'11 NC OLB/DE Ben Councell (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[IrishMoore1]

From what I recall....Councell's time in the 100 meter(which is more beneficial for taller players with longer strides) was around 11.00 which is very fast for a DE/OLB prospect...but not even close to a guy like George Atkinson or Miles Shuler.

His 100 time is 11.54, and the 100 meter is actually not beneficial to taller runners. They are actually disadvantaged, which is why it is so unusual for a runner like Usaine Bolt (6'5") to have the world record.

11.54 does not say 4.4 40 to me. It is actually a rather slow time for a 100 meter dash.

 

[rtrn2glory]

And fwiw, I'm pretty sure Lebron runs a 4.5 or something like that and he's 6'8"... and Usain Bolt is 6'5" and probably runs somewhere around a 4.1.... it's not as impossible as you all are making it sound.

I don't wanna be too racist, but there's something those two have in common that councell does not...I think you get what I'm saying.

The 11.0 100 meters is freakish to me a previous poster said it best...coach elston on special teams has to be salivating!!

 

[bornready85]

His 100 time is 11.54, and the 100 meter is actually not beneficial to taller runners. They are actually disadvantaged, which is why it is so unusual for a runner like Usaine Bolt (6'5") to have the world record.

11.54 does not say 4.4 40 to me. It is actually a rather slow time for a 100 meter dash.

Maybe you midunderstood me. The 100 meter is more beneficial than the 40 yard dash for taller athletes.

 

[IrishLax]

If that 40 was hand timed, it's probably more like a 4.6

Yes, from my track days and foggy memory, I think you add .24 to all hand times for sprint distances up to 200m. However, that is the conservative conversion for things like qualifying for regionals, etc. I've seen hand times come out slower, faster or accurate depending on who's doing it. Hell, I had an idiot tell me once that I ran a 7.0 55m when I finished in first and the three guys behind me were clocked at 6.6 (2nd), 6.8 (3rd) and 6.5 (4th). What I'm getting at is just because a 40 time is done by hand doesn't necessarily mean it is inaccurate. And we also don't know if it was hand timed. Either way, he's still really fast for his size.

Anyways, I also want to point out that lots of big guys (i.e. Dwight Freeney) can run some VERY good 40 times but can't run great 100 times because of the weight they're carrying.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Hand times are almost always inaccurate. When I competed in high school invitational track meets, my hand time was always faster than the electronic time recorded at the finish line.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Laser is the only truly accurate time. Hand times are normally a bit quick.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Fact of the matter is I think this kid fits the bill for the position we are recruiting him as. Article on rivals says he's doing quite well at his all star game practices.

Hopefully, we get him in and Longo works some magic and makes the hype a reality!!

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

IMO There are three players that I think will get PT their freshman year...Councell, Tuitt, and Huggins. Very excited for the class coming in....my only wish is that we could ink these kids TODAY...it is poaching season and I'm a little scared for our commits!

 

[rtrn2glory]

IMO There are three players that I think will get PT their freshman year...Councell, Tuitt, and Huggins. Very excited for the class coming in....my only wish is that we could ink these kids TODAY...it is poaching season and I'm a little scared for our commits!

Depending on what Floyd decides in regards to his future, you might have to add Daniels and/or G. Atkinson to the mix.

I have to think too that one if not all of the DB recruits will get playing time next year in some way, due to the lack of depth at the position.

Let's be careful about throwing a guy like Huggins into the mix, without even a commitment...I sure hope you're right though.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Southwest: I'll intuit that at least two DBs play some [maybe just covering kicks but if anyone gets hurt then as a nickel; we are going to need to develop DBs a bit faster to prepare for the year following; no Smith, Gray, Blanton], and that either Daniels or Atkinson emerge "TJ-like" as a threat too big to ignore at receiver. And [since we don't even know about Huggins] I could see Cam McDaniel being in there somewhere too [this depending upon how good Roberson is, and he might be REAL good]. Future stars like Hegarty, Koyack et al will hopefully bide their time and give us a full four years later.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Rglory- good point...just trying to throw some positive vibes out there...see if it helps!

Young Man Mike - your point is solid (as usual) DB development will be big next year...and the RB position is going to get very interesting....

 

[rtrn2glory]

Southwest: I'll intuit that at least two DBs play some [maybe just covering kicks but if anyone gets hurt then as a nickel; we are going to need to develop DBs a bit faster to prepare for the year following; no Smith, Gray, Blanton], and that either Daniels or Atkinson emerge "TJ-like" as a threat too big to ignore at receiver. And [since we don't even know about Huggins] I could see Cam McDaniel being in there somewhere too [this depending upon how good Roberson is, and he might be REAL good]. Future stars like Hegarty, Koyack et al will hopefully bide their time and give us a full four years later.

Very true about McDaniel...anyone with potential to help in the return game definitely has a chance to help the moment they step on campus.

We really need to improve our return game to get to the elite status.

 

[Ironman8]

Very true about McDaniel...anyone with potential to help in the return game definitely has a chance to help the moment they step on campus.

We really need to improve our return game to get to the elite status.

If we get Shuler I'd love to see him back there.

 

[Ironman8]

Rivals.com Football Recruiting - Shrine Bowl: Top 10 players

Councell came in at #8...IMO he will be the steal of the class.

No mention of Golson, though.

 

[Irish Man3]

Thats ok because Golson made the #7 player Lateek Townsend look silly on his highlight video.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Having a good Shrine Game...blocked a punt and had a few tackles including one for a loss

 

[The Polish Irishman]

10 tackles, one sack, and a punt block

 

[Irish Man3]

Solid. Kid is a steal from the Carolinas. He is going to be the real deal at the next level. I'm excited to see a similar stat line for ND. He will be the perfect LB opposite Ishaq or Rabasa.

