5th years; Thomas coming back as a RB

[tgolden]

Notre Dame linebacker/running back Travis Thomas has decided that he will return for a fifth year with the Irish, and he plans to return to the backfield for his final season. In fact, the majority of prospects that met with coach Charlie Weis last week have initially voiced their desire to return to South Bend. Those also expected to return include tight end John Carlson, center John Sullivan, defensive tackle Trevor Laws and cornerback Ambrose Wooden. However, safety Tom Zbikowski, who was invited to the Senior Bowl, is expected to declare for the draft after Notre Dame's Sugar Bowl matchup with LSU. Sullivan seems to be the other prospect weighing his options, as it is hard for an interior lineman to improve his grade from one year to the next. He is on course to graduate later this month.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;...F?slug=jm-prospects120806&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

the backfield could get pretty crowded next year. but I guess competition is good, Thomas probably has a better shot at the NFL as a RB, and this must mean some of the young LBs are developing pretty well. It'll be great to have Travis back just for his intensity and leadership regardless of where he is playing.

 

[MightyK]

Great to hear Travis is coming back. Even better to have yet another example of Charlie true to his word. Nothing better than seeing a team player get treated properly. What a great team atmosphere Charlie must create.

 

[grantland]

To all recruits who state that education is important to you, note from the above article:

"He is on course to graduate later this month."

 

[HereComesTheSun]

Walker, Thomas, Aldridge, Prince, Allen, Schmidt, and Schwapp.

There's too much talent to not run fr over 200 ypg.

 

[Get Nasty]

Herecomes.......

Herecomes.......

More importantly than the RB talent is the OL talent.

Honestly, I have never been that big of a fan of Thomas play. He seems like a great person and team player (obviously) but as a rb he runs like a power back but when he gets hit he gets crushed, he just doesn't have much power. Heck Justin King almost ran him over this year and King is a terrible terrible weak tackler.

I'm glad we have him back no doubt but I hope James or AA can beat him out for back up.

 

[ndalltheway05]

does anyone think thomas movin back to rb might imply that nd could be excpecting donald to commit and possibly play as a frosh?...I'm not sure but our lb depth isn't going to be that great next year unless theres some freshmen who can contribute right away.

 

[dankus]

Walker, Thomas, Aldridge, Prince, Allen, Schmidt, and Schwapp.

There's too much talent to not run fr over 200 ypg.

Offensive line is a pre-requisite I imagine.

 

[BGIF]

Walker, Thomas, Aldridge, Prince, Allen, Schmidt, and Schwapp.

There's too much talent to not run fr over 200 ypg.

With the exception of Allen is that the same cast from this year's show?

And we have 1 maybe 2 returning OLs.

Who needs an OLine, right?

 

[HeliND]

does anyone think thomas movin back to rb might imply that nd could be excpecting donald to commit and possibly play as a frosh?...I'm not sure but our lb depth isn't going to be that great next year unless theres some freshmen who can contribute right away.

this is the exact same thing I was thinking. Either our young guys are showing a lot of potential or Charlie knows something we don't. This could also be a good recruiting move.

 

[BGIF]

And we left out Demetrius Jones the running QB!

We're gonna need more footballs!

 

[ndirish302000]

maybe now we'll spread the ball out more between our rbs, charlie seems to like sticking with one running back.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Walker, Thomas, Aldridge, Prince, Allen, Schmidt, and Schwapp.

There's too much talent to not run fr over 200 ypg.

Ummmm? O-line? If it sucks, we will not run for 100... Kinda like this year.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

maybe now we'll spread the ball out more between our rbs, charlie seems to like sticking with one running back.

unlikely... Weis has talked about the fact that he prefers playing one back for most of the game.

 

[iloveirish_12]

Why would go back to running back? I think he should stay at LB. He is the only LB that came close to stop the pass.

 

[KMac151993]

Umm am I the only person here that is really excited to see Laws back, we have tons of depth at running back but Laws is a monster at DT having him comeback is probably the most exciting news we can have this off-season.

 

[tchris555]

he's the most important guy coming back next year or coming in in the frosh class.

