'12 NV OT Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[irishfan]

If you can realistically improve your draft stock by a round or so, I think the player should always come back. Niklas is locked in for 4 years. He's making a total of 4,023,300 over the next 4 years as the 52nd overall pick. The guy who got drafted exactly 1 round ahead of him with the 20th pick is Brandin Cooks. Cooks is making a total of 8,383,452 over the next 4 years.

If Niklas had returned and improved his draft stock by 1 round, he would be making 4.3 million more in his first contract. It takes the 20th overall pick just 2 years to make what the 52nd overall pick makes in 4 years.

Take out insurance, get your degree, make more money on the 1st deal.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Judging by how Golson and Kelly have used the tight ends this year his stock would have fallen. I think if you are projected in the first 3 rounds you should go. That's when the risks of returning outweigh the benefits.

Niklas also could have improved his stock to where he ended up on like Tampa and instead of having a great offensive coach and Fitzgerald and Floyd around him he has Lovie Smith coaching him while Josh McCown and Mike Glennon are throwing the balls. I doubt Niklas regrets it.

 

[IrishLax]

Judging by how Golson and Kelly have used the tight ends this year his stock would have fallen. I think if you are projected in the first 3 rounds you should go. That's when the risks of returning outweigh the benefits.

Niklas also could have improved his stock to where he ended up on like Tampa and instead of having a great offensive coach and Fitzgerald and Floyd around him he has Lovie Smith coaching him while Josh McCown and Mike Glennon are throwing the balls. I doubt Niklas regrets it.

I think it's a lot more complex than what is being discussed right now. Depends on position, depends on the person.

If you're an underdeveloped QB, leaving early... even if a top pick... can completely destroy your career. Conversely, coming back as an "overrated" QB can make you have a drop like Barkley.

On the lines, it's almost always better to stay and develop. Higher draft stock, more guaranteed money and "insurance" against something going wrong, you have a longer career prospectus, and making a bigger instant impact = more money on that second contract.

At RB, get out as soon as possible. Every time.

At WR, it's really tricky. Same with defensive backs. A single bad season if you come out too early can crush your career, but if you don't leave soon enough when your stock is at its highest (see: every USC WR ever?) then you cost yourself a lot of money.

Linebacker and TE depend entirely on the player and the scheme. In retrospect, Niklas may have made the right decision leaving early. Eifert clearly made the right decision coming back. And Te'o ... sans Kekua incident ... would've made himself tens of millions by coming back for his senior season and kicking ass.

 

[Cackalacky]

How many OL people leave early and are drafted high? I honestly don't know. IMO he needs at least one more year.

 

[IrishLion]

At RB, get out as soon as possible. Every time.

Unless you're Darius Walker.

 

[CanadalovesND]

He's had some really good games. But he hasn't been a consistent top tackle. Definitely has the ceiling to become one.

He should take a page out of Zack's book. Yes, I know Zack came back for a 5th as opposed to Stanley returing for a fourth year, but Zack was projected a late 2nd to 3rd round pick after his "redshirt" junior year. He decided to return, took his game to another level, and bam, may just make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

IMO, Stanley is in the same situation, and would be wise if he returned. Not just for an elevated draft stock, but also to get that degree, something we all know is a big attraction in the recruiting process.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

How many OL people leave early and are drafted high? I honestly don't know. IMO he needs at least one more year.

Greg Robinson left as a RS sophomore and went #2.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Greg Robinson left as a RS sophomore and went #2.

Albeit, Greg Robinson has been a back-up Guard for the Rams.

 

[BobbyMac]

How many OL people leave early and are drafted high? I honestly don't know. IMO he needs at least one more year.

Greg Robinson went #2 overall last year. He came out early.

 

[BobbyMac]

Let's cut the crap...

At what overall draft position will you guys be ok with RT entering the draft?

.

 

[irishff1014]

Let's cut the crap...

At what overall draft position will you guys be ok with RT entering the draft?

.

No i think it will hurt us!

 

[nsisk157]

He can go back to Notre Dame, graduate in whatever he was majoring in, get a job, and have that 1.8 million to sit on and compound interest. That 1.8 million gives him financial security, makes any career risks less painful if something goes wrong, and he will never have to think about "what if".

I used to disagree with this thought process, but through my limited knowledge of the new rookie structure, this seems to be the right way to go.

Is Stanley still permitted his Scholarship if he bolts for the draft? Time limit on it, if so?

 

[GoldenDome]

How many OL people leave early and are drafted high? I honestly don't know. IMO he needs at least one more year.

Tyron Smith couldn't even drink when he was on the Cowboys.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Smith and Robinson are huge outliers. They were both considered to be elite athletes for the position and Smith is just now showing his true potential.

Sent from my Samsung via Tapatalk

 

[GoldenDome]

Smith and Robinson are huge outliers. They were both considered to be elite athletes for the position and Smith is just now showing his true potential.

