Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[fightingirish26]

Merck has been great and legit inside info. Bua seems more like a well read guy on team stuff and can articulate and analyze info well. Nothing screams inside info rather good analysis of what’s already been put out.

Bua had the details of the Manti thing

 

[BuaConstrictor]

This had to a mistake in retrospect right?

Maybe? Part of it, how big a part is open to debate, was that Oben just never felt comfortable in his role either. Just never got to the point where he could let it go and play

 

[BuaConstrictor]

but what do we think about this take from Horka?

Would just say that's not the expectation of the program.

 

[forkbeard3777]

I have a question for the insiders.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a couple of players, but off the top of my head, I’d say Love — and rightfully so — is a top 3 Heisman contender for 2025 (along with Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams).

Is that on Notre Dame’s radar? Do they particularly care about it? Is Notre Dame doing anything / gearing up to do something (marketing campaign, for example) to promote Love for Heisman next season?

 

[forkbeard3777]

Merck/Bua, apologies if this has been asked about and I missed it, but what do we think about this take from Horka?

I wouldn’t read too much into a “hot take.”
That’s just for mid-March clicks…

This is one of the more intriguing position battles to keep an eye on in CFB, however. From the little I’ve seen of Angeli (Pitt, Oregon St, Purdue, Penn State), he reminds me of former LSU and Purdue QB Danny Etling. Not the most athletic of guys, but sharp, can read defenses, throws a very catchable ball, and doesn’t get rattled or lost in the moment. That last portion is huge. I’ve seen countless times where the athletic phenom can’t read defenses, can’t go through his progressions, or, more simply, crumbles under pressure and adversity. I don’t see that at all in Angeli.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Is that on Notre Dame’s radar? Do they particularly care about it? Is Notre Dame doing anything / gearing up to do something (marketing campaign, for example) to promote Love for Heisman next season?

Yes.

They "care" insofar as it's good for the brand and can latch onto the free exposure.

Yes. Might not be "Heisman" stuff right away, but yes, Love will be pushed prominently.

 

[Katzenboyer]

As usual there is never "a"/"the" reason.

Wasn't a great scheme fit in the end. Felt hopeless stuck between a SDE and WDE. Not a true Vyper type.

Got down on himself early. Some "effort" issues, but honestly, Oben is a good person..just mentally struggled with it not clicking the way they all hoped. Was always a great teammate though.

I still think it's a bit of a mystery to everyone, tbh. Just "one of those things"

Regardless of his lack of production during the season, it never really made a difference either way - the defense was still really, really good.

And Oben's strip sack in the Georgia game makes his transfer scholarship entirely worth it, IMO.

 

[Irish du Nord]

That's not entirely true.

In 2004, there were some personal considerations, in addition to what is known, as to why Urban chose Florida.

Urban would have considered the job in 2009. In 2021 he absolutely would have taken the job. Even today, he would take the job if the opportunity every presented itself.

Urban used to have concerns about recruiting at Notre Dame, but those concerns went away when he saw what Weis was able to accomplish.

Yes, Shelley hates South Bend/Mishawaka/Granger. Her opinion was very important to Urban at the time; it isn't any longer.

In terms of Stoops, yes. Initially, the only real holdup was academic exceptions, and some moderate tweaks of overall entrance requirements. As negotiations went on, Stoops also began to have cold feet.

Hilarious sentence given what we know about Meyer's Pint House activities

 

[Irish du Nord]

Super easy. Have Bon Jovi perform after the game and put Shane Gillis in the Joyce at night. This would sell out the Spring game

Oh you were talking about injuries?

Bon Jovi brings out Miles Teller to sing with him. Martin Short and Vince Vaughan MC. Austin and Taylor Swift applaud from the box seats in Corbett.

 

[Irish du Nord]

My worthless tidbits no one asked for:

Lived in the same hallway as Ian Book for a year. He was very well liked in our section. He almost did transfer after 2017.

Claypool lived nearby as well. He was pretty chill every time I ran into him; sad to hear all the stories about him since.

Jurkovec would regularly smoke weed and get high in his room. He was super sensitive about getting hit in practice though.

Claypool was a legit good dude. So was Tommy Tremble. I had some friends in common with those guys and met them on a few occassions, both were very down to earth. My favorite player interactions have to have been with Jafar Armstrong and Wu. Those were incredibly likeable guys who were about as far from the jock stereotypes as you could get.

 

[dang227]

As usual there is never "a"/"the" reason.

Wasn't a great scheme fit in the end. Felt hopeless stuck between a SDE and WDE. Not a true Vyper type.

Got down on himself early. Some "effort" issues, but honestly, Oben is a good person..just mentally struggled with it not clicking the way they all hoped. Was always a great teammate though.

I still think it's a bit of a mystery to everyone, tbh. Just "one of those things"

But I will always remember his sack in the playoffs!

 

[NDVirginia19]

I have a question for the insiders.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a couple of players, but off the top of my head, I’d say Love — and rightfully so — is a top 3 Heisman contender for 2025 (along with Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams).

