'10 CA DE Justin Utupo (Notre Dame Signee)

[OCIrish]

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Uh, what?

 

[Pinoy QB]

sorry forgot how 2 post video

 

[BGIF]

Remember, he is not just a three star, he is the lowest possible 3-star, at 5.5

Could that be because he plays DT in HS but is projected at DE in college?

I don't confuse him with the premiere HS DTs or DEs but 30 TFLs and 10 Sacks aren't the marks of a mediocre player, are they?

To give you a feel, both Turkovich and Duncan were Rivals' 5.5 players (or, translated, C+ Div 1 players), and both struggled mightily, at least until their final season. ...

I agree with your description of Rivals rating system but don't think Turkovich, Duncan, or any other ND OL is a suitable example. Sam Young has struggled mightily as have Wenger, Stewart, and Olsen to name a few. I can't cite an ND OL that has dominated be it due to their individual effort, OLine Coach, style of play, actual play selection, rookie QB, or indecisive RBs.

Duncan played as a backup his freshman and soph seasons, started 12 games as a Jr and did not play do to a hip injury his senior year. '09 is his final season and he got solid reviews in Spring Ball.

 

[OCIrish]

It's ok, I don't know either, just having fun. I'm somewhat excited about this kid. Is he really Samoan? If he is, that's really cool. I've wondered why we haven't gone after some of the Poly kids, I mean, I've watched them play with Southern Cal, Washington, Oregon, and so on, they've been pretty damned good from what I've seen, now I'm glad we have Justin. I'm not worried about the stars that he has, in all honesty, he's not going to be counted on to come in and compete for playing time his freshman year, he'll get time to develop and grow into a DT, if that's what happens. Nice pickup IMO.

 

[NDinL.A.]

It's ok, I don't know either, just having fun. I'm somewhat excited about this kid. Is he really Samoan? If he is, that's really cool. I've wondered why we haven't gone after some of the Poly kids, I mean, I've watched them play with Southern Cal, Washington, Oregon, and so on, they've been pretty damned good from what I've seen, now I'm glad we have Justin. I'm not worried about the stars that he has, in all honesty, he's not going to be counted on to come in and compete for playing time his freshman year, he'll get time to develop and grow into a DT, if that's what happens. Nice pickup IMO.

Not only is he Samoan, but he's a Mormon as well, like another poster stated, that's 3 Mormons committed to the nation's premier Catholic University football program. Quite impressive. The Te'o commit continues to reap benefits. There's word on other boards that Te'o actually talked to Utupo, but that could be just Internet rumor. Still, the more I read about this kid the more I like. He'll add depth, and as he gains weight he could be quite a player for us by the time he is an upperclassman. And like my Cali friends were saying, the Moore League is no joke. They play Long Beach Poly, one of the premier schools in the country, and teams like LB Wilson and LB Jordan have a ton of talent as well. 10 sacks against that competition is nothing to sneeze at...

 

[ndftbl]

We are, or Rivals is?

We are, or Rivals is?

Dang!!! you guys are strait up killing the kid's confidence. Hey I played Football with lots of Samoans in Carson High. They play with passion & heart I tell ya, may not be fast but when they hit ya watch out. Unleashed the beast.

If the kid is a stud, he will be just that much more determined to prove Rivals wrong. If he is lacking in confidence just because Rivals rates him a 5.5, however, I have serious concerns.

And if he is lacking in confidence because of comments any of us jokers make, then I am REALLY concerned!

 

[ndftbl]

???

???

Could that be because he plays DT in HS but is projected at DE in college?

I don't confuse him with the premiere HS DTs or DEs but 30 TFLs and 10 Sacks aren't the marks of a mediocre player, are they?




I agree with your description of Rivals rating system but don't think Turkovich, Duncan, or any other ND OL is a suitable example. Sam Young has struggled mightily as have Wenger, Stewart, and Olsen to name a few. I can't cite an ND OL that has dominated be it due to their individual effort, OLine Coach, style of play, actual play selection, rookie QB, or indecisive RBs.

Duncan played as a backup his freshman and soph seasons, started 12 games as a Jr and did not play do to a hip injury his senior year. '09 is his final season and he got solid reviews in Spring Ball.

Thought I said they both had good years their last season at ND. But I DEFINITELY agree with your comments re our other OL, and especially Sam Young, and I also agree that finally getting some real coaching is going to make a major difference.