Sent from my Samsung via Tapatalk

Matt Kalil

 

[BobbyMac]

Luke Joeckel or however he spells it.

 

[GoldenDome]

Andrus Peat will be a top ten pick this year.

 

[EifertPower]

If we lose Stanley and/or Day to the draft the "wait till next year" hope will take a serious blow. We do not have the depth to overcome these losses. It might appear that we could get by without them but then if the next 1 or 2 people at their position wind up getting injured in preseason or during the season (which is a natural part of football) we are in just as bad shape as we are this year.

What we keep on banking on is the leadership of our upperclassmen but if they aren't hanging around for 4 years we need them to start being leaders in the sophomore year. The entire key to 2012 was Eifert and Te'o coming back. If Zach Martin doesn't come back last year, i doubt we'd be more than 6-6. Same if Floyd hadn't come back his senior year. If we had Tuitt and Niklas back this year (forget Nix since he at least red-shirted and was here for 4 years), then we are probably 9-2 or 10-1 right now.

I hope this isn't becoming a trend now where ND guys aren't here for 4 years...now i'm hearing Jaylon might be gone after next year (which is ridiculous given his sloppy tackling and lack of speed i see this year). He's a guy who could use 4 years of college to be ready for the NFL.

 

[koonja]

I actually think we'd be fine at OL, but screwed on DL. We'd be better with Stanley, but Mcglinchey and Nelson are ready to roll. Seems like Day's unlikely to go, though. 'Specially coming off of an injury.

I think Stanley's athletic and technically strong, but could use more strength. IMO he should come back and bulk up 10 pounds if possible.

 

[GoldenDome]

If we lose Stanley and/or Day to the draft the "wait till next year" hope will take a serious blow. We do not have the depth to overcome these losses. It might appear that we could get by without them but then if the next 1 or 2 people at their position wind up getting injured in preseason or during the season (which is a natural part of football) we are in just as bad shape as we are this year.

What we keep on banking on is the leadership of our upperclassmen but if they aren't hanging around for 4 years we need them to start being leaders in the sophomore year. The entire key to 2012 was Eifert and Te'o coming back. If Zach Martin doesn't come back last year, i doubt we'd be more than 6-6. Same if Floyd hadn't come back his senior year. If we had Tuitt and Niklas back this year (forget Nix since he at least red-shirted and was here for 4 years), then we are probably 9-2 or 10-1 right now.

I hope this isn't becoming a trend now where ND guys aren't here for 4 years...now i'm hearing Jaylon might be gone after next year (which is ridiculous given his sloppy tackling and lack of speed i see this year). He's a guy who could use 4 years of college to be ready for the NFL.

This is very selfish thinking. The young man must do what is best for he and his family. He is an individual and has a family, these are not just players that serve the coaches, universities, and fans. They are people, with lives of their own.

Now arguing if he is ready or not is another story. But to purely argue for the sake of the teams success it very selfish. I would rather see Stanley succeed in life than win football games. After all, ND should be a place that sets you up on your career path, and in Stanley's case that is pro football.

And stop it with Jaylon and lack of speed. He may be out of position at times and gets lost in plays, but LACK OF SPEED. Cmon. He shoots the gap better than anyone I have seen in CFB.

 

[irishff1014]

I actually think we'd be fine at OL, but screwed on DL. We'd be better with Stanley, but Mcglinchey and Nelson are ready to roll. Seems like Day's unlikely to go, though. 'Specially coming off of an injury.

I think Stanley's athletic and technically strong, but could use more strength. IMO he should come back and bulk up 10 pounds if possible.

You would think this year shows how much playing time gains experience. So this is speculation that they could come in and be good.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I doubt either is leaving early, especially not Day. Stanley will find it difficult to overcome the reputation the offensive line has this year, which is a mediocre unit. His measureables are good, but at this point last year, Martin had way more hype and actually lead a really good offensive line. He'd be very foolish to leave early, because honestly, I'd say he'd be lucky to get picked in the 3rd round. He hasn't really shown much at this point to warrant any higher.

Day is definitely not leaving, because while he's had a solid season, it's also been wildly unspectacular. On top of missing the last quarter of the season, which definitely doesn't help his draft stock.

There's just not enough of a body of work for either player at this point for it to warrant a high draft stock.

 

[irishff1014]

If we lose Stanley and/or Day to the draft the "wait till next year" hope will take a serious blow. We do not have the depth to overcome these losses. It might appear that we could get by without them but then if the next 1 or 2 people at their position wind up getting injured in preseason or during the season (which is a natural part of football) we are in just as bad shape as we are this year.

What we keep on banking on is the leadership of our upperclassmen but if they aren't hanging around for 4 years we need them to start being leaders in the sophomore year. The entire key to 2012 was Eifert and Te'o coming back. If Zach Martin doesn't come back last year, i doubt we'd be more than 6-6. Same if Floyd hadn't come back his senior year. If we had Tuitt and Niklas back this year (forget Nix since he at least red-shirted and was here for 4 years), then we are probably 9-2 or 10-1 right now.

