'25 IL LB Dominik Hulak (Notre Dame Signee)

[PutuporShutup]

Bring him into the program, get him on S&C for 2-3 years, and hope he has projection. I'm fine with this take.

As long as the class isn't full of these types of guys, we'll be fine.

Correct. We need a homerun at DE that can rush the passer.

Way less concerned about this than us taking 2 RBs in 2025 early that aren't overly talented despite our RB recruiting being amazing last 2-3 years.

 

[notredomer23]

Apparently he's a quick Vyper not a MLB or a "typical Wisconsin/Iowa type." This all sounds fine.

Commitment breakdown: Notre Dame lands Dominik Hulak

Hulak announced his pledge to Notre Dame on Friday morning.

n.rivals.com

That’s all good and fine but he’s not from Texas or SEC country and he has 3 stars next to his name. Throw in the fact he’s a white kid from Illinois? Pass.

His tape is good. He certainly isn’t a headliner in this class and I get the sense from his interviews he doesn’t think he is which takes a high level of humility for a 16 year old to grasp. Won’t be surprised one bit if he’s a productive starter by the time he’s a junior.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Apparently he's a quick Vyper not a MLB or a "typical Wisconsin/Iowa type." This all sounds fine.

Commitment breakdown: Notre Dame lands Dominik Hulak

Hulak announced his pledge to Notre Dame on Friday morning.

n.rivals.com

That makes sense. His lateral quickness is his weakness on tape, but he's got a nice burst, a good frame, and uses his hands well.

 

[MKEagle]

That’s all good and fine but he’s not from Texas or SEC country and he has 3 stars next to his name. Throw in the fact he’s a white kid from Illinois? Pass.

His tape is good. He certainly isn’t a headliner in this class and I get the sense from his interviews he doesn’t think he is which takes a high level of humility for a 16 year old to grasp. Won’t be surprised one bit if he’s a productive starter by the time he’s a junior.

Don't underestimate the CCL... I get it that it's not SEC country but it's quality football

 

[PutuporShutup]

That’s all good and fine but he’s not from Texas or SEC country and he has 3 stars next to his name. Throw in the fact he’s a white kid from Illinois? Pass.

His tape is good. He certainly isn’t a headliner in this class and I get the sense from his interviews he doesn’t think he is which takes a high level of humility for a 16 year old to grasp. Won’t be surprised one bit if he’s a productive starter by the time he’s a junior.

Yeah, i like him a little more than Zinter and probably Rezac.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I-C is a good program. Six state championships in the last 20 years. Those kids get good coaching and are generally going to be program guys. Not five star superstars wanting millions of NIL dollars, but program guys that are going to play special teams and get into the two deep soon enough.

For my money, Kelly missed out on a lot of the "Iowa/Wisconsin" types and it probably cost him in the long run during his tenure at Notre Dame.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I-C is a good program. Six state championships in the last 20 years. Those kids get good coaching and are generally going to be program guys. Not five star superstars wanting millions of NIL dollars, but program guys that are going to play special teams and get into the two deep soon enough.

For my money, Kelly missed out on a lot of the "Iowa/Wisconsin" types and it probably cost him in the long run during his tenure at Notre Dame.

There's only one position that truly cost Kelly in his tenure, and it's obvious.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Rock on Dominik and a shoutout to my birthplace of Elmhurst!!! 🤘🏼💀

 

[NDpendent]

If Duece wants him in the class I'm happy with it. If you get a bunch of his boys in the class it solidifies his commitment to us.

 

[irishff1014]

If Duece wants him in the class I'm happy with it. If you get a bunch of his boys in the class it solidifies his commitment to us.

Just because he wants them doesn’t mean they are good.

 

[Ricochet]

His Jr film is nice and we've got remember that these recruiting services under rate and overrate prospects depending what side of the Mason / Dixon line there on if there not a plug and play superstar talent. I hope they are recruiting him as a Will and not as a Vyper though. He may end up growing into a Vyper when it's all said a done but don't rush the change unless it truly necessary.