 

[nd1988]

Forget the stars boneheads.......We'll take him!! With open arms..

 

[BGIF]

Another Polian verbal.

 

[MattDMB72]

John Carlson
Jeff Smardizja
Chinedum Ndukwe
Ryan Harris
Darius Walker
Mo Crum
David Bruton
Kyle McCarthy

What do they all have in common, 3* players (according to rivals) who all turned into really solid players for us. Evidently the staff sees something good in this kid, so I guess stars don't really matter all that much.

 

[Z-Bo]

John Carlson
Jeff Smardizja
Chinedum Ndukwe
Ryan Harris
Darius Walker
Mo Crum
David Bruton
Kyle McCarthy

What do they all have in common, 3* players (according to rivals) who all turned into really solid players for us. Evidently the staff sees something good in this kid, so I guess stars don't really matter all that much.

Ryan Harris was rated by Tom Lemming the #1 OL prospect in the country, IIRC. Dude had his own show on MTV, too.

 

[jason_h537]

Ryan Harris was rated by Tom Lemming the #1 OL prospect in the country, IIRC. Dude had his own show on MTV, too.

Yeah i was pretty sur Harris was rated higher, but still nice post Matt. Lemming had an MTV show?

 

[Z-Bo]

no. Ryan Harris did. It was about he wanting to get into politics but also play football. Training to get in shape for freshman year, etc.

 

[BostonND]

Give me a break. I'll take the guy who produces over the guy with "freakish athleticism" who somehow doesn't turn that athleticism into tackles. This guy plays in a good league, as a DT no less, and put up great numbers. We all know that we need bodies on the defensive line, and we all know that guys with flexibility are good, and this kid gives us both. Also, he seems like a GREAT kid, the kind of kid we want representing Notre Dame, and you're gonna disparage him because of the f***ing recruiting sites. You don't think the coaches know what they're doing? Do you think Charlie Weis is checking Rivals right now going "oh crap, he's only a 5.5, what were we thinking?" Would you rather we run recruiting like Miami did back in the day, using highlight reels instead of our coaches to scout players?

 

[DirtySecret]

He was offered only a couple of months ago.

He knew that the position was filling fast, with Martin and Leuders already committed. But what does this say for the rest of our D-Line class? Is it bye bye Chance Carter? I think you can pretty much close the book on him. And then with Beau Allen and Gaston, I think we'll take the first one who commits, and Gaston has said he'd be visiting this weekend. And then I think we'd save spots for Nix and/or Smith, if we can get them into the fold. That would round out one helluva defensive line, in a dream world, that is. Smith has recently said he will visit ND, and I can't imagine 2 5-star studs in Martin and Smith rushing the QB side by side for 3-4 years together at ND. Damn!

What about J.R. Ferguson? Can we close the book on him , also? Please say no!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Give me a break. I'll take the guy who produces over the guy with "freakish athleticism" who somehow doesn't turn that athleticism into tackles. This guy plays in a good league, as a DT no less, and put up great numbers. We all know that we need bodies on the defensive line, and we all know that guys with flexibility are good, and this kid gives us both. Also, he seems like a GREAT kid, the kind of kid we want representing Notre Dame, and you're gonna disparage him because of the f***ing recruiting sites. You don't think the coaches know what they're doing? Do you think Charlie Weis is checking Rivals right now going "oh crap, he's only a 5.5, what were we thinking?" Would you rather we run recruiting like Miami did back in the day, using highlight reels instead of our coaches to scout players?

To piggyback on that, CW made guys like Gaston, Beau, Onliyan (sp), Rees, Massa, etc camp for offers instead of just offering based on film, recruiting sites, or the basis of other offers. They also went out to schools in the spring to see guys work out (QB Thomas comes to mind, and he didn't get an offer). They don't just throw offers out like pancakes. Some guys, you see their film and you just know. But with many others, you need to see them in person. ND's recruiting staff is meticulous about their offers, which is great. And it let's the recruits know that when they get an ND offer, it means something. Unlike Stanford, who just offered my sister...

 

[NDinL.A.]

What about J.R. Ferguson? Can we close the book on him , also? Please say no!

Personally, I think that ship has sailed my friend. When you don't mention ND in most interviews, then that doesn't bode well for us. There good news in that we made the first cut. The bad news is that the 'cut' was 21; that's right, a top 21. Might as well say every school with a pulse in America has made your first cut. So I guess we're not technically out of it, but with no visits set, and 20 other schools to compete with, and no mention of ND in most interviews, then it doesn't look good...

