'11 GA DE Stephon Tuitt (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[rtrn2glory]

NFL teams seem to be taking the NBA route where in a lot of cases they are drafting off a potential (see Mingo with the Browns)

If Stephon performs relatively well at the combine and pro day coupled with proving that he is healthy...i truly don't see him having a problem working his way into the first round

 

[BMT]

Always will appreciate Big Lou and Stephon but really they both played better as sophmores and really did not have a huge impact this year, just the truth-see Michigan game or Temple, missing in action. Still wish them all the best. I bet at lest 3 of Okwara, Ishaq,Council, and Randolph have big years next year, Grace, Deeb, and Morgan/Council also likely better than Carlo/Fox

 

[Rudy89]

Best of luck but fuck this sucks I hope our D will be good next year to get us over the mediocre season hump.

 

[Xander]

Sad for me, happy for him. Hope he's drafted in the first round where he belongs.

 

[phork]

You knew it was coming. But fuck.

 

[Irish#1]

You knew it was coming. But fuck.

It would have been nice, but he's making the best decision for him and his family.

 

[RDU Irish]

If he goes first round it was a good choice, second round I am not so sure. He could have insured against injury, come back and work his way to a top 10 consensus pick for MUCH bigger money than a #20-#40 type pick. That is the part that makes the decision so tough. Then again, bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (and like someone pointed out, later first round put you on a much better team most likely).

Congrats, Stephon. Go make us even prouder!

 

[ulukinatme]

Always will appreciate Big Lou and Stephon but really they both played better as sophmores and really did not have a huge impact this year, just the truth-see Michigan game or Temple, missing in action. Still wish them all the best. I bet at lest 3 of Okwara, Ishaq,Council, and Randolph have big years next year, Grace, Deeb, and Morgan/Council also likely better than Carlo/Fox

I don't think it had anything to do with them playing better last season. Lou had a lot of hustle in him this year before he got injured about halfway through. He was running after QBs that broke contain with little chance to catch up to them. Same for Stephon, he gave 100% I think, but there was some lingering health issues that came in from his sports hernia surgery. He started to round into better shape as the season went on, but by then we had already amassed 3 losses and a string of injuries in other parts of the defense.

It was just a crummy season for the defense. I wouldn't overlook the fact that on top of the injuries we didn't have a great field general out there like we had in Manti last season. I mean, BJax is an okay captain, but he's not going to rally the troops like Manti did. BJax wasn't even the best corner on the team this season.

I'm looking forward to 2014. We have a lot of holes to fill in our front 7, but we've also got a lot of talent back there. It will be interesting to see how this new front 7 will mesh and who will be the next players to step up. Hopefully there will be some leaders that help spur improvement. It was probably easy to see that Stephon would have had a smaller impact playing with less experience next season if he stayed, that could have hurt his draft grade.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

It was a smart business decision that I happen to HATE!

Kill the combine Seven, and you'll go in the top 20!

 

[RDU Irish]

It was a smart business decision that I happen to HATE!

Kill the combine Seven, and you'll go in the top 20!

George Costanza renamed Stephon?

 

[Irish#1]

If he goes first round it was a good choice, second round I am not so sure. He could have insured against injury, come back and work his way to a top 10 consensus pick for MUCH bigger money than a #20-#40 type pick. That is the part that makes the decision so tough. Then again, bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (and like someone pointed out, later first round put you on a much better team most likely).

Congrats, Stephon. Go make us even prouder!

Would love to see him end up on the Colts.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not that this hasn't been said before, but Stephon is a case of "Improve your stock at the combine and pro day if there ever was one." He will be drafted well.

It seemed to me that following his injury and incomplete recovery for the start of NFL camp his Irish mojo went all wrong; nothing he did. He just seemed to shut down when hounded by the ass-I mean every other person as to what he did to weight train, or whether he felt he was in shape.

Stephons '13 season is one 99.9% of all college players would kill for, but of course, many fans were not happy because he never outran a steaming locomotive, or leapt a tall building. And his mom and his actions did point toward him leaving . . . but he was absolutely respectful and honorable. Everyone needs to remember that.

I think those that have noticed the changes with the front 12 that have verbaled this year, and the potential new DC that will take over, lead to bright future.

The best outcome for ND fans is if NMartin, LNix, and STuitt are all drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Part two of that is switching to an aggressive four man front. Guys like IWilliams, ROkwara, BCouncell, JSmith, ---------- I can't go on ND has the personnel to dominate at an MSU like defense.

And I believe MSU has the best defense in the Nation, and maybe the best in the last four or five years or so.

 

[texbender]

Sorry he's moving on, but can't really blame him. Hope the pro career works out for him.
Next man in............

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

George Costanza renamed Stephon?

The Summer of George!

