'13 FL RB Greg Bryant (R.I.P.)

[woolybug25]

Ok but you gotta remember the top 5 rushing teams in the country are all option teams or the veer. I love the potential of Bryant and what Folston has shown but how can you put them in the top 5. Gurley or Marshall would be starting for ND. Georgia 3rd string back in Michel would get major carries for ND this year.

3 out of the top 5 rushing teams from last year don't run an option or a veer.

Facts are facts. If you are going to be so definitive about others being soooo wrong about their opinions, then you could at least speak in facts. I'm not saying that Georgia doesn't have talented running backs, but no one was arguing you about that. They were just voicing their opinion of where they think ND could rank in rushing next year.

You are disputing those opinions with incorrect claims.

 

[koonja]

Ok but you gotta remember the top 5 rushing teams in the country are all option teams or the veer. I love the potential of Bryant and what Folston has shown but how can you put them in the top 5. Gurley or Marshall would be starting for ND. Georgia 3rd string back in Michel would get major carries for ND this year.

I completely agree that bama and Georgia will have a better 1-2 punch. But I think Folston will be good enough to be an every down back and GB is a freak in waiting IMO.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

What 5 RB tandems are guaranteed to be better than Folston/Bryant?

I'm not just going to list tandems because that does not equal a top 5 rushing attack. At all.

Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon
Alex Collins
Mike Davis
TJ Yeldon
Ameer Abdullah
Jeremy Langford
David Cobb
Brandon Chatmon

Also Oregon, who has (I believe) all of their offensive line returning and Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner at RB (not to mention Mariota). All are more proven than Bryant and Folston. I am extremely excited for Bryant/Folston, but I need proof before I drink the koolaid.

 

[koonja]

Top 5 running back tandem in the country this up and coming season!

I'm not just going to list tandems because that does not equal a top 5 rushing attack. At all.

Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon
Alex Collins
Mike Davis
TJ Yeldon
Ameer Abdullah
Jeremy Langford
David Cobb
Brandon Chatmon

Also Oregon, who has (I believe) all of their offensive line returning and Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner at RB (not to mention Mariota). All are more proven than Bryant and Folston. I am extremely excited for Bryant/Folston, but I need proof before I drink the koolaid.

Check the OP (quoted). I thought we were talking tandem. Well at least I was. This is mostly subjective, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bryant/Folston are a top 5 tandem, or if you want to expand it to include Cam and Amir, top 5 rushing attack in the country.

Obviously Georgia and Bama will be two of the best (although Keith Marshall isn't impressive IMO), but there's still 3 spots after that and like I said, Folston is good enough to be an every down back and I just think Greg is going to be electric and HUNGRY.

Plus our OL looks like it will be very good, and with Golson back, there will be no crowding the box. Pour me some Kool aid!

 

[woolybug25]

I'm not just going to list tandems because that does not equal a top 5 rushing attack. At all.

Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon
Alex Collins
Mike Davis
TJ Yeldon
Ameer Abdullah
Jeremy Langford
David Cobb
Brandon Chatmon

Also Oregon, who has (I believe) all of their offensive line returning and Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner at RB (not to mention Mariota). All are more proven than Bryant and Folston. I am extremely excited for Bryant/Folston, but I need proof before I drink the koolaid.

So all of the teams those guys play on will be higher ranked rushing attacks? Top 5 at that?

Because none of those guys were in top 5 rushing attacks last year, just like Notre Dame. That's all i'm sayin'...

 

[GoIrish41]

Offensive line has to enter into the equasion. ND's line is going to be pretty good next year and that can make a huge difference in how good the RBs are going to be.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Check the OP (quoted). I thought we were talking tandem. Well at least I was. This is mostly subjective, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bryant/Folston are a top 5 tandem, or if you want to expand it to include Cam and Amir, top 5 rushing attack in the country.

I mean, none of us know, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have a top 5 rushing attack with those two next year.

If you are talking about top 5 tandem, fine. I'm not going to argue. But you also said top 5 rushing attack. I would rather have a top 5 rushing attack than a top 5 tandem. And I don't think we have proven that we have one yet.