I hope this isn't becoming a trend now where ND guys aren't here for 4 years...now i'm hearing Jaylon might be gone after next year (which is ridiculous given his sloppy tackling and lack of speed i see this year). He's a guy who could use 4 years of college to be ready for the NFL.

Stanley needs one more to get better at a few things IMO.

Jaylon Smith is fast dude I don't know where to you get that from. But I do believe that this new defensive scheme has set him back some. But if anyone thought the chances of him staying for 4 years you fell off your rocker.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I actually think we'd be fine at OL, but screwed on DL. We'd be better with Stanley, but Mcglinchey and Nelson are ready to roll. Seems like Day's unlikely to go, though. 'Specially coming off of an injury.

I think Stanley's athletic and technically strong, but could use more strength. IMO he should come back and bulk up 10 pounds if possible.

I've never heard of someone not entering the draft because they wanted to put on ten pounds of muscle.

 

[koonja]

I've never heard of someone not entering the draft because they wanted to put on ten pounds of muscle.

Players come back for one more year all of the time because they need one more year of strength/size. They usually don't come out and say 'hey I'm coming back for another year because I'm not strong enough'.

So your astute observation isn't surprising.

 

[EvilleIrish]

I actually think we'd be fine at OL, but screwed on DL. We'd be better with Stanley, but Mcglinchey and Nelson are ready to roll. Seems like Day's unlikely to go, though. 'Specially coming off of an injury.

I think Stanley's athletic and technically strong, but could use more strength. IMO he should come back and bulk up 10 pounds if possible.

Day is gone

 

[IrishinSyria]

Players come back for one more year all of the time because they need one more year of strength/size. They usually don't come out and say 'hey I'm coming back for another year because I'm not strong enough'.

So your astute observation isn't surprising.

I'm not sure your right here. If the only issue is strength/size, then it makes more sense to develop that in a pro system where football is literally your only focus.

On the other hand, it's pretty common for players to think that a good year can get them drafted at a high enough spot to make it worth passing up a year of NFL income. Getting bigger/stronger/faster can definitely be a goal if they've made that decision.

 

[koonja]

I'm not sure your right here. If the only issue is strength/size, then it makes more sense to develop that in a pro system where football is literally your only focus.

On the other hand, it's pretty common for players to think that a good year can get them drafted at a high enough spot to make it worth passing up a year of NFL income. Getting bigger/stronger/faster can definitely be a goal if they've made that decision.

Without a doubt. But I don't see physical strength as one of his strengths right now. At least not top 5 in the country. IFF he can get a little stronger, he's easily top 5. He already has the frame and athleticism.

But yeah, obviously one year in the NFL S/C > college S/C, but that's not the argument I'm making. I'm saying I think he can vastly improve his draft stock if he improves that area. I think he'd be the total package.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Without a doubt. But I don't see physical strength as one of his strengths right now. At least not top 5 in the country. IFF he can get a little stronger, he's easily top 5. He already has the frame and athleticism.

But yeah, obviously one year in the NFL S/C > college S/C, but that's not the argument I'm making. I'm saying I think he can vastly improve his draft stock if he improves that area. I think he'd be the total package.

makes sense

 

[EifertPower]

This is very selfish thinking. The young man must do what is best for he and his family. He is an individual and has a family, these are not just players that serve the coaches, universities, and fans. They are people, with lives of their own.

Now arguing if he is ready or not is another story. But to purely argue for the sake of the teams success it very selfish. I would rather see Stanley succeed in life than win football games. After all, ND should be a place that sets you up on your career path, and in Stanley's case that is pro football.

And stop it with Jaylon and lack of speed. He may be out of position at times and gets lost in plays, but LACK OF SPEED. Cmon. He shoots the gap better than anyone I have seen in CFB.

Of course it's selfish thinking on my part. Never trying to act otherwise. I want to see Notre Dame win a national championship not produce dozens of guys who are in the NFL while Notre Dame struggles to go 7-5 every year because we have to play freshman and sophomores after players defect for the draft. I want Stanley to do well in life and at Notre Dame, but i don't think they are always dichotomous decisions. Leadership is a huge part of maturation and an important component of a player's development and life development.

As for Jaylon's speed unless the Louisville running back is one of the fastest in the country, then i stand behind that statement. On the third play of last week's game, Jaylon read the play beautifully and with more speed he should have tackled the guy on 3rd down. Instead the guy runs right by him without even doing a cut or move and Jaylon whiffs on a last ditch effort to dive and tackle him after the guy got by him. I could see this being a problem in the NFL as i'd assume those guys are all at a faster speed than college running backs. Not being critical just honest. I thought it was impressive that Jaylon sniffed out the play as early as he did.