'17 VA DT Darnell Ewell (Notre Dame Signee)

[NDVirginia19]

Aren't they going to only be redshirt freshman this fall...


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Yep, both are redshirt freshmen. People need to be patient, bulking up to high level D1 playing weight and strength takes some time, as well as learning better technique, since most of these guys were able to bullrush their way through High School

 

[NDShark]

Yep, both are redshirt freshmen. People need to be patient, bulking up to high level D1 playing weight and strength takes some time, as well as learning better technique, since most of these guys were able to bullrush their way through High School

Ah, was thinking they were Jrs

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yep, both are redshirt freshmen. People need to be patient, bulking up to high level D1 playing weight and strength takes some time, as well as learning better technique, since most of these guys were able to bullrush their way through High School

This. I still think Ewell can push for minutes early but we're talking about RS freshmen. OL/DL often require a year or more to season before being put in the cooker.

Many of our DL are young players who haven't scratched the surface. Even Jay Hayes is only going to be using the 2nd year of his eligibility. It's hard to believe but we have a lot of young men who can make a move this fall, the '14 class, the '15 class and now the '16 class have a lot of bodies to sort out.

We only need a couple to make leaps in their production to give us a solid frontline.

 

[JD Irish]

If Ewell is at Notre Dame next Fall, I think he will have a Tillery-like freshman season

Hopefully much better than Tillery's freshman season.

 

[woolybug25]

Hopefully much better than Tillery's freshman season.

How about a Cage type season?

 

[Irish Man3]

Hopefully much better than Tillery's freshman season.

Can you elaborate here? I don't see italics so I'm assuming that you're serious.

 

[dwshade]

There should be no expectations on a OL or DL in their freshman year. They need a year of college conditioning and weight training.

 

[arrowryan]

There should be no expectations on a OL or DL in their freshman year. They need a year of college conditioning and weight training.

I agree. Unless they are a Aaron Lynch or a Stephon Tuitt, I will always give them at least a year before I have an opinion on them

 

[woolybug25]

There should be no expectations on a OL or DL in their freshman year. They need a year of college conditioning and weight training.

I agree with the premise, but there are impact freshmen OL/DL all over cfb every year. A lot of them on good teams too.

 

[JD Irish]

Can you elaborate here? I don't see italics so I'm assuming that you're serious.

I'm definitely serious. I think the two starting spots on the entire roster that are the glaring weaknesses for the team are Tillery's and Trumbetti's, in addition to the two safety spots. Both were extremely underwhelming last year. Just because Tillery played a lot as a true freshman doesn't mean he was any good. The loss of Jarron Jones had a much bigger impact on our defense than I think many are acknowledging. I get that no one should have high expectations for a true freshman defensive lineman, but I think that the ideal should be shooting for how Sheldon Day was used as a true freshman, which I think was very successful.

 

[brewdog_14527]

I agree, but we're getting close to the show me part of their careers.

After one redshirt year at ND, they are in the Show Me part of their career? A little impatient, are we??

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

I personally think we are in pretty good shape at DT. Jaron Jones had problems with consistency but he's about 22-23 years old now and should be primed up for a big year and wanting to showcase himself for the NFL. Daniel Cage is a massive stuffer and seems to improve more and more. Jerry Tillery was a true fresh. last year and certainly hold his own. He's had a year with Longo and seems like a really smart kid and I bet he's the one that makes strides at DT this year. Don't sleep on Elijah Taylor. People don't talk about him but he came outta HS a solid 285 with a 34" waist. He's all muscle. MDT and Tiassum are both very big bodies that have been putting in work as well so our depth shouldn't be too much of a concern, I'd say. Getting Ewell this year would solidify our DT position moving forward and PJ would blow the roof off.

 

[dwshade]

I agree with the premise, but there are impact freshmen OL/DL all over cfb every year. A lot of them on good teams too.

Very rare for true FR. to impact the line of scrimmage year one. I don't think there are as many as you think. And the few who do are elite and as good as Ewell could be he's not elite.

 

[NDShark]

After one redshirt year at ND, they are in the Show Me part of their career? A little impatient, are we??

About 5 posts up, I admit I thought they were Juniors. Clearly, you were too taken aback by my first post to notice!

 

[NDVirginia19]

Don't sleep on Elijah Taylor. People don't talk about him but he came outta HS a solid 285 with a 34" waist. He's all muscle.

