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

[GoldenToTheGrave]

He's a stud if he's on offense or defense. There's a good chance this move is the result of a logjam at the slot position, which is a good problem to have.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

He can be a real thumper back there in the secondary. I like the move.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

A member here passed on the info to me very graciously. But yes, a great move and surprised it didnt happen to start his career.

 

[aubeirish]

Love it. That kid has everything to be an all-american Safety. Size, speed, intelligence, great ball skills, and he is an absolute ferocious hitter. This is an awesome move.

 

[IrishLax]

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.

Actually that info didn't originate from TP. If the person who "knew this month ago" wants to come forward and take their bow, they deserve a round of applause. They also had a bunch of other great info that they shared with the Onwualu news.

 

[irishfan]

I am speculating.

Gotta agree here. We have 5 guys with legit experience at Safety (Redfield, Shumate, Baratti, Collinsworth, Hardy) plus guys like Riggs and Farley who could play in a pinch.

I really like the move for the future, but we've got to RS him. I don't see him getting significant PT and I'd hate to see him burn a year on special teams.

 

[#1rish]

What the S depth chart look like now?

Redfield
Shumate
Hardy
Collinsworth
Onwualu
Baratti

 

[koonja]

What the S depth chart look like now?

Redfield
Shumate
Hardy
Collinsworth
Onwualu
Baratti

Pain.

 

[Ironman8]

Actually that info didn't originate from TP. If the person who "knew this month ago" wants to come forward and take their bow, they deserve a round of applause. They also had a bunch of other great info that they shared with the Onwualu news.

Yeah haha TP just reminded me of that. Brain fart on my part. I don't think he wants his name out there, but he knows who he is. Crushed that news.

 

[Emcee77]

Yeah haha TP just reminded me of that. Brain fart on my part. I don't think he wants his name out there, but he knows who he is. Crushed that news.

Rabasa's buddy irishfan33, trying to get back in our good graces? lol

 

[IrishLion]

What the S depth chart look like now?

Redfield
Shumate
Hardy
Collinsworth
Onwualu
Baratti

My very selfish spring depth chart, strictly for evaluation purposes, would be:

Redfield / Shumate
Onwualu / Baratti
Hardy / Collinsworth

You know you'll get quality-but-not-great play from Collinsworth, and Hardy looked pretty good late last season. But Redfield and Shumate could be freaks back there together so they should get first crack to lock down the top spots.

After that, I would like to see Onwualu get a chance at 2nd team reps right away just to see how he looks, and I would like to see Baratti alongside him to see if he can pick up where he left off before getting hurt.

 

[IrishLax]

Yeah haha TP just reminded me of that. Brain fart on my part. I don't think he wants his name out there, but he knows who he is. Crushed that news.

The funniest thing is that the person-to-be-named actually knew about this move before Onwualu did. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing I'm not sure LOL.

 

[IrishLion]

The funniest thing is that the person-to-be-named actually knew about this move before Onwualu did. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing I'm not sure LOL.

Oh come on you're killing me. I would love to know who on IE had knowledge of the position move before the player himself.

 

[Emcee77]

Oh come on you're killing me. I would love to know who on IE had knowledge of the position move before the player himself.

Seriously. If for no other reason than that he deserves to be considered for Insider of the Year.

 

[Ironman8]

Oh come on you're killing me. I would love to know who on IE had knowledge of the position move before the player himself.

Ok so I got the blessing from the man himself. A few weeks ago NDinLA told us that this was a done deal but couldn't go public with it for several reasons (one of which you noted), along with a few other tidbits he heard through his great sources.

 

[ryno 24]

He is always on top of it. I know he has some people that disagree with him on this board, but he gives to this board more than is necessary and I appreciate it.

 

[ndfi78]

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.!

Listed as a Safety on the spring roster.

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

Not trying to pick on you Bog, just thought this was funny.

 

[ulukinatme]

He is always on top of it. I know he has some people that disagree with him on this board, but he gives to this board more than is necessary and I appreciate it.

Definitely, I always appreciate any insight or hints that NDinLA drops when he's around.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not trying to pick on you Bog, just thought this was funny.

