'11 OH LB Jarrett Grace (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Luckylucci]

The questioned was asked to Wiltfong so I thought I'd share. If there is any news on Grace and if he'll be able to contribute next fall. Wiltfong said that though he'll never be the same again, he showed enough during bowl practices that he should be able to contribute next fall.

 

[irishfan]

The questioned was asked to Wiltfong so I thought I'd share. If there is any news on Grace and if he'll be able to contribute next fall. Wiltfong said that though he'll never be the same again, he showed enough during bowl practices that he should be able to contribute next fall.

Do they/you think he is asked back for a 5th year? I always had kind of assumed he was done between the injury and the tight numbers.

 

[ResLife Hero]

The questioned was asked to Wiltfong so I thought I'd share. If there is any news on Grace and if he'll be able to contribute next fall. Wiltfong said that though he'll never be the same again, he showed enough during bowl practices that he should be able to contribute next fall.

Damn, that's tough. Hate when injuries derail talent and drive.

 

[Luckylucci]

Do they/you think he is asked back for a 5th year? I always had kind of assumed he was done between the injury and the tight numbers.

Kind of the reason I posted it, previously I really didn't have a good idea one way or another but would've said No.

 

[irishfan]

Kind of the reason I posted it, previously I really didn't have a good idea one way or another but would've said No.

Ya. ISD had a run down of the MLB spot for next year, and Grace was a big part of the breakdown. That surprised me and then now this on top of it. Weird. Barring transfers, we're looking at guys like Carlisle and/or Farley not being asked back. Definitely assumed they were higher on the totem pole than Grace.

 

[Wingman Ray]

To me giving him a 5th year instead of giving a new player a scholarship makes zero sense to me. While I realize he had tons of potential, it never really made an impact due to his injuries. Why would ND gamble that this year he may finally be injury free as opposed to bringing in new talent? Especially with this being his last year period.

I get it that he has great knowledge of the position and is help to the team leadership wise but at what point do you cut the loss? As of right now, it has been 4 years of free schooling with very little return on investment.

 

[Crazy Balki]

To me giving him a 5th year instead of giving a new player a scholarship makes zero sense to me. While I realize he had tons of potential, it never really made an impact due to his injuries. Why would ND gamble that this year he may finally be injury free as opposed to bringing in new talent? Especially with this being his last year period.

I get it that he has great knowledge of the position and is help to the team leadership wise but at what point do you cut the loss? As of right now, it has been 4 years of free schooling with very little return on investment.

Agreed. We get that and moreso from Schmidt. Sad to say, but Joe has passed him by. The way I see it, there are 3 commits that if they chose, must come back, Golson, Martin and Schmidt. If there's room, Ishaq, Farley and Carlisle, but the odds are slim. Don't really know our numbers, but we'll have room for 3, maybe 4 5th years, barring transfer.

 

[IrishLax]

Ya. ISD had a run down of the MLB spot for next year, and Grace was a big part of the breakdown. That surprised me and then now this on top of it. Weird. Barring transfers, we're looking at guys like Carlisle and/or Farley not being asked back. Definitely assumed they were higher on the totem pole than Grace.

Carlisle is a relatively redundant player, but I'd bet everything I've got that Farley gets asked back.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

Carlisle is a relatively redundant player, but I'd bet everything I've got that Farley gets asked back.

I tend to agree, even though it's tough turning away a player that was pretty productive for us last year. Sadly he seems to be one of the more replaceable than some of the other 5th year candidates.

Farley, however, had himself a hell of a year even in a somewhat limited role, and I think was the team leader in interceptions. No way you turn down an experienced, savvy ballhawk in the secondary. He had a knack all year at coming up with big plays when it was most needed.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I thought Carlisle's ability to play RB might make him a higher priority in 2015.

Farley's return should never have been in question.

 

[irishfan]

Carlisle is a relatively redundant player, but I'd bet everything I've got that Farley gets asked back.

Ya I agree with Carlisle. I was 100% in the Prosise>Carlisle camp all season when it came to the Slot spot. I just think Carlisle would have more value than Grace if it came down to that, between being able to backup the Slot, play RB in an emergency, and help out on STs. I think that's more than what Grace can offer us.

I would take Farley over Carlisle as well. Good niche player on D and seemed to be one of the leaders out there for sure. We've really missed the leadership the last two years on D that we had in 2012 with Kap, Te'o, Motta. Loved having a leader at every position group.

