Upshot for the Rest of the Class (2014 Edition)

[Big23Head]

Hickey: Alexander to ND

 

[Emcee77]

I think it's in the Who Is Likely Next thread. She's calling Cage and Alexander to ND. Quick and Garnett to OU. Juju to Oregon. Unless she's updated it even since then.

 

[Cpnd1]

@NDatRivals: How does #NotreDame finish out its recruiting class tomorrow? Last round of predictions are out ($): Staff Picks 4.0 #RivalsNSD

 

[Luckylucci]

They all agree. Cage and Alexander to ND. Garnett and Quick to OU and JUju to USC.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

They all agree. Cage and Alexander to ND. Garnett and Quick to OU and JUju to USC.

But Anna has Quick to ND, right?

 

[IrishLax]

Would be surprised to see us land more than Cage at this point. But we've got real shots at the other three so cross your fingers.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Would be surprised to see us land more than Cage at this point. But we've got real shots at the other three so cross your fingers.

Happy NSD

*fingers crossed*

 

[Huntr]

6 5th yr seniors per BK to SBT.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>That means Luke Massa, Bruce Heggie, Austin Collinsworth, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo and Christian Lombard are on track to be back in 2014.</p>— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/hansenNDInsider/statuses/431102048021397504">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[ThePiombino]

I know there are some who will vehemently disagree with me (IM8), but I'm really disappointed that ND is in a position in which they have to offer 5th years to the likes of Massa and Heggie. Let's hope these two schollies equate to two studs next year, because anything less and this is a total lose.

 

[Emcee77]

6 5th yr seniors per BK to SBT.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>That means Luke Massa, Bruce Heggie, Austin Collinsworth, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo and Christian Lombard are on track to be back in 2014.</p>— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/hansenNDInsider/statuses/431102048021397504">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I'm happy for Massa and Heggie. It's good for the program to have good kids and hard workers who can show the young players good practice and preparation habits.

And I've always said that I like the idea of having Massa as an emergency QB. I mean, imagine this scenario: On a given Saturday, Golson is out with an injury suffered in practice so Zaire starts. We get up big. We want to take Zaire out so he doesn't get hurt in meaningless action, but there's no one to put in except Kizer, and we don't want to blow his redshirt. Well, now we've got a guy.

 

[rtrn2glory]

so that all, but eliminates quick correct?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Nah, we should just unveil the all TE formation that BK picked up from Belichick last year.

 

[Huntr]

We get up big.

The hole in your scenario.

I'm half kidding... grin:

 

[irishff1014]

6 5th yr seniors per BK to SBT.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>That means Luke Massa, Bruce Heggie, Austin Collinsworth, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo and Christian Lombard are on track to be back in 2014.</p>— Eric Hansen (@hansenNDInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/hansenNDInsider/statuses/431102048021397504">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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This very disappointing...

 

[Ironman8]

I know there are some who will vehemently disagree with me (IM8), but I'm really disappointed that ND is in a position in which they have to offer 5th years to the likes of Massa and Heggie. Let's hope these two schollies equate to two studs next year, because anything less and this is a total lose.

What's your solution to that? You have to save two scholarships in case you win the battles and two of Alexander, Juju, Quick and Garnett choose ND. You lose those close battles, for a variety of factors, and your back up is to have to good chemistry guys come back for another year for added depth on the line and as holder / scout and emergency QB. Then, like you said, have 2 extra scholarships available for a small '15 class.

How specifically would you have liked them to do it differently?

 

[Rhode Irish]

I know there are some who will vehemently disagree with me (IM8), but I'm really disappointed that ND is in a position in which they have to offer 5th years to the likes of Massa and Heggie. Let's hope these two schollies equate to two studs next year, because anything less and this is a total lose.

I get why you would feel this way, but think about it in practice: those spots weren't reserved for Massa and Heggie. They were reserved for Juju or Alexander or Garnett, and since we didn't get any of those guys we will roll them into next year and let a couple guys who gave a lot to the program use them this year. The alternative would have been taking two lesser prospects this year and giving yourself no chance to get a stud at the finish and two less chances to get a stud next year. I get the other side of the argument and it is fair, but I just wanted to point that out so both sides are being represented.

Edit: IM8 basically said the same thing as I was typing. But to reinforce the point I'll leave mine here, too.

 

[Emcee77]

so that all, but eliminates quick correct?

