'24 NE LB Teddy Rezac (Notre Dame Signee)

[zbikowski88]

I’ve been impressed with the LB recruiting the last two cycles.

I was just questioning if Irishdrunk was attributing the recruiting haul of the 2022 LB class to Kelly, and not Freeman.

They desperately needed to add speed/athleticism to the LB group, feel like they’ve been doing that

 

[Irish4life]

Can't wait for future ND AA Teddy Rezac to get on campus

 

[Reaper97]

Can't wait for future ND AA Teddy Rezac to get on campus

Well, he just left campus, (as a ND commit probably).

 

[zbikowski88]

 

[ColinKSU]

I don't get it at all, but they're either going to be really right or really wrong.

 

[T-Boone]

I don't get it at all, but they're either going to be really right or really wrong.

He could have a Kiser type career which would mean that they were kinda right but not “really right.”

 

[Ndaccountant]

Somewhere, Bip Roberts is yelling at the clouds on this on.

 

[ColinKSU]

He could have a Kiser type career which would mean that they were kinda right but not “really right.”

I can’t even get to the Kiser level because at least Jack was absurdly productive at his low level of play. I didn’t really get Jack either, but at least I could say he was a man amongst boys.

Teddy is a starter on the roster of a heavily recruited high school in Omaha that plays alongside a major 2025 prospect that every school in America is scouting and he doesn’t even have an offer from Nebraska, let alone any serious college football program. There’s no reason why he should be nearly offerless considering everything his recruitment has going for him.

I don’t get his recruitment at all.

 

[Reaper97]

He could have a Kiser type career which would mean that they were kinda right but not “really right.”

Kiser beat out 5 & high 4 Star kids at ND.
So I would say they were right.

 

[Reaper97]

I can’t even get to the Kiser level with this kid because at least Jack was absurdly productive at his low level of play.

Teddy is just a dude on the roster of a heavily recruited high school in Omaha that plays alongside a major 2025 prospect that every school in America is scouting and he doesn’t even have an offer from Nebraska, let alone any serious college football program.

I don’t get his recruitment at all. It’s impossible that every school recruiting his teammate just failed to notice this other stud player standing literally right next to him on every snap.

I already explained this to the dude who got banned. There is a backstory to Nebraska & the old staff. Don’t be surprised if Rhule now offers him & he publicly announced it.
And that other stud player is a sophomore and people just started recruiting him hard the past couple months, which is when ND did notice Teddy doing exactly what you said, as have other schools.

 

[ColinKSU]

I already explained this to the dude who got banned. There is a backstory to Nebraska & the old staff. Don’t be surprised if Rhule now offers him & he publicly announced it.
And that other stud player is a sophomore and people just started recruiting him hard the past couple months, which is when ND did notice Teddy doing exactly what you said, as have other schools.

You seem to understand the ins of his recruitment, so I’m genuinely asking where the other offers are? Are they expecting them to roll in now that everyone has noticed him?

I didn’t see many of the “he’s talking to XYZ programs” lines in the pieces about his recruitment. There’s not much to go on besides a lot of questions about this recruitment.

 

[Irishdrunk]

I think we have a higher closure rate on the 3 Star recruits which has to be something the new management is considering.

 

[stlnd01]

He could have a Kiser type career which would mean that they were kinda right but not “really right.”

Kiser is a multi-year starter. He turned out just fine.

 

[stpeteirish]

Kiser is a multi-year starter. He turned out just fine.

A lot of fans on these boards think Kiser isn't any good. I'd love to see the actual grades our coaches give him because they keep playing him. Of course, then the message board geniuses will say the coaches are wrong.

How do you argue with that?

Kiser occasionally gets exposed in pass coverage down the field but that's about the only thing I see that you can complain about, and isn't that really on the scheme and therefore the coaches not the player?

 

[GoIrish41]

But he’s reporting offers from N Dakota St & Coastal Carolina? Bullshit.

Of the last 21 posts you made 16 with the same basic comment. Take a fucking lap already!

 

[Luckylucci]

He wouldn’t be the worst prospect in the class to me. Not even bottom 3.

 

[INLaw]

They seem to want big safeties for linebackers. Teams pass more these days. At least I can see the upside. And what is the harm if he never progresses he may transfer or medical to get a degree. Either way it is not my money and we won’t turn away anybody over this one scholly.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Kiser beat out 5 & high 4 Star kids at ND.
So I would say they were right.

