James Aldridge (Photos Inside)

[Golden_Domer88]

He got very little PT today, but the time he did play, he proved himself as a elite back that he was recruited for. He has good speed and he actually HITS someone. I see him playing more the next games and even against USC.

 

[mizzouirish]

i agree with your optimism, although, i'm sure you have already thought about this.........he played against an 0-5 second team defense. looked pretty solid though. Honestly, I was watching this game thru its entirety just to see our freshmen and sophmores. I just wish I could see sharpley throw the ball more.

 

[nshope]

Yeah, I know you have to keep it into account who he was running against, but boy oh boy...it was nice to see some crack-a-lacks coming from the RB position. Meanwhile, Prince took a nice little welcome-to-football hit today. Those two, along with DWalker, will make an oustanding backfield next year and Prince/Aldridge will be a winning combo in 2008 for sure.

 

[Irish Envy]

 

[Irish Envy]

Enjoy boys!

 

[Irish Legend]

Gotta love it!

 

[nshope]

Good pics...thx. That one shows a HUGE hole for JA to hit.

 

[Irish Envy]

Good pics...thx. That one shows a HUGE hole for JA to hit.

Yeah, it was pretty ginormous! What I liked about Aldridge that no other back seemed to do is he runs downhill and with a purpose. No juking, no side to side hesitation... just FULL STEAM AHEAD!

 

[Irish Envy]

Oh, forgot to mention. After the game and outside the stadium as we were watching the band come up the tunnel as they were going towards the library, I happened to get next to the Aldridge family, relatives or his fan club as there were about 6-8 ladies wearing blue #34 jerseys. I didn't talk to them, however, they were talking about James and beaming with pride. One of the ladies looked like James, so I am assuming it was his mom/sister.

 

[knute]

Aldridge looked so much better than Prince, but the OLine seemed to be blocking better for him, too. I know we had our backup OLine in for both Prince and Aldridge. I was just wondering if Stanford put in their backup defense for the last series.

 

[luckofirish8]

Aldridge looked so much better than Prince, but the OLine seemed to be blocking better for him, too. I know we had our backup OLine in for both Prince and Aldridge. I was just wondering if Stanford put in their backup defense for the last series.

I not sure...But in the last picture, he is being tackled by #20 and that young man is listed as a starting LB. The Safety (#6) also started the game. I believe he is the Lofton boy.

 

[jiggafini19]

Aldridge looked so much better than Prince, but the OLine seemed to be blocking better for him, too. I know we had our backup OLine in for both Prince and Aldridge. I was just wondering if Stanford put in their backup defense for the last series.

Prince played in the first quarter with the starters.

Aldridge played with the second unit. I'm not sure who Stanford had on the field.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

No offense, but I don't think he really proved anything. He'll get his chance...and hopefully he'll have more significant playing time against USC. The good news is that it looks like his knee isn't bothering him.

Btw, I think it's George West I'm looking at---nice suit/tie-combo.

 

[Irish Envy]

No offense, but I don't think he really proved anything. He'll get his chance...and hopefully he'll have more significant playing time against USC. The good news is that it looks like his knee isn't bothering him.

Btw, I think it's George West I'm looking at---nice suit/tie-combo.

Stanford was still running the first string defense out there when Aldridge was brought into the game. As for his knee not bothering him, he did have a slight limp.

 

[jiggafini19]

What he proved to me was that he hits the hole straight on and runs AHEAD.

He doesn't run 12 yards to gain 2.

 

[Fbolt]

I'm currently in NZ, flying out today, but kept asking all the rugby blokes over here if they have ever heard of James Aldridge-ridiculous I know. Anyway, I found this:

The National Rugby Football League

Gents of Aspen rugby team calls on players | AspenTimes.com

BTW: nobody heard of him down here. Ha!

 

[ulukinatme]

I was always hoping Aldridge was going to break out as a player. He came in with a lot of promise, but injuries kind of hampered him and I think Weis fell in love with Armando Allen. Aldridge had good size and speed, but never seemed to put it all together at the college level. Didn't even realize he was doing Rugby now, looks like Antonio Pittman is there too.

