'15 IN S Mykelti Williams (Iowa Western Transfer)

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Definitely disappointed in the reaction to this commitment. Honest assessment of the player is a welcome input. Downright disrespect or misplaced anger towards Mykelti isn't. For those that think this is Kelly reaching, I'd say Hugh Freeze who is regarded as one of the best recruiters in the nation wanted him at Ole Miss but I assume those with the ridiculous comments didnt know that. I bet they also don't know that Ole Miss put one of the best D's in the country on the field this year (13.8 pts/game).

Is Mykelti a 5 star, immediate impact player, doesn't seem so. What he is, a solid 4 star prospect from a very good program that coaches quality players. He'll be a guy that contributes to this team during his time at ND and he's is a perfect profile for for ND. Welcome aboard Mykelti, I look forward to cheering for you in the future.

Would David Bruton be a fair comparison for Williams?

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Loy we're only recruiting one more S. Im not sure I agree with that but he's saying that ND wanted two more S regardless of what McKinney decided so even if McKinney decommits we'll still only grab one more.

 

[T Town Tommy]

It wasnt a shot at you. I didnt even read anything you said. I just knew you were the only Bama fan on here and youre a respectable poster.

No problem. I enjoy reading your posts and the info you share out here.

 

[OCIrish]

Excited to have this young man in the fold!!!! Good luck Mykelti and welcome to Irish nation!

 

[Cackalacky]

..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.



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.



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.



So you can predict the future, you got the lottery numbers all set?



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.



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.



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.

A lot of good points in here. And I also want to say welcome to our newest commit! Congrats to Mr. Williams and I look forward to seeing him play.

Now, maybe it has been said already but I think many posters espousing negative attitudes are operating on the idea that we may lose McKinney, while simultaneous striking out with our TOP Safety targets. It seems to me there has been a flurry of activity recently regarding the safety position and none of it appears to be involving NDs top targets. I have not read all of the last few pages, but it appears that the negative responses center around the fact the Williams has the realistic probability of being our highest rated incoming safety this year and for whatever reason ND was just now taking his offer 2 months before signing day. If that's the case, the perceived trouble is kinda real. He won't be depth but probably need to be an immediate contributor.

Couple this with the fact the development of Safties, even highly rated players, have been hampered by injuries and scheme change. I can understand the pessimism from this perspective with regards to lack of depth and the need to have an inexperienced person ready to go by August.

 

[dublinirish]

excited to learn about this kid and see him committing. Indiana might not be CA/TX/FL in terms of quantity of HS football talent but what talent is there should be ring fenced by ND. I like the offer and commitment. Welcome Mykelti!

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Definitely disappointed in the reaction to this commitment. Honest assessment of the player is a welcome input. Downright disrespect or misplaced anger towards Mykelti isn't.

Nailed it! Reps

 

[BeauBenken]

I don't think anybody's bummed that he's a 3-star. McKinney, Kolin Hill, both 3-stars and I was excited to have him.

They're underwhelmed because they watched the film and came away unimpressed. That's OK, not every ND player has to be star-born.

And the 'bama has 3 stars' thing doesn't make sense to me. They have 3-stars that play, but are not asked to be difference makers. Their 4/5-star players are their difference makers, and the 3-stars are fill ins.

Our team is filled with 3 stars and we're going to have to ask some of them to be difference makers. That's not what Bama does. So in a class with solid 4/5 star guys, Williams would be a welcome addition. But IMO we're watered down because we don't have the elite base to begin with.

That's so bullshit. What happened is people saw his rankings (which are skewed by arguably the worst recruiting website, ESPN, and next to worst, Scout) and now even if they did think he was a decent player after seeing his film, they are too proud to go back on it.

Been over that 100 times. None of us are film evaluators other than maybe TP. But it's not hard to recognize talent. Talent is apparent.

Hah! I'm probably better than TP.

I like McKinney, but Mykelti makes Prentice look like a chump when it comes to tackling and run support. Why everyone isn't pretty pumped that we essentially stole a quality safety (a DIRE need) in the blink of an eye is dumbfounding.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I know nothing about evaluating film, but regardless excited to add an instate kid at a position of need! At worst he will provide depth and hopefully add to special teams and maybe he does a lot more and is a really solid S for us. Sure we would all like to fill a class with 5* guys, but at the end of the day we dont know what will happen with any of these guys. Some big names are instant stars, some like Jonas Gray take awhile to put it all together, and some never pan out. Same could be said for 3* guys Im sure. Either way congrats to this kid! Im sure it is a proud day for him and his family and I wish him nothing but success in South Bend!

 

[rtrn2glory]

very imp't pickup late in the game at a huge position of need

very happy

after watchn his tape the kid seems to have fantastic instincts and diagnoses plays very quickly, which may help him get on the field quickly with our depth at safety.

i'll agree sometimes he looks a step slow, but then the next clip he looks like a lightning rod.

still hope we get another safety before february, but glad to atleast get another one

 

[anarin]

This board sometimes blows my f'n mind.

Welcome aboard mykelti!

On a side note, can I make it to where I never see certain posts from people? I'm about to make a serious list.

 

[woolybug25]

This kid neither took anyone's spot nor will he fill our scholarship limit.

He's athletic. Plays good competition. Wants to be here, and seems to be passionate about being the best he can be.

How this wouldn't be considered a good thing is beyond me. I'm happy to have him.

 

[Luckylucci]

This board sometimes blows my f'n mind.

Welcome aboard mykelti!