And hasn’t played that great, Kiser is fine but we need better

 

[PutuporShutup]

A lot of fans on these boards think Kiser isn't any good. I'd love to see the actual grades our coaches give him because they keep playing him. Of course, then the message board geniuses will say the coaches are wrong.

How do you argue with that?

Kiser occasionally gets exposed in pass coverage down the field but that's about the only thing I see that you can complain about, and isn't that really on the scheme and therefore the coaches not the player?

My bigger issue is our lbs getting gobbled up by olinemen and blitzing right into them … Kiser is one of them

 

[stlnd01]

And hasn’t played that great, Kiser is fine but we need better

Kiser was the 409th-rated player in the class of 2019 (per 247). These are the LBs we've recruited that year and since.

2019:
Ekwonu, #213
Bertrand, #358
Liufau, #457
(Our three starting linebackers last season and none of them were Top 350 recruits. The highest-rated barely played for us.)

2020:
Botelho, #120
(We recruited exactly one LB in 2020 and he became a Vyper. Maybe this year he finally lives up to his potential.)

2021:
Kollie, #147
Devin Aupiu, #583
Will Schweitzer, #592
Kahanu Kia, #592
(Dear Lord what a terrible LB class. None of these guys are even still on Notre Dame's football team.)

2022:
Sneed, #34
Burnham, #109
JR Tuihalamaka, $159
Ziegler, #293
(Gosh. Something changed here. I wonder what it could have been.)

2023:
Bowen, #136
Ausberry, #163
Zinter, #529 (with a brother who is a multi-year starter at Michigan)
(This builds on '22. In a year or so I think we'll feel a lot better about this position group than people do right now.)

So, two things jump out. 1: Freeman is NOT the problem when it comes to linebacker recruiting. 2: This is probably the year when the '22s start to show up but who exactly was supposed to beat Kiser for a job from these other classes?

 

[PutuporShutup]

Kiser was the 409th-rated player in the class of 2019 (per 247). These are the LBs we've recruited that year and since.

2019:
Ekwonu, #213
Bertrand, #358
Liufau, #457
(Our three starting linebackers last season and none of them were Top 350 recruits. The highest-rated barely played for us.)

2020:
Botelho, #120
(We recruited exactly one LB in 2020 and he became a Vyper. Maybe this year he finally lives up to his potential.)

2021:
Kollie, #147
Devin Aupiu, #583
Will Schweitzer, #592
Kahanu Kia, #592
(Dear Lord what a terrible LB class. None of these guys are even still on Notre Dame's football team.)

2022:
Sneed, #34
Burnham, #109
JR Tuihalamaka, $159
Ziegler, #293
(Gosh. Something changed here. I wonder what it could have been.)

2023:
Bowen, #136
Ausberry, #163
Zinter, #529 (with a brother who is a multi-year starter at Michigan)
(This builds on '22. In a year or so I think we'll feel a lot better about this position group than people do right now.)

So, two things jump out. 1: Freeman is NOT the problem when it comes to linebacker recruiting. 2: This is probably the year when the '22s start to show up but who exactly was supposed to beat Kiser for a job from these other classes?

All I’m saying is we need better play at the lb position than betrand Marist and Kiser …. Whether that’s talent development or hopefully both.

I don’t think freeman’s issue is recruiting as much as it’s possibly development. Our last 2 years have been the worst lb play at ND since maybe weis years? Heck we had better lb play in 2016. If lb play is poor this year I will be very confident we have a coaching issue. I sure hope that doesn’t happen.

 

[stlnd01]

All I’m saying is we need better play at the lb position than betrand Marist and Kiser …. Whether that’s talent development or hopefully both.

I don’t think freeman’s issue is recruiting as much as it’s possibly development. Our last 2 years have been the worst lb play at ND since maybe weis years? Heck we had better lb play in 2016. If lb play is poor this year I will be very confident we have a coaching issue. I sure hope that doesn’t happen.

And all I’m saying is I think we’ll get there. The cupboard in the classes between ‘19 and ‘22 is pretty damn bare. The ‘19 guys do the best they can. The ‘22s were true freshmen last season. This year they start to assert themselves and by ‘24 LB feels like a strength, not a weakness.

 

[NDdomer2]

Rhule been on the job long enough now. So not sure that jives.

 

[PutuporShutup]

And all I’m saying is I think we’ll get there. The cupboard in the classes between ‘19 and ‘22 is pretty damn bare. The ‘19 guys do the best they can. The ‘22s were true freshmen last season. This year they start to assert themselves and by ‘24 LB feels like a strength, not a weakness.

