'15 CT TE Chris Clark (Pitt Verbal That Will Stick For Sure)

[gkIrish]

I think the ideal TE candidate for the 2015 cycle is one that is willing to redshirt. Has Clark spoken to this point? I would guess he wouldn't want to do that.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I said awhile ago that I think the staff could skip this position altogether this cycle.

If they do sign somebody, I'd kind of like to see them sign some kid that is 6'6 and a freak athlete...maybe even some kid that just started playing football or we've never heard of-- take a total flier on an athletic kid and spend 2 or 3 years developing him.

I think they can pass on the TE that is more or less a bigger WR playing TE. I do think they need a guy that can be a in-line blocker first that is still a pass threat.

 

[PANDFAN]

I think they can pass on the TE that is more or less a bigger WR playing TE. I do think they need a guy that can be a in-line blocker first that is still a pass threat.

smythe is a bigger guy that they plan to continue to beef up....luatua is another he WANTS to be that guy...hoping he can....but that is 2 that will be here for 4 and 5 years POTENTIALLY....

then as the flex guys--heurman, weishar,

so i wouldn't mind a top guy coming in regardless of flex, inline...of course those that can do both is the BEST option

 

[woolybug25]

smythe is a bigger guy that they plan to continue to beef up....luatua is another he WANTS to be that guy...hoping he can....but that is 2 that will be here for 4 and 5 years POTENTIALLY....

then as the flex guys--heurman, weishar,

so i wouldn't mind a top guy coming in regardless of flex, inline...of course those that can do both is the BEST option

Just so i'm clear. That is pretty much what the recruiting sites are saying this kid is, right? A top 5 TE with great size and speed?

 

[PANDFAN]

Just so i'm clear. That is pretty much what the recruiting sites are saying this kid is, right? A top 5 TE with great size and speed?

yes! some had reservations over this kid due to decommit/needing an inline 1st te but he is good at both so he is a great piece to add...i was just reinforcing when you can HOPEFULLY reel in a kid w/ his skill set/measurables you go all in....sorry im not very clear all the time w/ my thoughts...

OVERALL TRAITS
Size-Strength-Speed
Nice combination of height and bulk at this stage with frame that looks capable of supporting additional good mass with time in a college weight program. Displays adequate strength and top-end speed is average-to-slightly above average for size.
Separation Skills/Big Play Ability
Flashes a good burst and not a true vertical threat, but enough speed to challenge downfield. Height and leaping ability make can make him a tough match-up and a red-zone target. Has experience lining up in various alignments. Needs to continue to develop as a route runner, but flashes good ability to work through traffic. Isn't overly elusive, but good size and runs hard and flashes some ability to make the first defender miss.
Ball Skills
Good hands and confident pass catcher that displays ability to consistently snatch the ball away from him frame. Displays good body control and can adjust well to throws outside his frame.
Blocking
Gives good effort and has good size to develop into an effective in-line blocker. Needs to continue to work on placement, but active with hands and works for positioning. Flashes ability to come off and deliver a solid initial pop, but needs to work on footwork and continue to driving his knees at contact. Needs to continue to improve angles, but can effectively cover up second level targets.
Bottom Line
Clark is a tight end with good size and athleticism and has shown improvement with continued upside. Still aspects of his game to develop, but possesses good tools to work with and can grow into a very good and well-rounded college TE.


again NOT great at 1 thing but has all the tools to be...more versatile of a te the better

 

[Me2SouthBend]

It's not the safest bet, but that's not to say it's a terrible idea. Again, not what I would do and I'd advise against it. It all comes down to what's important to the kid.

Over 50% of small businesses fail. Does that mean anyone who leaves their day job to venture into the entrepreneurial arena is making a horrible choice? No.

If he thinks a state school will allow him to focus on football more, and doesn't really care to get the best possible education his offers allow him, and he's as talented as Clark is, then I understand his choice.

Not what my kid would do, but if you're uber-talented and want to focus on it, I get it. Otherwise, every kid would come to ND. Well, unless of course they were offered by Stanford .

Kind of a moot point, because at ND it's pretty obvious you can maximize your talents on the field if you're a TE and get a great degree.

Dude, I'm not going to get into a back and forth on this, I'll make this post and leave it. It is a horrible idea no if and or buts. The list of top players (recruits) that don't make it for health reasons that are not necessarily football or contact related (Spond, Carrico, Tate Nichols, etc.etc ) or those that suffer major injuries that alter their ability (think Marcus Lattimore, Jarrett Grace or any of a host of others) the numbers just don't make sense. The chance of these kids actually making it to the NFL are so slim it's mind blowing.

I understand "it's not what you would want your kid to do" but that is irrelevant to the discussion. A kid that has a future planned around making a living in the NFL will be unsuccessful more than 90% of the time, regardless of their skill level. If they are lucky and make the league, they are fortunate but counting on making enough $ out of whatever time they are there is even a greater reach. It makes no sense.

 

[Grahambo]

I don't care if 90% don't make it through but I'm willing to give those a shot who think they can make it through. As others have stated TE is a position we can afford to take a flier on.

Come on down Chris.

