'12 IL DT Tommy Schutt (Ohio State Verbal)

[irish4ever]

Way to go Day

Hey, Schutt could ha ve committed a long time ago, don't blame it on some other recruit because they accepted the Irish offer first!

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

As disappointed as I am about turning away Schutt, I guess I can kind of understand why we did it. We really do have a few other areas of need especially at RB to use the rest of our scholarships on and I honestly think that we will get Jones...., (At least I hope we do). I really feel bad for this kid though. Here he is one of the top ranked DTs in the country and was turned away in one day by Notre Dame, Michigan and now maybe even Florida??? I don't care who you are that's painful and I can only imagine the disappointment this kid has right now. I really hope this kid goes to a good school and excels at the next level. He really reminds me of Zorich and it would have been awesome watching him in blue and gold. I just really feel for this guy and hope he keeps his head held high despite a very disappointing day. Afterall..., he is a 17 year old kid when it's all said and done.

 

[IrishLax]

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

OK serious question for anyone who has seen Schutt in person... is he smaller than he is listed? If he is actually closer to 6' or 6'1" and 260 to 280 lbs this would all make quite a bit more sense.

 

[BeauBenken]

TS: "Just imagine that, I think I'll call BK to tell him I've committed to Notre Dame! "
His Mother: "Oh honey, won't you eat first? You're a growing boy."
TS: "Oh okay, mom."
(5 minutes through meal)
TS: "Son of a..."

I really do feel bad for him. Sorry it had to happen this way Schutt.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Trust Kelly. I can't come up with a single thing he has done (recruiting wise) that hasn't worked out. If he feels he needs a long snapper in this class, then I trust the team needs a long snapper in this class, and so on down the line. He is the professional here, the rest of us are merely spectators. When you start listening to the fans, you end up sitting with them (I think it was Bob Irsay that I just quoted). Go ND.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

What's happening is people are over-reacting about passing on this kid when day after day another school does the same.

There is obviously something going on for BK to literally have him ready to commit and pass.

I'm over this kid, especially after last night's debacle. I'm sure as time passes it will become more clear why BK and other coaches passed on him.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Schutt hasn't gotten in any legal trouble over the summer right? Kid just ha d a run of bad luck.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I have cooled off since yesterday and agree with all the most recent sentiment. We are not the football coach at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly is, and if he passes on a guy there must be reserverations about what he can provide to this team.

I wish Tommy the best of luck and pray that we don't have to see much of him down the road on the other side of the ball.

 

[Domina Nostra]

If he is actually closer to 6' or 6'1" and 260 to 280 lbs this would all make quite a bit more sense.

My take, for what its worth, is that this move does indeed "make sense."

I am as opinionated as the next guy, and love spouting out about how I think everything should be with the program (like the fact I think D-Line is priority 1). But in the end of the day I don't think its a cop out to trust in a head coach with decades of experience and a track record of success. There is just no way any football coach turns down a 4-star D-lineman carelessly without a solid reason. I would have a hard time seeing Debo Sweeny or Charlie Weis, two guys with little responsibility for a roster, doing that by accident- its extremely hard to assume that Kelly is just being dumb or stubborn.

It could be we are going for giants (6'4" plus) and will only diverge so many times a cycle. It could just be a simple as having huge needs at RB and WR and that we filled our quota for an interioro lineman. My guess is that, while Shutt is an excellent player, he is not so distinguishable from some of the other guys we have on the roster that he warrants overfilling the position. Could Kelly regret it, sure, but thre are a lot of calculated gambles you lose out on.

The one take away from this for me is that all the advice to be patient and take our time with the recuiting process needs to be more balanced. If there is a good thing right in front of you, sometimes the smartest thing to do is GRAB IT!

GO IRISH!!!!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

My take, for what its worth, is that this move does indeed "make sense."

I am as opinionated as the next guy, and love spouting out about how I think everything should be with the program (like the fact I think D-Line is priority 1). But in the end of the day I don't think its a cop out to trust in a head coach with decades of experience and a track record of success. There is just no way any football coach turns down a 4-star D-lineman carelessly without a solid reason. I would have a hard time seeing Debo Sweeny or Charlie Weis, two guys with little responsibility for a roster, doing that by accident- its extremely hard to assume that Kelly is just being dumb or stubborn.

It could be we are going for giants (6'4" plus) and will only diverge so many times a cycle. It could just be a simple as having huge needs at RB and WR and that we filled our quota for an interioro lineman. My guess is that, while Shutt is an excellent player, he is not so distinguishable from some of the other guys we have on the roster that he warrants overfilling the position. Could he regret it, sure, but thre are a lot of calculated gambles you lose out on.

The one take away from this for me is that all the advice to be patient and take our time with the process needs to be more balanced. If there is a good thing right in front of you, GRAB IT!

My stance this whole time.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Wish Tommy the best of luck. Hopefully he works hard.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Guys, we've been saying for months now that ND was about to start taking only what they considered elite talent, have we not? And this is not just Terry Tate and NDinL.A. and Ironman8 and GB and TP etc talking (we really don't know sh!t - well, at least I don't), this is people with sources close to the program and to the coaches talking.

