If Bryant was healthy this year I think he would've shared more time with Folston. The only running back that I feel this team can count on is Cam. I like the idea of moving Carlisle to the slot and George can make his long TD runs every 3-4 games. I think Cam will be our #1 back next year with Bryant and Folston both being #2.
 

ACamp1900

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The only way I see Bryant leaving ND is that if ND gets a big name back in the 2014 class (which I don't think we will, nor do we need one). If Bryant was healthy this year I think he would've shared more time with Folston. The only running back that I feel this team can count on is Cam. I like the idea of moving Carlisle to the slot and George can make his long TD runs every 3-4 games. I think Cam will be our #1 back next year with Bryant and Folston both being #2.

I agree for the most part... I thinks the writing is on the wall here... though I think Folston and Greg could share that #1 spot... IF Greg stays...

what I don't understand is if you're frustrated about playing time... why wait until it's cut and dry that you'll definitely miss next year also?? Against all expert opinion I think Bryant stays...

GAIII is what he is, a HR threat here and there but not an every down guy... I think Amir still has a HUGE ceiling but that fumble against Purdue seems to have REALLY dog housed him... I still see him developing into a great weapon next year... Cam is the only real true back right now... and then you have the stud freshman... both of which I think are clearly the future... and for the healthy one, the future is now.
 

chubler

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The only way I see Bryant leaving ND is that if ND gets a big name back in the 2014 class (which I don't think we will, nor do we need one). If Bryant was healthy this year I think he would've shared more time with Folston. The only running back that I feel this team can count on is Cam. I like the idea of moving Carlisle to the slot and George can make his long TD runs every 3-4 games. I think Cam will be our #1 back next year with Bryant and Folston both being #2.

I feel like we've all had this discussion a thousand times, but based on what we've seen this year from Folston, I don't think its realistic to say that he'd start and Folston would have to split carries behind him. Cam is our Tommy Rees at running back, minus the maddening interceptions. He does everything right, and gets the job done, but doesn't have that special something that separates 'solid' or 'good' players from championship players.

Folston at the very least has the potential to be something Cam isn't. He looked like it against Navy. Has Cam McDaniel ever been that dynamic? Simply put, as much as everyone loves Cam McDaniel, you're kidding yourself if you don't realize that Folston is very, very likely to be a better player.
 
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anarin

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I think a lot of them aren’t “names” now because they went to SC and got lost in the shuffle but all of these guys were high four stars or higher, in fact I think most of them were five stars… and while I can’t tell you which class they were all from I’m pretty sure almost all of these guys were on the roster at around the same time, meaning all within a four-five year cycle, competing against each other… starting right AFTER they got done with Bush and White for crying out loud... just a sick run of talent at RB... AND I may have forgotten some...

Stafon Johnson
Kenny Ashley
Emmanuel Moody
Stanley Havili
Joe McKnight
Chauncey Washington
Marc Tyler
Dillon Baxter
Soma Vainuku


now while our backs are better than most teams EVER dream of having, they don't live up to the above, which is a REAL hard run to live up to in fairness.

Thanks for the list, I guess I just view the success of runningbacks at a program with their ability to make it to the next level.
 

ACamp1900

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Thanks for the list, I guess I just view the success of runningbacks at a program with their ability to make it to the next level.

Gotcha... though in the current NFL very few backs from anywhere really shine on the next level.
 

Irish#1

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I don't see GB transferring if what he posts is true. GAIII will be moved or slide down the depth chart next year. I love Cam, but Folston will pass him next year and if GB is healthy I can see him getting a lot of Cam's carries. Not sure about Carlisle at this point, but given the playing time he's gotten and the low production I don't see him higher than #3 at RB.
 

cody1smith

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Also, in reality only the numbers game is similar to SC's past situations... at times they had five-six elite backs all competing... I can't say we have that at ND right now with a straight face.
This

There were times when they had 2 backs that would get the majority of the carries at most every team in college football.
 