 

[rikkitikki08]

If this kid wants to commit to ND the coaching staff will allow it, if he decommits than so be it. Its a chance i am positive the coaching staff is willing to take

 

[koonja]

I hate that I follow recruiting.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>All the paper work filled out for 5 star challenge excited to catch some passes from <a href="https://twitter.com/BlakeBarnett_8">@BlakeBarnett_8</a> &#55357;&#56397;&#55357;&#56397;&#55357;&#56397;</p>— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) <a href="https://twitter.com/Clark8Chris/statuses/456263051696930816">April 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishLion]

Someone save all the "do not want" posts just in case lol.

 

[johnnycando]

Can't wait to see the reaction if he commits to ND. How many people don't want him because you think he might be a head ache. But when he commits he's back to being a Notre Dame man and a RKG

I knew that like, 6 weeks ago.

RKG to douche at the flip of a switch.

Told you ND fans were so- uh: unRKG.

 

[GBdomer]

I knew that like, 6 weeks ago.

RKG to douche at the flip of a switch.

Told you ND fans were so- uh: unRKG.

Feel better after that.
Just let it go man I'm here if you need to talk.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I knew that like, 6 weeks ago.

RKG to douche at the flip of a switch.

Told you ND fans were so- uh: unRKG.

I was one that wanted to boycott this thread. I said exactly that. I will tell you frankly what I think. I am tired of the guys that come to ND with a silver spoon up their ass. Sorry for mixing metaphors. They are the ones that become contraindicated to good leadership and winning for a program. But I also admitted that I had no idea what was going on with this kid. He could be anything from a lazy or spoiled kid as some have indicated (I don't know how you would know) to a kid with a learning disability, which a certain defensive tackle and a certain cornerback, neither of whom made it at ND were.

So if I were the coaches, and I am glad I am not, nor do I inject myself into that world, I would lay out a clear path for this kid. It would go like this : "We would love to have you, you have special skills and may fit well in our program. But remember we have several like you, and there are more than a few who would like the spot we are considering for you. Here is what it takes for you to win the spot; 1, 2, 3, etc., . . . If you do these things you will put yourself in a position to play. At ND we play athletes that are ready. I would then show him statistics, and explain the philosophy of the staff, from next man in to multiple packages, (I truly believe that BK would play as many of the 85 as possible if they could all contribute.)

If the kid came through I would acknowledge and reward him. But I would tell him I was going into this whole arrangement with a contingency plan.

Now it turns ND doesn't have to take a tight end this year. Especially if there is a decent one next year. So I would consider, (again I am a football idiot) not taking another Tight End and maybe taking a supersized wide receiver this year like MB from IL, so three not two, or four not three wide receivers. Something like that.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Now it turns ND doesn't have to take a tight end this year. Especially if there is a decent one next year. So I would consider, (again I am a football idiot) not taking another Tight End and maybe taking a supersized wide receiver this year like MB from IL, so three not two, or four not three wide receivers. Something like that.

ND will be taking more blocking type TEs more so than receiving this year. Unless Alize Jones wants to come.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Understood.

 

[johnnycando]

 

[rikkitikki08]

So you're telling me there's a chance?????

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Ranked the 104th Prospect by ESPN.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

He said it's starting to seem like an OSU and Michigan battle. He might cancel his Auburn visit. Does that actually mean anything? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Battle For Chris Clark Is Now Likely Down To Two Schools

 

[clashmore_mike]

Means nothing coming from Kurelic.

 

[rtrn2glory]

starting to think that he belongs in cbus.....he can be the next aaron hernandez

 

[GBdomer]

starting to think that he belongs in cbus.....he can be the next aaron hernandez

Don't be bitter just because he doesn't like ND as much as his family. I hope he is happy wherever he goes. No reason for that comment IMO

 

[rtrn2glory]

Don't be bitter just because he doesn't like ND as much as his family. I hope he is happy wherever he goes. No reason for that comment IMO

relax wasn't a slight to him....it was a slight to urban, don't be so touchy

i have no ill feelings toward him, it's his decision.

 

[Cackalacky]

Yeah, not sure I understand that one. It's not like Urban is going out of his way to recruit felonious murderers. Geez. The kid has been a flake as far as recruiting goes but fuck man, he isn't driving the getaway car.

 

[IrishLax]

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'd put a better chance on whoever does the best pressure recruiting between Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. All three of those places have guys who are great at the hard sell.

Seems like this is going to happen, and not my original comically inaccurate prediction of him being an ND lock. Assumptions are fun.

 

[rtrn2glory]

you guys can believe whatever you want

didn't mean to hurt you guy's feelings

 

[rtrn2glory]

Seems like this is going to happen, and not my original comically inaccurate prediction of him being an ND lock. Assumptions are fun.

i've thought for a few weeks that franklin is a dark horse here.

 

[stlnd01]

Yeah, not sure I understand that one. It's not like Urban is going out of his way to recruit felonious murderers. Geez. The kid has been a flake as far as recruiting goes but fuck man, he isn't driving the getaway car.

But, like Aaron Hernandez, Chris Clark goes to high school in Connecticut and plays tight end. So there's that.

 

[D-BOE34]

starting to think that he belongs in cbus.....he can be the next aaron hernandez

A great TE under Urban??? That comparison sucks. Or were you trying to be funny and some how try and compare Clark with a murderer? Please...explain how they are similar. PLEASE!!

 

[rtrn2glory]

happy easter