Yeah I'm pretty close with Elijah, he got pretty huge as the year went on too. Pretty athletic too, I think he played basketball in High School

 

[Irish Man3]

I'm definitely serious. I think the two starting spots on the entire roster that are the glaring weaknesses for the team are Tillery's and Trumbetti's, in addition to the two safety spots. Both were extremely underwhelming last year. Just because Tillery played a lot as a true freshman doesn't mean he was any good. The loss of Jarron Jones had a much bigger impact on our defense than I think many are acknowledging. I get that no one should have high expectations for a true freshman defensive lineman, but I think that the ideal should be shooting for how Sheldon Day was used as a true freshman, which I think was very successful.

I disagree with the extremely underwhelming portion. He started well, hit a freshman wall and then rebounded and closed nicely. Obviously JJ is an upgrade, but Tillery played well last year in my opinion.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Yeah I'm pretty close with Elijah, he got pretty huge as the year went on too. Pretty athletic too, I think he played basketball in High School

If I remember correctly, Kelly praised E Taylor for his strength in the weight room. Said he was one of the strongest he'd seen? or strongest on the team? If that translates to production, i'll be very happy.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Anybody remember a guy named Bonner?

 

[koonja]

Anybody remember a guy named Bonner?

I dont expect much of him this year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I dont expect much of him this year.

Reason?

 

[irishandy]

I agree. Unless they are a Aaron Lynch or a Stephon Tuitt, I will always give them at least a year before I have an opinion on them

With a quick glance Ewell looks like Stephon Tuitt.

I would be more than pleased if he had a freshman year like Cage or Tillery. I think they both play important roles for our defense this year.

 

[OCIrish]

I'm definitely serious. I think the two starting spots on the entire roster that are the glaring weaknesses for the team are Tillery's and Trumbetti's, in addition to the two safety spots. Both were extremely underwhelming last year. Just because Tillery played a lot as a true freshman doesn't mean he was any good. The loss of Jarron Jones had a much bigger impact on our defense than I think many are acknowledging. I get that no one should have high expectations for a true freshman defensive lineman, but I think that the ideal should be shooting for how Sheldon Day was used as a true freshman, which I think was very successful.

Part of the problem with your post, is that, in one sentence, you state that no one should have high expectations for an incoming frosh. You then go on to state he should've been used in the same light ad Sheldon Day. I agree with both of these statements, however, losing JJ for the season, we didn't have that luxery with Tillery. Frankly......for a full freshman campaign, I thought he played awfully well!!

 

[woolybug25]

Very rare for true FR. to impact the line of scrimmage year one. I don't think there are as many as you think. And the few who do are elite and as good as Ewell could be he's not elite.

Really? Let's leave out the obvious that we have had plenty of impact freshmen guys on the lines throughout our history, let's just look at the rest of football last year?

Terry Beckner - Mizzou
Josh Sweat - FSU
Trenton Thompson - UGA
Conner Williams - Texas
Colton Miller - UCLA
Mitch Hyatt - Clemson
Sam Hubbard - OSU (sorry lax)

I could keep going, but I hope you get the point. Having an impact on the OL/DL as a freshmen happens all over football pretty much every year.

 

[stlnd01]

I'm definitely serious. I think the two starting spots on the entire roster that are the glaring weaknesses for the team are Tillery's and Trumbetti's, in addition to the two safety spots. Both were extremely underwhelming last year. Just because Tillery played a lot as a true freshman doesn't mean he was any good. The loss of Jarron Jones had a much bigger impact on our defense than I think many are acknowledging. I get that no one should have high expectations for a true freshman defensive lineman, but I think that the ideal should be shooting for how Sheldon Day was used as a true freshman, which I think was very successful.

Big difference in how Sheldon Day "was used" as a freshman - as a clear fourth guy backing up a trio of proven veterans - and Tillery - who was basically a starter.
For me, I think Tillery played well "for a freshman." The question is where does he go from here? Does he become mature into, say, a Sheldon Day? Or does he plateau where he's at, as a lot of talented freshman have over the years. Obviously we need another Sheldon Day.

Regardless: I want all the DTs. Especially Ewell.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Is the plan for him to still announce on Friday?

 

[arrowryan]

yup

 

[Big23Head]

Is the plan for him to still announce on Friday?

At noon EST

 

[Big23Head]

Scout: confirmed announcement for Friday and noon. Side comments noted: member of the National Honor Society and Junior ROTC. Two-time all-state honoree. Bench presses 400#

 

[ACamp1900]

Hopefully much better than Tillery's freshman season.

Tillery had a bad season (for a TRUE FRESHMAN)???

Anyway, are we the leader here? odds?

 

[PANDFAN]

Tillery had a bad season (for a TRUE FRESHMAN)???

Anyway, are we the leader here? odds?

yes we weren't initially but it's expected to be ND...odds are extemely favorable in ND's favor and would be a huge shock if ND ISN'T the pick