'11 NM OT Matthew Hegarty (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Whiskeyjack]

From NBC's Keith Arnold: Hegarty cleared for action after serious health scare.

 

[yankeeND]

I'm so glad he's gonna get a chance to play. I can't remember being more shocked and excited about getting an OL prospect. Will be rooting for ya Matt!

 

[Irish YJ]

Glad things continue to work out for this young man and he is back living his dream. Lets hope and pray his luck continues!

 

[Old Man Mike]

Two things: A. The significant --- we want Matt Hegarty to be fully healthy and ready for a long successful life;

B. The selfish --- we want Matt to not only return to full health but to be the a$$kicker starting center that we badly need.

Things [Praise God] seem to be going well on "A". We won't have any idea about "B" until Spring Ball or even much later. So, in the trivial world of Notre Dame football, it's still nail-biting time.

God forgive me, but I'm hoping for the A$$Kicker and not only the healthy young man. The only thing that makes me feel better about my selfish self is that I'm sure that Matt wants this too.

Really rooting for you, Big Boy.

 

[Emcee77]

Matt's parents Bryan and Stacy posted a short note about Matt's treatment and recovery on BGI today. Basically he has made a complete recovery from the injury, such a speedy and complete recovery that they can't quite believe it. Since his surgery, Matt has had nightmares about having another stroke and had to do a lot of work to convince himself emotionally and psychologically that he was ready to get back on the field, even though he knew intellectually, based on what doctors were telling him, that he was fine.

This young man's been through a lot. Much respect to him for coming through it with flying colors. Excited to see what he can do next year.

 

[Luckylucci]

I find it interesting that after having this surgery he should have 20% more oxygen moving throughout his body. Which I would think, could drastically improve his performance on the field.

 

[connect the dots]

Replacing the center, in the middle of a game, is not always such a smooth transition. Matt Hegarty did himself proud, and deserves some recognition for last night's performance.

 

[ThePiombino]

Replacing the center, in the middle of a game, is not always such a smooth transition. Matt Hegarty did himself proud, and deserves some recognition for last night's performance.

Amen to that! And to add to the transition issues, he's a lefty! I'm sure after a short while the center-QB duo get used to it, but it can't make things any easier going from a righty to a lefty.

 

[tko]

Replacing the center, in the middle of a game, is not always such a smooth transition. Matt Hegarty did himself proud, and deserves some recognition for last night's performance.

Hegarty embodied the "next man in" philosophy and owned it. I'm happy for him.

 

[dublinirish]

kudos to hegarty, he is gonna run N-Mart close for that center position next year

 

[rocket66]

Our offensive line is so freaking deep going forward. Just going to continue to cycle elite high end prospects into starting roles year after year. God Bless Harry Heistand.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Not offering this very seriously, but its occured to me that Nick Martin, who is very good, might have gotten the starting nod because of his brother.

NOT because he is not good enough to play, he obviously is! But in the sense that if you are choosing between two new starters, why not go with the one who has a decade of experience communicating with and following his Zach Martin. There is an instant connection, and I bet that was apparent. The communication factor pushed him over the edge.

Since Zach isn't there next year, I wonder if Heggarty will challenge, seeing as he is obviously talented as well. (There are always guard spots, as well.)

At this point, however, I assume that the experience factor would be the new "edge" that gets him the nod...

Is Heggarty a lefty? If so, he might hitch his wagon to Zaire...

Last point. While the most likely lineup is:

Elmer--Hanratty--Martin--Lombard--Stanley

Would this be that shocking?

McGlinchy--Elmer--Heggarty--Martin--Stanley

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Proud of my fellow New Mexican.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Yes good game mr. Hegarty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Proud of my fellow New Mexican.

At first I thought you said "my fellow Mexican", and all I could think was "somebody named MATTHEW HEGARTY is a Mexican?".

We're so stocked on O-line. I love it.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Not offering this very seriously, but its occured to me that Nick Martin, who is very good, might have gotten the starting nod because of his brother.

I doubt Kelly and Hiestand would do that.

Last point. While the most likely lineup is:

Elmer--Hanratty--Martin--Lombard--Stanley

Would this be that shocking?

McGlinchey--Elmer--Heggarty--Martin--Stanley

Wouldn't Stanley move to LT for McGlinchey at RT? I'd rather have the experience at LT.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i could see hegarty starting at center next year with a healthy n mart starting at guard possibly

the scary thing right now is that we are one snap away from a bruce heggie sighting

 

[RuntheBall]

i could see hegarty starting at center next year with a healthy n mart starting at guard possibly

the scary thing right now is that we are one snap away from a bruce heggie sighting

I think you mean the awesome thing....

 

[Buster Bluth]

i could see hegarty starting at center next year with a healthy n mart starting at guard possibly

He'll certainly have the advantage of having spring ball experience if Martin is out. That, and the wave of RS-Fr OL studs coming online may spell trouble for Martin.