On a side note, can I make it to where I never see certain posts from people? I'm about to make a serious list.

Yes, you can block specific posters and that will block all off their posts.

 

[irishfan]

Kelly hasn't whiffed on many recruits since he got here. He deserves the benefit of the doubt IMO. Most of issues have been QB play and depth obviously. He's been able to get contributions out of a very, very high percentage of kids who he's brought in here.

And in case anyone hasn't noticed, we don't exactly have many 4 and 5 stars knocking on the door and we're literally never ever at 85 schollies.

Local kid from an area we have had great success and plays a position where we're desperate for depth. How is anyone complaining?

 

[Irish2155]

Warren kid, cool... Just hopes he contributes at a high level like his schoolmate Sheldon.

 

[connor_in]

Welcome young man...looking forward to seeing you grow and prosper as a player and student

 

[BobbyMac]

How anyone can question a kid who was the POTY in Indy Metro and the MIC is beyond me. He's a State Champion and did it at Indiana's top all-time program... playing in a Top 10 nationally ranked HS conference.

The sane Irish fans thank you Mykelti for not choosing:

Mississippi St
Ole Miss
Wisconsin
Louisville
Wake Forrest
Minnesota
Nebraska
Cincinnati
Illinois
Purdue
or
IU

That's an impressive list and ND is lucky to have you.

Don't pay any attention to the local internet clowns that were 3rd string on their high school pep band. They know not what they do.

Welcome & congratulations to Mykelti and his entire family. You've made the best choice any blue-chip recruit can, playing football at Notre Dame and being apart of the best extended family in all of college sports!

.

 

[irish o'phile]

Couple of things:

1. This guy sure looks the part. He is built like a grown man/ NFL Player.

2. I watched his highlights and I realized that Warren Central has a jumobtron. ND does not.

 

[IrishLion]

Welcome [insert recruit's name that will provide a healthy body in the defensive backfield]! Glad to have you!

But seriously, if this pickup is just a "reach" as some believe, or simply for the sake of adding bodies, then Mykelti seems to be a steal in those terms.

No joke offer list, healthy body at safety. I approve.

 

[ohara831]

Glad to have him Irish.

 

[BobbyMac]

When I talk to people in Orange Co about high school football, the first name that gets mentioned most often besides a QB is Joe Schmidt. Everybody was so high on him and couldn't understand why every program in the country wasn't knocking his door down to get him. He played on California's best program but didn't measure up on the recruiting boards.

Maybe that's what the Irish have landed in Williams. When I would talk to my officiating and coaching friends in Indiana this year about the Barajas / Bilal / Kirkland situation... Williams name would always come up as the best defensive player in the state.

To be honest, the only reason I figured they weren't going after him was academics.

Anyways... I love it when you get guys who coaches in the know think are the right guys. I love that he comes from the best program in the state that starts the season off each year with one goal and that's to be the State Champs.

This made my day.

.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I think this is a great pick up and I am happy to have him. Welcome to ND young man!

 

[BobbyMac]

Nice write up in the Indy Star:

American Family Insurance ALL-USA Central Indiana HS football Super Team

 

[Tejas]

I'm pumped for this mf to come in and f up some s

 

[GoldenDomer]

When I talk to people in Orange Co about high school football, the first name that gets mentioned most often besides a QB is Joe Schmidt. Everybody was so high on him and couldn't understand why every program in the country wasn't knocking his door down to get him. He played on California's best program but didn't measure up on the recruiting boards.

Maybe that's what the Irish have landed in Williams. When I would talk to my officiating and coaching friends in Indiana this year about the Barajas / Bilal / Kirkland situation... Williams name would always come up as the best defensive player in the state.

To be honest, the only reason I figured they weren't going after him was academics.

Anyways... I love it when you get guys who coaches in the know think are the right guys. I love that he comes from the best program in the state that starts the season off each year with one goal and that's to be the State Champs.

This made my day.

.

This is great to hear. I am a huge follower of HS football, but admit I am ignorant of midwestern HS football. I love kids who come from programs like that, they have higher expectations for themselves and everyone around them.

 

[Old Man Mike]

To young Mr. Williams --- as the second oldest ND fan on this board, and a proud alumnus, I heartily welcome you to one of the finest academic and athletic institutions anywhere. You'll never be anything but proud of your new school --- I have always been. Bless you and go make everyone proud of you too.

 

[GoldenDomer]

Welcome to the family, Mykelti. Heck of a player right here. 3 star, no star, couldn't give a shit less. You hit people in the mouth, I welcome you with open arms.

 

[ThePiombino]

When I talk to people in Orange Co about high school football, the first name that gets mentioned most often besides a QB is Joe Schmidt. Everybody was so high on him and couldn't understand why every program in the country wasn't knocking his door down to get him. He played on California's best program but didn't measure up on the recruiting boards.

Maybe that's what the Irish have landed in Williams. When I would talk to my officiating and coaching friends in Indiana this year about the Barajas / Bilal / Kirkland situation... Williams name would always come up as the best defensive player in the state.

To be honest, the only reason I figured they weren't going after him was academics.

Anyways... I love it when you get guys who coaches in the know think are the right guys. I love that he comes from the best program in the state that starts the season off each year with one goal and that's to be the State Champs.

This made my day.

.

Great post. Hope you're right.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Big Body Bruiser! Moooooooooar

 

[Irishman77]

Excellent pick up. Love getting local talent that want to be here at a position of need. Welcome Mykelti!