 

[WabashFalcon]

no. Ryan Harris did. It was about he wanting to get into politics but also play football. Training to get in shape for freshman year, etc.

It was True Life: I'm Trying to Gain Weight.

Also, Slap my nuts and call me Porky. NEVER saw this comming. NEVER EVER saw this comming. Don't check the site all day and we end up with #10. Huzzah! I liked this guy when I first read about him. Glad he's home.

 

[jason_h537]

Personally, I think that ship has sailed my friend. When you don't mention ND in most interviews, then that doesn't bode well for us. There good news in that we made the first cut. The bad news is that the 'cut' was 21; that's right, a top 21. Might as well say every school with a pulse in America has made your first cut. So I guess we're not technically out of it, but with no visits set, and 20 other schools to compete with, and no mention of ND in most interviews, then it doesn't look good...

If we win double didgit games, don't be surprised if Ego and Sentreal pull a Mustain. start talking up the irish and practicing with our towel.

 

[littlerick77]

If we win double didgit games, don't be surprised if Ego and Sentreal pull a Mustain. start talking up the irish and practicing with our towel.

LOL I remember that shit....

 

[tannerpw3]

Looked disruptive in hs highlights, and the numbers bear that out.

I will say that after last season (the season itself and the recruiting season), Weis and co. seem to have decided that to fill all the slots they needed filled, they would have to cast a wider net. Hence a lot of lesser-regarded players offered and commiting - tho I don't think these players are doomed to ride the pine like Charlie's '05 class. These all seem like real players who maybe have just been overlooked a bit, and who will work harder and develop. I do think a solid season wins the Irish more Martin-caliber recruits. The question is, if all these guys who've been offered keep commiting, will there be space left for a late-deciding stud prospect?

 

[BGIF]

If we win double didgit games, don't be surprised if Ego and Sentreal pull a Mustain. start talking up the irish and practicing with our towel.

... and commit to Arkansas, play a year, then transfer to USC.

 

[phork]

Unlike Stanford, who just offered my sister...

I just "offered" your sister as well.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I wanted Fido at TE (who know with Fauria gone and a 10 win season it still might) but we've still got the #10 TE. How bad is that?

Last I saw he had a top three of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I just "offered" your sister as well.

For her own personal safety, she doesn't date Raider fans...

 

[WabashFalcon]

Think of it this way... by getting some of our major needs taken care of with solid commitments, we can put the full-court press on a Justin McCay or a Henderson.

 

[goldandblue]

Great post NDinLA

 

[jason_h537]

So Justin Utupo is coming to Notre Dame.

 

[BGIF]

Seeing's Believing

Seeing's Believing

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football: Seeing's believing; Irish land DE Utupo

Bob Wieneke

After seeing Lakewood, Calif., standout Justin Utupo in person, Irish assistant Brian Polian, who recruits California, was convinced the defensive end was someone Notre Dame should pursue.

But other members of the Irish staff, particularly those from the defensive side, wanted an up-close as well, so co-defensive coordinator Corwin Brown made the trek west.

"They were sold on him," Lakewood head coach Thadd Mac Neal said.

If he can keep his quickness and gain weight, he could be a real good one down the line.

Tom Lemming

He's quick and penetrates very well. Seems to be in the opposing team's backfield an awful lot of the time. A very aggressive player. I also like the fact that he can run you down. There's a certain suddenness to his game. He sheds blocks well, moves laterally and he's a relentless player. He seems to be in the right place all the time. I just think it's a really good pickup for the Irish.

Allen Wallace Superprep

Six defensive linemen from Lakewood's conference, the Moore League, earned Division 1 scholarships last year, yet Utupo, as a junior, earned first-team honors, which no doubt fueled his recruitment.

 

[BGIF]

#53 Justin Utupo DT

#53 Justin Utupo DT

youtube highlight Utupo

There's no spotlight or arrow pointing him out in the clip. He's #53 lined up at DT not DE althought you usually can't see his number until after the tackle. After the first TFL or two you'll zero in on him. Keep in mind 40% of his tackles were for loss including 10 sacks.

This kid is quick. He looks like a LB shooting the gap except he lines up at DT with a man in front of him. Keep in mind he played last season at 235. He's added 15 pounds in the off season. Ethan Johnson was about 265 when he was signed. Utupo should be about the same.