 

[IrishSanDiego]

Ummmm? O-line? If it sucks, we will not run for 100... Kinda like this year.

Don't give up hope yet. Weis did say in his last presser that the young o-lineman did impress in practice. I know it doesn't mean they will do it on saturdays next year but it is all the hope i need.

 

[ndirish302000]

Umm am I the only person here that is really excited to see Laws back, we have tons of depth at running back but Laws is a monster at DT having him comeback is probably the most exciting news we can have this off-season.

I'm not so sure this was the right move for laws personally, he had a great season but i dont see him having a better one next year. unless we can get a compliment for him on the line he will be constantly double and triple teamed. its hard to show what your made of when you have 600 total lbs blocking you. As an ND fan though, im glad to have him back.

 

[BGIF]

I'm not so sure this was the right move for laws personally, he had a great season but i dont see him having a better one next year. unless we can get a compliment for him on the line he will be constantly double and triple teamed. its hard to show what your made of when you have 600 total lbs blocking you. As an ND fan though, im glad to have him back.

He may not post higher numbers without someone to help apply pressure but those NFL scouts could care less about stats against directional colleges. If he is playing well while be being double and triple teamed he'll be noticed just as Abiamiri was by those that have the eye for the game.

 

[RipDirty]

I like Travis but I don't want him to come back to the offensive side of the ball. I rather we let Aldridge, Allen, and Prince get the carries.

 

[Get Nasty]

I really don't understand the move of Thomas back to LB. I can only assume that Thomas said he would come back only if at RB. I see him being great on special teams but i'd also like to see aldridge and AA get the other carries. Prince too, but i'm not too sure about him yet.

 

[irishfan]

I know theres no way that Weis would have Travis Thomas learn a new position, but I've always thought that he would make a good strong safety, and I still think that he would benefit the team most at that position. Also, with Thomas moving back to running back, most likely either Armando Allen or Munir Prince will get red-shirted, because one of them will most likely be the 5th running back. With Thomas not playing linebacker anymore, does anyone know who would step and take over the weakside linebacker spot next year?

 

[ACamp1900]

Sully and Carlson is great news if indeed true....

 

[kjones]

Indeed. For all the talk of Laws; however great, Sullivan might be the most key player to have returning. A veteran center calling out the blocks would be a HUGE help to our young, inexperienced O-Line. Those two could be the keys to us have a 9-10 win season over a 7 win season.

 

[RichardRiot]

Most important retention???

This is a tough one.....Sully will be huge for helping to shore up an inexperienced O-line, especially with a new QB.....however, that D-Line will be coming down a steep learning curve as well, so Laws will be a 'big' keep

 

[Axl Rose]

I know theres no way that Weis would have Travis Thomas learn a new position, but I've always thought that he would make a good strong safety, and I still think that he would benefit the team most at that position. Also, with Thomas moving back to running back, most likely either Armando Allen or Munir Prince will get red-shirted, because one of them will most likely be the 5th running back. With Thomas not playing linebacker anymore, does anyone know who would step and take over the weakside linebacker spot next year?

I thought you can only red shirt a player in their first year?

 

[IrishSanDiego]

you can use a redshirt for any year a player doesnt play after the first few games. It is mostly used on freshmen so they can develop in terms of physical strength and awareness of the system.
For example, architecture majors are required to go to rome during one of their five years at ND. I think it is usually done in the third year. In this case, the player would likely redshirt this 3rd year and play years 1,2,4,5.

 

[BGIF]

I thought you can only red shirt a player in their first year?

Currently the NCAA allows athletes 5 years to play 4.

 

[flick0069]

We will have alot of RB's next year...i think DW will be getting less carries.

 

[cpprhead59]

laws and sully are two musts to come back for next year due to the depth issues and inexperience at those positisons.

i think that TT will still see some time at LB next year in certain situations especially in the beginning of the year until the younger guys mature into the positions.

i think also that the statement of TT going to be playing more RB is a good sign in the area of recruiting. I cant see them moving him back to RB if they do not know they have some big time LB's coming in (Donald, Zo Edwards, and/or m. smith)