 

[tussin]

ISD Intel just had a bit saying that the ND staff expects Grace to be "100% for the fall."

 

[Irishman77]

Yahtzee

 

[FLDomer]

ISD Intel just had a bit saying that the ND staff expects Grace to be "100% for the fall."

I really hope he gets to participate in the spring to help shake some of the rust off. I am glad to hear he will be back either way.

 

[ulukinatme]

This could prove to be an interesting conundrum. Grace was starting over Schmidt before he got hurt. Grace's injury allowed Schmidt to rise to the occasion in the new 4-3 scheme. Morgan got early playing time after the injury to Schmidt. All 3 will be here for fall presumably if they all stay healthy. Who ends up seeing the field?

 

[Irishman77]

Jaylon. Grace. Schmidt

Barajas. Morgan. J.O.

 

[ab2cmiller]

This could prove to be an interesting conundrum. Grace was starting over Schmidt before he got hurt. Grace's injury allowed Schmidt to rise to the occasion in the new 4-3 scheme. Morgan got early playing time after the injury to Schmidt. All 3 will be here for fall presumably if they all stay healthy. Who ends up seeing the field?

Don't know. All I do know is that competition breeds excellence. Having those three go at it on a daily basis competing for playing time can only be good.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Play a 2-5-4 lol

 

[Irish8248]

We don't even know what 100% looks like

 

[Luckylucci]

So if they expect him to be 100% for the fall, we can mark him down as somebody (5th year) getting asked back, right?

 

[ulukinatme]

Play a 2-5-4 lol

Wait...it's a setup, the injuries were all a clever ruse to get experience to our LBs. We're finally going to unleash the "Cat Attack" defense that was being recruited before Diaco's depature. 1-9-1!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

ISD Intel just had a bit saying that the ND staff expects Grace to be "100% for the fall."

A miracle, if true. I remain skeptical, though. Will be amazing if Grace manages to produce at all next year.

 

[tussin]

So if they expect him to be 100% for the fall, we can mark him down as somebody (5th year) getting asked back, right?

I would assume so.

I'm curious if "100%" means pre-injury healthy or fully through rehab and cleared to play. The ISD update directly conflicts what Wiltfong reported just a few weeks ago.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I would assume so.

I'm curious if "100%" means pre-injury healthy or fully through rehab and cleared to play. The ISD update directly conflicts what Wiltfong reported just a few weeks ago.

Since that's extremely unlikely, I assume they mean the latter.

 

[irishff1014]

Jaylon. Grace. Schmidt

Barajas. Morgan. J.O.

I can't say this with 100% confidence but i highly doubt you will see those 3 starting. I could very well see Schmidt and Grace bout getting about 700% to 30% to reps. I like both of them with that said if you put them both on the field you will lose a lot of speed in the LB's.

 

[Domina Nostra]

We don't even know what 100% looks like

I think something like this:

I can't say this with 100% confidence but i highly doubt you will see those 3 starting. I could very well see Schmidt and Grace bout getting about 700% to 30% to reps. I like both of them with that said if you put them both on the field you will lose a lot of speed in the LB's.

Smith--------Morgan------------Martini
Barajas-----Schmidt/Grace----Onwualu

 

[Domina Nostra]

...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think something like this:
Smith--------Morgan----------Martini
Barajas-----Schmidt/Grace----Onwualu

I wouldn't be surprised to see Martini force his way into the starting line-up (assuming we play a 3rd LB enough to refer to him as a "starter"). Getting a strong "Danny Spond" vibe from him. Not going to blow anyone away with his athleticism, but a smart, hard-working LB who plays assignment-correct football could make the same sort of difference in 2015 that Spond did in 2012.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Martini force his way into the starting line-up (assuming we play a 3rd LB enough to refer to him as a "starter"). Getting a strong "Danny Spond" vibe from him. Not going to blow anyone away with his athleticism, but a smart, hard-working LB who plays assignment-correct football could make the same sort of difference in 2015 that Spond did in 2012.

Yeah, and then Onwualu could play that hybrid role with Farley.

I am interested to see what direction they go with JO. I think he could put on some weight if he wanted to, but he is pretty agile for a guys his size right now.

 

[ND NYC]

good for him.

hope he gets that last shot to do big things for the Irish.

time will tell...