'13 VA OLB Doug Randolph (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[Bogtrotter07]

We did. A 5.He went to UF 5 days before he was supposed to be in South Bend.

Too late in the process to do anything about it, but that thing turned into a real shiit sandwich, didn't it?

And the funny thing is, I think we are better off in the long run the way things turned out.

 

[PANDFAN]

Would it not be better recruit a pure ILB? But i hope it works.

we did...Deeb

 

[Bogtrotter07]

That is part of why I think we will be better off in the long run.

With AA out for the year or whatever, and Deeb geeked to get started, reporting to camp four days early anyone else think we came out win-win by addition and by subtraction on this?

 

[Old Man Mike]

With Deeb as a Mike, and Randolph as a Will, what's not to like?

 

[Domina Nostra]

With Deeb as a Mike, and Randolph as a Will, what's not to like?

Randolph to WILL reminds me of Russell to CB.

Russell was one of the much touted athletes who the great programs are supposed to put on defense. I doubt that would have happened if Tee had come. Similarly, Randolph could have been a good CAT, but at nearly 20 yo, he doesn't seem like he is going to develop the frame that Ishaq or Romeo have. In the center, he is a good size and his speed and strength will stand out a little more (if he is tough enough!).

 

[CanadalovesND]

6'3'' 240 and has good athleticism, he could play all 4 LB positions, but with depth concerns at ILB, I think he'd make a perfect WILL

 

[LoveThee]

So now ILB looks like:

Fox
Carlo
Grace
Deeb
Randolph

How does everyone think the depth chart will shake out at MLB?

 

[Luckylucci]

Because Grace will be at Mike for the next 3 years, I would think they'll groom one of Deeb or Randolph at Will so that they are ready to go next year when Fox and Carlo are gone. I am going with Deeb as the heir to the Will spot based on experience playing in the middle.

 

[LoveThee]

Do you think Fox and Carlo both start this year lucci? Obviously you play whoever is best at their position, but I would be tempted if I were Kelly to give Grace the nod over Carlo if the difference between them is slim so that Grace because he is younger

 

[Luckylucci]

IMO, it will be Grace at Mike and Fox at Will with Carlo being able to sub in for either based on circumstances. It sounded to me like Kelly at different times mentioned that Grace is Mike and Fox is Will and Carlo was basically the reliever. I think it does have to do with some trial by fire, like you said. We need Grace in there leading the defense so he is ready next year.

 

[PANDFAN]

as far as everything i have read....it appears to be grace along with the tandem of fox/carlo just like last year...Grace just takes over...it was noted in some article where Kelly said he wanted to get Grace playing time but how could he take an All American LB off the field

 

[Whiskeyjack]

So now ILB looks like:

Fox
Carlo
Grace
Deeb
Randolph

How does everyone think the depth chart will shake out at MLB?

Kelly has all but confirmed that it'll be Grace at MILB and Darlo Calabrox at WILB for starters. As for depth, I'll guess (2) Moore and (3) Deeb at MILB, with (3) Schmidt and (4) Randolph at WILB.

ILB depth gets much more interesting in 2014. At this point, I'll guess (1) Grace; (2) Moore; (3) Martini at MILB, and (1) Deeb; (2) Randolph; (3) Schmidt at WILB.

Roster.

 

[Irishnuke]

I didn't realize he was out for the season until I read the ESPN article on Spond. Was this posted in a different thread?

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

It's in the Fall Camp Thread. This probably should have been bumped though

 

[peoriairish]

Shoulder surgery if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Redbar]

Stay up Doug! We'll be pulling for a fast recovery.

 

[ResLife Hero]

One Foot Down profiled him on their "Reviewing the Redshirts" series, and they weren't too optimistic about him cracking the depth chart this series. If he recovers fully from his surgery, I think his athleticism could make him an asset, but there will be a lot of guys trying to fill the LB spots.

Reviewing the Redshirts: LB Doug Randolph - One Foot Down

 

[ryno 24]

I think he is a better version of Richard Yeargin. Very Athletic and can play any linebacker position. He would be a very good 4-3 outside backer.

 

[Emcee77]

I think he is a better version of Richard Yeargin. Very Athletic and can play any linebacker position. He would be a very good 4-3 outside backer.

Yeah, he is one of our most versatile linebackers, along with Okwara and Councell, and that appears to be more important than ever since our defensive system will be increasingly "multiple" (I hate that term but I've learned that you can't fight jargon) under BVG. Honestly, I never used to think of him as a particularly exciting prospect, but I'm REALLY glad to have him now for that versatility and I'm excited to see what he can do.

