In fairness, there's two months left until signing day and offers like this this late in the game could be deemed questionable or a sign of other recruits heading elsewhere~~~reaching.
..or maybe the staff has always kept an eye on this kid and told him what he needs to do academically to improve and the motivation was we are not offering you until we see improved academics. Then they see improved academics and then offer.
I guess I just don't see the level of athleticism in Williams' tape as I did in all other offered safeties. I think Jennings blows him out of the water as an athlete. Williams has a good frame, I just question the speed (both actual and football) and athleticism. I hope if we land him he proves me wrong.
There's speed and then football speed. Football speed in terms of angles and correct positioning. Not always about north-south, straight line speed. I'm not comparing him to anybody but in terms of 'speed', I think Harrison Smith. No speed but his angles and positioning are terrific.
Haven't watched his film yet, but even if McKinney was 100% we'd still need 2 DBs unless people think guys on the current roster are switching to safety.
On next year's roster, you're currently staring at only Redfield and Shumate. There is literally no one else who is a true safety and healthy.
Baratti is likely done, Hardy by all accounts doesn't have the option to return, and Tranquill is going to be recovering from his torn ACL at least through spring and who knows when he'll truly be ready to contribute at 100% in the fall. So you have two guys.
You can move Farley back into that role. That gives you 3. You can also potentially move Devin Butler back there but that'd give you a hole at CB, which will give you 4. Outside of those guys, you have to find a WR... Prosise isn't moving again, none of the '13 recruits fit the bill, and the only '14 recruit that does is Brent but I'm doubtful that will happen.
You need at least 6 scholarship safeties on the roster. So do the math... there are some fuzzy numbers with Farley and Tranquill but bottom line is that considering Fertitta is likely more suited for Farley's role this year than being a full time safety and McKinney is wishy-washy you need two guys right now that can play DB.
The last few ISD Intel's have said the staff has wanted to add at least two more safeties so this makes sense. People yell at BK for not having depth so BK gets a quality depth player then people are upset its not a 4-5 star depth player. Can't win.
You have GOT to be kidding me. Where did you read this, the Indy Star?
Indiana HS football is pathetic. The fact that ND is considering this guy just shows how desperate ND has gotten. This guy will never be more than a practice squad player and if he does become more than that, God help us because that means ND is playing MAC football quality.
Watching ND recruiting is becoming more and more disappointing to say the least.
So you can predict the future, you got the lottery numbers all set?
Starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel aren't we?
People talk about competing with the SEC and wanting ND to be competitive in the national landscape. When you talk about losing games to Northwestern and Louisville, think of it because of recruiting like this.
Signing these kids shows how far ND is from being a major player in the real world of college football. Kid would never see the field at a majority of SEC schools.
Ever think that maybe your expectations are simply unrealistic for this day and age? A lot of these star kids that you so desperately want generally don't leave their area and when they do, they pick a school that's easy on academics and is warm..neither of which ND is.
Off base how? You think you can take that line up and play it in the SEC? Hate to break it to you, but if you want to see a championship, you are going to have to go through that conference.
You can't sit there and bitch about losing to Northwestern or Louisville when your talent level is on par with them. You can't also be surprised when you lose to ASU and USC when they are so much better equipped. I don't know how these are off base.
Difference between talent level and having quality depth..something ND lacked. Austin Larkin got real game time reps this past season and they played a future LB (Tranquill) at safety. Also had a true freshman, who wasn't an EE (I could be wrong on that), START at MLB in a pro-style defense. Then had the 3rd stringer, who is also a true freshman, come in and get meaningful reps.
You just don't see that at schools in the SEC for obvious reasons.
I don't think anybody's mad, or mad at the kid.
It's the fact that we need this committment that is troubling. We started early with a lot of 3-star players, and our excuse was 'go after the big dogs later'. But the 'signing' of 3 star players hasn't stopped.
It's not the kid's fault, it's not all the staff's fault, it's 7-5's fault. Can't have this happen IMO.
Roll players are great and every team can use some. But a team of roll players gets you rolled.
Again, I wouldn't say troubling. BK is adding depth. Not every commit is gonna be a future All-American and that includes schools from the SEC. Too early to be calling ND a team of role players when a shit ton of true and RS freshman got plenty of burn. People aren't patient enough to allow proper development. If we have another season like this last one, then you are on to something but if you (general you) are willing to call 2012 a fluke year then you must be fair and call this year a fluke as well.
Patient my young friend. Don't be so quick to judgment.
This is a great, quality pickup.
