'13 MN WR James Onwualu (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[Cackalacky]

bolt... dafaq is your sig pic man??? lol

In San Francisco that is known as bear.

 

[Fbolt]

lol-Hey, I've been working with my PR guy on a deal with one of these razor companies. I'm always looking for a buck!

Btw-I realized that I wasn't smart enough for the engineering route. I took the easy way to get my honors.

 

[Cackalacky]

lol-Hey, I've been working with my PR guy on a deal with one of these razor companies. I'm always looking for a buck!

Btw-I realized that I wasn't smart enough for the engineering route. I took the easy way to get my honors.

You look fabulous.

 

[Cackalacky]

lol-Hey, I've been working with my PR guy on a deal with one of these razor companies. I'm always looking for a buck!

Btw-I realized that I wasn't smart enough for the engineering route. I took the easy way to get my honors.

.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

My second time around I got a "B". Man was I mad. I thought I got all "A's!" I threw down my grade card and that (stone) tablet shattered into hundreds of pieces . . .

 

[Cackalacky]

Just curious. I saw on another forum that James might make a good ILB since we have little depth there next year. Watching him on ST and as a blocking receiver a couple of times, he does look like he enjoys contact. Any thoughts on this?

 

[EddytoNow]

My second time around I got a "B". Man was I mad. I thought I got all "A's!" I threw down my grade card and that (stone) tablet shattered into hundreds of pieces . . .

I think I remember reading about that in one of the early chiseled editions of the Toledo Blade.

 

[returnofthemack]

Just curious. I saw on another forum that James might make a good ILB since we have little depth there next year. Watching him on ST and as a blocking receiver a couple of times, he does look like he enjoys contact. Any thoughts on this?

Only if he gained about 35 pounds haha. He would get annihilated by a lineman getting to the second level. Also, an MLB has to have great instincts for the position, which is hard to teach a WR. I'd rather see him become a taller version of Golden Tate - a muscular, tough, mean receiver with great hands.

 

[Cackalacky]

Only if he gained about 35 pounds haha. He would get annihilated by a lineman getting to the second level. Also, an MLB has to have great instincts for the position, which is hard to teach a WR. I'd rather see him become a taller version of Golden Tate - a muscular, tough, mean receiver with great hands.

Drue Tranquil is the same size as Onwualu and everyone thinks he would be a good ILB for us assuming he could add weight. Onwualu played DB in HS too.

Anyway it was interesting to think about because he looks very physical on the field. I definitely noticed him during the ASU game.

From an Inside the Irish Piece on him

There’s room on the field for Onwualu immediately, with only TJ Jones and Davaris Daniels proven commodities. After fifteen practices, the coaching staff raved about the freshman’s physicality, and even though Onwualu had never officially lifted weights before heading to South Bend, his work with a performance strength coach had him explosive and ready for the transition to college football.

Where Onwualu slots into the Irish offense should be interesting. He’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife, and could likely grow into a 230-pound guy after a few years in Paul Longo’s strength program. He could find himself as an outside receiver, but was often times at his best as a running back in high school. (Speaking to his high school coach, he thought Onwualu could be a great safety or hybrid OLB as well.)

With the Irish offense still looking to add playmakers in the passing game, Onwualu will likely see the field as a freshman. How big of an impact he makes? That’s the question.

PROJECTING THE FUTURE

The Irish know they got themselves a good leader and football player in Onwualu. Whether that translates to a guy that’s a special teams ace, explosive offensive weapon, or even a defensive player remains to be seen. How big Onwualu grows will play a part in where he ends up playing.

With the slot receiver position continuing to be redefined by the Irish’s personnel and schematic tweaks, using Onwualu as a jumbo sized Z receiver is an intriguing option and probably part of the reason Kelly and his offensive staff visited with Bill Belichick and the Patriots this offseason.

Developing in a elite high school program that provides college-ready players will help Onwualu early in his career. (So will the depth chart.) But how he evolves as a player will likely determine where he makes his mark on this roster.

 

[returnofthemack]

Drue Tranquil is the same size as Onwualu and everyone thinks he would be a good ILB for us assuming he could add weight. Onwualu played DB in HS too.

Anyway it was interesting to think about because he looks very physical on the field. I definitely noticed him during the ASU game.

From an Inside the Irish Piece on him

Oh, ok, didn't know that - I don't really follow recruiting. If he played safety in HS, he'd have an easier time switching, but I don't know if it'd be a good idea for him to tack on mass because he could be a dynamic playmaker like Tate. That's the vibe I get from him.

 

[Cackalacky]

Oh, ok, didn't know that - I don't really follow recruiting. If he played safety in HS, he'd have an easier time switching, but I don't know if it'd be a good idea for him to tack on mass because he could be a dynamic playmaker like Tate. That's the vibe I get from him.

Cool. I want this kid on the field. Just curious what others think.

 

[Emcee77]

Just curious. I saw on another forum that James might make a good ILB since we have little depth there next year. Watching him on ST and as a blocking receiver a couple of times, he does look like he enjoys contact. Any thoughts on this?

Oh man, part of me really loves that idea. Not sure whether he can bulk up enough though. He would have to get north of 240, and that seems like asking a lot, no?

If we are going to move a WR, C.J. Prosise might be a good bet too. He even played some DOG LB last year, and he was recruited to ND to play defense.

John Turner has also played DOG LB for us. I wonder if we might try to bulk him up into an ILB?

