'11 CA DE/OT Troy Niklas (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[NDPhilly]

Supposedly being looked at for OLB according to mom.

I love the idea. Kelly probably figures he isn't going to get that much playing time on our DL so why waste his crazy athleticism. Can never have to many 6'5"+ OLBs

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Supposedly being looked at for OLB according to mom.

Very interesting. Strange to think a guy many projected at OT might end up at OLB. The physical profiles necessary to play those two positions don't often overlap.

 

[buirish]

Supposedly being looked at for OLB according to mom.

Wow, what a monster Olb... I read, recently, where the texans are moving Mario Williams to Olb. He's around 6'6" .If they play games in the NFL, this year???
Go Irish

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I love the idea. Kelly probably figures he isn't going to get that much playing time on our DL so why waste his crazy athleticism. Can never have to many 6'5"+ OLBs

Is he really more likely to see playing time at OLB than DL? Dog currently has (1) Shembo, (2) Spond, and (3) Councell; and Cat has (1) Fleming, (2) Williams, and (3) Rabasa (maybe).

I'd think his best chance of breaking into the 2-deep by 2012 is on the D-line.

 

[BGIF]

Very interesting. Strange to think a guy many projected at OT might end up at OLB. The physical profiles necessary to play those either of those positions don't often overlap.

After he intecepts a few balls at OLB and they note his hands, he'll move to TE.

I suspect Prestwood's transfer influenced the change.

 

[jmurphy75]

This kid is pure athlete and will excel at what ever position he ends up at. I can't wait to see how big he gets under Longo's care

 

[Rocket89]

I foresee Cat linebacker in his future.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

This kid is pure athlete and will excel at what ever position he ends up at. I can't wait to see how big he gets under Longo's care

You've touched upon one reason for my initial post. Niklas' could easily end up 300+ with his frame; hence early projections for him at OT.

As an OLB, the coaching staff probably wants him no heavier than 260 to maximize speed and agility; I wonder how Longo and company will go about maximizing strength while keeping him light enough for OLB.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Have you guys looked at Troy's films? I have to believe his competition was pdg. He also must have some speed. A couple balls he gets his hands on, one for sure on d, he takes to the house. All the Mathews had size, speed, and freakish athleticism, way back to his grandpa in Dallas.

(OLB makes sense. Remember Kelly finds a position for you to excel, your job is to beat out the competition.

 

[BGIF]

You've touched upon one reason for my initial post. Niklas' could easily end up 300+ with his frame; hence early projections for him at OT.

As an OLB, the coaching staff probably wants him no heavier than 260 to maximize speed and agility; I wonder how Longo and company will go about maximizing strength while keeping him light enough for OLB.

1. No Rocco's
2. "There are 87 steps in the stadium. Touch them all, up AND down. I'll see you in an hour."
3. "You're running wind sprints with the RBs. Last man runs 'em again."

 

[Whiskeyjack]

1. No Rocco's
2. "There are 87 steps in the stadium. Touch them all, up AND down. I'll see you in an hour."
3. "You're running wind sprints with the RBs. Last man runs 'em again."

It's just weird to think of a guy who could excel as a massive OL playing OLB instead. He truly is an athletic freak if that's the case.

 

[rtrn2glory]

he may be the best athlete in the class overall with the ability to play four or five positions...wouldn't surprise me to see him on the field this year. really scary to think how good he could end up being. eitherway i'm glad he's on our team.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Niklas to CAT might mean Rabasa to the middle. If one leaves Saint Manti on his pinnacle, Rabasa's competition would be Fox, Calabreese, Moore, Utupo, McDonald, and Grace. If we're asking about opportunities to crack a two-deep, Rabasa would need to pass four of those [no mean feat but not impossible]. If we're looking at the year after, then pass three.

For Niklas, he would be staring at KLM, Johnson, Lynch, Tuiit, and Schwenke if it was DE, but Fleming and Ishaq at CAT and just Ishaq the year afterwards. Only EJohnson disappears at DE, leaving a four-man murderers' row.

This whole crew is really a ferocious gang, and I'm not even mentioning Springmann and Hounshell. ... or Perkins, who will be in a crashing position on D in my opinion.

 

[BeauBenken]

Next, we'll hear he was moved to MLB.

And you thought Carlo could pack a punch...

 

[IrishMoore1]

I'm getting more and more excited about the defense!

 

[IrishLax]

I actually think DOG is a strong possibility too. Tall, rangy guy who (because of his TE experience) you would think could cover a TE in passing situations. Who knows though... I was pretty shocked to hear this myself. I always thought they would try to bulk him up and have him play OT.

 

[BGIF]

It's just weird to think of a guy who could excel as a massive OL playing OLB instead. He truly is an athletic freak if that's the case.

From the time he was first recruited I saw Yeatman moving to OT and excelling ala Andy Heck and Luke Petitgout. His love of lacrosse was too strong. Maybe Longo can have Niklas work out with the Lax's.

 

[TerryTate]

If he moves to OLB, our defense is going to look freakish in 3 years.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

 

[johnnykillz]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

Chill bumps just took over what was my dorsal area...

 

[BeauBenken]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

That's a pretty great fantasy there, OMM.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Chill bumps just took over what was my dorsal area...

It sounds so sexy when you say that, got a cigarette?

 

[johnnykillz]

It sounds so sexy when you say that, got a cigarette?

You had me at hello.

 

[jmurphy75]

I'm going a little nutz thinking of all of the possibilities....not used to it.......overload! I must say it's nice to have all this talent and options

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

Damn it OMM!!!! I may have to go grab the baby OIl.....

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

Doctor Old Man Michael, don't know why, but your description reminds me of "Any Given Sunday."

 

[Rhode Irish]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm it feels good to be a gangster".

Fixed.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Fantasy: The opposition breaks the huddle and sees ND in its typical three-man front [Lynch/Nix/Tuiit]. At outside linebackers are Niklas to one side and Ishaq to the other. Danny Spond and Ben Councell are roaming about in the middle. The QB thinks: "what-the-h*ll are they doing??". As he begins his count, Lynch takes one step outside, and Niklas slips into his place. The running back breaks out into a cold sweat, only relieved when the QB checks off and sets the TE to Lynch's side. Ishaq takes one step forward; cold sweats all over again. The QB stammers then calls timeout. Up in the coaches box Diaco leans back: "Damm I wanted to see them try to run that play!".

Made me smile. We rush those six on every play; opposing QBs explode.

Interesting that Spond is part of your fantasy but not Shembo...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Doctor Old Man Michael,

That is Professor, Doctor Old Man Michael . . .

 

[Old Man Mike]

Whiskey: I have a personal demon who requires me to consider almost every little thing that I "create", unfortunately, so I actually thought about Spond/Shembo at that position [or, by the way, "in the middle" at all]. My Diaco package defense was meant to be a "Diaco surprise" to the QB to see them [Spond&Councell] there and that's why the QB is puzzled. The reason that they are there is that this is a ferocious attack package and I wanted the two non-attacking LBs to be great in coverage. For that, Councell seems obvious with his speed and length, but I think Spond's athleticism, [he's great at "breaking down" in the open field] and "smell it out" smarts, put him in this line-up for me. Prince can watch his boys eat up the opponent for a play or two from the sideline.