That is funny! How things change in three or four months!

Hey, wait a minute! That is where Kelly got the idea, he was reading my posts again!

 

[Luckylucci]

So TJ just posted that this was JO's idea. He asked for the move with the blessing of BK and the defensive staff. He thought it best fit his abilities and long term fit in the program and future as a NFL prospect.

 

[PANDFAN]

Actually that info didn't originate from TP. If the person who "knew this month ago" wants to come forward and take their bow, they deserve a round of applause. They also had a bunch of other great info that they shared with the Onwualu news.

Yeah haha TP just reminded me of that. Brain fart on my part. I don't think he wants his name out there, but he knows who he is. Crushed that news.

 

[irishfan]

Ok so I got the blessing from the man himself. A few weeks ago NDinLA told us that this was a done deal but couldn't go public with it for several reasons (one of which you noted), along with a few other tidbits he heard through his great sources.

overrated

 

[Bogtrotter07]

So TJ just posted that this was JO's idea. He asked for the move with the blessing of BK and the defensive staff. He thought it best fit his abilities and long term fit in the program and future as a NFL prospect.

Probably was. Gossip tends to get rearranged. A bit. But it doesn't matter, and we probably will never know. Both sides could have had the idea.

The point that is important is that there are some position changes being made around here. The amount, the shakeup, tend to make me think that A) BVG has BK's ear, and trust; B) Other coaches are supporting this and working together as a team, specifically as this relates to the new coordinators; C) This is the kind of thing that moves a program forward, from a better utilization of players, to increased motivation, as in a player can earn a roster spot. I cannot wait to see what comes of all of this!

PS. Kelly has had real good results in his past position moves, hasn't he?

 

[Emcee77]

So TJ just posted that this was JO's idea. He asked for the move with the blessing of BK and the defensive staff. He thought it best fit his abilities and long term fit in the program and future as a NFL prospect.

Hmm, interesting. The bolded def rings true to me. No doubt J Walls could be an outstanding WR for us but his body type says safety more than WR.

 

[Pachuco]

I like the move to safety, though his blocking abilities will be missed on offense. I also agree with Ironman that James is one of my favorite players. The kid just loves the game, and it showed even in those relatively few minutes he played last season. Very excited to see how this plays out.

Do we know for sure if they will RS him though? For some reason, I don't see this happening.

 

[PANDFAN]

I like the move to safety, though his blocking abilities will be missed on offense. I also agree with Ironman that James is one of my favorite players. The kid just loves the game, and it showed even in those relatively few minutes he played last season. Very excited to see how this plays out.

Do we know for sure if they will RS him though? For some reason, I don't see this happening.

I know you don't want to typically waste a year for special teams coverage and all, but his speed and toughness is necessary on kickoff coverage...we SUCKED

 

[Bogtrotter07]

How much of this do you see as Justin Brent showing up, with his abilities?

And, why couldn't JO contribute situationally this year?

 

[Emcee77]

How much of this do you see as Justin Brent showing up, with his abilities?

Oh man, that's a really good point. Brent can fill a similar role as a physical WR. Kelly was just saying in his presser how during drills he (Brent) went the wrong way and took Chris Brown's head off in an accidental collision. They actually had to reattach Brown's head. (That's almost a direct quote from Kelly, lol.)

 

[Ironman8]

The redshirting point was not so much about James not being physically or even mentally ready to play this year. If he had to play Safety this year I am sure he would be pretty good in that role with his size, demeanor and athleticism.

The point about his redishirting and why I think it makes sense is because of the logjam currently at safety, the amount of veteran players we have there now, the fact that we took 1 in 2 years combined the past 2 years, and the belief that James is a 5 year type player and could benefit personally and professionally from 5 years in the football program + the ND graduate program of his choice. Those are an awful lot of factors that all point to him preserving a year of eligibility at a new position as being the best course of action for both him and the team, and have nothing to do with his skill level or talent.

 

[Pachuco]

I know you don't want to typically waste a year for special teams coverage and all, but his speed and toughness is necessary on kickoff coverage...we SUCKED

You nailed it. He's desperately needed there for the sake of the team until proven otherwise.