 

[dublinirish]

I'm currently in NZ, flying out today, but kept asking all the rugby blokes over here if they have ever heard of James Aldridge-ridiculous I know. Anyway, I found this:

The National Rugby Football League

Gents of Aspen rugby team calls on players | AspenTimes.com

BTW: nobody heard of him down here. Ha!

Nz'ers are notoriously ignorant about anything both foreign rugby related

 

[IrishRugger2013]

I'm currently in NZ, flying out today, but kept asking all the rugby blokes over here if they have ever heard of James Aldridge-ridiculous I know. Anyway, I found this:

The National Rugby Football League

Gents of Aspen rugby team calls on players | AspenTimes.com

BTW: nobody heard of him down here. Ha!

I played rugby at Notre Dame and graduated in 2013. James actually practiced with us when he was first learning the game. He's a great guy, it's a shame that his football career didn't work out and people tend to think of him as a bust.

It's funny you mention that Aspen team. He actually brought that team to South Bend and we scrimmaged them at halftime of the 2012 Blue Gold game. Playing in Notre Dame Stadium was definitely one of the highlights of my time at ND.

 

[Fbolt]

very cool IR!

 

[D-BOE34]

The man used to go by "Moose" when he was at Hazelwood Central in Missouri. When we would run in the 100, he would destry me and another guy from my team. My buddy and I were pretty solid looking ourselves (both 5'9 215 lbs and jacked) This dude made us look like kids. Will never forget just coasting across the line for 2nd and 3rd as he just stood waiting on us. Wish he worked out at ND as well. Very cool guy.

 

[Wild Bill]

The man used to go by "Moose" when he was at Hazelwood Central in Missouri. When we would run in the 100, he would destry me and another guy from my team. My buddy and I were pretty solid looking ourselves (both 5'9 215 lbs and jacked) This dude made us look like kids. Will never forget just coasting across the line for 2nd and 3rd as he just stood waiting on us. Wish he worked out at ND as well. Very cool guy.

He was a beast at Merrillville too. Great kid.

 

[BobbyMac]

During ohis senior year, he actually only finished third in rushing in our HS confernce ( the DAC)

.

 

[kmoose]

The man used to go by "Moose" when he was at Hazelwood Central in Missouri.

Obviously a man of very solid character.

 

[Wild Bill]

During ohis senior year, he actually only finished third in rushing in our HS confernce ( the DAC)

.

He ran for 2000 his junior year and then shredded his knee in the playoffs. I doubt he was 100% his senior year.

 

[BobbyMac]

He ran for 2000 his junior year and then shredded his knee in the playoffs. I doubt he was 100% his senior year.

He wasn't. He was never the same athlete he was as a sophomore in St. Louis or as a junior at Merrillville. Funny thing is, he was the 5 star / All American in high school but his teammates from Merrillville went on to have more remarkable careers. Michael Neal at Purdue and the Packers and Dexter Larimore with OSU and I think got a shot in the league with the Falcons, Saints or Bucs (?)

.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

My Uncle was a referee in a few of his playoff games his senior year and said he was running scared and didn't use his body well. Maybe he just wasn't the same after he blew his knee out? Really seemed like a great kid. I was very excited we got him regardless. Glad to see he is doing well.

 

[Wild Bill]

He wasn't. He was never the same athlete he was as a sophomore in St. Louis or as a junior at Merrillville. Funny thing is, he was the 5 star / All American in high school but his teammates from Merrillville went on to have more remarkable careers. Michael Neal at Purdue and the Packers and Dexter Larimore with OSU and I think got a shot in the league with the Falcons, Saints or Bucs (?)

.

Yes, Dexter got a tryout with the saints. I thought he'd make it but it didn't work out. He was a great wrestler too.

 

[BobbyMac]

Yes, Dexter got a tryout with the saints. I thought he'd make it but it didn't work out. He was a great wrestler too.

INCREDIBLE wrestler. Sad to see him not continue that. DAC wrestling was always a beast across the board.

.

 

[Fbolt]

Would love to hear a current synopsis of what JA is currently up to. Isn't there a site where a gal interviews former players...? Anyone recall?