'15 IN ILB/OLB Asmar Bilal (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Ironman8]

absolutely NOT ....BUT then again it was kind of pick your poison this year w/ the safety position...put the athleticism out there and not have an idea of where to be or put someone out there to get them lined up.....it's just a shame shumate hasn't really gotten it because the guy can play...he just needs to know where to be

I agree, but honestly Shumate and Redfield are the givens back there - what we desperately need are for a couple quality guys behind them ready to come in and give us some quality depth minutes, and also be ready to step in and play big minutes if either get injured. Right now the depth chart behind those 2 is incredidbly thin. We need bodies moved there this spring so they can learn the position if moved, and I think James, John Turner and Butler should all be on the list.

Turner should honestly be the first to go - if he can't see any minutes at SAM now, with the LBs we are bringing in, it makes no sense for him to stay there when he could at least be an emergency guy at his recruited position.

 

[Grahambo]

Do you think he is less athletic / slower than Austin Collinsworth?

To me, it's a shame to move him again where he has to learn an all new position (again), but he has the athleticism to be pretty good there IMO - he just needs the coaching up and experience. Hope he gets moved there and adapts quicker than most could.

I think James fits better at safety then he does at LB. I understand moving him again but you don't know what you have until you try it and with LB as loaded as it is and with S as limited as it is, its worth the shot.

You don't need speed to be a safety. You need to be able to diagnose a formation before the play, get the secondary in order, and keep the play in front of you while having good angles so he can definitely make the transition.

 

[PANDFAN]

I think James fits better at safety then he does at LB. I understand moving him again but you don't know what you have until you try it and with LB as loaded as it is and with S as limited as it is, its worth the shot.

You don't need speed to be a safety. You need to be able to diagnose a formation before the play, get the secondary in order, and keep the play in front of you while having good angles so he can definitely make the transition.

RANGE is one of the key components of being a safety and that has to do w/ speed..yes diagnosing and recognition is another major component but if that db slips, somehow on a reverse gets caught up inside, or gets burnt...that safety better have speed

 

[Grahambo]

RANGE is one of the key components of being a safety and that has to do w/ speed..yes diagnosing and recognition is another major component but if that db slips, somehow on a reverse gets caught up inside, or gets burnt...that safety better have speed

Range...good word.

With that, I think you can make up for a lack of speed with being strong in pre-play diagnosis, recognizing, angles, etc. Speed is ideal, no doubt, I just think at S, you can make up for it. Harrison Smith is by no means a speedster but makes up for it.

Again, speed is preferred, just that its not at the top of the list for safety in my opinion.

 

[Nick Setta]

Range...good word.

With that, I think you can make up for a lack of speed with being strong in pre-play diagnosis, recognizing, angles, etc. Speed is ideal, no doubt, I just think at S, you can make up for it. Harrison Smith is by no means a speedster but makes up for it.

Again, speed is preferred, just that its not at the top of the list for safety in my opinion.

He ran a 4.57 at the NFL combine which is pretty good...

 

[Grahambo]

He ran a 4.57 at the NFL combine which is pretty good...

That doesn't make the Top 15 out of the last several years. Top 10 out of his class (#7) though.

What is Onwalu's 40?

 

[Nick Setta]

That doesn't make the Top 15 out of the last several years. Top 10 out of his class (#7) though.

What is Onwalu's 40?

It says a 4.51 in high school but that doesn't mean anything. Harrison Smith ran a 4.4 hand-timed 40.

 

[Wild Bill]

Range...good word.

With that, I think you can make up for a lack of speed with being strong in pre-play diagnosis, recognizing, angles, etc. Speed is ideal, no doubt, I just think at S, you can make up for it. Harrison Smith is by no means a speedster but makes up for it.

Again, speed is preferred, just that its not at the top of the list for safety in my opinion.

And good hips. If you can backpedal, turn and run in a swift motion, top end speed isn't as important.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Onwualu makes no sense at SAM considering you've now got plenty of depth there and will likely have Jaylon moving there from WILL if anyone has a brain.

Either or both of Onwualu/Turner need to move to safety just to have bodies there.

So how do you picture the depth chart? If Jaylon is a SAM, where does everyone else land?

Here are the givens:

SAM
- Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16

MIKE
- Joe Schmidt, RSS
- Michael Deeb, Jr. '17

WILL
- Greer Martini, So. '17

- Dough Randolph, Jr. '17: Will/Rush End?
- Josh Barajas: Will?/Sam?
- Tevon Coney???: Mike?
- John Turner, Sr. '16: Sam/Safety?
- James Onwualu, Jr. '16: Sam/Safety?
- Dru Tranquil, So. '17: Sam/Safety?
- Asmar Bilal: Sam/Safety?

SS
- Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
- Matthias Farley, RSS
- Nicco Fertitta

FS
- Max Redfield, Jr. '16
- Devin Butler, Jr. '16
- Mykelti Williams

 

[koonja]

What are you picturing? Is it this?

SAM
- Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16

MIKE
- Nyles Morgan, So. '17
- Joe Schmidt, RSS
- Michael Deeb, Jr. '17
- Tevon Coney???

WILL
- Greer Martini, So. '17
- Josh Barajas
- Dough Randolph, Jr. '17

SS
- Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
- Matthias Farley, RSS
- Nicco Fertitta

FS
- Max Redfield, Jr. '16
- Devin Butler, Jr. '16
- Mykelti Williams

So where do these guys land?
- John Turner, Sr. '16
- James Onwualu, Jr. '16 __________
- Dru Tranquil, So. '17 _________
- Asmar Bilal __________

I forgot Randolph was on this team. Anyone expect him to ever be a player? Maybe he could step up if Onowala has to switch.

