'16 WI OT Ben Bredeson (Michigan Verbal)

Veritate Duce Progredi

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If Hiestand gets Bredeson, Eichenberg, and Kraemer I'll quit my job to start a religion based on worshipping him.

I'll be an early follower and, if given the inspiration and guidance of Hiestand's most venerable spirit, I'll keep detailed records of all he says and does.
 
B

Bogtrotter07

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Another former Rocket coach done good. (Forget about Hoke.)
 

ResLife Hero

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michigan?src=hash">#Michigan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OSU?src=hash">#OSU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ND?src=hash">#ND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badgers?src=hash">#Badgers</a> stand out to 4* OT Ben Bredeson but southern visits may be taken <a href="http://t.co/DmO1PTjUGL">http://t.co/DmO1PTjUGL</a> <a href="http://t.co/yp28kHdz0z">pic.twitter.com/yp28kHdz0z</a></p>— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshHelmholdt/status/542419553330814976">December 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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BobbyMac

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Michigan?src=hash">#Michigan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OSU?src=hash">#OSU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ND?src=hash">#ND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Badgers?src=hash">#Badgers</a> stand out to 4* OT Ben Bredeson but southern visits may be taken <a href="http://t.co/DmO1PTjUGL">http://t.co/DmO1PTjUGL</a> <a href="http://t.co/yp28kHdz0z">pic.twitter.com/yp28kHdz0z</a></p>— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshHelmholdt/status/542419553330814976">December 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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That picture should be in black and white!

He's the type of guy you want to go to war with... mean, Butkus throwback.

WANT!

WANT!

WANT!

.
 

Luckylucci

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That picture should be in black and white!

He's the type of guy you want to go to war with... mean, Butkus throwback.

WANT!

WANT!

WANT!

.

I agree, he's the type of kid that we're missing in our run game.
 

Huntr

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2005_CATERPILLAR_160H_VHP_PLUS_MOTOR_GRADER.jpg



Sign him up.
 

Whiskeyjack

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It's hard to get excited for OL recruits until Hiestand gets them playing up to their lofty recruit ratings.
 

Luckylucci

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It's hard to get excited for OL recruits until Hiestand gets them playing up to their lofty recruit ratings.

I think thats a very fair approach. In fact, I think taking that approach with the entire team is pretty well justified at this point.
 

aubeirish

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I think that is a bit premature to say. Most of these highly ranked guys are just sophomores and freshmen. As you guys know, polished underclassmen OL are a rare thing.
 

GoldenToTheGrave

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I agree, he's the type of kid that we're missing in our run game.

That's not his best quality IMO (although he is that). He looks like he has the length and the foot quickness to neutralize edge rushers in the mold of your Matt Kalil's of the world. Prototypical NFL left tackle body.
 

GBdomer

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Kid from Arrowhead going anywhere other than Madison would be a surprise to me. A lot of Wisconsin people in his corner.
 

Whiskeyjack

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We should start seeing the payoff next year.

Will we? If Stanley doesn't declare for the draft, we return 4/5 starters from this year. Unless Kelly and Hiestand are planning to bench/ part with a bunch of veterans in favor of inexperienced talents--which Kelly has never done in his 5 years at ND before--it's unlikely that all the OL talent we've brought in between 2012-2014 will make much of an impact.
 

Wild Bill

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Will we? If Stanley doesn't declare for the draft, we return 4/5 starters from this year. Unless Kelly and Hiestand are planning to bench/ part with a bunch of veterans in favor of inexperienced talents--which Kelly has never done in his 5 years at ND before--it's unlikely that all the OL talent we've brought in between 2012-2014 will make much of an impact.

They need to encourage competition. It'll make them tougher, both individually and as a unit. We need competition and toughness or it'll be the same crap next year - a weekly pillow fight from left guard to right tackle.
 

Luckylucci

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Will we? If Stanley doesn't declare for the draft, we return 4/5 starters from this year. Unless Kelly and Hiestand are planning to bench/ part with a bunch of veterans in favor of inexperienced talents--which Kelly has never done in his 5 years at ND before--it's unlikely that all the OL talent we've brought in between 2012-2014 will make much of an impact.

This is just my opinion but I don't see us taking the same mentality into this offseason that we did in previous years, with regards to the Oline.
 

Whiskeyjack

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This is just my opinion but I don't see us taking the same mentality into this offseason that we did in previous years, with regards to the Oline.

