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Class of 2007 Projections
By Brian Smith
There are eighteen recruits that have either enrolled for the spring semester at Notre Dame or will do so this next June. The following is an analysis of each player's abilities and long term projections of which position(s) each player will contribute at.
This is not a hypothesis that is going to be proven over night. No, but it is fun. May the chips fall where they may.
Armando Allen -- Great player that will add much needed speed to the Irish roster. Allen has the ability to hit the home run whenever he touches the ball. Allen will be at least a co-starter with James Aldridge by the end of the 2008 spring practice.
Jimmy Clausen -- Instant impact; Clausen will be the starting quarterback in 2007. He will see his ups and downs against a difficult early schedule, but Clausen possesses the moxie to make it through the tough times and lead his teammates towards a prosperous future (2008-2010). Clausen will be a legend before he enters the NFL Draft.
Taylor Dever -- The California resident fits the mold of an old Lou Holtz offensive lineman: one that wanted to be at Notre Dame, plays with an attitude, and has the size to physically dominate in the run game. Dever will likely redshirt, but he will be a starter down the road (maybe 2009, definitely 2010-2011).
Gary Gray -- Notre Dame is finally building a nice nucleus at cornerback. Gray adds much needed depth to a position that has been under-talented since 1993 by Notre Dame standards. Gray will make an impact this fall, and will be in the mix for a starting position beginning in 2008. At the least, Gray will be a nickel back by his sophomore year.
Robert Hughes -- Hughes will be hard pressed to see significant playing time this fall with Travis Thomas moving back to tailback, but he will battle with James Aldridge for the "big back" role (he is not a true fullback) this summer all the way through until the beginning of the 2008 season opener against San Diego State. Hughes has excellent hands. That will not go unnoticed by Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.
Duval Kamara -- Kamara is raw; but his physical abilities leave open many possibilities once he is seasoned. He is a more graceful Maurice Stovall at this stage of his career, but like Stovall, played in a run-oriented high school attack, truncating his offensive production and learning curve. Kamara will be a star at Notre Dame, but it may not be right away. There is much to learn for the young New Jersey wide receiver.
Aaron Nagel -- One of the relative unknowns in this recruiting class, Nagel is projected to play linebacker at Notre Dame. With the new system being introduced it is hard to say exactly where he will play. Without elite recruiting cohort, it is hard to project him as a future star. More than likely Nagel will be a role player at Notre Dame.
Kerry Neal -- What were the so-called experts (please) thinking? Neal is a sensational prospect. NFL-bound. Neal is a perfect fit as an OLB that is told to "sic'em" the same way the OLB does for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Neal will make an instant impact in South Bend and will be a crowd favorite in the near future.
Andrew Nuss -- DT? I am not buying it until otherwise proven. Nuss is better suited for OG play, and unless he is moved to his more natural position he will not prosper. In short, Notre Dame needs to hit the motherload with 2008 DT recruits so that Nuss can move back to offense. Nuss has NFL ability, as an offensive player...
Emeka Nwankwo -- Nwankwo is young, so perhaps there is a chance he could flourish as a defensive tackle. Then again, he, like Nuss, is probably better suited to play offense. He is a very good drive blocker, yet raw with his technique (plays high). Another player with NFL talent on the offensive side of the ball...
Steve Paskorz -- Quick, athletic, and has good football instincts. Still, Paskorz played running back quite a bit in high school, so there is an adjustment to be made to playing linebacker. He could be a starter down the road, probably at SOLB, where he could use his athleticism in pass coverage.
Mike Ragone -- The fastest natural tight end (wide receivers that later grew into TEs do not count) I have ever watched in the high school ranks, Ragone will make an impact next fall. Ragone is an NFL talent. The Notre Dame tight end tradition continues.
Matt Romine -- Romine is capable of playing either RT or LT at Notre Dame, and could play next fall (Paul Duncan is the main competition for playing time). Romine is also talented enough that he could play offensive guard if needed. Romine will be at least a two year starter for the Irish.
Brian Smith -- Smith has the natural size to play in the 3-4 defense, but exactly where he will line up could vary from time to time. Smith plays down hill, which is important for a 3-4 linebacker. He should start for at least one season for the Irish.
Harrison Smith -- Finally a free safety with the natural instincts to play the football while it is in the air. Smith has excellent athletic ability and is also a big hitter. Look for Smith to be moved around (nickel package, dime package, goal line) depending on the down and distance. Smith will not be on the sidelines for long.
Golden Tate -- Tate's speed will be utilized on reverses, screens, handoffs (yes, he will see time at tailback) and special teams. Tate will make one of the biggest impacts of all the freshmen this fall. If he learns to run routes properly, Tate will land in the NFL one day.
Brandon Walker -- I have never understood kickers, and I still do not. All I hope for is that Walker can kick the ball into the end zone consistently on kickoffs. That is not too much to ask, is it?
Ian Williams -- A defensive tackle! A defensive tackle! Ian Williams will be forced into action right away with Notre Dame's paltry depth chart. His speed and quickness could allow him to play both DE and NG in the 3-4 defense. Notre Dame needs to land at least two more players like Williams in 2008.
also mention of will hill 08 recruit.
