'15 OH LB Nick Conner (Ohio State Verbal)

[GBdomer]

per Peter would be an "Irish lean" if offered.

 

[rtrn2glory]

don't see an offer coming his way, but i've been wrong plenty of times.

that va tech offer says quite a bit b/c they know how to play defense

 

[GBdomer]

don't see an offer coming his way, but i've been wrong plenty of times.

that va tech offer says quite a bit b/c they know how to play defense

I could see an offer coming, just don't know if he can play in space.

 

[ryno 24]

I personally think we should take best 2-3 backers irregardless of position because I think we get hilliard and he can move inside

 

[FLDomer]

I personally think we should take best 2-3 backers irregardless of position because I think we get hilliard and he can move inside

Awesome sauce.....DDDDDSSSSSHHHHAAAAAAANNNNNSSS!!!!!

 

[STLDomer]

Picked up an offer at MSU camp today.

First of his many camp trips in hopes of getting an offer this summer (OSU and ND next)

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'm down with that....dantonio is an elite evaluator of talent

 

[TheTurningPoint]

From what I have been told there are some question marks with him that I think only time will tell. Kid can play, but as of now he wouldnt be in NDs top group. If this was last year, or 2016, I think it would be a no question offer with bigger classes. But combine some question marks and taking a smaller class in 2015/2014 being LB heavy, Im not sure he gets an offer in the near future unless ND totally drops the ball in the next 3 weeks with other kids.

 

[Irishman77]

From what I have been told there are some question marks with him that I think only time will tell. Kid can play, but as of now he wouldnt be in NDs top group. If this was last year, or 2016, I think it would be a no question offer with bigger classes. But combine some question marks and taking a smaller class in 2015/2014 being LB heavy, Im not sure he gets an offer in the near future unless ND totally drops the ball in the next 3 weeks with other kids.

TP, what is your take on ilb with our current roster and scheme? It just seems a bit depleted yet unless guys like Randolph and Deeb are the real deal.

After looking at rivals top ilb list it seems Hillard is our only hope this cycle. We got a dozen guys that can play OLB....who moves inside? Thanks!

 

[PANDFAN]

TP, what is your take on ilb with our current roster and scheme? It just seems a bit depleted yet unless guys like Randolph and Deeb are the real deal.

After looking at rivals top ilb list it seems Hillard is our only hope this cycle. We got a dozen guys that can play OLB....who moves inside? Thanks!

jaylon will also be playing inside at times according to BK

 

[Irishman77]

jaylon will also be playing inside at times according to BK

Yeah but that is more of a joker pkg...which he certainly can do...

Just a bit concerned about the 2 deep now and going fwd...especially with Grace in doubt.

however what staff knows and what I know are two entirely different things!

 

[PANDFAN]

Yeah but that is more of a joker pkg...which he certainly can do...

Just a bit concerned about the 2 deep now and going fwd...especially with Grace in doubt.

however what staff knows and what I know are two entirely different things!

from one foot down
INSIDE LINEBACKER

Roster (7): Grace, Schmidt, Moore, Deeb, Randolph, Morgan, Martini

Commits (1): Barajas

I'm repeating myself but when you bring in 12 defenders in one class for the front seven there's just not going to be room for many bodies in the following class. That's where we are for 2015. As we've said previously, depth in terms of bodies is not a major concern at inside linebacker but somebody has to step up this fall. For recruiting the odds are pretty high that Nyles Morgan could be a 3+ year starter. That should give the staff a lot of flexibility to recruit over the next couple of cycles but it's important not to be stuck in a situation like we have this fall where one major injury collapsed the experience of the unit. Getting Barajas to flip from Penn State is a great follow up to 2014. I believe the staff can stand pat with him as the lone true middle linebacker for this 2015 class.

 

[Irishman77]

from one foot down
INSIDE LINEBACKER

Roster (7): Grace, Schmidt, Moore, Deeb, Randolph, Morgan, Martini

Commits (1): Barajas

I'm repeating myself but when you bring in 12 defenders in one class for the front seven there's just not going to be room for many bodies in the following class. That's where we are for 2015. As we've said previously, depth in terms of bodies is not a major concern at inside linebacker but somebody has to step up this fall. For recruiting the odds are pretty high that Nyles Morgan could be a 3+ year starter. That should give the staff a lot of flexibility to recruit over the next couple of cycles but it's important not to be stuck in a situation like we have this fall where one major injury collapsed the experience of the unit. Getting Barajas to flip from Penn State is a great follow up to 2014. I believe the staff can stand pat with him as the lone true middle linebacker for this 2015 class.

If Barajas plays inside that's great. I thought that's where he would be but TP stated we were going to use him outside. Btw I agree with everything in your post...reps

 

[STLDomer]

TJ on II (per Lucci's post a couple days ago) says the staff projects:

Barajas: 1. SAM 2. WILL 3. MIKE
Hilliard: 1. WILL 2. SAM 3. MIKE

and this about Bilal:

Bilal is a trickier projection. Right now, clearly better Outside at either spot or even in a pass-rushing role despite slighter stature. But has the growth potential, it seems, and the football IQ as BVG estimates it, plus some of the necessary skill set and talent attributes, conceivably to swing Inside at Mike down the road.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2015-recruiting-profiles/153050-2015-master-list-22.html#post1283109

The post seemed to suggest none of the three project best at MIKE. Add in the fact that Masina and Thomas are certainly best as OLBs as well I wouldn't be opposed to offering a guy like Connor who definitely is a MIKE, if after camp the staff thinks he deserves one.