 

[jmurphy75]

Not sure if anyone put this up already but it was a good read
Councell, Golson thrive in Shrine Bowl | Inside the Irish

 

[ThePiombino]

Not sure if anyone put this up already but it was a good read
Councell, Golson thrive in Shrine Bowl | Inside the Irish

Sounds like this guy is a stud in the making. Might make not landing Ishaq a little more bearable should that happen. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but if it does it's nice to know we have some sleeper talent like this in the class.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Sounds like this guy is a stud in the making. Might make not landing Ishaq a little more bearable should that happen. Hopefully that doesn't happen, but if it does it's nice to know we have some sleeper talent like this in the class.

Very true, but it also gives us a ton of options if we can land both, maybe turning one into a true end after a little weight is added and be a more athletic Kapron Lewis Moore maybe.

Sounds like though his stock is rising and making him an even more important piece to this recruiting puzzle. Gotta love fast guys that like to hit and have a nose for the ball...Coach Diaco's gotta be salivating to get his hands on this guy!!

 

[johnsben]

I think a fourth star may be coming for Councell after that Shrine Bowl performance.

 

[TerryTate]

ESPN Blurb

ESPN Blurb

Jadeveon Clowney leads pack of stars at Shrine Game - ESPN

A strength of the North Carolina defense was at linebacker and the group had a good day even in a losing effort. One player who impressed me in practice was linebacker Ben Councell (Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds) and the Notre Dame commit followed up that strong practice performance with a fine game. A tall and rangy kid who needs to keep developing his frame, Councell is a very active defender who finished the game with 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. He needs to learn to use his hands better, but he is physical when taking on blockers, displays good awareness as a player, and runs well for his size. He also made a big play on special teams blocking a punt in the first half. I said it earlier in the week and still believe it, Councell is a great fit for the Fighting Irish's 3-4 defense.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

His performance has greatly improved his stock on Rivals and ESPN. It should be interesting to see if and how much in the rankings he moves up.

 

[jmurphy75]

Councell has really made some great impressions lately, and seams to have the qualities that can't be tought. High motor, aggresive play, gets after the QB, and being called "hell on wheels" I look to see to see him make a stand out player in blue and gold

 

[Old Man Mike]

Way back in prehistoric times, Miami had a player that many will recognize as I name him: Ted Hendricks ["the Mad Stork"]. He went on to the NFL hall of fame. He was shaped somewhat like Councell, maybe an inch taller, and played defensive end in college. [despite his "light" weight]. Virginia Tech played him and their All-American right tackle couldn't block him. The tackle then began calling an X block every time so that my brother had to block Hendricks. He couldn't do it either. Hendricks used his arm length and preternatural steelwire tendons to stuff your momentum and then shuck when the play got at the tackling point. Councell is long, like Hendricks. Might it be that he too will be able to stuff and shuck and even play DE or effective rush OLB when his hand goes down? His tackling stats seem to indicate that he's awfully good at doing SOMETHING to potential blockers so they become irrelevant. I believe that this guy is going to be terrific.

 

[jmurphy75]

Way back in prehistoric times, Miami had a player that many will recognize as I name him: Ted Hendricks ["the Mad Stork"]. He went on to the NFL hall of fame. He was shaped somewhat like Councell, maybe an inch taller, and played defensive end in college. [despite his "light" weight]. Virginia Tech played him and their All-American right tackle couldn't block him. The tackle then began calling an X block every time so that my brother had to block Hendricks. He couldn't do it either. Hendricks used his arm length and preternatural steelwire tendons to stuff your momentum and then shuck when the play got at the tackling point. Councell is long, like Hendricks. Might it be that he too will be able to stuff and shuck and even play DE or effective rush OLB when his hand goes down? His tackling stats seem to indicate that he's awfully good at doing SOMETHING to potential blockers so they become irrelevant. I believe that this guy is going to be terrific.

Amen great comparison.

 

[dshans]

Originally Posted by Old Man Mike
Way back in prehistoric times, Miami had a player that many will recognize as I name him: Ted Hendricks ["the Mad Stork"]. He went on to the NFL hall of fame. He was shaped somewhat like Councell, maybe an inch taller, and played defensive end in college ...

Amen great comparison.

See, an old fart has something to bring to the table now and then. Some more than others, but wat ya gunna due. [Where's that self deprecation emoticon thingy when you really need it!]

Cut a little slack and show a modicum of respect to old timers at the games. In my own (57 year old) defense I spent as much time on my feet and yelling – as best I could, moderating to "go the distance" – as I ever did as a student while at the Utah game this year. My son was not surprised at my passion, but amazed at my stamina in the raw weather conditions.

My thanks to Mikey for reviving memories of "The Mad Stork" and also seeing and pointing to the similarities between he and Ben Councell.

 

[bruce007]

Hey guys...this is Bens Uncle and I was at the Shrine Bowl to watch him play among his college bound peers...you would have been proud...other national recruiting analysts are finally seeing what coach Mike Elston saw in him a long time ago...check out this site...Ranked #5 in the top 15 Shrine players out of the 88 best HS players in NC/SC And he's still growing and learning (only 2 1/2 years in football) Uncle Bruce

QB Everett Golson and OLB Ben Councell compete in Shrine Bowl

 

[bruce007]

His performance has greatly improved his stock on Rivals and ESPN. It should be interesting to see if and how much in the rankings he moves up.

4 stars now