 

[woolybug25]

If you are talking about top 5 tandem, fine. I'm not going to argue. But you also said top 5 rushing attack. I would rather have a top 5 rushing attack than a top 5 tandem. And I don't think we have proven that we have one yet.

But then you listed a bunch of guys that, none of which, were in top 5 rushing attacks last year.

amirite?

 

[koonja]

If you are talking about top 5 tandem, fine. I'm not going to argue. But you also said top 5 rushing attack. I would rather have a top 5 rushing attack than a top 5 tandem. And I don't think we have proven that we have one yet.

You're right, I did confuse the two. But I wouldn't be surprised anyway we spin it. I think our RBs will have a great season.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

So all of the teams those guys play on will be higher ranked rushing attacks? Top 5 at that?

Because none of those guys were in top 5 rushing attacks last year, just like Notre Dame. That's all i'm sayin'...

I see what you're saying. But for my own sanity and 2014 expectations, I cannot argue that we are going to have a top 5 rushing attack with Folston and Bryant as our 1-2. I just can't, even though I can't 100% say what teams would be ahead of us. I can just give you guys who are more proven.

 

[woolybug25]

I see what you're saying. But for my own sanity and 2014 expectations, I cannot argue that we are going to have a top 5 rushing attack with Folston and Bryant as our 1-2. I just can't, even though I can't 100% say what teams would be ahead of us. I can just give you guys who are more proven.

Yeah. I can't do it either.

 

[GBdomer]

Wooly I get what you are saying. Who are your top 5 running tandems next year? I just wanted to know why people thought ND was gonna be top 5. Who are your top 5?

I guess I'm just confused on Greg Bryant who doesn't even have 5 carries and Folston who has maybe started a handful of games is gonna turn us into a top 5 attack

 

[koonja]

Wooly I get what you are saying. Who are your top 5 running tandems next year? I just wanted to know why people thought ND was gonna be top 5. Who are your top 5?

I guess I'm just confused on Greg Bryant who doesn't even have 5 carries and Folston who has maybe started a handful of games is gonna turn us into a top 5 attack

This is college, and the shelf life is short. Devin Funches had what, 9 receptions his freshman year? I didn't need to see 12 starts out of him to know he was going to be good his sophomore year. Do you really need Derick Henry to get a bunch of starts under his belt, or even carries to realize he will be an absolute beast this year? I certainly don't.

Talent is apparent and not hard to recognize when it's excellent. QBs aside, you don't need an entire season of full time reps to know someone is going to be special in college football.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I'm not just going to list tandems because that does not equal a top 5 rushing attack. At all.

Todd Gurley
Melvin Gordon
Alex Collins
Mike Davis
TJ Yeldon
Ameer Abdullah
Jeremy Langford
David Cobb
Brandon Chatmon

Also Oregon, who has (I believe) all of their offensive line returning and Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner at RB (not to mention Mariota). All are more proven than Bryant and Folston. I am extremely excited for Bryant/Folston, but I need proof before I drink the koolaid.

This is where I'm at. I personally think the only way you can say that Folston and Bryant will be a top 5 duo next year is if you are drinking some alcohol-infused ND Kool-aid. Think about it this way:

*The two guys we are talking about (Bryant and Folston) bring back 470 yds.

* Oregon, Georgia, and Bama are a given. Loaded.
* Arkansas' top 2 backs bring back 1,926 yards next year.
* Wisconsin brings back over 2150 yards next year with their top two returners.
* USC brings back 1500 yards, and that's not including the #'s their possibly best back will bring (Justin Davis, who got hurt but was averaging over 6.5 ypc last year).
* Texas brings back almost 1800 yds.
* Missouri, Florida, hell UCLA, etc, all bring WAY more yards back than ND does.

This is just the top of my head. There's a LOT more. And I'm not even including incoming stud freshmen.

All we have is a kid who looked really good last year in limited time (don't even get me started on that), and a redshirt freshman who had trouble with the playbook and got hurt. Yeah, he's got a ton of potential, but other teams have proven guys coming back as well as other young guys with tons of potential. There are a lot more teams that lay claim to having top 5 running back tandems than ND.

Hopefully at the end of next year you guys can shove this post in my face lol...

