'14 IL ILB Nyles Morgan (Notre Dame Signee)

[arrowryan]

It'd be nice if we had a similar number of freshman contributors this year, as we did last year.

We had freshman WRs (C. Rob, Will Fuller, Onwualu), Jaylon Smith, Rochelle, Redfield, Folston, Luke, Butler.

Likely won't have secondary or WRs breakthrough the depth at those positions but if we could find contributors from:

• DL (inside and outside: Trumbetti? Hayes? Cage? J. Williams? Bonner? Blankenship?)
• LB (Morgan? Sykes? Hill?)
• Special teams (everyone else)

Then I'd be a very happy man.

The only freshman that I see getting a lot of significant playing time right away is Trumbetti. I see guys like Watkins, Morgan, Blankenship, Nelson (maybe), and Tranquill getting time but not right away

 

[dublinirish]

one of Weishar or Luatua will play, no point to RS both of them

 

[jspags10pg]

It'd be nice if we had a similar number of freshman contributors this year, as we did last year.

We had freshman WRs (C. Rob, Will Fuller, Onwualu), Jaylon Smith, Rochelle, Redfield, Folston, Luke, Butler.

Likely won't have secondary or WRs breakthrough the depth at those positions but if we could find contributors from:

• DL (inside and outside: Trumbetti? Hayes? Cage? J. Williams? Bonner? Blankenship?)
• LB (Morgan? Sykes? Hill?)
• Special teams (everyone else)

Then I'd be a very happy man.

Yea, I have the same thinking that not as many will have big roles. Not because the class isn't as good but because we have a lot more experienced depth this year. And also, Elmer was one of our biggest freshman contributors last year too.

I could see Morgan (almost definitely), Trumbetti, Blankenship and maybe Hayes playing a role on defense. And I think Nelson would probably be good enough to play significant time in his first year on 95% of teams out there...just not ND's with the quality depth we have on the o-line.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Yea, I have the same thinking that not as many will have big roles. Not because the class isn't as good but because we have a lot more experienced depth this year. And also, Elmer was one of our biggest freshman contributors last year too.

I could see Morgan (almost definitely), Trumbetti, Blankenship and maybe Hayes playing a role on defense. And I think Nelson would probably be good enough to play significant time in his first year on 95% of teams out there...just not ND's with the quality depth we have on the o-line.

It will be interesting to see! Nice post! Reps!

 

[Rambler09]

Just to be clear- Nyles has not played yet, correct? That goes against what most of us would have thought, especially given how many freshman have played already (particularly on the defensive side of the ball). Most of the guys who have played play along the line which is more straightforward, I suppose. Schmidt is playing well but it'll be interesting to see if Nyles makes his way onto the field against some of the more athletic teams.

 

[aubeirish]

Just to be clear- Nyles has not played yet, correct? That goes against what most of us would have thought, especially given how many freshman have played already (particularly on the defensive side of the ball). Most of the guys who have played play along the line which is more straightforward, I suppose. Schmidt is playing well but it'll be interesting to see if Nyles makes his way onto the field against some of the more athletic teams.

Thought he played against Rice. Personally I didn't expect him to be the starter right away. It's just one of those positions where you rarely see freshmen play.

 

[CanadianIrishFan306]

Thought he played against Rice. Personally I didn't expect him to be the starter right away. It's just one of those positions where you rarely see freshmen play.

Yep 2 tackles in that game

cfbstats.com - Nyles Morgan 2014 Player Statistics - Notre Dame Fighting Irish

 

[Rocknes Ghost]

Just to be clear- Nyles has not played yet, correct? That goes against what most of us would have thought, especially given how many freshman have played already (particularly on the defensive side of the ball). Most of the guys who have played play along the line which is more straightforward, I suppose. Schmidt is playing well but it'll be interesting to see if Nyles makes his way onto the field against some of the more athletic teams.

He played some linebacker late against Rice. I did not see him in the game against Michigan (as we left our first team defense in to complete the thrashing)...but perhaps he got in on special teams?

 

[Kak7304]

He played some linebacker late against Rice. I did not see him in the game against Michigan (as we left our first team defense in to complete the thrashing)...but perhaps he got in on special teams?

UND.COM - University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site - Football

Did not play against UM.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Just to be clear- Nyles has not played yet, correct? That goes against what most of us would have thought, especially given how many freshman have played already (particularly on the defensive side of the ball). Most of the guys who have played play along the line which is more straightforward, I suppose. Schmidt is playing well but it'll be interesting to see if Nyles makes his way onto the field against some of the more athletic teams.

I think that goes to show how good Schmidt has been so far. The Michigan game was an outstanding performance for him. Like pretty much every single defensive player, he was active, mobile, physical and he had one hell of a forced fumble.

 

[Rambler09]

Thanks, guys. Didn't realize he had gotten in against Rice.

 

[Irish#1]

He played some linebacker late against Rice. I did not see him in the game against Michigan (as we left our first team defense in to complete the thrashing)...but perhaps he got in on special teams?

The shutout was more important than getting players playing time. He should get some reps this week.

 

[IrishLax]

Everyone who played against Michigan played for a reason. There was no reason to play Morgan.

I expect him to get significant minutes against Purdue.

 

[IrishGlory]

I, personally, am happy seeing how many frehman are geting PT so early in the year. I know this should not come as a total surprise, but its just a great sign of what direction this team is headed, especially when you can play them in a game against one of your rivals and still whip that tail. Getting this experience early in their careers will do nothing but benefit them and our program. GO IRISH!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Everyone who played against Michigan played for a reason. There was no reason to play Morgan.

I expect him to get significant minutes against Purdue.