 

[irishff1014]

The highlight video I saw on ISD was ok. He is a good player. But I don’t see a special player. I think you need good solid players like him on the team but I also feel that’s mostly what we have. At some point you have to get game changers.

 

[Katzenboyer]

The highlight video I saw on ISD was ok. He is a good player. But I don’t see a special player. I think you need good solid players like him in the team but I also feel that mostly what we have. At some point you have to get game changers.

There's nothing wrong with adding guys like Kurt Hinish to each class, so long as they don't form the centerpiece. I don't think that's what will happen, and I'm fine taking a kid like this to shore up the position while continuing to chase after the big fish.

 

[AKRowdy]

There's nothing wrong with adding guys like Kurt Hinish to each class, so long as they don't form the centerpiece. I don't think that's what will happen, and I'm fine taking a kid like this to shore up the position while continuing to chase after the big fish.

Kurt Hinish was great at ND and doing well for the Texans. From my recollection he was always disrupting the center/ guards, add in his pride and nasty streak he was a damn good football player who I’d be happy to load my team with.

 

[Armyirish47]

The type of high floor d-lineman that you can build up for 5 years and do some damage with. Keep fishing for a couple big ones and this will be a top notch d-line haul.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I like it. There's room for some physical growth, and with that, comes with some flexibility in terms of position. He's already a big dude. Listed at 6'3" 225, but wouldn't be surprised if he's 6'4" 235. Personally, I don't quite see off-ball linebacker. I mean, he does it on film, and plays with incredible physicality, and looks to have good, but not great, lateral movement. But again, considering his size, his ability is mildly impressive.

Staff is saying a "Money" position, which is how they have been using Marist this season. I just think Mother Nature kicks in and Hulak's a 6'5" 250 VYPER/EDGE guy by his sophomore season.

As it relates to other recruits, C. J. May will grow into a Big End, Joseph Reiff to DT. If you pencil in Hulak as a VYPER (long-term), there is still a need for one more, and another Big End.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I like it. There's room for some physical growth, and with that, comes with some flexibility in terms of position. He's already a big dude. Listed at 6'3" 225, but wouldn't be surprised if he's 6'4" 235. Personally, I don't quite see off-ball linebacker. I mean, he does it on film, and plays with incredible physicality, and looks to have good, but not great, lateral movement. But again, considering his size, his ability is mildly impressive.

Staff is saying a "Money" position, which is how they have been using Marist this season. I just think Mother Nature kicks in and Hulak's a 6'5" 250 VYPER/EDGE guy by his sophomore season.

As it relates to other recruits, C. J. May will grow into a Big End, Joseph Reiff to DT. If you pencil in Hulak as a VYPER (long-term), there is still a need for one more, and another Big End.

That's still not dynamic enough even if they grow into those other positions. We definitely need more size/athleticism on the Dline than we've been recruiting.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I just backtracked to find that Rivals had Jack Lamb and Matt Bauer rated significantly ahead of Jack Sanborn.

 

[CanadalovesND]

That's still not dynamic enough even if they grow into those other positions. We definitely need more size/athleticism on the Dline than we've been recruiting.

It's a good starting point. They are still pursuing some great athletes on the DL/VYPER position.

I know you are talking about the '25 class, but ND has some of what you are looking for in the '24 class. Bryce Young, Loghan Thomas, and Cole Mullins, are all long, athletic dudes that can run.

 

[stlnd01]

I like it. There's room for some physical growth, and with that, comes with some flexibility in terms of position. He's already a big dude. Listed at 6'3" 225, but wouldn't be surprised if he's 6'4" 235. Personally, I don't quite see off-ball linebacker. I mean, he does it on film, and plays with incredible physicality, and looks to have good, but not great, lateral movement. But again, considering his size, his ability is mildly impressive.

Staff is saying a "Money" position, which is how they have been using Marist this season. I just think Mother Nature kicks in and Hulak's a 6'5" 250 VYPER/EDGE guy by his sophomore season.