 

[Ironman8]

IMO:

SAM
- Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16
- One of Turner / Onwaulu
- Asmar Bilal '18

MIKE
- Joe Schmidt, RSS
- Doug Randolph, Jr. '17
- Michael Deeb, Jr. '17
- Tevon Coney '18
- Jarrett Grace?

WILL
- Nyles Morgan, So. '17
- Greer Martini, So. '17
- Josh Barajas '18

NICKEL:
- Matthias Farley, RSS
- Nicco Fertitta

SS
- Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
- One of Turner / Onwaulu
- Dru Tranquil, So. '17

FS
- Max Redfield, Jr. '16
- Devin Butler, Jr. '16
- Mykelti Williams '18

 

[Domina Nostra]

I forgot Randolph was on this team. Anyone expect him to ever be a player? Maybe he could step up if Onowala has to switch.

This is how I'd do it:

RUSH LB
- Kolin Hill
- Jhonnie Williams, So. ?
- Dough Randolph, Jr. '17

SAM
- Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16
- Josh Barajas
- John Turner, Sr. '16

MIKE
- Nyles Morgan, So. '17
- Joe Schmidt, RSS
- Tevon Coney
- Michael Deeb, Jr. '17

WILL
- James Onwualu, Jr. '16
- Greer Martini, So. '17

SS
- Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
- Dru Tranquil, So. '17
- Nicco Fertitta

FS
- Max Redfield, Jr. '16
- Devin Butler, Jr. '16
- Mykelti Williams

Nickle
- Matthias Farley, RSS
- Asmar Bilal (if he balks up, he can move to SAM, and Barajas can move to Will)

 

[pkt77242]

IMO:

SAM
- Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16
- One of Turner / Onwaulu
- Asmar Bilal '18

MIKE
- Joe Schmidt, RSS
- Doug Randolph, Jr. '17
- Michael Deeb, Jr. '17
- Tevon Coney '18
- Jarrett Grace?

WILL
- Nyles Morgan, So. '17
- Greer Martini, So. '17
- Josh Barajas '18

NICKEL:
- Matthias Farley, RSS
- Nicco Fertitta

SS
- Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
- One of Turner / Onwaulu
- Dru Tranquil, So. '17

FS
- Max Redfield, Jr. '16
- Devin Butler, Jr. '16
- Mykelti Williams '18

Why no Crawford at nickel?

 

[Ironman8]

Why no Crawford at nickel?

You could have him there in name, I just think he will play a different role than those two (I guess I'd call him a dimeback vs. a nickelback for distinction purposes). He will be a cover guy taking care of slot WRs in the spread from the second he sets foot on campus IMO. I think Farley and Nicco though will be deployed differently, more of a in the box role of blitzing, covering TEs and the flats, etc.

 

[GBdomer]

What is the rumor with Jaylon and moving to SAM?

 

[Ironman8]

What is the rumor with Jaylon and moving to SAM?

It's the position that fits his skillset best.

 

[Domina Nostra]

It's the position that fits his skillset best.

You want a guy with that much speed on the field side.

 

[GBdomer]

It's the position that fits his skillset best.

I agree and have thought that from day 1. Always reminded me of Von Miller but where are you hearing he's moving to SAM?

 

[Nick Setta]

I agree and have thought that from day 1. Always reminded me of Von Miller but where are you hearing he's moving to SAM?

Jaylon Smith reminds me of Derrick Brooks more due to his cover skills.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Jaylon Smith reminds me of Derrick Brooks more due to his cover skills.

I've actually been underwhelmed with his coverage skills. I think he would be better off rushing the passer like Von Miller. Actually a role like the Packers use Clay Mathews would be perfect for Jaylon.

 

[OCIrish]

I've actually been underwhelmed with his coverage skills. I think he would be better off rushing the passer like Von Miller. Actually a role like the Packers use Clay Mathews would be perfect for Jaylon.

Jaylon is incredible in single coverage, he's just not asked to do it a whole lot.

 

[GBdomer]

Fax is in, Asmar is part of the Notre Dame family. 1st one through

 

[luckoftheirish11]

Fax is in.

 

[arrowryan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Linebacker Asmar Bilal is the first fax in. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShamrockSoldiers15?src=hash">#ShamrockSoldiers15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSD?src=hash">#NSD</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/562945461292904448">February 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Excited to get these two together, hard to tell who is who! Welcome, Asmar! <a href="http://t.co/TBBVG1POL4">pic.twitter.com/TBBVG1POL4</a></p>— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBrianKelly/status/562958074370326528">February 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ulukinatme]

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

One of SoSo's Asian girls?

 

[china423]

<script height="381px" width="672px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#pbid=5e83fc845d86487e88b6953600eaff54&ec=h5dWU1czpgnRl8HPsdsjCaPR62VJTbGx"></script>

 

[Cackalacky]

 

[ulukinatme]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Excited to get these two together, hard to tell who is who! Welcome, Asmar! <a href="http://t.co/TBBVG1POL4">pic.twitter.com/TBBVG1POL4</a></p>— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBrianKelly/status/562958074370326528">February 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kelly followed up that Tweet by saying "No racist."