'11 OH DE Chase Hounshell (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[irish4ever]

Hounshell is going to be a real good player no matter what position he plays. Go watch his high school tape; the kid has talent, is relentless and is a beast!

Must be Lynch's twin then because I thought that he was the BEAST?!?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Must be Lynch's twin then because I thought that he was the BEAST?!?

Just had to go there didn't you

 

[Ironman8]

Article on Chase about his upcoming Ohio North v. South Classic.

Chase Hounshell was already excited about playing in the Ohio North-South Classic on Friday.

A visit to South Bend, Ind., has cranked up his excitement to play in the annual North-South game that much more.

Upon arriving on Notre Dame's campus for the Fighting Irish's spring game last weekend, the Lake Catholic senior and Notre Dame signee was approached by a pair of Notre Dame coaches.

Noticing Hounshell had bulked up to 265 pounds to go with his 6-foot-5 frame, defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and defensive line coach Mike Elston told Hounshell they expect him to play this upcoming season.

"They made it clear this weekend they want me to come in and play," Hounshell said. "They don't want me to redshirt. They said my body is ready and to come into camp ready to compete."

The news has invigorated Hounshell exponentially. When he and his teammates on the squad of North coach **** Angle take to the field at Ohio Stadium on Friday at 4 p.m., Hounshell wants to make an impression.

"Oh, I'm so pumped now," he said from his Columbus hotel room on Wednesday, hours before his team's practice. "I haven't put the pads on in a few months, but I can't wait to put them on and get out there now."

Hounshell will play offensive tackle and defensive end in Friday's Classic. He is among a 72-person contingent of Ohio's best seniors who will play in the game.

Most are big-time Division I recruits, including Ohio State signees Chase Farris (Elyria), Doran Grant (St. Vincent-St. Mary), Steve Miller (Canton McKinley), Nick Vannett (Westerville Central) and Devin Smith (Massillon).

The North-South game is the longest-running high school football all-star game in the nation, in its 66th year.

It's anything but a simple walk-through of players who have their minds set on fall camps opening in August.

"No one is coming in at half-go," Hounshell said. "We're competitive people. It's definitely going to be a competitive game."

Among those from the area joining Hounshell on the North team are Lake Catholic teammate Richie Sanders at running back and South receiver Devyn Woods. Hounshell said he is looking forward to "blocking for Richie one last time," while also dishing out some shots on the defensive side of the ball.

Many of Hounshell's teammates and opponents this weekend were on the same recruiting trail these past few years.

"These aren't just average players. These are some of the best players Ohio has," Hounshell said. "It's going to be a lot of fun. I'm honored to be picked to play in the game."

Hounshell is still on cloud nine after his trip to Notre Dame to watch the spring game. He will return to South Bend on June 19, with summer classes beginning a day later.

Notre Dame's fall camp will open in early August.

The spring game experience has him excited to strap on that golden helmet as soon as possible.

"It was a great time," he said. "It was the first time I was there as a real member of the team. When I walked in, all the coaches hugged me, players said hello and all the fans knew who I was down walking on the field.

"It was great."

High school football: Notre Dame spring game motivates Chase Hounshell - news-herald.com

 

[Old Man Mike]

Wow... great enthusiasm. Very surprised that Diaco talked that strongly about playing time immediately. One wonders if this means a plan to go a lot more four-man front than we thought. Maybe Hounshell is tough enough to spend a little time at DT in a 4-man line. I'm delighted to hear Diaco's upbeat attitude toward Hounshell regardless. Maybe the young giant will contribute faster than anyone would have guessed.

 

[rtrn2glory]

i bet a lot of coaches throughout the country give their recruits at least a glimmer of hope that they may play as freshmen, but deep down I think they know who can help them right away and who's still a year off...not saying chase isn't ready to play, but I think he will be redshirted personally.

 

[Rizzophil]

i bet a lot of coaches throughout the country give their recruits at least a glimmer of hope that they may play as freshmen, but deep down I think they know who can help them right away and who's still a year off...not saying chase isn't ready to play, but I think he will be redshirted personally.

Coaches have to give the players hope.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Coaches have to give the players hope.

you're right...sometimes that's enough to get them to sign on the dotted line.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Guy's already "signed"; got to be more to it than just that.

 

[rtrn2glory]

coaches are going to hype their boys up til things are settled on the practice field and this case is not any different.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Looks like he will be getting #50 as his jersey number.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I think it is more than a glimmer of hope Coach has already proven if he needs you, you will play. Or if you can help impact the team even if the need isn't there you will play.

Kona, Bennett, Collinsworth,TJ, Rees, Prince, Lo Wood, Spond

all saw action. And Rees, Kona, Prince all saw important playing time.