So we get this elite lineman in Sheldon Day - O Happy Day! And then we turn down a player the staff obviously doesn't see as elite - at least not elite enough to overfill at his position. What does this tell you???? Hello....Mr. Jones, step right up.

Day can play both spots, and they might feel that Jones can do. This staff is all about flexibility. So either they don't believe Schutt is elite enough in their eyes, or they feel they need more flexible players, or they feel that they have an excellent shot at Jones, or they feel all of the above.

So while I see why several of you are so mad, it just doesn't faze me really, because I can see the vision of this staff. They CAN recruit defensive stars. They CAN recruit defensive 'projects' and turn them into rotation players RIGHT away (Kona, Spond). And the WILL move players around and have them play positions you and I don't think fit. And they've proven this in like 18 months! So again, I'm good with this (as long as they stay hard after Jones)...

 

[BostonND]

*wakes up*

*eats breakfast*

I think I'll mosey over to Irish Eyes, see if there's anything new......

 

[woolybug25]

Hate to dog a kid but he just doesn't look like he would be a great competitor, I did say the same thing about Seantrel and got ripped for it.

EDIT: Too far bro. Had to edit out that first line. Not on a recruit's thread. Thanks.

That's a pretty crappy thing to say about a kid you know nothing about. Especially when you consider that his competitive nature is talked about by almost every recruiting agency. Scout's player evaluation listed these as his strengths:

- Explosion
- Intensity
- Strength

Those don't sound like strengths of a uncompetitive kid. I'm not sure if you have watched his tape either. This kids competitive nature comes clearly to light when you watch him play. Your comment way sour grapes at best.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

That's a pretty crappy thing to say about a kid you know nothing about. Especially when you consider that his competitive nature is talked about by almost every recruiting agency. Scout's player evaluation listed these as his strengths:

- Explosion
- Intensity
- Strength

Those don't sound like strengths of a uncompetitive kid. I'm not sure if you have watched his tape either. This kids competitive nature comes clearly to light when you watch him play. Your comment way sour grapes at best.

You mean his highlight tapes? Where they only show a few plays?

 

[johnnykillz]

That's a pretty crappy thing to say about a kid you know nothing about. Especially when you consider that his competitive nature is talked about by almost every recruiting agency. Scout's player evaluation listed these as his strengths:

- Explosion
- Intensity
- Strength

Those don't sound like strengths of a uncompetitive kid. I'm not sure if you have watched his tape either. This kids competitive nature comes clearly to light when you watch him play. Your comment way sour grapes at best.

Here were Seantrel's attributes:

-Big Eater
-Strong Back
-Loyal
-Dad's a rapper (4th bonus attribute)

I wonder how he's doing?

 

[Rack Em]

Guys, we've been saying for months now that ND was about to start taking only what they considered elite talent, have we not? And this is not just Terry Tate and NDinL.A. and Ironman8 and GB and TP etc talking (we really don't know sh!t - well, at least I don't), this is people with sources close to the program and to the coaches talking.

So we get this elite lineman in Sheldon Day - O Happy Day! And then we turn down a player the staff obviously doesn't see as elite - at least not elite enough to overfill at his position. What does this tell you???? Hello....Mr. Jones, step right up.

Day can play both spots, and they might feel that Jones can do. This staff is all about flexibility. So either they don't believe Schutt is elite enough in their eyes, or they feel they need more flexible players, or they feel that they have an excellent shot at Jones, or they feel all of the above.

So while I see why several of you are so mad, it just doesn't faze me really, because I can see the vision of this staff. They CAN recruit defensive stars. They CAN recruit defensive 'projects' and turn them into rotation players RIGHT away (Kona, Spond). And the WILL move players around and have them play positions you and I don't think fit. And they've proven this in like 18 months! So again, I'm good with this (as long as they stay hard after Jones)...

You add nothing to this board...............

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Here were Seantrel's attributes:

-Big Eater
-Strong Back
-Loyal
-Dad's a rapper (4th bonus attribute)

I wonder how he's doing?

Haha, can always count on JohnnyK to lighten the mood.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

You add nothing to this board...............

Ban him!

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Pretty funny Johnny, one of Scout's actual strengths of Seantrel was intelligence.

 

[woolybug25]

Guys, we've been saying for months now that ND was about to start taking only what they considered elite talent, have we not?

So we get this elite lineman in Sheldon Day - O Happy Day! And then we turn down a player the staff obviously doesn't see as elite - at least not elite enough to overfill at his position. What does this tell you???? Hello....Mr. Jones, step right up.

I understand what you are saying, and I feel ya, but one nit. Schutt is clearly a better talent then several of the recruits we have verballed. The coaching staff may be high on them, but that doesn't mean that they feel guys like Turner (no offense, I actually am pretty high on the kid) is more elite talent than a guy everyone regards as a top 10 DT. This is clearly not a inditement on Scutt's talent level, but rather our numbers and prospects we have in the fold for the same position. I assure you that Kelly and Co would be happy to have Schutt if numbers were of no importance.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

My guess is that, while Shutt is an excellent player, he is not so distinguishable from some of the other guys we have on the roster that he warrants overfilling the position.

