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

[Luckylucci]

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?

There have been changes like this almost every year in the BK era like this. I like these moves but lets not act like this is some new era we marching into. As long as BK is the HC we'll recruit skill, big skill, etc. and put those players where they are going to best help the team. Nothing new on that front.

 

[woolybug25]

There have been changes like this almost every year in the BK era like this. I like these moves but lets not act like this is some new era we marching into. As long as BK is the HC we'll recruit skill, big skill, etc. and put those players where they are going to best help the team. Nothing new on that front.

Except Diaco of course... who demanded specific measurements for specific positions. He certainly got away from the philosophy above.

 

[Emcee77]

There have been changes like this almost every year in the BK era like this. I like these moves but lets not act like this is some new era we marching into. As long as BK is the HC we'll recruit skill, big skill, etc. and put those players where they are going to best help the team. Nothing new on that front.

Yep. The funny thing about it is that BK has been around long enough that it's almost as if the changes are circular at this point ... Prosise came in as a safety, impressed with his ball skills and elusiveness on the scout team, and got moved to WR, relieving some overcrowding at safety. Onwualu came in as a WR, impressed with his physicality on special teams and got moved to safety -- which we could do in part because Prosise moved from safety to WR. My head hurts.

 

[Emcee77]

Except Diaco of course... who demanded specific measurements for specific positions. He certainly got away from the philosophy above.

Right, according to Diaco, we recruit skill (but not less than 6'0"), big skill (but not smaller than 6'4") and power (but not smaller than 6'6", unless you are Louis Nix) ....

(imagined convo between Diaco and Kelly, Kelly's parts omitted -- )

...No, there's plenty of guys like that out there ...

... No, one DB, one LB and one DL per year is fine, with preferred walk-ons .... oh it isn't?? Oh, well I'll get Elston and Cooks on it. Also, stop stealing my linebackers to use as tight ends; when I only get one a year it kills me.

 

[koonja]

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

Yep. I would love for him to RS, but he very well could be our best ST coverage guy this year too. I hope it happens, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

There have been changes like this almost every year in the BK era like this. I like these moves but lets not act like this is some new era we marching into. As long as BK is the HC we'll recruit skill, big skill, etc. and put those players where they are going to best help the team. Nothing new on that front.

How many a year? Niklas, Prosise, Farley, and what other significant ones, and that was when Kelly was building the program. Who has moved from safety to corner? And who from running back to wide receiver, for that matter?

I think the common themes are two : New defensive coordinator reevaluated everyone's defensive abilities; Kelly & staff telling a whole lot of middling players, up your game or stake out your claim on the pines. I think a ton of kids were sent a message! More even than those that were moved!

 

[IrishLion]

How many a year? Niklas, Prosise, Farley, and what other significant ones, and that was when Kelly was building the program. Who has moved from safety to corner? And who from running back to wide receiver, for that matter?

I think the common themes are two : New defensive coordinator reevaluated everyone's defensive abilities; Kelly & staff telling a whole lot of middling players, up your game or stake out your claim on the pines. I think a ton of kids were sent a message! More even than those that were moved!

The first "big" position switch for BK at ND was Riddick from RB to WR.

And before the success of the Star/Nickel position on defense, Slaughter had moved from S to CB for a bit.

 

[IrishLax]

Please just ignore my last post. Would clean it up, but I'm on phone which makes it difficult. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Irish#1]

While it makes sense that he could RS and take a year to learn the system, I don't see that happening. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a lot of PT at safety this year.

 

[NDinL.A.]

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.

Thank you sir. I wish I could have posted it but it was off-limits. I will add that, as TP can attest, his older brother is a big influence on his life and is a great dude. Met him one night through TP and dude is salt of the earth. His brother said it was the right move for his pro career, if that becomes a possibility. And I'm not saying he wants to redshirt or anything like that, but he isn't adverse to it...as long as it helps him develop into a very good safety. He understands that a free year towards a Master's at ND is an asset.

I'm interested to see how this works. Last spring and summer I saw him on campus quite a few times, rarely with a shirt on lol, and the kid is swole. Definitely built like a safety.