By Brian Smith
There are eighteen recruits that have either enrolled for the spring semester at Notre Dame or will do so this next June. The following is an analysis of each player's abilities and long term projections of which position(s) each player will contribute at.
This is not a hypothesis that is going to be proven over night. No, but it is fun. May the chips fall where they may.
Armando Allen -- Great player that will add much needed speed to the Irish roster. Allen has the ability to hit the home run whenever he touches the ball. Allen will be at least a co-starter with James Aldridge by the end of the 2008 spring practice.
Jimmy Clausen -- Instant impact; Clausen will be the starting quarterback in 2007. He will see his ups and downs against a difficult early schedule, but Clausen possesses the moxie to make it through the tough times and lead his teammates towards a prosperous future (2008-2010). Clausen will be a legend before he enters the NFL Draft.
Taylor Dever -- The California resident fits the mold of an old Lou Holtz offensive lineman: one that wanted to be at Notre Dame, plays with an attitude, and has the size to physically dominate in the run game. Dever will likely redshirt, but he will be a starter down the road (maybe 2009, definitely 2010-2011).
Gary Gray -- Notre Dame is finally building a nice nucleus at cornerback. Gray adds much needed depth to a position that has been under-talented since 1993 by Notre Dame standards. Gray will make an impact this fall, and will be in the mix for a starting position beginning in 2008. At the least, Gray will be a nickel back by his sophomore year.
Robert Hughes -- Hughes will be hard pressed to see significant playing time this fall with Travis Thomas moving back to tailback, but he will battle with James Aldridge for the "big back" role (he is not a true fullback) this summer all the way through until the beginning of the 2008 season opener against San Diego State. Hughes has excellent hands. That will not go unnoticed by Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis.
Duval Kamara -- Kamara is raw; but his physical abilities leave open many possibilities once he is seasoned. He is a more graceful Maurice Stovall at this stage of his career, but like Stovall, played in a run-oriented high school attack, truncating his offensive production and learning curve. Kamara will be a star at Notre Dame, but it may not be right away. There is much to learn for the young New Jersey wide receiver.
Aaron Nagel -- One of the relative unknowns in this recruiting class, Nagel is projected to play linebacker at Notre Dame. With the new system being introduced it is hard to say exactly where he will play. Without elite recruiting cohort, it is hard to project him as a future star. More than likely Nagel will be a role player at Notre Dame.
Kerry Neal -- What were the so-called experts (please) thinking? Neal is a sensational prospect. NFL-bound. Neal is a perfect fit as an OLB that is told to "sic'em" the same way the OLB does for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Neal will make an instant impact in South Bend and will be a crowd favorite in the near future.
Andrew Nuss -- DT? I am not buying it until otherwise proven. Nuss is better suited for OG play, and unless he is moved to his more natural position he will not prosper. In short, Notre Dame needs to hit the motherload with 2008 DT recruits so that Nuss can move back to offense. Nuss has NFL ability, as an offensive player...
Emeka Nwankwo -- Nwankwo is young, so perhaps there is a chance he could flourish as a defensive tackle. Then again, he, like Nuss, is probably better suited to play offense. He is a very good drive blocker, yet raw with his technique (plays high). Another player with NFL talent on the offensive side of the ball...
Steve Paskorz -- Quick, athletic, and has good football instincts. Still, Paskorz played running back quite a bit in high school, so there is an adjustment to be made to playing linebacker. He could be a starter down the road, probably at SOLB, where he could use his athleticism in pass coverage.
Mike Ragone -- The fastest natural tight end (wide receivers that later grew into TEs do not count) I have ever watched in the high school ranks, Ragone will make an impact next fall. Ragone is an NFL talent. The Notre Dame tight end tradition continues.
Matt Romine -- Romine is capable of playing either RT or LT at Notre Dame, and could play next fall (Paul Duncan is the main competition for playing time). Romine is also talented enough that he could play offensive guard if needed. Romine will be at least a two year starter for the Irish.
Brian Smith -- Smith has the natural size to play in the 3-4 defense, but exactly where he will line up could vary from time to time. Smith plays down hill, which is important for a 3-4 linebacker. He should start for at least one season for the Irish.
Harrison Smith -- Finally a free safety with the natural instincts to play the football while it is in the air. Smith has excellent athletic ability and is also a big hitter. Look for Smith to be moved around (nickel package, dime package, goal line) depending on the down and distance. Smith will not be on the sidelines for long.
Golden Tate -- Tate's speed will be utilized on reverses, screens, handoffs (yes, he will see time at tailback) and special teams. Tate will make one of the biggest impacts of all the freshmen this fall. If he learns to run routes properly, Tate will land in the NFL one day.
Brandon Walker -- I have never understood kickers, and I still do not. All I hope for is that Walker can kick the ball into the end zone consistently on kickoffs. That is not too much to ask, is it?
Ian Williams -- A defensive tackle! A defensive tackle! Ian Williams will be forced into action right away with Notre Dame's paltry depth chart. His speed and quickness could allow him to play both DE and NG in the 3-4 defense. Notre Dame needs to land at least two more players like Williams in 2008.
also mention of will hill 08 recruit.
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