'12 IL DT Tommy Schutt (Ohio State Verbal)

[Who'saWildManNow]

First of all, the coaches are wayyy more involved in the process than literally anyone else. Not only did BK and staff pull the scholly but Hoke did too.

I understand it can be mind boggling for ND fans to witness our coach turn down a top DL.. But that is, in part, due to our recent history of Weis taking 4 or 5 stars no matter what the position or what the need was.

I trust the staff completely and am in now way angry about this move. If BK was absolutely sold on the fact that he needed Schutt he'd be committed right now.

Just trust them.

You don't think if we win this year there will be another 5 "Schutts" to choose from? There will.

We have ridiculous depth on the DL.

 

[Rocket89]

Here's my take after the monsoon passed from earlier.

1. I was upset about us passing and him going to Michigan, more than him just not coming.

2. The sketchiness from the staff is bothersome.

3. Not having room is ridiculous. We have great depth on the offensive line right now and we're still looking to add there. Yet, how often does more than one backup get regular time on the O-line? I understand you want to build up your young guys, but most years you're only rolling with 6 linemen.

On the defensive line, you need more numbers. The elite teams rotate a ton of guys on the defensive line. Why only bring in 1 defensive lineman and 3 or 4 more offensive linemen??

 

[Riddickulous]

Has it been mentioned that we run a 3-4 and that we generally only have one NT on the field at a time?

 

[woolybug25]

Just trust them.

You don't think if we win this year there will be another 5 "Schutts" to choose from? There will.

We have ridiculous depth on the DL.

What???

I trusted Weis too.

"ridiculous depth?"

 

[GBdomer]

What???

I trusted Weis too.

"ridiculous depth?"

word.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I am wondering if this has to do with something other than football. Academics? I find it very very strange that we pull his schollie and then UM pulls out as well? This would suggest something other than academics since UM is not as "picky" on the requirments. Just a thought.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

What???

I trusted Weis too.

"ridiculous depth?"

Do you claim to know something about recruiting for ND football that Brian Kelly doesn't?

You witnessed last years class and Cwynar, Nix and Hafis will do just fine.. ND can absolutely go without Schutt this year.

 

[arrowryan]

I am wondering if this has to do with something other than football. Academics? I find it very very strange that we pull his schollie and then UM pulls out as well? This would suggest something other than academics since UM is not as "picky" on the requirments. Just a thought.

So Michigan doesnt want him either? Something fishy is going on.

 

[Riddickulous]

So Michigan doesnt want him either? Something fishy is going on.

No, something fishy is not going on.

The staff told Schutt that there was no more room. Next year we'll have Stockton, Nix, Day, and more than likely one or two of our current senior tackles. That's 4-5 nose tackles in a 3-4 system, not to mention the versatile DL that can move inside: KLM (assume he gets a fifth), Tuitt, and Jones if he commits.

Michigan has two well-regarded defensive tackle prospects that are a lot more interested in Michigan than Schutt is. Michigan only has five spots left in their class and they badly need a RB and a couple of nice WRs.

 

[woolybug25]

I am wondering if this has to do with something other than football. Academics? I find it very very strange that we pull his schollie and then UM pulls out as well? This would suggest something other than academics since UM is not as "picky" on the requirments. Just a thought.

One of my friends brought up the possibility that he may have had some kind of injury? It's a long shot, but I believe that he has a 3.7 GPA, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Do you claim to know something about recruiting for ND football that Brian Kelly doesn't?

You witnessed last years class and Cwynar, Nix and Hafis will do just fine.. ND can absolutely go without Schutt this year.

I know enough to know that Meyer would have never passed on a top 10 defensive lineman. I have also put my trust in every coaching staff at ND as long as I have been alive. The only one to not fail me was Holtz (and I am probably too young to really add him). So excuse me for not giving unquestionable faith in any coaching staff to grace our sideline. I'm old-school in that manner... I'm a "show me" type of dude.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

It's been awhile since I posted but I do read the boards every so often. Here is my take on it.

Kelly has said and based on the 5th year players, we may only take about 18-20 players in this class. We already have 13. You figure they probably want 2 more DBs because we are beyond thin at that position. Then we probably need 1 more OL, at least 1 more WR, and 2 RBs. That is 6 players which would be 19 total. And then I am sure there is still an offer for Jarron Jones. That is 20. Could be the coaching staff feels we need more players at other positions or that they may plan on converting a current DE to NT if they can bulk up enough. We only really need 1 NT on the field at a time so if we have 4 at that position, that is some good depth. I just have to figure the coaching staff knows more than I do, they know what they want and are not going to just stockpile one position and overlook other areas like Weis did. I would have loved to see Schutt in an Irish uniform but it's not to be. And it could be something completely unrelated to numbers. I mean, Michigan pulled out, too.

 

[ColinKSU]

I just really think it's a boner to turn Schutt down. There's no guarantee Day is going to end up at Notre Dame because you can't believe anyone's solid 100% until they sign a LOI. We ignored Mike Martin in favor of a very "sold" Omar Hunter and we ended up with neither. It's not a personal attack -- it's a statement on where 17 year-old kids minds are.