All these guys seem a little too small, but so does Tranquill, I guess ...

It will be interesting to see if anyone gets moved. If Kendall Moore and Joe Schmidt can fill in capably, there's no reason to move anybody right away.

 

[koonja]

I've said for a year I think his best position is safety. He seems to like contact but I also imagine he's tough to tackle.

 

[JD Irish]

I definitely agree that he could be a great defensive player. That tackle he made on ST either against ASU or OU was awesome. I think he absolutely looks the part of a safety.

 

[Redbar]

He is just a fearless football player, he would bring that kind of violence anywhere on the field either side of the ball, although I think trying to bulk up and learn the middle linebacker spot would be a tough task at this point. I agree with you all though I can't wait to see more of James in whatever position they utilize him in.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

They are not going to turn James Onwualu into a linebacker or a safety. He is going to be a dominant pass catcher.

His most highly valued skill has been on display this year, and is why his catch total is nil. The guy is a punishing downfield blocker!

Think of it this way, Onwualu, Fuller, Robinson, and Brent. With passes not coming from Rees. Who can stop that thing? Because remember you still have Brown, Daniels, Procise, etc., etc.!

 

[arrowryan]

They are not going to turn James Onwualu into a linebacker or a safety. He is going to be a dominant pass catcher.

His most highly valued skill has been on display this year, and is why his catch total is nil. The guy is a punishing downfield blocker!

Think of it this way, Onwualu, Fuller, Robinson, and Brent. With passes not coming from Rees. Who can stop that thing? Because remember you still have Brown, Daniels, Procise, etc., etc.!

Don't forget about Tori!

 

[Ironman8]

Listed as a Safety on the spring roster.

I like the move. Hope he crushes it there. He is one of my favorites.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Listed as a Safety on the spring roster.

I like the move. Hope he crushes it there. He is one of my favorites.

Interesting...I really liked his potential as a slot/rb on offense though.

 

[koonja]

Listed as a Safety on the spring roster.

I like the move. Hope he crushes it there. He is one of my favorites.

Called it!

 

[ResLife Hero]

I'm actually pretty surprised by the move. I thought he had a solid future on offense, and we have the bodies at safety. Was this a byproduct of him showing something exceptional for defense, or an inability to see meaningful minutes on offense?

 

[Ironman8]

TP is actually the one who nailed this. He knew this was going to happen weeks ago, and told a few on the board. It wasn't made public knowledge because Onwaulu himself didn't even know at the time, but he crushed this one.

I think the move is because Onwaulu could be a monster, punishing safety without sacrificing a lot of athleticism. We can reload way quicker at WR then at Safety, and if Onwaulu takes this year to RS, learn the position, and be eligible for a 5th year now, this could be an amazing move for the long term for both parties.

 

[ResLife Hero]

TP is actually the one who nailed this. He knew this was going to happen weeks ago, and told a few on the board. It wasn't made public knowledge because Onwaulu himself didn't even know at the time, but he crushed this one.

I think the move is because Onwaulu could be a monster, punishing safety without sacrificing a lot of athleticism. We can reload way quicker at WR then at Safety, and if Onwaulu takes this year to RS, learn the position, and be eligible for a 5th year now, this could be an amazing move for the long term for both parties.

If he's willing to sit a year and learn the position, then hell yes this is a great move.

 

[koonja]

Last year just watching him block but not get involved in the receiving game, you could tell he liked contact a lot but was a bit awkward as a WR. Kind of a RB with height if that makes any sense.

Love this move and think he will be really good at it.

 

[Ironman8]

If he's willing to sit a year and learn the position, then hell yes this is a great move.

If anyone would be willing to do it, it would be James. He is the ultimate team player, and truly loves everything ND and 'gets it'.

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Excited to be getting the opportunity to show my talents on the defensive side of the ball! Lookin to… <a href="http://t.co/s6M9NYjRYm">http://t.co/s6M9NYjRYm</a></p>— James Onwualu (@J_Walls) <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Walls/statuses/439423696013635585">February 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Emcee77]

I'm actually pretty surprised by the move. I thought he had a solid future on offense, and we have the bodies at safety. Was this a byproduct of him showing something exceptional for defense, or an inability to see meaningful minutes on offense?

The way Kelly explained it, it is kind of an experiment. Kelly just loved his physicality last season and thinks he is the sort of athlete who could be a great safety, but listening to the presser I had the impression that Kelly is more evaluating his potential at safety than anything else. If he doesn't look great in the spring or if we need more help at WR than he thinks, I think he will move back. WR is the easiest position to learn and requires the least experience, so losing those practices at WR is not the huge loss to James's development it would be at other positions.

 

[koonja]

Didn't he go to school with one of our current defensive recruits for 2015? Is it Jashon Cornell? If they're friends, wonder if this is a + for Jashon - playing on same side of ball as Onowala.

 

[Irish#1]

TP is actually the one who nailed this. He knew this was going to happen weeks ago, and told a few on the board. It wasn't made public knowledge because Onwaulu himself didn't even know at the time, but he crushed this one.

I think the move is because Onwaulu could be a monster, punishing safety without sacrificing a lot of athleticism. We can reload way quicker at WR then at Safety, and if Onwaulu takes this year to RS, learn the position, and be eligible for a 5th year now, this could be an amazing move for the long term for both parties.

Was RS discussed or are you speculating that this might happen?

 

[Ironman8]

Was RS discussed or are you speculating that this might happen?

I am speculating.