Is that on Notre Dame’s radar? Do they particularly care about it? Is Notre Dame doing anything / gearing up to do something (marketing campaign, for example) to promote Love for Heisman next season?

As long as we don't distribute branded trucker caps for him mid season...

 

[Huntr]

Yes.

They "care" insofar as it's good for the brand and can latch onto the free exposure.

Yes. Might not be "Heisman" stuff right away, but yes, Love will be pushed prominently.

IDK if Fork remembers the below. ND has a recent history of going all in on that stuff.

 

[Blazers46]

Bua had the details of the Manti thing

Anyone on campus at the time or follows/followed the story knows/knew the details.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

IDK if Fork remembers the below. ND has a recent history of going all in on that stuff.


View attachment 3058460

Almost mentioned 33 Trucking but that was an in-season deal. Even the Manti Heisman stuff didn't take off until post-Michigan.

The last time Notre Dame had to prep for a Heisman level player coming into a season would have to be 2006 with Quinn

 

[NDVirginia19]

IDK if Fork remembers the below. ND has a recent history of going all in on that stuff.


View attachment 3058460

Those hats were so sick too. It's a shame the run game flamed out literally right after they started it lol. I think he only broke 100 yards once after they gave out the hats at the NC State game.

 

[BoredIrish]

Almost mentioned 33 Trucking but that was an in-season deal. Even the Manti Heisman stuff didn't take off until post-Michigan.

The last time Notre Dame had to prep for a Heisman level player coming into a season would have to be 2006 with Quinn

I cant see JLove getting enough carries to be a serious heisman contender.

I'm not sure he wants that many carries either. Jeanty probably shortened his NFL career by two years last year.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

I cant see JLove getting enough carries to be a serious heisman contender.

Ultimately, I agree with you unless Love does some Reggie Bush 2005 level stuff(inshallah).

 

[Blazers46]

I cant see JLove getting enough carries to be a serious heisman contender.

I think in 2025 it’s almost impossible for a RB to win the Heisman. Derek Henry and Bush the only ones in the last 25 or more years? Jeanty maybe does if he was on a bigger brand team. With splitting carries Love is going to probably have to start returning kicks and punts… maybe even a little DT when needed.

 

[dublinirish]

I cant see JLove getting enough carries to be a serious heisman contender.

I'm not sure he wants that many carries either. Jeanty probably shortened his NFL career by two years last year.

i see it working out the total opposite. He will get less carries than he did in 2025. The season will be all about preserving his body and draft stock. If he gets any sort of niggling injuries he will sit and if he gets 1 in say november he will sit for the rest of the season

 

[PNW Irishman]

I think in 2025 it’s almost impossible for a RB to win the Heisman. Derek Henry and Bush the only ones in the last 25 or more years? Jeanty maybe does if he was on a bigger brand team. With splitting carries Love is going to probably have to start returning kicks and punts… maybe even a little DT when needed.

Mark Ingram as well, but those are the only 3 since 2000.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Mark Ingram as well, but those are the only 3 since 2000.

Terrible Heisman voting year too. Should have been Suh, Gerhardt, Moore, and Tate as the top 4.

 

[zelezo vlk]

i see it working out the total opposite. He will get less carries than he did in 2025. The season will be all about preserving his body and draft stock. If he gets any sort of niggling injuries he will sit and if he gets 1 in say november he will sit for the rest of the season

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I have a question for the insiders.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a couple of players, but off the top of my head, I’d say Love — and rightfully so — is a top 3 Heisman contender for 2025 (along with Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams).

Is that on Notre Dame’s radar? Do they particularly care about it? Is Notre Dame doing anything / gearing up to do something (marketing campaign, for example) to promote Love for Heisman next season?

Seeing a RB just put up video game numbers and didn’t win, I wouldn’t prioritize anything in that regard.


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[HouseofPain]

Terrible Heisman voting year too. Should have been Suh, Gerhardt, Moore, and Tate as the top 4.

There used to be a time where the Heisman had a character component in it. Cannot imagine a monster like Suh winning that.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

There used to be a time where the Heisman had a character component in it. Cannot imagine a monster like Suh winning that.

If memory serves, Suh's controversial play didn't really become an issue until he was in the NFL.

 

[PolishDomer]

Ultimately, I agree with you unless Love does some Reggie Bush 2005 level stuff(inshallah).

I dont envision Love pushing Carr...ever...

 

[Old Man Mike]

Weirdly, I suppose, Suh was being touted as a gentle giant while at Nebraska. Heisman hype or real for the moment?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Weirdly, I suppose, Suh was being touted as a gentle giant while at Nebraska. Heisman hype or real for the moment?

He had a driving incident at Nebraska, some hit and run where alcohol may or not have been involved, but I can’t think of anything else from his time at Nebraska that showed poor character.


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[HouseofPain]

I stand corrected on the CFB vs NFL Suh. I cant imagine that he wasnt doing stuff in college if his character was as bad as publicized in the NFL but maybe they just covered it up or looked the other way because he was so dominant.