 

[woolybug25]

Wooly I get what you are saying. Who are your top 5 running tandems next year? I just wanted to know why people thought ND was gonna be top 5. Who are your top 5?

I guess I'm just confused on Greg Bryant who doesn't even have 5 carries and Folston who has maybe started a handful of games is gonna turn us into a top 5 attack

Guess on Top 5 Rushing Teams (no order)
- Auburn
- Navy
- Wisconson
- OSU
- Oregon

I don't have an opinion on tandems specifically. That can be pretty vague, especially if you consider QB/RB tandems like Marshall/Tre Mason last year (it will be interesting to see who replaces Mason this year). There will be 4-5 teams that have ridiculous rushing attacks like that this year too.

 

[GBdomer]

This is college, and the shelf life is short. Devin Funches had what, 9 receptions his freshman year? I didn't need to see 12 starts out of him to know he was going to be good his sophomore year. Do you really need Derick Henry to get a bunch of starts under his belt, or even carries to realize he will be an absolute beast this year? I certainly don't.

Talent is apparent and not hard to recognize when it's excellent. QBs aside, you don't need an entire season of full time reps to know someone is going to be special in college football.

So who would you rather have Derrick Henry or Greg Bryant?

 

[koonja]

So who would you rather have Derrick Henry or Greg Bryant?

Well that's moot, because I've already conceded that Bama will have a better running game than us, but Henry by far. He's a freak.

 

[greyhammer90]

This is college, and the shelf life is short. Devin Funches had what, 9 receptions his freshman year? I didn't need to see 12 starts out of him to know he was going to be good his sophomore year. Do you really need Derick Henry to get a bunch of starts under his belt, or even carries to realize he will be an absolute beast this year? I certainly don't.

Talent is apparent and not hard to recognize when it's excellent. QBs aside, you don't need an entire season of full time reps to know someone is going to be special in college football.

Did you just make sense?

Though I don't agree with us being top 5, I don't think last years production is very relevant to the discussion. Like Keuhnjajala said (WTF is happening) this isn't the NFL. Kids that do nothing one year become household names the next. I thought Manti was simply an above average linebacker his junior year. Senior year he lost some weight, had a good NT, and suddenly was all-world.

 

[koonja]

Golson being back will also really open up the running game. No more extra guys in the box, ever.

I think our defense could be really disappointing next year (the DL scares the hell out of me), but I think our offense could be incredible.

 

[GBdomer]

Well that's moot, because I've already conceded that Bama will have a better running game than us, but Henry by far. He's a freak.

For once I agree with you. Any Wisconsin beer on me

 

[GoIrish41]

Golson being back will also really open up the running game. No more extra guys in the box, ever.

I think our defense could be really disappointing next year (the DL scares the hell out of me), but I think our offense could be incredible.

I don't think the offense will resemble last year's offense, or even the one from the year before. Folston and Bryant will be better than Theo and Cierre, IMO, and a bulkier Golson with a full year of experience under his belt is going to make this Kelly's best QB situation since he arrived at ND -- and probably the best RB situation too. Throw in a solid, experienced OLine and some talented WRs, and I think it is going to be really fun to watch. I share your concern with the D, but I'm taking a wait-and-see approach. I think our secondary will be better, and if we can get some decent play at ILB, who knows what will happen. Just hoping the DL gels and gives us all a pleasant surprise.

 

[koonja]

I don't think the offense will resemble last year's offense, or even the one from the year before. Folston and Bryant will be better than Theo and Cierre, IMO, and a bulkier Golson with a full year of experience under his belt is going to make this Kelly's best QB situation since he arrived at ND -- and probably the best RB situation too. Throw in a solid, experienced OLine and some talented WRs, and I think it is going to be really fun to watch. I share your concern with the D, but I'm taking a wait-and-see approach. I think our secondary will be better, and if we can get some decent play at ILB, who knows what will happen. Just hoping the DL gels and gives us all a pleasant surprise.

TP had a write up on his website about predicting the starting defense. I knew losing Tuitt and Nix would hurt, but I hadn't put much thought into it. When I read that article, it's downright scary the names of players we're going to heavily depend on this year on the DL.