 

[Irishman77]

So now that nsd is over and spring ball is 4 weeks away. A few players and positions have questions. Doug is a player that really intrigues me. Ilb is a position where we have lots of bodies now.

I know many have already penciled in Moore at ilb, but I am not sold on that.

Obviously If Grace comes back full go in the fall, we are set at one ilb.

I think Morgan becomes the starter by season end if someone out of the group doesn't step up and lock the other ilb position down.

I really want deeb and Randolph to shock us this spring.

My ideal ilb starting 2: Grace, Randolph
2nd string: Morgan , deeb
3rd : Moore , Schmidt

What do you fellas think?

 

[ryno 24]

I see Randolph at the Will he can play inside as well as outside and can run and hit.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm interested to see how strong he is. The tough thing about shoulder injuries is that it really impacts physical development of your upper body. If he is able to get back to full strength by fall, he'll be one to watch.

 

[GoIrish41]

So now that nsd is over and spring ball is 4 weeks away. A few players and positions have questions. Doug is a player that really intrigues me. Ilb is a position where we have lots of bodies now.

I know many have already penciled in Moore at ilb, but I am not sold on that.

Obviously If Grace comes back full go in the fall, we are set at one ilb.

I think Morgan becomes the starter by season end if someone out of the group doesn't step up and lock the other ilb position down.

I really want deeb and Randolph to shock us this spring.

My ideal ilb starting 2: Grace, Randolph
2nd string: Morgan , deeb
3rd : Moore , Schmidt

What do you fellas think?

That sounds about right to me. Although, I'd like to see Deeb seize the day come springtime. I just love this kid's attitude and work ethic.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I don't think we have any idea how thinks are going to shake out with BVG. He likes his linebackers mobile. And swarming.

He uses (incredibly) unusual personnel groupings.

So let us see.

As far as starting, my feeling is we will lucky if we even get Grace back; everyone I have heard it from said it was a potentially career ending injury. Even Kelly expressed doubts, and claimed the bone was "broken in four places." I almost wouldn't even plan on him playing this year.

 

[md_bennett]

I don't think we have any idea how thinks are going to shake out with BVG. He likes his linebackers mobile. And swarming.

He uses (incredibly) unusual personnel groupings.

So let us see.

As far as starting, my feeling is we will lucky if we even get Grace back; everyone I have heard it from said it was a potentially career ending injury. Even Kelly expressed doubts, and claimed the bone was "broken in four places." I almost wouldn't even plan on him playing this year.

When asked directly just in the last two weeks, BK sounded like he had no idea what he could say about his injury to be positive. A fracture like that may not even heal correctly, so it is certainly hard to project anything for him or from him I hope he is fine, but I will count ourselves lucky that we got ourselves a haul of talented LB after all the injury there last year.

 

[Wild Bill]

I'd love to see Morgan grab the bull by the horns and lock down a starting spot in fall camp. No knock on any of the ILBs currently on the roster, I just think Morgan is a great talent and I hope he's mentally and physically ready to play day 1.

 

[Green Blood]

In a 4-3:

OLB J. Smith
MLB N. Morgan
OLB D. Randolph

 

[Wild Bill]

In a 4-3:

OLB J. Smith
MLB N. Morgan
OLB D. Randolph

I'd take Councell over Randolph, assuming he's healthy.

 

[IrishLion]

In a 4-3:

OLB J. Smith
MLB N. Morgan
OLB D. Randolph

Sophomore-Freshman-Sophomore

We know Jaylon should be alright through the transition, but hoping a true freshman and a sophomore coming off a major injury lock down the other two spots is a tall order.

I would be ecstatic if this was the lineup, and BVG's "new" defensive schemes and formations should help level the playing field for inexperienced guys, but I would think one of the upperclassmen would be out there for the majority of the reps.

 

[ulukinatme]

Will switch to 44, Carlo's people got word quickly and approve:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/DRfresh44">@DRfresh44</a> 44?? Better wear that number with pride! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23nastybanger&src=hash">#nastybanger</a></p>— Carlo Calabrese (@Carlo44Cal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Carlo44Cal/statuses/441007188119941121">March 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Carlo44Cal">@Carlo44Cal</a> you already know!</p>— Doug Randolph (@DRfresh44) <a href="https://twitter.com/DRfresh44/statuses/441007275017121792">March 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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