That's not to mention that I personally think Schutt has great measurables for the position. Five-star DTs are like gold and I just can't imagine not wanting one to come. It just doesn't make sense to me. Stockton and Newman will never see any real playing time at the position, so they're almost non-factors when you look at the depth chart going forward.

I know enough to know that Meyer would have never passed on a top 10 defensive lineman. I have also put my trust in every coaching staff at ND as long as I have been alive. The only one to not fail me was Holtz (and I am probably too young to really add him). So excuse me for not giving unquestionable faith in any coaching staff to grace our sideline. I'm old-school in that manner... I'm a "show me" type of dude.

What he said. Until Kelly wins a national title, you're perfectly free to question a recruiting decision on one of the most critical positions on the field.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

It's been awhile since I posted but I do read the boards every so often. Here is my take on it.

Kelly has said and based on the 5th year players, we may only take about 18-20 players in this class. We already have 13. You figure they probably want 2 more DBs because we are beyond thin at that position. Then we probably need 1 more OL, at least 1 more WR, and 2 RBs. That is 6 players which would be 19 total. And then I am sure there is still an offer for Jarron Jones. That is 20. Could be the coaching staff feels we need more players at other positions or that they may plan on converting a current DE to NT if they can bulk up enough. We only really need 1 NT on the field at a time so if we have 4 at that position, that is some good depth. I just have to figure the coaching staff knows more than I do, they know what they want and are not going to just stockpile one position and overlook other areas like Weis did. I would have loved to see Schutt in an Irish uniform but it's not to be. And it could be something completely unrelated to numbers. I mean, Michigan pulled out, too.

 

[Riddickulous]

Again, Michigan has room for 1 DT and they have two highly-rated tackles with more interest than Schutt. Nothing fishy is going on.

 

[woolybug25]

I mean, Michigan pulled out, too.

 

[woolybug25]

Again, Michigan has room for 1 DT and they have two highly-rated tackles with more interest than Schutt. Nothing fishy is going on.

One of their DT recruits is a 3* recruit. I think they are being silly too.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Do you claim to know something about recruiting for ND football that Brian Kelly doesn't?

You witnessed last years class and Cwynar, Nix and Hafis will do just fine.. ND can absolutely go without Schutt this year.

I know enough to know that Meyer would have never passed on a top 10 defensive lineman. I have also put my trust in every coaching staff at ND as long as I have been alive. The only one to not fail me was Holtz (and I am probably too young to really add him). So excuse me for not giving unquestionable faith in any coaching staff to grace our sideline. I'm old-school in that manner... I'm a "show me" type of dude.

I understand, I am a show-me type fan as well.. when it comes to wins and losses. To me a lot of recruiting is a crapshoot.. I mean, Schutt and Day are 1 inch apart in height and Day is 30 or so lbs lighter (which Luongo can remedy). Can you really tell me that Schutt is definitely going to be a better player and this will have been a huge mistake?

There is enough depth on the line to skip on Schutt, win next year and pick up another few top rated DL. I just think there is a bit of an over-reaction about the coaches decision and a lot of people saying things that would insinuate they know something about recruiting that Kelly, Diaco and the staff (who have been involved in football for decades) don't.

You trusted Weis, as I did, a man with no college experience who blinded us with Super Bowl rings.

BK has done it and knows the process. You must admit it feels better to trust this time around.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Let's consider our DT depth for 2012. Cwynar and Nix will likely be #1 and #2. I strongly doubt H. Williams or Newman get offered a 5Y, so they're gone.

Stockton was a consensus 4 DT, and was a RS Freshman last season. He could definitely provide quality depth.

The staff is rumored to like Springmann and Schwenke at DT also. I have no clue how to gauge their prospects for success; both can probably be labeled projects. Even still, that's 4-5 guys for 2012 at a position for which we usually only need 1; more than adequate depth, especially when you consider that in our 4-down looks, one of our DTs is usually a SDE swing-man like EJ, Tuitt, or Jones.

Where would Schutt have fit in there? Probably battling for the #3 with Stockton and Day, and I don't like his chances there. Stockton was similarly touted coming in, and the staff clearly likes Day better.

This decision is making more sense to me now.

 

[IrishLax]

Just got done watching his highlights. Most impressive thing about Tommy is his athleticism at that size. The kid can move!

Why not take his commit and move him to OG??

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Why not take his commit and move him to OG??

We're in good position with three elite OL already, of which we probably only want to take one; and unless Schutt plays both ways in high school, he'd be a project at OG.

 

[Riddickulous]

We're in good position with three elite OL already, of which we probably only want to take one; and unless Schutt plays both ways in high school, he'd be a project at OG.

Plus Schutt doesn't want to play OL. I remember a recruiting analyst saying that earlier in the process.

 

[NDinFL]

Plus Schutt doesn't want to play OL. I remember a recruiting analyst saying that earlier in the process.

I thought the same thing.

The more I think about the whole Schutt situation, the more I am ok with it.

He is a very good player, and I wish him the best no matter where he goes.

