'15 CA OL Zach Okun (Offer)

[connect the dots]

i personally don't think we need to push for commitments...seemed to work last year waiting on the guys we wanted so i would imagine we take the same stance this year.

In the last two recruiting classes, offensive line commitments were made very early in the cycle. For instance, last year's verbal commitments were made by Jimmy Byrne on 12/8/2012, Sam Mustipher on 4/15/2013, Quenton Nelson on 5/1/2013, and two weeks later, Alex Bars on 5/17. One of the best hauls in the 2014 class, and it was completed months before the start of their senior season. If you snooze, you loose would apply to the 2014 quarterback class as well.

 

[Irish YJ]

Think we take 4 'takes' right away, then take an additional 5 star if the opportunity presents itself, then slow play any others till very late in the cycle and take others if we have room.

 

[EddytoNow]

We always seem to have two or three season or career-ending injuries on the offensive line, so I would say we take four per year with a fifth added when we lose an offensive lineman to injury.

 

[DillonHall]

The way I look at it, each class has an average of 21 recruits. There are 22 starters total (close to 21).

Therefore, we should take as many recruits at a given position as there are spots on the field. Using this logic, we should take 5 offensive linemen, 3-4 LBs, 3-4 DL, 2-3 CB, etc. Obviously this varies from year to year depending on depth and number of scholarships available, but we seem to finally have good depth across the entire roster, so it's probably a good rule of thumb.

Of course, OL typically don't come off the field, so this may not apply to them

Guess I'm just thinking out loud

 

[Ironman8]

I think the plan is to take 3, with a 4th being possible if he is an elite talent the staff really likes (like Braden Smith this past cycle), or if there are injuries or attrition of the current guys on the roster.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I think the plan is to take 3, with a 4th being possible if he is an elite talent the staff really likes (like Braden Smith this past cycle), or if there are injuries or attrition of the current guys on the roster.

Spot on.

I feel you Dillon, but 5 O-linemen isn't needed this cycle and would actually be major overkill IHMO.

But I will say, they better stay on some kids even after we get our 3rd o-linemen. Not worried at all about Hoge (look at his truck lol), but Tillery is going to get recruited big-time until the end, and we cannot be left holding the bag and begging for guys like we had to this cycle when Dickerson decommitted. Sometimes this staff does a great job staying after guys, but per a reporter I talked with Friday, other times they cut off all comunication with a guy once he commits to another school. That shouldn't happen. A phone call or email or facebook message or text or tweet or whatever every other week is not that tough to do, and should be mandatory.

You never know what could happen in recruiting, and the best recruiting staffs are prepared for everything...

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Spot on.

I feel you Dillon, but 5 O-linemen isn't needed this cycle and would actually be major overkill IHMO.

But I will say, they better stay on some kids even after we get our 3rd o-linemen. Not worried at all about Hoge (look at his truck lol), but Tillery is going to get recruited big-time until the end, and we cannot be left holding the bag and begging for guys like we had to this cycle when Dickerson decommitted. Sometimes this staff does a great job staying after guys, but per a reporter I talked with Friday, other times they cut off all comunication with a guy once he commits to another school. That shouldn't happen. A phone call or email or facebook message or text or tweet or whatever every other week is not that tough to do, and should be mandatory.

You never know what could happen in recruiting, and the best recruiting staffs are prepared for everything...

I agree. It's not that hard to keep in contact with guys even after we are full at the position. A lot of recruits would appreciate us letting them know how much we love their film or whatever and that they are our 1st priority if we lose any commits or have injuries and need to add another player at their position. Most of them know this is a business and we can't take everyone. I have heard Alford is good at this. He stays in touch with players even after we are done recruiting for that position or if their academics fall short.

 

[rtrn2glory]

In the last two recruiting classes, offensive line commitments were made very early in the cycle. For instance, last year's verbal commitments were made by Jimmy Byrne on 12/8/2012, Sam Mustipher on 4/15/2013, Quenton Nelson on 5/1/2013, and two weeks later, Alex Bars on 5/17. One of the best hauls in the 2014 class, and it was completed months before the start of their senior season. If you snooze, you loose would apply to the 2014 quarterback class as well.

this is true, but you also need to remember that these 4 guys that the staff wanted so there was no need to slow play them.

i'm saying with the limited numbers that we don't need to push for early commits from guys who are not as high on our board. we can hold out for the guys we want

 

[NDhoosier]

I think the plan is to take 3, with a 4th being possible if he is an elite talent the staff really likes (like Braden Smith this past cycle), or if there are injuries or attrition of the current guys on the roster.

agreed. We are definitely not taking 5 Olinemen this cycle. That would be horrendous. If you go by the numbers, we should only take 3 OLinemen; however, like IM8 stated, if a 4th stud OL wanted in, I am sure the staff would take him.
I would be fine with 3 elite linemen, we already have 2, I think the staff should get picky.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I think the plan is to take 3, with a 4th being possible if he is an elite talent the staff really likes (like Braden Smith this past cycle), or if there are injuries or attrition of the current guys on the roster.

I think Zach Okun will be number three. I hope he pops soon, it would be great for perimeter players to see. Do we have a Junior Day list yet?

