Who'll be the starting OL for the '16 National Champion Fightin' Irish?

[BobbyMac]

I read some posts yesterday from a few weeks back regarding the OL where some IE members doubt that the Irish have the best depth in the country. I'm glad someone else, Ironman8 I think, went back and researched star ratings to come up with a measurement.

Anyway, it got me thinking...

Who will start for the 2016 National Champion Fightin' Irish on the offensive line?

I'm going with:

LT - Steve Elmer - Sr

LG - John Montelus - Sr

C - Tristen Hoge - So

RG - Colin McGovern - Sr

RT - Mike McGlinchey - Sr


Quentin Nelson - Jr, - next man in.


Having McGlinchey a 3 year starter at RT will be key as the RT becomes the more important Tackle being that Zaire will definitely be the starter in '16.

Best of all.... only Elmer runs out of eligibility in '16 and Nelson slides in to the starting rotation for the '17 NC repeat.

The one thing I am not taking into account is the possibility of lineman leaving early, which is a very real. I think it all starts this year with Ronnie Stanley. If he goes early, then Elmer is next years LT and he could go early in '15... I hope ND does have some early defectors, it shows the strength of the OL talent pool that BK & HH have assembled and developed.

Irish fans tend to get caught up with QB's and the glamour positions but it starts and ends with the OL. I can see Zaire, Bryant and Folston running left behind 660lbs of humanity for 8 yards on every play... just like Rice, Brooks and Green, back in the day

 

[arrowryan]

Unless Nelson transfers or has career/season ending injury, there is no way he is not starting in 2016.

 

[Wild Bill]

LT - Nelson
LG - Elmer
C - Bivin
RG - Montelus
RT - McGlinchey

IMO, Nelson is too talented to roam the sideline. Bivin will hold off Hoge.

 

[anarin]

Don't jinx the janx

 

[Riddickulous]

LT - Nelson
LG - Elmer
C - Bivin
RG - Montelus
RT - McGlinchey

IMO, Nelson is too talented to roam the sideline. Bivin will hold off Hoge.

 

[BobbyMac]

Unless Nelson transfers or has career/season ending injury, there is no way he is not starting in 2016.

I'll agree with you if he moves past McGovern this year on the depth chart. McGovern might be the most underrated player on this whole team. He's come in and put on the weight (35 lbs) and probably projects better at guard than Nelson. Question is, can Nelson beat out Elmer and McGlinchey for a tackle spot. From the hype, you'd think so but I would have thought Elmer would have beat out Stanley for the LT 2 years ago so you never know.

 

[Ironman8]

LT - Steve Elmer
LG - Quenton Nelson
C - Hunter Bivin
RG - Colin McGovern
RT - Mike McGlinchey

Notes:
- This is the highest ceiling OL I have seen in a while at ND in terms of talent across all 5 positions and their time in the program.
- No way Ronnie Stanley stays this long IMO, but he does have RS Senior Eligibility in '16.
- I LOVE Nelson at Guard and Elmer at LT when Stanley does leave. That is Martin / Watt but with higher physical talent ceilings.
- Wouldn't mind one bit if Sam Mustipher took over the Center Position in a couple years, but I think Bivin's extra year will give him the edge in '16.

 

[Wild Bill]

LT - Steve Elmer
LG - Quenton Nelson
C - Hunter Bivin
RG - Colin McGovern
RT - Mike McGlinchey

Notes:
- This is the highest ceiling OL I have seen in a while at ND in terms of talent across all 5 positions and their time in the program.
- No way Ronnie Stanley stays this long IMO, but he does have RS Senior Eligibility in '16.
- I LOVE Nelson at Guard and Elmer at LT when Stanley does leave. That is Martin / Watt but with higher physical talent ceilings.
- Wouldn't mind one bit if Sam Mustipher took over the Center Position in a couple years, but I think Bivin's extra year will give him the edge in '16.

It's too early to tell, but I'd project Nelson at tackle and Elmer at guard. Nelson appears to be a slightly better athlete with quicker feet. Do you see it as the opposite or do you think Elmer at tackle for a different reason?

 

[Ironman8]

It's too early to tell, but I'd project Nelson at tackle and Elmer at guard. Nelson appears to be a slightly better athlete with quicker feet. Do you see it as the opposite or do you think Elmer at tackle for a different reason?

I think Elmer has good feet and has better length, and I think Nelson could be an absolutely punishing pulling and runblocking Guard. I think Elmer at T and Nelson at LG maximizes their potential IMO.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

It's too early to tell, but I'd project Nelson at tackle and Elmer at guard. Nelson appears to be a slightly better athlete with quicker feet. Do you see it as the opposite or do you think Elmer at tackle for a different reason?

Agreed. Was just going to post the same thing.

Of course, it's all based on hearsay but from what we've heard, Nelson is super athletic and has the length that coaches covet at tackle.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think Elmer has good feet and has better length, and I think Nelson could be an absolutely punishing pulling and runblocking Guard. I think Elmer at T and Nelson at LG maximizes their potential IMO.

You could be right. It's a problem I'm sure the staff is going to be happy to solve.

 

[STLDomer]

I'd go with Elmer at Tackle and Nelson at Guard as well.

Elmer - Nelson - Bivin - Montelus - McGlinchey

 

[NDWorld247]

We're really getting ahead of ourselves with this thread, but predicting the future starting OL is one of my favorite games to play, so here goes:

LT - Stanley
LG - Elmer
C - Bivin
RG - Nelson
RT - McGlinchey

Next three in: Bars (T), Mustipher (G), Hoge (C)

If Stanley doesn't return for a 5Y, then:

LT - Elmer
LG - Nelson
C - Hoge
RG - Bivin
RT - McGlinchey

Next three in: Bars (T/G), Mustipher (G/C), Tillery (T)

I've seen a lot of love for McGovern and Montelus, but IMO, it's going to be very hard, barring a string of injuries/transfers/etc, for McGovern, Montelus and Byrne to crack the starting OL in their time at ND. That's not an indictment on those guys, it's just the talent we've brought in on the OL is ridiculous. It's also a bit unfair since McGovern and Montelus were hurt their freshman year and Byrne is just arriving on campus, but just the way I see it currently.

 

[BobbyMac]

Seems the only consensus we've reached is that the Irish will be the '16 National Champs.

...and I'm ok with that.

.

 

[ND NYC]

to the OP...will it even matter

 

[BobbyMac]

to the OP...will it even matter

If you mean will it matter who's starting when ND wins the National Championship... The answer is.... Big fat nooooooo!

It's just exciting to look at the talent at the position and how it will progress as a group... Like the RB position did back in the late 80's - early 90's.

I think we're already looking at a once in a generation collection of talent in what is committed through '15... Add Eichenberg, Kraemer and a road grading guard and you could be looking at a once in a lifetime group that runs into the 20's....

 

[NDRock]

Seems like we've been two years away for a couple of decades now. Oh well, keeps my hopes up.

 

[BobbyMac]

If the DL is just average and the post Jalen Smith transition after next year isn't another Teo hangover... This team is gonna knock on the door in '15 thru '17.