 

[irishog77]

Thank you sir. I wish I could have posted it but it was off-limits. I will add that, as TP can attest, his older brother is a big influence on his life and is a great dude. His brother said it was the right move for his pro career, if that becomes a possibility. And I'm not saying he wants to redshirt or anything like that, but he isn't adverse to it...as long as it helps him develop into a very good safety. He understands that a free year towards a Master's at ND is an asset.

I'm interested to see how this works. Last spring and summer I saw him on campus quite a few times, rarely with a shirt on lol, and the kid is swole. Definitely built like a safety.

Paging kuehn...

 

[irishog77]

I like this move. I voiced some concern over the depth at S going forward. I know the roster is stacked with depth right now, but probably not in a year or 2 (Tranquil and his position uncertainty plays a role in this...as well as some concern if he would actually be a better player at S or LB).

Him moving to S could really help the team out in the future. If he helps out sooner-- great...but I expect this to really start paying dividends in '15, '16, maybe in '17 too.

 

[WestCoast]

Last spring and summer I saw him on campus quite a few times, rarely with a shirt on lol, and the kid is swole. Definitely built like a safety.

You can take the man out of Hollywood, but you can't take the [West] Hollywood out of the man?

 

[Emcee77]

I like this move. I voiced some concern over the depth at S going forward. I know the roster is stacked with depth right now, but probably not in a year or 2 (Tranquil and his position uncertainty plays a role in this...as well as some concern if he would actually be a better player at S or LB).

Him moving to S could really help the team out in the future. If he helps out sooner-- great...but I expect this to really start paying dividends in '15, '16, maybe in '17 too.

It's a great point. We wanted a safety in the 2014 recruiting class if we could get the right one, but it didn't work out. This helps to make up for it.

 

[koonja]

Thank you sir. I wish I could have posted it but it was off-limits. I will add that, as TP can attest, his older brother is a big influence on his life and is a great dude. Met him one night through TP and dude is salt of the earth. His brother said it was the right move for his pro career, if that becomes a possibility. And I'm not saying he wants to redshirt or anything like that, but he isn't adverse to it...as long as it helps him develop into a very good safety. He understands that a free year towards a Master's at ND is an asset.

I'm interested to see how this works. Last spring and summer I saw him on campus quite a few times, rarely with a shirt on lol, and the kid is swole. Definitely built like a safety.

Paging kuehn...

PM me.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Shows how loaded Kelly thinks we are in the receiving corps.

Onwualu is a great athlete; hope he has the instincts... great safety play comes more from great instincts than mere athleticism, just like a great ILB.

 

[Luckylucci]

How many a year? Niklas, Prosise, Farley, and what other significant ones, and that was when Kelly was building the program. Who has moved from safety to corner? And who from running back to wide receiver, for that matter?

I think the common themes are two : New defensive coordinator reevaluated everyone's defensive abilities; Kelly & staff telling a whole lot of middling players, up your game or stake out your claim on the pines. I think a ton of kids were sent a message! More even than those that were moved!

Choosing specific position to position switches means nothing IMO. Clearly we are moving certain players so it opens spots for some younger guys. Bryant and Redfield specifically but this is exactly what BK does. I find it funny that we go through this every year and some try and act like this is something new or different. Nope same old Kelly being Kelly. He wants the best athletes on the field at the best positions to help the team. Making this about BVG is pretty silly really. Redfield played in the bowl game before BVG even knew who he was. Kelly's been raving about Bryant for a long time. Also, Bjax was a converted WR to CB. KR was a converted RB to CB. This is Kelly's MO.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Here my thoughts on this move

Safety gets a athletic, strong, physical, smart, and a kid that has the mentality to play safety. He replaces Farley who isnt athletic, strong, physical but had the brains to play safety. Farley was hurt last year, and his play suffered.

Baratti is a natural Safety but it is to be determined if he can get past the injury bug.

Hardy may have actually had the best overall play last year at Safety, but can he get it together off the field?

Shumate has the tools but he struggled with Day 1 stuff last year. Kid played great at times in spurts, but then also looked really lost.

Collinsworth is a 5th year guy who is serviceable but he isnt going to consistently make enough plays to be a game changer and thats what ND is looking for.

Redfield got acclimated with the D and only the staff knows where he truly is.