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I think Zach Okun will be number three. I hope he pops soon, it would be great for perimeter players to see. Do we have a Junior Day list yet?

Also, with Tillery and Hoge being tackle prospects (I believe), it would be good to pick up a true guard prospect.

 

[Ironman8]

Also, with Tillery and Hoge being tackle prospects (I believe), it would be good to pick up a true guard prospect.

Hoge is an inside player. Will most likely play Center, and if not, Guard.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Hoge is an inside player. Will most likely play Center, and if not, Guard.

Hoge can definitely play center (seems to be his most valuable ability IMHO, given his skill set that's saying quite a lot about him), Tillery as an OT, and Okun as a guy would can play either RG/LG. I'd be completely happy with that being our '15 OL haul, the last two years have been excellent and we have may have some numbers issues and we have pressing needs at other positions.

 

[dublinirish]

You will take 4 OL minimum EVERY year though

 

[irishfanjho15]

You will take 4 OL minimum EVERY year though

We'll see what happens with the numbers this year, but I wouldn't be surprised to take four. I mentioned that the other day on a different IE thread and was told we'd probably only take three.

 

[dublinirish]

I still think we take 4 and perhaps one being a guy who could play O and D

 

[irishog77]

Yeah, I brought that up. I think taking 4 OL sounds like a pretty good theory...but it's just a theory. Complications arise when you have 16 OL on the roster...with, say, 4 5th year eligible players (who could all be projected starters). So you're looking at 20 OL. That's just way too many, and frankly, not good roster management under an 85 limit.

I think the goal should be to have 12 (very low estimate; and bringing in some that cycle)-15 at all times for sure. Some of that, of course, depends on projected returners, seasoned depth, etc.

 

[PerthDomer]

If we're doing our job recruiting one of those 16 guys is gonna be legit and leave after 3 years. One guy from each class will go pro in four. two or three probably are injured every year. Also, the freshmen won't be starting. So you have 16 guys capable of playing. Subtract one 5th year and one senior that's 14. Subtract 3 injuries that's 11. Enough to make exactly 2 OL's which is good for practice depth.

This isn't counting transfers due to numbers etc. It makes sense to recruit 4 a year. Some of our guys will be busts, some injured, some be so good we don't have em long.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

If we're doing our job recruiting one of those 16 guys is gonna be legit and leave after 3 years. One guy from each class will go pro in four. two or three probably are injured every year. Also, the freshmen won't be starting. So you have 16 guys capable of playing. Subtract one 5th year and one senior that's 14. Subtract 3 injuries that's 11. Enough to make exactly 2 OL's which is good for practice depth.

This isn't counting transfers due to numbers etc. It makes sense to recruit 4 a year. Some of our guys will be busts, some injured, some be so good we don't have em long.

That sounds good in theory but when was the last time ND had an OL leave after 3 years? Losing a player to injury is a more likely scenario.

 

[PerthDomer]

I'm saying under Hiestand one guy in every 4 classes is good enough to pull a Tuitt. So you do not trust in Hiestand? (I'd guess that OL are on average from more affluent families/smarter/take longer to develop so it's rarer than at othe positions.)

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I'm saying under Hiestand one guy in every 4 classes is good enough to pull a Tuitt. So you do not trust in Hiestand? (I'd guess that OL are on average from more affluent families/smarter/take longer to develop so it's rarer than at othe positions.)

I trust in Hiestand. However, OL is not a position that typically leaves early. Most of the time they red shirt and at least stay their 4 years. Maybe that will change under Hiestand. But with the depth he is building, a lot more guys will be on the scout team their freshman season. Maybe an Elmer will be the exception but he seems the type to get his degree. Everyone says OL are the smartest on the field so it makes sense that the would get their degree before going pro.

 

[Cpnd1]

@JHopkins247: Newbury Park (Calif.) 4-star OL @_Z79_ tells me he will visit #Oregon 3/3 - Will visit #ND late March Zach Okun @TomLoy247

 

[STLDomer]

@JHopkins247: Newbury Park (Calif.) 4-star OL @_Z79_ tells me he will visit #Oregon 3/3 - Will visit #ND late March Zach Okun @TomLoy247

Coaches clinic??

 

[BeauBenken]

Coaches clinic??

That's what I would assume.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Would love to close out OL for '15 with one of Zach or Reno Rosene.

 

[IrishLax]

Honestly don't even think we should be recruiting him. Plenty of comparable players not from Southern California that will be both easier pulls and holds.

 

[PerthDomer]

Staff likes him and he's an O Lineman. O Linemen tend to hold.

 

[dublinirish]

Honestly don't even think we should be recruiting him. Plenty of comparable players not from Southern California that will be both easier pulls and holds.

he is a ND fan though right?

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Top 6 (tenative)
Arizona
Arizona State
Cal
Miami
Notre Dame
Oregon</p>— Okun, Zooch (@_Z79_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Z79_/statuses/434858533662638080">February 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ThePiombino]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Top 6 (tenative)
Arizona
Arizona State
Cal
Miami
Notre Dame
Oregon</p>— Okun, Zooch (@_Z79_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Z79_/statuses/434858533662638080">February 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

lol @ tentative