I don't think so. 6 5Ys plus Quick would be 86 guys on schollie if they all stick through the summer, but I still think the staff is expecting a transfer or two. Remember, Kelly said in December that we would take up to 27 frosh, and you'll never convince me that he wasn't planning to take at least 4 5Y's at that point.

 

[woolybug25]

I get why you would feel this way, but think about it in practice: those spots weren't reserved for Massa and Heggie. They were reserved for Juju or Alexander or Garnett, and since we didn't get any of those guys we will roll them into next year and let a couple guys who gave a lot to the program use them this year. The alternative would have been taking two lesser prospects this year and giving yourself no chance to get a stud at the finish and two less chances to get a stud next year. I get the other side of the argument and it is fair, but I just wanted to point that out so both sides are being represented.

Edit: IM8 basically said the same thing as I was typing. But to reinforce the point I'll leave mine here, too.

But that's not how it works. If it did… we would have had a full roster in the last…. ever...

 

[woolybug25]

What's your solution to that? You have to save two scholarships in case you win the battles and two of Alexander, Juju, Quick and Garnett choose ND. You lose those close battles, for a variety of factors, and your back up is to have to good chemistry guys come back for another year for added depth on the line and as holder / scout and emergency QB. Then, like you said, have 2 extra scholarships available for a small '15 class.

How specifically would you have liked them to do it differently?

I'll bet you $1B vbucks that we sign over 20 kids next year, or if we sign less, we have open roster spots.

We have only signed less than 20 kids once ('11) in the last decade. In that class, we still signed 18 and we had open roster spots by spring.

 

[Rhode Irish]

But that's not how it works. If it did… we would have had a full roster in the last…. ever...

No, that is exactly how it works. If the focus was on getting to 85 by any means necessary we would be at 85. But the goal is to put the best players in the program as possible, so they don't just fill the spots with anyone they can get, they hold spots in case really good players want in. And if those spots aren't filled they roll them forward. Maybe that isn't how you would do it, but it is a viable approach. You make it seem like it is a ridiculous way to go about it.

 

[zbikowski88]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Farmer">@D_Farmer</a>: Lost amid the recruits today, Ball State announced former <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> DL Bruce Heggie will play his 5th year w/ the Cardinals.</p>— Jake Brown (@Jake_Brown) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jake_Brown/statuses/431109195761737728">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Ironman8]

Lol

 

[rtrn2glory]

thought heggie was a 5th year for us according to hansen?

 

[Rhode Irish]

Good for him. Is that the first we've heard of that? I know Hansen mentioned him as a fifth year (because he's an insider!) this morning, but I thought I heard Heggie connected to Ball State before. Did I imagine that?

 

[Ironman8]

I'll bet you $1B vbucks that we sign over 20 kids next year, or if we sign less, we have open roster spots.

We have only signed less than 20 kids once ('11) in the last decade. In that class, we still signed 18 and we had open roster spots by spring.

That's not answering my question. I asked what would you do different?

Would you bring in even lower tiered guys to make 85? Or trust that each cycle you are improving on talent identification and development, and the potential 5th years each cycle will be better players and the decisions become harder? I like the second option, especially at ND.

 

[autry_denson]

i'm sure this has been posted elsewhere but thought it was relevant - wonder if they're melting down at Auburn's version of IE: @Jake_Brown 1m
Happens everywhere. RT @martinrickman: rashaan evans already up on auburn’s official site http://bit.ly/1fuYuM6

 

[wizards8507]

That's not answering my question. I asked what would you do different?

Would you bring in even lower tiered guys to make 85? Or trust that each cycle you are improving on talent identification and development, and the potential 5th years each cycle will be better players and the decisions become harder? I like the second option, especially at ND.

I don't disagree, but why "especially at ND"?

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

This is definitely one of those classes that need to be judged in 4-5 years.

 

[Huntr]

Lol @ Heggie news. Maybe BK will give us some insight during the press conference.

 

[woolybug25]

That's not answering my question. I asked what would you do different?

Would you bring in even lower tiered guys to make 85? Or trust that each cycle you are improving on talent identification and development, and the potential 5th years each cycle will be better players and the decisions become harder? I like the second option, especially at ND.

You were talking to Piombino, not me. I was just opining on the "small class" note.

That being said, I would sign to the roster limit, when possible. I would fill it with bodies and let highly thought of kids commit early if they are willing to jump on board (Hubbard, Hendrix, etc). Ultimately, you can't guess how things will play out either way. So I would err on filling the class. Then attrition, injuries and transfers would work itself out. That is what I would do.