Exactly what I was thinking. Purdue and Syracuse will show us whose redshirt will be burned. I wonder if Williams and Hayes will make a push? We already have so many freshman DL/pass rushers playing.

I'm hopeful that Morgan picks up a good number of snaps in the next two games and develops some comfort with our defense. He may be called upon for Stanford.

 

[irishog77]

Everyone who played against Michigan played for a reason. There was no reason to play Morgan.

I expect him to get significant minutes against Purdue.

Why?

 

[PANDFAN]

Why?

because we should be having a comfortable lead allowing the 2 deep to get some minutes which will only help w/ experience for later in the season

 

[irishog77]

With Grace coming back soon, Schmidt playing well, BK saying Councell will be playing more against the more physical teams on the schedule (while also stating JO makes it tough to take off the field), and the further in-season development of other players, I don't see it as a given that Morgan will start seeing more time.

 

[PANDFAN]

With Grace coming back soon, Schmidt playing well, BK saying Councell will be playing more against the more physical teams on the schedule (while also stating JO makes it tough to take off the field), and the further in-season development of other players, I don't see it as a given that Morgan will start seeing more time.

Grace barring any setbacks...still how does he hold up when he does come back

Councell has even played yet?? again how does he hold up

both of these guys had significant injuries

JO isn't playing inside

Morgan is the option behind schmidt...

 

[irishfan]

Considering Brindza was killing the ball, I didn't even notice if Morgan was out there on the KO team? I know he was against Rice.

 

[irishog77]

Grace barring any setbacks...still how does he hold up when he does come back

Councell has even played yet?? again how does he hold up

both of these guys had significant injuries

JO isn't playing inside

Morgan is the option behind schmidt...

I realize JO isn't an ILB. And, more or less, neither is BC.

But BVG is using a lot more situational sets than we've seen. So, it's not inconceivable to run plays with JS and JO and 5th DB, nor JS and BC out there and a 5th DB. I guess what I'm saying is if Schmidt isn't out there, it doesn't mean another MLB is out there. And I only see Grace getting more time as he gets healthy.

BK stated BC is playing 100%-- that the injury isn't a factor. And he alluded to the same scenario once Grace comes back. So I don't think that will be a factor in evaluating how they hold up-- that has already been done for BC and is close to wrapping up with Grace.

 

[tko]

With Grace coming back soon, Schmidt playing well, BK saying Councell will be playing more against the more physical teams on the schedule (while also stating JO makes it tough to take off the field), and the further in-season development of other players, I don't see it as a given that Morgan will start seeing more time.

I honestly don't see Grace coming "soon." Call me crazy, but if he isn't supporting full body weight right now, how can he be expected to play in the near future? My hunch is he misses this season entirely.

 

[irishog77]

I honestly don't see Grace coming "soon." Call me crazy, but if he isn't supporting full body weight right now, how can he be expected to play in the near future? My hunch is he misses this season entirely.

Didn't BK say he was real close? Like making it seem as it would be in a game or two?

 

[Irish Man3]

Didn't BK say he was real close? Like making it seem as it would be in a game or two?

I think a game or two until he's cleared for full contact. Id be shocked if Grace STARTED a single game this year. It would be a great story just to get him healthy enough to get on the field.

Morgan should start seeing some more time in the next two weeks. If ND is handling business the way they should, he should play a considerable amount of time. That would greatly benefit this defense moving forward. Live snaps are critical for developing young talent.

 

[Emcee77]

Didn't BK say he was real close? Like making it seem as it would be in a game or two?

I thought he said it would be about a month.

IIRC, Kelly said that Grace has reached a point where he has regained normal gait/foot strike, which was a major turning point. But he has still has work to do before he is ready to play in a game.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Councell has even played yet?? again how does he hold up

He played against Rice, but didn't make the stat sheet.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Councell is the one that blocked the second Michigan field goal attempt with his facemask. LOL

 

[irishog77]

Councell is the one that blocked the second Michigan field goal attempt with his facemask. LOL

That was like the antithesis of Sanchez's butt fumble.

 

[IRISH in MT]

All about reps...let the young man run around and thump people. He will figure out the flow of the game more by making minor mistakes than watching film. However, it is NOT like Schmidt is playing bad. I haven't noticed his "physical limitations" he is rumored to have so really no reason to play Morgan yet. Smith and Schmidt communicate so well together. I just hope the blowouts continue so all the young players get a chance to play the whole 4th quarter.

 

[Old Man Mike]

With Morgan only playing against Rice, Kelly and Van Gorder have to be at least considering a redshirt, until other issues at linebacker indicate otherwise.

Again, as others have noted, we seem almost to be using a nickel as our base defense --- that means Jaylon plus one other is who we need. That is usually Schmidt, or Onwualu, or Councell, or even Martini. AND the Tranquill/Hill package erodes significant reps and alters linebacker arrays too. MAYBE we won't need to burn a year for Morgan this season, particularly if Kelly/Van Gorder think that Grace will be able to thump at least half the season.

Of course recruiting success might play in this too. Perhaps a couple of studs still out there pop, and Van Gorder says: Coach I don't need to separate Nyles from the guys we've got anymore eligibility-wise. Kelly seems to not think like this [always saying he'll play the best guys we have to win the game today without regard to seniority or redshirting], but if Van Gorder thinks he has enough "winning guys", who knows?

My instincts say that Morgan likely plays, but mainly on special teams and at game-over time [barring injuries]. Kelly, despite what he says, does seem to worry a little about certain kinds of kids who can't handle disappointment. [I believe that a certain second team QB may be such a case]. If Morgan has any of this in him, then he probably won't be redshirted. Of that I know nothing.