 

[NDbrbkny]

The best outcome for ND fans is if NMartin, LNix, and STuitt are all drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. Part two of that is switching to an aggressive four man front. Guys like IWilliams, ROkwara, BCouncell, JSmith, ---------- I can't go on ND has the personnel to dominate at an MSU like defense.

right i think we should switch to a 4 man defense whether it's the 4-3 or not we need an attacking defense like greg mattison used to run (before this past season)

 

[#1rish]

Sad to see him go, but I wish him nothing but success in the NFL. Hope he comes back and gets that degree later on.

I can't wait till we hear 3 "From Notre Dame" names called in the first round.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I can really see the Bears taking him if he's still on the board.

Emery loves a athletic specimen and Steph can play either 3 tech in a 4-3 or 5 tech if the Bears decide to switch over to the 3-4.

 

[Bubbles]

I'm happysad

 

[ND NYC]

with the NFL slotted rookies pay scale, time will tell if this was a "good business decision".

it all depends on when he goes.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

with the NFL slotted rookies pay scale, time will tell if this was a "good business decision".

it all depends on when he goes.

If nothing else, it starts the clock on the all important "second contract".
That's where the real money is.

 

[ND NYC]

If nothing else, it starts the clock on the all important "second contract".
That's where the real money is.

true dat. assuming your a healthy, top player when the time comes.

i remember reading an article in the WSJ about the new NFL collective bargaining deal they struck a couple years ago and what stood out in my mind was some pretty compelling finacial analysis of the "junior looking to come out a year early" scenario...and what i remembered most was the author said if you not in the Top 15 picks coming out but could be the next year, that the calculation in their view based on the data was to get the degree, and wait the year with chance for going in the top 15.
they cited all sorts of real data on actual nfl contracts etc...it was pretty damn compelling and i must admit it was an eye opener to me.

 

[Irishbounty28]

right i think we should switch to a 4 man defense whether it's the 4-3 or not we need an attacking defense like greg mattison used to run (before this past season)

I do not like the idea of a 4 man defense, 11 men seems to be proven to work pretty well.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Thank you for 3 great years Mr. Tuitt. Have a great long and healthy NFL career!

 

[CanadalovesND]

I came across this on my twitter timeline.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On this 4th week of my training I have accomplish to loose 24lbs!!!! In two weeks I have 7 more pounds to go. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23hardwork&src=hash">#hardwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dedication&src=hash">#dedication</a> 330to305</p>— stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOCnation_7/statuses/432883655958986752">February 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Training goal is to get to 305 by the combine. Currently at 312. Remember in 2012 the speed, acceleration and agility he had at 305 pounds?!?! If he gets it back in time for the combine, dude's gonna put up some great numbers!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Incoming Longo haters post in 3 2 1....

 

[tko]

I came across this on my twitter timeline.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On this 4th week of my training I have accomplish to loose 24lbs!!!! In two weeks I have 7 more pounds to go. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23hardwork&src=hash">#hardwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dedication&src=hash">#dedication</a> 330to305</p>— stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOCnation_7/statuses/432883655958986752">February 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

finally starting putting forth some effort. amazing what the potential for playing in the nfl will do for you. it's a shame he played so "fat" this season.

 

[Brooklyn]

I came across this on my twitter timeline.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On this 4th week of my training I have accomplish to loose 24lbs!!!! In two weeks I have 7 more pounds to go. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23hardwork&src=hash">#hardwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dedication&src=hash">#dedication</a> 330to305</p>— stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOCnation_7/statuses/432883655958986752">February 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Training goal is to get to 305 by the combine. Currently at 312. Remember in 2012 the speed, acceleration and agility he had at 305 pounds?!?! If he gets it back in time for the combine, dude's gonna put up some great numbers!

At 305, he's going to kill the combine. His size, weight, speed will make him a sure 1st rounder imo. Combine that with Zach who is a guaranteed first rounder, Nix who can go anywhere from top 10 to top 50 and Niklas who imo will be a 2nd round pick and we should be well represented in this draft.

 

[irishfan]

So he ended the year at 330? And he looked better at the end of the year than he did in August/September. How much did he weigh during the Temple game? Over 350?

 

[Luckylucci]

finally starting putting forth some effort. amazing what the potential for playing in the nfl will do for you. it's a shame he played so "fat" this season.

Yea, I think a healthy and fit Tuitt contributes at least 1 more win for ND.

 

[Wild Bill]

At 305, he's going to kill the combine. His size, weight, speed will make him a sure 1st rounder imo. Combine that with Zach who is a guaranteed first rounder, Nix who can go anywhere from top 10 to top 50 and Niklas who imo will be a 2nd round pick and we should be well represented in this draft.

Maybe. It's hard to get stronger when you're trying to shed a considerable amount of weight. He'll need his strength for the bench and any plyometric test.