However, as stated before, he isn't the end all, "world beater" DT that we "desperately" need.

Our depth and talent is strong at DT and DE for this season, (not to mention we have a GREAT shot with Jones), so I'm back to the state of mind to just trusting BK and his staff.

 

[AllGoldEverything]

Let's consider our DT depth for 2012. Cwynar and Nix will likely be #1 and #2. I strongly doubt H. Williams or Newman get offered a 5Y, so they're gone.

Stockton was a consensus 4 DT, and was a RS Freshman last season. He could definitely provide quality depth.

The staff is rumored to like Springmann and Schwenke at DT also. I have no clue how to gauge their prospects for success; both can probably be labeled projects. Even still, that's 4-5 guys for 2012 at a position for which we usually only need 1; more than adequate depth, especially when you consider that in our 4-down looks, one of our DTs is usually a SDE swing-man like EJ, Tuitt, or Jones.

Where would Schutt have fit in there? Probably battling for the #3 with Stockton and Day, and I don't like his chances there. Stockton was similarly touted coming in, and the staff clearly likes Day better.

This decision is making more sense to me now.

Honeslty i have to agree. although it is always going to suck turning away a top DT, i think Day's commitment was the one and only DT commit the staff wanted.

I think the staff is showing recruits that Notre Dame has something special happening, and if you want to be a part of it, you better not wait around. I honeslty kind of like this aproach, one that is similar to Texas.

But all in all I am not to upset about this and the staff did it for a reason, Jarron Jones come on down.

 

[AvesEvo]

Wisconsin's Scout message board (I don't know if it is reliable) is reporting that Florida also told Schutt thanks but no thanks.

 

[Buster Bluth]

At this rate he might actually end up at Indiana...

 

[AvesEvo]

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Tribune photo)

By Tim O'Halloran, Special to the Tribune
10:35 p.m. CDT, August 4, 2011

Tommy Schutt said he woke up Thursday with plans to orally commit to Notre Dame later in the day.

The 6-foot-3, 301-pound senior defensive tackle from Glenbard West was a victim of timing, though, as his offers from the Fighting Irish and Michigan were pulled Thursday after the schools told him they secured commitments from players at his position.

In a text message, Schutt said he was a half hour from calling Notre Dame coaches to give his commitment when he received word that the offer had been pulled. He was informed that Michigan pulled its offer earlier in the day.

Schutt, who was a Tribune first-team All-State pick last season and is rated the top prospect in Illinois by Rivals.com, also said via text that he would be "going back to square one" with his recruiting process and that he most likely would be taking some official visits before making his decision.

Notre Dame recently received an oral commitment from Warren Central (Ind.) defensive tackle Sheldon Day, who also is ranked a four-star prospect by Rivals.

Michigan has secured 22 oral commitments this summer.

Glenbard West opens the season at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, in a nationally televised game against Wheaton Warrenville South.

 

[Cali_domer]

Wisconsin's Scout message board (I don't know if it is reliable) is reporting that Florida also told Schutt thanks but no thanks.

Yep heard that also on a Florida board. What is up with what happened with Schutt? Tough day for the kid.

 

[NDinFL]

Yep heard that also on a Florida board. What is up with what happened with Schutt? Tough day for the kid.

Yeah... I just kind of feel bad for him now.

He's a great player though, he'll land on his feet at a good program

 

[Buster Bluth]

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Tribune photo)

By Tim O'Halloran, Special to the Tribune
10:35 p.m. CDT, August 4, 2011

Tommy Schutt said he woke up Thursday with plans to orally commit to Notre Dame later in the day.

The 6-foot-3, 301-pound senior defensive tackle from Glenbard West was a victim of timing, though, as his offers from the Fighting Irish and Michigan were pulled Thursday after the schools told him they secured commitments from players at his position.

In a text message, Schutt said he was a half hour from calling Notre Dame coaches to give his commitment when he received word that the offer had been pulled. He was informed that Michigan pulled its offer earlier in the day.

Schutt, who was a Tribune first-team All-State pick last season and is rated the top prospect in Illinois by Rivals.com, also said via text that he would be "going back to square one" with his recruiting process and that he most likely would be taking some official visits before making his decision.

Notre Dame recently received an oral commitment from Warren Central (Ind.) defensive tackle Sheldon Day, who also is ranked a four-star prospect by Rivals.

Wow. That is insane.

Just imagine yourself being in that situation. It's literally unbelievable. About to make the call to become a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and they pull it just before you pick up the phone. I'm sure the coaches were as professional as can be, but still, that is something I'm sure the coaches would prefer not to do.

If it were me, I'd pay my own damn way to be a member of the football team. I can understand that not everyone has that level of dedication though.

How insane is it that we have watched Notre Dame for literally a decade lack any sort of depth along the DL, and with a few years it being honestly bad....and now there is so much talent on board we have to watch coaches turn guys away at the front door. I guess it's what they mean when they say "a good problem to have."

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

HOLY COW?

ND, MICH, AND FLORIDA ALL PULLED OUT?

What happened?