 

[irishfan]

Top 5? We have a RB who ran for 470 (mainly against weak competition), and another one who redshirted. They're both 4-stars (save me the Bryant was a 5-star on Rivals crap, he was a 4-star everywhere else and his film screamed pretty good--not elite. watch bryant's tape, then watch Hood's) with 484 combined yards. Can probably name about 20-30 backfields whose 1-2 RBs we're 4-stars and who have more than 484 career yards.

 

[RuntheBall]

Top 5? We have a RB who ran for 470 (mainly against weak competition), and another one who redshirted. They're both 4-stars (save me the Bryant was a 5-star on Rivals crap, he was a 4-star everywhere else and his film screamed pretty good--not elite. watch bryant's tape, then watch Hood's) with 484 combined yards. Can probably name about 20-30 backfields whose 1-2 RBs we're 4-stars and who have more than 484 career yards.

To be fair, Bryant played football in Florida. Hood played lower division ball in NC, I'm not sure thats a fair comparison when looking at tape.

But I agree with your general point. We could be top 5 backfield. But maybe 20 teams can say that at this juncture. Shit, spring ball hasn't even really started.

 

[ThePiombino]

The fact that we're even having this conversation is pretty encouraging. Obviously, no one can know if they ARE a top-5 tandem, but I think most can agree, given Bryant's and Folston's skills (as well as the talent on the O-line and a truly mobile QB), they CAN be top-5 caliber. Very exciting indeed.

 

[eNDzone]

Top 5? We have a RB who ran for 470 (mainly against weak competition), and another one who redshirted. They're both 4-stars (save me the Bryant was a 5-star on Rivals crap, he was a 4-star everywhere else and his film screamed pretty good--not elite. watch bryant's tape, then watch Hood's) with 484 combined yards. Can probably name about 20-30 backfields whose 1-2 RBs we're 4-stars and who have more than 484 career yards.

You have to take into account that Golsen should be another running back that only needs to run when the time presents itself. I think that is going to open some holes for the RBs that they didn't have last year.

 

[Cackalacky]

To be fair, Bryant played football in Florida. Hood played lower division ball in NC, I'm not sure thats a fair comparison when looking at tape.

But I agree with your general point. We could be top 5 backfield. But maybe 20 teams can say that at this juncture. Shit, spring ball hasn't even really started.

While I agree Charlotte Catholic is not in a difficult conference, I watched Hood a few times last year and can say he is a s physically gifted as anyone on our current roster. He could have easily pushed for starting time this year. He pretty much dominated the Shrine Bowl once given the chance (which is against pretty much solid D-I guys), by scoring three TDs and gaining like 7 yards a carry. His yards after contact were ridiculous. However, Mason Rudolph dominated the whole game and NC lost.

If he was in this class there is no doubt we would have a top 5 running game.

 

[rocket66]

Tough crowd. In all honesty when is the last time we have seen this much talent at the RB position at ND? Folston/Bryant/Carlisle....and McDaniel are as talented a group as I can remember.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

A little harsh on Greg...

The guys tape was pretty elite in my book. He doesn't have the top end speed, but rarely do I see high school running backs prefer to take it through the holes than just bounce it outside.

Great hits the holes great in his film, and that translates better to college than "fast rbs" who just bounce it outside and beat up on inferior high school talent.

Top 5? We have a RB who ran for 470 (mainly against weak competition), and another one who redshirted. They're both 4-stars (save me the Bryant was a 5-star on Rivals crap, he was a 4-star everywhere else and his film screamed pretty good--not elite. watch bryant's tape, then watch Hood's) with 484 combined yards. Can probably name about 20-30 backfields whose 1-2 RBs we're 4-stars and who have more than 484 career yards.

 

[IrishLion]

A little harsh on Greg...

The guys tape was pretty elite in my book. He doesn't have the top end speed, but rarely do I see high school running backs prefer to take it through the holes than just bounce it outside.

Great hits the holes great in his film, and that translates better to college than "fast rbs" who just bounce it outside and beat up on inferior high school talent.

I don't think it was "harsh," just a look at the numbers.

I will refrain from hoping for a top-5 RB tandem in Bryant/Folston, and instead hope that the offense can be balanced in general. And also that the brand new left side of the OL can hold it down... or else there won't be holes for the studs to run through either way.