GoldenToTheGrave

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I feel like we've all had this discussion a thousand times, but based on what we've seen this year from Folston, I don't think its realistic to say that he'd start and Folston would have to split carries behind him. Cam is our Tommy Rees at running back, minus the maddening interceptions. He does everything right, and gets the job done, but doesn't have that special something that separates 'solid' or 'good' players from championship players.

Folston at the very least has the potential to be something Cam isn't. He looked like it against Navy. Has Cam McDaniel ever been that dynamic? Simply put, as much as everyone loves Cam McDaniel, you're kidding yourself if you don't realize that Folston is very, very likely to be a better player.

Which I think is why Cam is a great garbage time RB and is more than serviceable in a pinch. He'll get the job done at the times when you don't want to risk your starters, which is pretty valuable.
 

dublinirish

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Moody did transfer to Florida in fairness but yeah at one point in the post Bush/White era USC was using 5 backs or so in a rotation in games
 

TheTurningPoint

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I personally dont think he wants to sit another year and he knows that puts him in a tough position to get to the nfl. Sitting out 2 years in a row isnt good for anyone in any career. A engaged/healthy/ GB passes Cam on the depth chart.

You see it with Folston. He makes some dumb mistakes, but he also has talent that none of the other RBs have and can make plays. You just have to live with the bad, bc the good is there with the young guys.
 

irishfan

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Like most here, I'm in agreement that we move Carlisle to the slot next year (he can still get a carry or two a game from there), and push GA back to a the role he had last year where he gets 3-6 carries a game and hopefully breaks a big one every once in a while. Folston/Bryant should be splitting carries ideally, and Cam gets his carries when a back is dinged up or late in a game.
 

CTHindman

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Did Bryant have any serious injuries in HS? The recovery time of his injury could be the source of his frustration and not ND at all. Injuries of any kind take time to heal, and patience doesn't come easy to 18 year olds. ND isn't going to risk putting him out there when they don't need to. That all adds up to a depressing time for someone who has been called a stud most of his life.
 

UmphreakDomer

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Which I think is why Cam is a great garbage time RB and is more than serviceable in a pinch. He'll get the job done at the times when you don't want to risk your starters, which is pretty valuable.

cam is our leading rusher. you dont see him as an incumbent starter based on productivity?

this is a tad rhetorical because i think TF, at this point, can overtake everyone we have--and GB--if stays and healthy, can push for 8-10 carries out of the gate.
 

NDohio

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I personally dont think he wants to sit another year and he knows that puts him in a tough position to get to the nfl. Sitting out 2 years in a row isnt good for anyone in any career. A engaged/healthy/ GB passes Cam on the depth chart.

You see it with Folston. He makes some dumb mistakes, but he also has talent that none of the other RBs have and can make plays. You just have to live with the bad, bc the good is there with the young guys.

This is what I keep coming back to as well. I cannot imagine him making the decision to transfer after sitting down and realizing how long it will be before he plays again.
 

GoIrish41

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Like most here, I'm in agreement that we move Carlisle to the slot next year (he can still get a carry or two a game from there), and push GA back to a the role he had last year where he gets 3-6 carries a game and hopefully breaks a big one every once in a while. Folston/Bryant should be splitting carries ideally, and Cam gets his carries when a back is dinged up or late in a game.

I was in this camp at the beginning of the season, but seeing how below average he has been at catching the ball has given me pause. I don't know where he would be best suited to get on the field. Maybe his niche is as a kick returner and a clean-up back next season. I don't know. I don't think he is even close to the talent level of Folston and if the GB legend becomes reality I can't see Amir, GAIII or Cam holding those two off as the primary ball carriers next season. Although, Kelly does seem to have a high loyalty toward players and that could definately get Cam in the thick of it next year.
 

Domina Nostra

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cam is our leading rusher. you dont see him as an incumbent starter based on productivity?

this is a tad rhetorical because i think TF, at this point, can overtake everyone we have--and GB--if stays and healthy, can push for 8-10 carries out of the gate.

I think Cam has been more than Mr. Reliable this year. He's ripped off some good runs.

I agree that Cam and TF are the guys right now.

I think that GB will take reps from both, but that is speculation.

GAIII becomes a STUD situational guy. Carlisle needs to get his confidence back.
 
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