I hope not, but it would be unprecedented to bench (or choose not to bring back) a bunch of vets in favor of more talented youngsters on the OL. Our 2012 OL haul included Elmer, Bivin, McGlinchey, Montelus and McGovern. They'll be juniors next year, but Elmer is the only one who's seen significant playing time. If those guys, as juniors, remain on the bench while Martin, Hegarty and Elmer continue to underperform in the middle, it will be a huge red flag that either: (1) Hiestand isn't developing them properly; or (2) they're not being given a fair chance to compete.

Sadly, a major OL shakeup may lower the team's 2016 ceiling significantly.
 

Luckylucci

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I hope not, but it would be unprecedented to bench (or choose not to bring back) a bunch of vets in favor of more talented youngsters on the OL. Our 2012 OL haul included Elmer, Bivin, McGlinchey, Montelus and McGovern. They'll be juniors next year, but Elmer is the only one who's seen significant playing time. If those guys, as juniors, remain on the bench while Martin, Hegarty and Elmer continue to underperform in the middle, it will be a huge red flag that either: (1) Hiestand isn't developing them properly; or (2) they're not being given a fair chance to compete.

Sadly, a major OL shakeup may lower the team's 2016 ceiling significantly.

I completely agree with everything you've said but I have no idea how you could justify paying somebody (HH) if he doesn't do either. Hegarty and Elmer will be on the hot seat with Martin give a little more latitude as he was hurt and out of position for the entirety of the season. I expect Nelson to take over for Hegarty. I also expect that this is either the year Elmer "gets it" or is relegated to back up duties.
 

Johannes

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Per ISD, Hiestand stopped by last week to check in. Ben's focusing on basketball right now, and he will turn his attention back to football after the season. Sounds like there is strong interest in ND. I think we're going to be a serious player with him.

Junior Highlights:
<iframe src='//www.hudl.com/embed/athlete/1688531/highlights/220473403' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>

I showed his film to my coworker, who played OL at a D3 school and does some coaching locally. He was impressed by his size and motor. He said his pass blocking is better than his run blocking, at least in this film. He could use some work on his footwork and technique, but nothing that can't be coached up.
 

phork

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Seems like a nasty fella.

Incidentally, his QB isn't very good.
 

Luckylucci

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It sounds like right now we have 4 that we're really focused on. Eighenberg, Kraemer, Parker, and this kid. I think we get 2.
 

Johannes

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It sounds like right now we have 4 that we're really focused on. Eighenberg, Kraemer, Parker, and this kid. I think we get 2.

Those four certainly have the most ND activity surrounding them right now. I have a feeling Eichenberg is going to be a Buckeye, though. If we add Boudreaux or Bredeson to Kraemer I would be extremely happy. Parker seems the more likely of the two, but... can you imagine both playing guard in blue and gold with Hoge between them?

With the staff likely taking at least four OL this year (maybe more if Tillery stays on defense), who else would you like to see Hiestand pursue?
 

TheTurningPoint

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Ideally, ND wants Eichenberg, Boudreaux and Eichenberg to go along with Kraemer in the class.

Eich/Bred would be the tackles and TK/Boud would be the guards.

Guys like that Gavin Cupp, Michael Jordan, Willie Allen, Sean Foster, Thiyo Lukusa, Frank Martin, and Trent Maynard are guys ND likes a lot, but they are going after the "big 4" pretty hard right now.
 

Irish Man3

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Ideally, ND wants Eichenberg, Boudreaux and Eichenberg to go along with Kraemer in the class.

Eich/Bred would be the tackles and TK/Boud would be the guards.

Guys like that Gavin Cupp, Michael Jordan, Willie Allen, Sean Foster, Thiyo Lukusa, Frank Martin, and Trent Maynard are guys ND likes a lot, but they are going after the "big 4" pretty hard right now.

Liam must be a damn stud if they want dude twice ;)

Obviously the big four would be amazing but not likely. Two of the four would be outstanding. We'll see how Eichenburg sets as him and Heistand continue to build their relationship. Heistand is our only chance here.
 

BobbyMac

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Ideally, ND wants Eichenberg, Boudreaux and Eichenberg to go along with Kraemer in the class.

Eich/Bred would be the tackles and TK/Boud would be the guards.

Guys like that Gavin Cupp, Michael Jordan, Willie Allen, Sean Foster, Thiyo Lukusa, Frank Martin, and Trent Maynard are guys ND likes a lot, but they are going after the "big 4" pretty hard right now.