So Onwualu gives them a kid that fits what they need back there, and ideally you would like to see him RS this year, get mentally ready for 2015 and just soak in every part of the position. Will he RS? Im not sure. He played great spteams last year and that cant be underestimated, but if you can find someone to fill that role, then by all means let him do it.

Onwualu can then use the year to grow into the spot. Academically, he can graduate as a "junior" and get in a 2 year gradschool program, or take a lighter load graduate in 4 years and then enroll in a 1 year program for his 5th. Makes a lot of sense academically and on the field wise.

 

[Rhode Irish]

When I first saw this earlier today, I was a little confused and not totally sure about the move. I thought James could be a good WR and I guess had just become comfortable with him there. In other words, I didn't think he was a guy who *needed* a position change, unlike a guy like Farley who probably had to move to have any chance to see the field.

Thinking about it more throughout the day and reading others' thoughts here, I'm now 100% behind this move. While I think James could have been a good WR, I think his upside at safety is tremendous. If we were starting from scratch I'm pretty sure everyone would think he profiles as a safety based on what we know now. I'm excited to see him back there in the spring game (knowing that is likely the last time we will see him for a year).

 

[IrishLax]

The secondary question here is what does this mean for CJ Prosise? Does this indicate that the staff is still high on Prosise as the big-bodied slot receiver? You'd have to think if Onwualu was showing out better than CJ then he would've stuck at WR. By all accounts, Prosise has some dominant moments in fall camp last year... so it'll be interesting to see if he puts it all together in his second year at the position.

 

[alohagoirish]

K. Russell was shifted from WR to the secondary that was a terrific move , Austin C and B Jackson were shifted from WR to the secondary . The staff appears to have good insight on this type of move. This move could have surprising results.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

Free or Strong Safety? There is a big difference.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The secondary question here is what does this mean for CJ Prosise? Does this indicate that the staff is still high on Prosise as the big-bodied slot receiver? You'd have to think if Onwualu was showing out better than CJ then he would've stuck at WR. By all accounts, Prosise has some dominant moments in fall camp last year... so it'll be interesting to see if he puts it all together in his second year at the position.

Agreed! And then the third question is does this indicate a coaching disposition for Drue Tranquill. I know coaches don't plan for the incoming freshmen, as much as the incoming freshmen are fit into the plan, but didn't Kelly make a point on signing day to the effect, that his position wasn't set, (defense or offense), but that he was going to play?

 

[koonja]

Free or Strong Safety? There is a big difference.

I think he's a much better SS prospect, but I feel like most of our guys are SS, not FS, so IDK.

 

[ryno 24]

Redfield is a free safety he has major ball hawking skills

 

[koonja]

Redfield is a free safety he has major ball hawking skills

Agree but Shummate (although moot because he'll be gone by the time Onowala plays), Baratti, Tranquill, Hardy are all SS's IMO. Redfield is our only true FS.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

The secondary question here is what does this mean for CJ Prosise? Does this indicate that the staff is still high on Prosise as the big-bodied slot receiver? You'd have to think if Onwualu was showing out better than CJ then he would've stuck at WR. By all accounts, Prosise has some dominant moments in fall camp last year... so it'll be interesting to see if he puts it all together in his second year at the position.

I'm telling you I was at the pinstripe bowl so I could see the whole field. CJ was wide open all game come out of the slot. Either he wasn't the primary or secondary WR or Tommy just didn't trust him.


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[IrishLion]

Yeah I think CJ will turn some heads if the offense "airs it out" a bit more with Golson at the helm.

Nothing more than practice video and a couple actual game reps to base my opinion on, but he looked explosive the few times he had the ball in his hands. I'm hoping he and Hunter can form a formidable inside receiver duo (though do we even know for sure that Hunter is working in the slot?).

 

[Domina Nostra]

I'm telling you I was at the pinstripe bowl so I could see the whole field. CJ was wide open all game come out of the slot. Either he wasn't the primary or secondary WR or Tommy just didn't trust him.


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I think you're right. I think we need some more athleticism at OLB/nickel, but Prosise certainly has the tools to be a weapon in the slot, and Riggs buys us some time.

 

[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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This why I love this board. All of this was back in October.