So, there is more than a glimmer of hope. If you are good and can help the team you will play as a freshman for Coach K!!

Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ironman8]

Chase is one player I really enjoy following. He is upbeat, driven, optimistic, really loves ND and gets the big picture / really understands what it's all about. I am rooting hard for you to succeed on and off the field Chase, as I am sure you will.

chasehounshell Chase Hounshell

I love this place #ND

Done with physicals. Great 1st day at Notre Dame

Had a great first day at Notre Dame. Can already tell how hard everything will be but it will all be worth it in the end. #stayingfocused

Out to eat with my new teammates

Wow I love this place. Notre Dame is amazing.

 

[IrishLax]

He's come a long way from "Notre Lame" lol

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I was skeptical at first but I agree with Ironman, he is one I enjoy following.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I consider Chase our most underrated player. I think he is going to be a mean DL from day one. He seems to have a serious competitive edge to him. Whether he pushes past Tuitt is another question, but we are going have some solid-depth for once at DL with Lynch and Niklas on the weak-side and Tuitt and Hounshell on the strongside.

And now that the OL class has become 5-strong (Heggarty, Prestwood, Martin, Hanratty and Carricio), I don't know why we would artifically create depth issues on the D-line by moving anyone else.

 

[Ironman8]

I consider Chase our most underrated player. I think he is going to be a mean DL from day one. He seems to have a serious competitive edge to him. Whether he pushes past Tuitt is another question, but we are going have some solid-depth for once at DL with Lynch and Niklas on the weak-side and Tuitt and Hounshell on the strongside.

And now that the OL class has become 5-strong (Heggarty, Prestwood, Martin, Hanratty and Carricio), I don't know why we would artifically create depth issues on the D-line by moving anyone else.

Add Springmann to the mix as well. He could play either on the end or inside.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Add Springmann to the mix as well. He could play either on the end or inside.

I was thinking of him on the inside, but great point. If he keeps growing, it will be fun to watch a center try to deal with a 6'3" 340 Nix and then a 6'7" 310 Springmann.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I really don't see Kelly developing a player with Springmann's build for NT. He's got DE/ OL written all over him.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I really don't see Kelly developing a player with Springmann's build for NT. He's got DE/ OL written all over him.

I know this is Chase's thread and I don't want to turn this into a Springmann discussion, but I think that, in a four-man set on passing downs Springmann could be used as an interior lineman. That height can really creates issues for QBs. With some of the speed and power we would have coming off the edges, taking those quick-hitters to the middle of the field away by having a guy that can stick his paw into passing lanes would be helpful.

 

[Ironman8]

I know this is Chase's thread and I don't want to turn this into a Springmann discussion, but I think that, in a four-man set on passing downs Springmann could be used as an interior lineman. That height can really creates issues for QBs. With some of the speed and power we would have coming off the edges, taking those quick-hitters to the middle of the field away by having a guy that can stick his paw into passing lanes would be helpful.

Agreed, and I know BK has spoken specifically of Tony's versatility in terms of playing both inside and out. Don't want to get back into the height / shape debate for an inside player, but I think both Tony and Kona would be very effective "tall" inside players for ND. Chase is even a player who I could easily see playing inside as well given his attributes and demeanor at 6'5.

 

[JDAtlanta]

I see him at OLB. He's really fast for a kid that tall. DE or OLB with that athleticism.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I know this is Chase's thread and I don't want to turn this into a Springmann discussion, but I think that, in a four-man set on passing downs Springmann could be used as an interior lineman. That height can really creates issues for QBs. With some of the speed and power we would have coming off the edges, taking those quick-hitters to the middle of the field away by having a guy that can stick his paw into passing lanes would be helpful.

That I agree with. Springmann could easily follow Tuitt as a SDE/ DT.

 

[koonja]

I consider Chase our most underrated player.QUOTE]

Give me a Ben Councel as my most underrated player. Going to be awesome, note it!

 

[Ironman8]

chasehounshell Chase Hounshell

I've done a lot of hard lifts before.....todays rope swing was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

 

[BeauBenken]

chasehounshell Chase Hounshell

Feel the burn Chase. Feel it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

chasehounshell via Twitter:

If I've learned one thing at ND its that there is a deeper meaning behind everything.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

^ Thats pretty damn awesome.

 

[tko]

nice to see Hounshell get some action today. we have some good looking young players out there.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

He was holding his own...can't beleive the size of some of the frosh.

 

[tko]

He was holding his own...can't beleive the size of some of the frosh.

Hounshell, Niklas, Tuitt and Lynch, holy fk.