I find this very interesting. Does Kraemer know he's going to be a guard? I just can't believe that's his mindset. Right now he's ranked higher than Eichenberg or Bredeson and LT is the big money position. As a to be senior, ranked #4 in the country at my position, I can tell you I wouldn't accept being projected as a guard as the school I'm committed to went out and chased other players to put at the position I see myself at in South Bend and professionally.

Thoughts guys?

.
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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I find this very interesting. Does Kraemer know he's going to be a guard? I just can't believe that's his mindset. Right now he's ranked higher than Eichenberg or Bredeson and LT is the big money position. As a to be senior, ranked #4 in the country at my position, I can tell you I wouldn't accept being projected as a guard as the school I'm committed to went out and chased other players to put at the position I see myself at in South Bend and professionally.

Thoughts guys?

.

I think that is definitely putting the cart before the horse. If he believes in himself and his coaches, he knows he'll be put in the best position to succeed. Martin as a shining example. Played guard, played tackle, did what was needed and his ability to transition to the NFL and make the probowl as a rookie should be comforting to any incoming linemen.
 

TheTurningPoint

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Liam must be a damn stud if they want dude twice ;)

Obviously the big four would be amazing but not likely. Two of the four would be outstanding. We'll see how Eichenburg sets as him and Heistand continue to build their relationship. Heistand is our only chance here.

lol whoops. Can I get Bredeson in there? haha
 

TheTurningPoint

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Kraemer knows that he will be a guard at Notre Dame and that has been discussed already. Notre Dame wants to get bigger and more physical. That fits his game. He isnt the most agile or athletic kid, so LT might be a stretch for him and thats not saying he couldnt play there. Almost all the top OL in high school play Tackle and then some make the switch to other positions in college.

Kraemer having the ability to play 4 slots along the line is a benefit for him and one of his strengths. He is somewhat like Steve Elmer and you can plug him in at different slots to get your best 5 on the field. Could Elmer play LT? Sure, but thats not his ideal position at the college level.
 

BobbyMac

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Kraemer knows that he will be a guard at Notre Dame and that has been discussed already. Notre Dame wants to get bigger and more physical. That fits his game. He isnt the most agile or athletic kid, so LT might be a stretch for him and thats not saying he couldnt play there. Almost all the top OL in high school play Tackle and then some make the switch to other positions in college.

Kraemer having the ability to play 4 slots along the line is a benefit for him and one of his strengths. He is somewhat like Steve Elmer and you can plug him in at different slots to get your best 5 on the field. Could Elmer play LT? Sure, but thats not his ideal position at the college level.

Kraemer having the ability to play 4 slots along the line is a benefit for him and one of his strengths. He is somewhat like Steve Elmer and you can plug him in at different slots to get your best 5 on the field. Could Elmer play LT? Sure, but thats not his ideal position at the college level.[/QUOTE]

Ok... this is good. As long as it has been discussed and that path to the field is mutually agreed upon then there is no problem. I commend Kraemer on choosing that path, it keeps options open for him at both ND and professionally. I also commend him for being able to pass up being the guaranteed LT of the future at a lesser program. Like I said, I would have a hard time giving up that position because of the potential windfall the NFL brings at LT. His odds of being more NFL ready for OL in general probably are higher at ND than any school, that is what is most important to him obviously. In the year 2020, I think we will look back at this period as the golden age of ND Offensive Lineman. There are seriously 10+ guys with NFL chances (or in the NFL already) from Martin and Watt through Kraemer and his class that could be playing at that time.

.
 
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GoldenToTheGrave

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Kraemer knows that he will be a guard at Notre Dame and that has been discussed already. Notre Dame wants to get bigger and more physical. That fits his game. He isnt the most agile or athletic kid, so LT might be a stretch for him and thats not saying he couldnt play there. Almost all the top OL in high school play Tackle and then some make the switch to other positions in college.

Kraemer having the ability to play 4 slots along the line is a benefit for him and one of his strengths. He is somewhat like Steve Elmer and you can plug him in at different slots to get your best 5 on the field. Could Elmer play LT? Sure, but thats not his ideal position at the college level.

Exactly. IMO the feet are the real thing that separate LT's from RT's and guards, and although Elmer's tape is really good, when he tries to mirror the outside speed rusher he moves his feet like he crapped his pants. Kraemer's outside leg kick is underwhelming, while Bredeson's is very good and Eichenberg's is as good as any tape I've seen at the high school level. Kraemer is still good enough to play tackle at the D1 level, but he definitely looks more of an interior lineman/RT.
 
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