 

[dublinirish]

At first I thought you said "my fellow Mexican", and all I could think was "somebody named MATTHEW HEGARTY is a Mexican?".

We're so stocked on O-line. I love it.

does Hegarty has the requisite Spanish language credits to get into ND?

 

[Domina Nostra]

I doubt Kelly and Hiestand would do that.

Wouldn't Stanley move to LT for McGlinchey at RT? I'd rather have the experience at LT.

My point was more along the lines of the communication between brothers was a big factor working in Nick's favor. If O-Line is all about communication and trust, its got to help to be super-close brothers. It wasn't that Nick isn't good enough.

I agree on Stanley at LT--that is what I meant to have:

Stanley--(Lombard/Martin)--Heggarty--Elmer--McGlinchy.

I hope McGlinchey challenges Stanley and Elmer though. The idea of someone actually pushing Elmer inside is awesome. Personally, I think Elmer and Stanley are going to become dominant. It will really be more of a matter of whether McGlinchy is so much better at tackle than one of the other guards is at guard--and McGlinchy can't play guard--that you need him out there if you want your "best 5."

 

[pkt77242]

i could see hegarty starting at center next year with a healthy n mart starting at guard possibly

the scary thing right now is that we are one snap away from a bruce heggie sighting

I thought Mark Harrell would be next man in at Center if Hegarty went down. I could be wrong though.

 

[Buster Bluth]

My point was more along the lines of the communication between brothers was a big factor working in Nick's favor. If O-Line is all about communication and trust, its got to help to be super-close brothers. It wasn't that Nick isn't good enough.

I agree on Stanley at LT--that is what I meant to have:

Stanley--(Lombard/Martin)--Heggarty--Elmer--McGlinchy.

I hope McGlinchey challenges Stanley and Elmer though. The idea of someone actually pushing Elmer inside is awesome. Personally, I think Elmer and Stanley are going to become dominant. It will really be more of a matter of whether McGlinchy is so much better at tackle than one of the other guards is at guard--and McGlinchy can't play guard--that you need him out there if you want your "best 5."

I think it's safe to say the depth chart for the OL will be one of the more interesting spring battles. As much as McGlinchey might be coming on, guys like Montelus and Bivin will have something to say about the OG "best five."

I'll say this much though, Hegarty (.9708 247Comp) came to South Bend as a highly recruited OL, Martin (.8610 247Comp) did not. I know to throw the rankings out, but .97 is just shy of status, so it should come as no surprise if Hegarty simply keeps the job.

Soo, the depth chart could resemble...

LT: Stanley (So) | Nelson (FR)
LG: Lombard (5th) | Bivin (Fr) | Montelus (Fr) | Mustipher (FR)
C: Hegarty (Jr) | Martin (Jr) | Harrell (Jr)
RG: Elmer (SO) | Hanratty (Jr) | Bryne (FR)
RT: McGlinchey (Fr) | McGovern (Fr) | Bars (FR)

...an absolutely ridiculous amount of young talent.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Buster,

I think you are right about Stanley, unless Zaire wins the QB slot. Then he would play right, wouldn't he?

McGlinchey was seen as the "running tackle" as opposed to the backside tackle. Which brings up another point. There are going to be potentially two huge quarterback transitions with this team; one could be left versus right handed. the other would be toward a mobile quarterback. With the latest commit we will have four, or five quarterbacks on the roster through 2016, all with exceptional mobility. McGlinchey is fast for an aircraft carrier sized human being. We need to add a fast moving offense, at least on that can change the point of attack rapidly as part of the equasion for picking future offensive linemen.

That is why I think we will rotate more on the O-line. I can see pulling a guard or tackle in front of Everett on almost every play he rolls out next year. What do you think?

 

[Me2SouthBend]

From ND Central

With Nick Martin out, Irish confident in Matt Hegarty | CSN Chicago

 

[KPENN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Had my one year check up on the heart.. Glad to say the ticker is running better than ever. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23grateful&src=hash">#grateful</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23heartstrong&src=hash">#heartstrong</a></p>— Matt Hegarty (@MHegs77) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHegs77/statuses/424324278247362560">January 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Old Man Mike]

That is Notre Dame level wonderful --- grace of God.

Now we know we'l have a high quality center whether it's Matt or NMart. Anchors the line.

 

[Redbar]

Great news. Keep the faith. Big things ahead of you.

 

[Buster Bluth]

That is Notre Dame level wonderful --- grace of God.

You think God did that?

Now we know we'l have a high quality center whether it's Matt or NMart. Anchors the line.

Agreed. 51% of me things he'll beat Martin out.

 

[Rack Em]

You think God did that?

It's only far fetched for those who have a problem with religion.

Agreed. 51% of me things he'll beat Martin out.

NMart seemed, to me at least, to be one of the weaker links on the OL. There was no production drop off when Hegarty stepped in and played with less experience than Martin. That leads me to believe the same.