Bingo.

To reiterate my earlier post about DT depth, 2012 will likely see Cwynar, Nix, Stockton, Day, and (maybe) Springmann or Schwenke at DT for us.

Save Springmann/ Schwenke, all of those guys are or were consensus 4 DTs; 4-5 DTs is more than adequate depth at a position where only one guy plays at any given time.

If we took Schutt, he'd likely be competing for the #3 in 2012 with Stockton and Day, and I don't like his chances even there. Stockton was similarly touted coming in (with a two year head start in Diaco's system) and it's pretty obvious the staff likes Day better.

That's assuming that Schutt's as good as advertized, too; on that account, I have serious doubts after his offer was pulled by three top programs.

Many of us freaked out yesterday because we have an inaccurate picture of our NT depth. For many reasons, Nix monopolizes publicity at the position, so we tend to think of him as the our only "elite" NT; and DL is damn important, so let's get another one, yah?

Not so fast, my friends. Sean Cwynar is poised for a breakout season, and he's likely to be our most consistent and productive DT in 2011. Stockton was only a RS Freshman last year; he has the size and talent to provide quality depth. And Springmann or Schwenke will already put us one beyond the ideal 4-deep at the position; Anything more than that would be seriously overloading at a spot with already good depth when other position groups are still dangerously thin.

So...

 

[woolybug25]

You mean his highlight tapes? Where they only show a few plays?

That's a whole lot more information to go on then you have. I'm not the one making character assasinations on an 18 year old kid without any actual knowledge of how he plays.

According to all recruiting sites, his coach, etc., he seems to be strong in the competitiveness category. So until you show me some amount of actual infomation that led you to this belief, I will continue to assume you are simply making character assasinations out of sour grapes.

 

[polishjuice4]

OK serious question for anyone who has seen Schutt in person... is he smaller than he is listed? If he is actually closer to 6' or 6'1" and 260 to 280 lbs this would all make quite a bit more sense.

Yes, I would put him at 6'1.

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Good thing Wooly is that be both have an opinion. How much fun would we have if we all agreed on everything all of the time? Not much. I'm not going to argue with you on this anymore, you have your views and I have mine. You obviously like this kid and that's good, there are certain recruits I start to like a lot as well. I just have my opinion on this kid and I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[BostonND]

I think this is a case of which player fits the staff's "profile" better; kind of like when we turned down that Ohio linebacker (forget his name) because he was too short, so he committed to Michigan.

Kelly tries to find players whose "unteachable" attributes (height, frame, etc.) fit a certain mold, and he knows that his staff's coaching and Longo's strength program will turn them into productive cogs in his system. For whatever reason, Day and Jones fit this staff's profile for a defensive lineman better than Schutt does, and that's why he was the one who was cut loose.

John Turner and Heggie are other good examples of this. While they might not be wowing scouts left and right, the staff clearly thinks they have all the "unteachables" (height, speed, body type) that they need to become contributors at their positions. They know they can MOLD them into great players once they get into their system.

They're not looking for the players who are best at their positions in high school; they're looking for the players who will be best at their positions in college as upperclassmen. We need to trust them.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I understand what you are saying, and I feel ya, but one nit. Schutt is clearly a better talent then several of the recruits we have verballed. The coaching staff may be high on them, but that doesn't mean that they feel guys like Turner (no offense, I actually am pretty high on the kid) is more elite talent than a guy everyone regards as a top 10 DT. This is clearly not a inditement on Scutt's talent level, but rather our numbers and prospects we have in the fold for the same position. I assure you that Kelly and Co would be happy to have Schutt if numbers were of no importance.

Absolutely, but the fact is it is a numbers game. Schutt slow-played ND. He could have committed a long time ago, like those 'lesser' players did. He chose to let the game play out, which is his right, and also his risk. And now ND is at the point where they aren't taking anymore non-elite players (and they don't think Schutt is elite - they could be wrong of course, but that;s what they feel), so Schutt is out.

Mike Frank over at ISD has said for several months that ND was probably not going to take a pure NT in this class...that they were comfortable with the guys they already have in the fold who could slide over if need be. He said they would take a couple DEs though. And it looks like those guys could be Day and Jarron. So the writing has been on the wall for months. Now, you might disagree with the strategy, but no one should be surprised if you read the premium boards, and if you don't, well now you know the reasoning behind the madness...

 

[PANDFAN]

just to add, if anyone listened to the press conference from yesterday which i just had a chance to...Kelly said in not exact words....he said he has many who are going to contribute on the line and feels very confident about that position that we are loaded w/ depth there

 

[Rhode Irish]

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.

I don't know how anyone could read this and not feel terrible for this kid, irrespective of how you feel about the staff's decision to pull his offer. I hope everything works out for him. I'm sure he'll find a place to play football.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Well... reading the extra 20 pages posted overnight was fun.