As it relates to other recruits, C. J. May will grow into a Big End, Joseph Reiff to DT. If you pencil in Hulak as a VYPER (long-term), there is still a need for one more, and another Big End.

Rivals lists Hulak at 6-3, 235.
Traore - who appears to be a natural born Vyper - came in at 6-4, 237.
Keeley, the prototype Freeman-era Vyper recruit, was 6-5, 240.
Foskey coming out of high school was 6-4, 233 and then put on like 30 pounds.

So Hulak looks to be in the ballpark. I guess the question is how much bigger he can get without sacrificing speed/quickness.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

That’s all good and fine but he’s not from Texas or SEC country and he has 3 stars next to his name. Throw in the fact he’s a white kid from Illinois? Pass.

His tape is good. He certainly isn’t a headliner in this class and I get the sense from his interviews he doesn’t think he is which takes a high level of humility for a 16 year old to grasp. Won’t be surprised one bit if he’s a productive starter by the time he’s a junior.

I think that's what this ultimately boils down to. We could probably assume if he were from one of the Catholic schools in SoCal there would be a little more excitement from some people expressing concern and or disappointment.

The reality of the situation is he's a set it and forget it recruit. No drama here. The most likely outcome is He's not going to take visits, he's going to stay committed and leave with a degree. He's a program kid. Everyone needs brick and mortar guys like this. You see the offers from Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Mizzou, KU...that's not a bad thing.

 

[FWIrish4]

Some of you are truly miserable fucks.

Welcome to ND Dominik, I hope you ball out.

To be fair, I assume Eville lives in Evansville so it’s expected.

 

[Luckylucci]

There's nothing wrong with adding guys like Kurt Hinish to each class, so long as they don't form the centerpiece. I don't think that's what will happen, and I'm fine taking a kid like this to shore up the position while continuing to chase after the big fish.

Solid addition.

Start every class by adding the solid RKG's and build on top of that.

 

[Sea Turtle]

It's interrsting

 

[INLaw]

There's nothing wrong with adding guys like Kurt Hinish to each class, so long as they don't form the centerpiece. I don't think that's what will happen, and I'm fine taking a kid like this to shore up the position while continuing to chase after the big fish.

The Kurt Hinish who is an NFL player for the Texans? I would take a whole recruiting class of people that can make an NFL roster

 

[PutuporShutup]

It's a good starting point. They are still pursuing some great athletes on the DL/VYPER position.

I know you are talking about the '25 class, but ND has some of what you are looking for in the '24 class. Bryce Young, Loghan Thomas, and Cole Mullins, are all long, athletic dudes that can run.

Agree on Young/Thomas..... Not quite sold yet on Mullins. Wouldn't shock me if he ended up really good, or ended up like Trumbetti

 

[Rocketman84]

How in the world are we taking guys like this so early?

We you continously do the same thing over and over and expect different results they call it insanity right?? 🤦🤦

 

[JamIrish]

On the IB podcast they said this addition does not affect any of the other defensive ends or LBs in the 2025 class. Said there are 4 ends and a couple LBs who will be a take no matter what.

If this doesn't affect other DE prospects I'm good with it. I want Shanklin and Burgess in this class to go along with an interior guy. Where I have reserve is...is ND going to really bring in 5+ DEs? You already have May, Reiff, and Hulak now. Unless Hulak or May can be a LB and Reiff grows into a DT is there room for 5 DEs in a class? Now if we just "oversign" and let the cream rise to the top while processing guys out...it makes sense but I already know most of ND fan base will lose their minds if processing starts happening even though it improves the roster/ recruiting class.

 

[NDdomer2]

On the IB podcast they said this addition does not affect any of the other defensive ends or LBs in the 2025 class. Said there are 4 ends and a couple LBs who will be a take no matter what.

This is always an interesting talking point. Might not impact the coaches thoughts on those players but doesn't mean those players thoughts aren't impacted.

 

[fightingirish26]

Austin Alexander is another DE that might have ND on top