 

[Luckylucci]

One name to keep in mind is Tevon Coney. He could fall into that MLB only type role. He'll be at II. Hopefully Connor makes and participates. If we have to offer Connor just to stay in the game then I'd agree but not if its a commitable offer. We max out at 3LB's and there is no way I would turn down Thomas, Hilliard, Masina, or Bilal for Connor. Plus the bolded are summer decisions.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

TP, what is your take on ilb with our current roster and scheme? It just seems a bit depleted yet unless guys like Randolph and Deeb are the real deal.

After looking at rivals top ilb list it seems Hillard is our only hope this cycle. We got a dozen guys that can play OLB....who moves inside? Thanks!

Its def a question mark but there are plenty of bodies who can play it. Councell, Schmidt,Randolph, Deeb, Moore, Morgan, Sykes, Martini, Tranquill...plenty of bodies. Its just a matter of coaching them up and/or getting guys on the field that can handle the situation.

The NFL has a lot of personnel packages for different situations. You see a lot of changes made for different downs, time, etc. I think BVG will try to bring some of that to ND. Now, college is a little tricky bc a lot of teams on NDs schedule will run a no huddle, which limits subbing and that doesnt favor the D.

A guy like Deeb/Moore isnt ideal for 1st or 2nd down...yet could bring a lot of value in short yardage and redzone situations. Guys like Councell, Morgan, Sykes, Schmidt bring more to the table with their athleticism and speed on 1st and 2nd down.

I think that the Jaylon to MLB is mis-understood. In their Nickel/Dime packages he will be inside in his alignment. His role? It could be multiple things. The 4-3 base they play a over/under concept where they over load one side with a OLB. So on alignment Jaylon is lined up over the guard as a OLB. Now,obviously I could be wrong, but I dont think ND wants to take away one of his greatest strengths (playing in space) away by sticking him in the middle. I do think they will let him get after the QB a LOT, but giving him a Mike role doesnt seem to fit his style of play. That is not saying he isnt physical, but a 6'3 235lb, long armd, athletic freak....isnt supposed to be playing a MIKE role. That INT vs USC...that doesnt happen if he is playing the MIKE.

If they can get Randolph ready to go, I think he would add a lot of talent to the LB corps. I think he may be a year away, bc he didnt get to practice at all last year, and is going through adjusting to the speed of the game/college ball right now bc he didnt get that year of adjustment. Its just a fact of him getting comfortable and getting his feet wet. 15 spring practices isnt enough to do that. Jaylon took awhile to adjust to everything.

NDs LBs will be fast and athletic from this point going forward. As I have stated before, speed in the college game makes up for a mental mistakes, and physical mistakes. Alabama just gets athletes on he field at LB and they dont fit the typical WILL/SAM/MIKE/DOG/CAT/etc traits, but they play within the system and make plays. I think that is why some of them struggle in the NFL, is bc they arent made for the NFL position they get thrown into.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats 2014 5-star <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23RivalsChallenge&src=hash">#RivalsChallenge</a> Pres. by <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderArmour">@UnderArmour</a> LB MVP Nick Conner! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IWILL&src=hash">#IWILL</a> <a href="http://t.co/8XSIkArPDX">pic.twitter.com/8XSIkArPDX</a></p>— Rivals Camp Series (@RivalsCamp) <a href="https://twitter.com/RivalsCamp/statuses/475682292455579649">June 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ryno 24]

I would take Conner if we dont get Hilliard

 

[IrishLax]

Hope he earns an offer at camp.

 

[Rack Em]

Hope he earns an offer at camp.

Same. Because right now we have a lot of prospects that the staff likes as OLBs, but not many MLBs. Bilal, Hilliard, Barajas, Masina, Gustin, Thomas, Wallace (?). We definitely need a true MLB after last year's haul of several 3-4 ILBs.

 

[Luckylucci]

I haven't seen the tape of him yet but I would assume he showed a big improvement in his ability to play in space and cover. If so I'd be down with an offer.

 

[tko]

I would take Conner if we dont get Hilliard

ND staff must seek permission from Kerry Coombs.

 

[STLDomer]

Impressive considering a camp setting isn't the best for his type of player

 

[GBdomer]

He reminds me a lot of Jordan Mastrogiovanni

 

[Rack Em]

He reminds me a lot of Jordan Mastrogiovanni

Uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/brtlDP7y6fQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[GBdomer]

4 guys

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Luke Kuechly

 

[connor_in]

4 guys

 

[STLDomer]

Luke Kuechly

Wes Welker

 

[Irishnuke]

Scrappy. High motor. Gym rat.