Very possible, need significant improvement this year showing player development

Freeman had 2 years with lbs last year and somehow they got even worse from 21 to 22

 

[BobbyMac]

If you think Freeman can't develop LB's go check out the Cincy highlights/stats for Darrian Beavers, Joel Dublanko, Bryan Wright & Snipers: Malik Clements & Jarell White. These guys were lights ut for Freeman and I think only Beavers made it to the League.

StL nailed it just above. The future is bright even if you end up with Kahoun & Rezac in this class.

The guys who don't break out of their 3* tags will get processed. It's not a dirty practice any longer. You either leave and play immediately at the school of your choice or you take a medical like Schweitzer with the option of unretiring for a couple of years of clock somewhere else and get a Masters. Win Win Win for everyone.

 

[PutuporShutup]

If you think Freeman can't develop LB's go check out the Cincy highlights/stats for Darrian Beavers, Joel Dublanko, Bryan Wright & Snipers: Malik Clements & Jarell White. These guys were lights ut for Freeman and I think only Beavers made it to the League.

StL nailed it just above. The future is bright even if you end up with Kahoun & Rezac in this class.

The guys who don't break out of their 3* tags will get processed. It's not a dirty practice any longer. You either leave and play immediately at the school of your choice or you take a medical like Schweitzer with the option of unretiring for a couple of years of clock somewhere else and get a Masters. Win Win Win for everyone.

His history of coaching lbs at Purdue and Cincy are what shocked me the last 2 years here at ND. Is it all talent that is the issue, or did we run the wrong scheme with the wrong players, or development? Maybe all 3.

 

[Guyjin37]

He isn’t the LB coach anymore.

Stop making new usernames.

 

[Crazy Balki]

His history of coaching lbs at Purdue and Cincy are what shocked me the last 2 years here at ND. Is it all talent that is the issue, or did we run the wrong scheme with the wrong players, or development? Maybe all 3.

Talent is the primary issue.

Lea did a lot of things great, but recruiting wasn't one of them. Keep in mind, ND completely whiffed at LB in '20 and took 1 guy in '21 who is no longer here. That isn't a winning formula.

They banked heavily on 1 LB class and a lot of those guys simply had limited ceilings. Bertrand has been very solid, but his limitations at notable and there isn't much you can coach around there. Kiser and Marist were both very raw players who needed experience and reps. Marist missed an entire season of experience and reps prior to just being thrust into the starting role.

All the while, there was nobody really pushing these upperclassmen for reps, because again, Lea and Kelly didn't recruit anybody to do so.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Talent is the primary issue.

Lea did a lot of things great, but recruiting wasn't one of them. Keep in mind, ND completely whiffed at LB in '20 and took 1 guy in '21 who is no longer here. That isn't a winning formula.

They banked heavily on 1 LB class and a lot of those guys simply had limited ceilings. Bertrand has been very solid, but his limitations at notable and there isn't much you can coach around there. Kiser and Marist were both very raw players who needed experience and reps. Marist missed an entire season of experience and reps prior to just being thrust into the starting role.

All the while, there was nobody really pushing these upperclassmen for reps, because again, Lea and Kelly didn't recruit anybody to do so.

Agree on the recruiting issues with kelly/Lea but Lea really took some players struggling and not highly recruited players and turned them into really good college LBs.

I do disagree on Marist being thrust into starting lineup last year, he practiced all spring, summer, fall but did have his reps somewhat limited to prevent injury. My point is he was practicing the full time golden was here.

Yes, there wasn't too much competition at LB but then again, how did Kollie not get a shot with how bad Marist was playing last year, yet marist led our D in snaps? No clue how someone can justify that. Prince didn't play much, he wasn't amazing when he was in, but showed much more ability than Marist. Marist played 5X the number of snaps Kollie did. Marist had 4.5 tackles for loss and .5 sacks, Prince in 5X less snaps had 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

If Marist plays like he did last year does he play 500 snaps again let alone the 600+ he played last year? Does the young talent get meaningful reps early in the season to develop and push the older guys for PT? Linebacker is probably the position on the team I am most curious to see.

 

[BeauBenken]

So not to get sidetracked in this thread about anything but Rezac...

But after watching his film and seeing his testing numbers, I like this kid a lot and see why the staff would as well. It's rare to find athletes being used to set the edge on a defense and play single high safety.