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

[Irish Man3]

Niklas is a stud. In my opinion, he needs to be moved to inside line backer. Him and K Moore would be a super athletic inside LB duo with Rabasa in the mix as well. Just my thoughts.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Wasn't he Cali's lineman of the year?

Okay, guys. This is just enough. Check the posts from early on. A few brilliant posters said that he would turn out pretty good, last February.

Troy was the LA lineman of the year. Just like Justin Utupo was the year before.

Now let's see, Troy has two cousins, including one who started at linebacker for the Packers, (World Champs) last year, an uncle and a grandfather, all who did pretty well in the NFL What do you think his chances are of following? I mean, just because his last name isn't Mathews . . .

And you have never seen him trade on that. This is a humble kid, willing to work, with all the tools. If there were an argument for nurture over nature!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

IMO he needs to redshirt this year (yes, I know he can help us win now on special teams) so that he has a chance to be a 2 year starter at DOG.

I'd rather see him settle at Cat. It's arguably the single most important position in Diaco's system, and Ishaq is the only natural fit there we've got for 2012 and beyond. Also, if you're going to have a freakishly large LB, wouldn't you want him to be the one who plays with his hand on the ground more often than not?

Niklas is a stud. In my opinion, he needs to be moved to inside line backer. Him and K Moore would be a super athletic inside LB duo with Rabasa in the mix as well. Just my thoughts.

A 6'7'' ILB? We have a ton of ILB depth right now compared to OLBs. If you have a super athletic utility guy like Niklas, why would you want to move him to a position where we're already deep?

 

[BeauBenken]

I tried even with the Diaco pic.




But besides that, I think Niklas will be better than expected. It has been awhile since ND has had so much talent on the DL.

HAHA! Fantastic! Thanks!

A 6'7'' ILB? We have a ton of ILB depth right now compared to OLBs. If you have a super athletic utility guy like Niklas, why would you want to move him to a position where we're already deep?

I agree with your points, but I did have a dream where Niklas was playing ILB and the other team's passing over the middle was completely shut down because he is so big and athletic.

 

[Irish Beaver]

7 FOOT TALL MLB. THATS HOW WE ROLL!

 

[BGIF]

I'd rather see him settle at Cat. It's arguably the single most important position in Diaco's system, and Ishaq is the only natural fit there we've got for 2012 and beyond. Also, if you're going to have a freakishly large LB, wouldn't you want him to be the one who plays with his hand on the ground more often than not?

A 6'7'' ILB? We have a ton of ILB depth right now compared to OLBs. If you have a super athletic utility guy like Niklas, why would you want to move him to a position where we're already deep?

Ted "The Mad Stork" Hendricks was a stand up DE in college for Miami. He was 2 time All-American and a Heisman contender. When he got to the NFL he was moved to SLB. He played either SLB or WLB for the Colts, Packers, and Raiders. He made the pro-bowl 8 times while winning 4 Super Bowl rings and is in the NFL HOF. He had 26 INTs, blocked 25 kicks, recovered 16 fumbles, and made 4 safeties - 71 possesion ending plays. He also scored 3 TDs off turnovers, made over 60 sacks, and broke up 95 passes.


Troy Nicklas, The Shape of Things to Come.

 

[Old Man Mike]

My brother, who could block anybody, could not block Hendricks. When VT played Miami in ancient days [Frank Beamer was a DB on the team], Hendricks was destroying the NFL-quality right tackle of VT. That guy began calling "Xs" on every play (meaning that my brother should cross from right guard and block the DE [Hendricks]). Now this is the point as far as Niklas is concerned:
My brother could not block him in any conventional way. If you tried to, Hendricks held you off with his long levers [and his arms were longer than yours]. His great feet meant that you couldn't out-footwork him and produce useful angles. Then at the moment of attack, Hendricks had a preternatural ability to "sling" and disengage. Some of these qualities must be what the staff is seeing in Niklas.

By the way, VT won the game close. My brother said that the only way to neutralize Hendricks a little was NOT to try to really engage him, but to just mirror and push-bump and shield your ball carrier from him. This was sort-of possible with Hendricks at DE, but probably not so possible at OLB. That fact could also bode well for a positioning of Niklas at OLB. (one of course would caution comparing young Troy to an NFL legend, but we can dream about it).

 

[amgarvey]

My ears did perk up when I heard the reverential tone Kelly used when speaking of Niklas' ability to play in space. It was like he had seen something not of this world.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

That's what I am thinking. It was beyond any expectations, or anything he has seen for a freshman in his coaching experience.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If he's truly that good in coverage, he may be destined for Dog after all. I wonder who gets moved to Cat then... Councell?

 

[BeauBenken]

I just found this:

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27920652?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe>

 

[RDU Irish]

Troy Niklas is 7 feet tall and shoots lightning bolts out of his arse!!!

You can really see him working on the cliches in the first part of that video. Needs to watch Major League to get some good interview tips.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Troy Niklas is 7 feet tall and shoots lightning bolts out of his arse!!!

You can really see him working on the cliches in the first part of that video. Needs to watch Major League to get some good interview tips.

Work Warning: Language

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[Whiskeyjack]

Rivals article on Niklas can be found here.

 

[jason_h537]

If he's truly that good in coverage, he may be destined for Dog after all. I wonder who gets moved to Cat then... Councell?

Councel is at Dog. I think with Niklas they like the diversity he brings. He is athletic enough for Dog but physical enough for Cat, and big enough for DE.

Truly a freak

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Councel is at Dog. I think with Niklas they like the diversity he brings. He is athletic enough for Dog but physical enough for Cat, and big enough for DE.

Truly a freak

I really want him at Cat.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Assuming that Shembo stays at Dog, we're so loaded with naturals there [Spond, Councell, AND Perkins coming!], that Niklas at Dog makes little sense from my distance. On the other hand, Niklas at Cat seems SO right that you think it was Heaven-made. His multiple abilities would give Diaco the ability to completely confuse the opponent as to what our linebackers were about to do, and create that confusion without any foolish games which put poorly qualified players in spots they weren't that good at. And, I believe that Okwara is destined for hugeness and therefore D-Line rather than OLB. Hercules as the Big Cat it is.

 

[GBdomer]

He moved up now number two on the depth chart. Damn Spond.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He moved up now number two on the depth chart. Damn Spond.

Spond was doubtful with a tweaked hamstring. Injury may have sped Niklas' ascent, but it was probably inevitable anyway.

 

[GBdomer]

Spond was doubtful with a tweaked hamstring. Injury may have sped Niklas' ascent, but it was probably inevitable anyway.

Very true. Maybe the staff believes Troy has more upside. Physically its not even close imo.

 

[NDPhilly]

Is it Possible we could move both Spond and Shembo to MLB when Teo leaves because Niklas might be sitting behind Shembo for 3 years

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is it Possible we could move both Spond and Shembo to MLB when Teo leaves because Niklas might be sitting behind Shembo for 3 years

Shembo's ability to play any of the LB positions means he's likely to be a starter for the next two seasons as well; likely on at one of the ILB positions since he fits that physical profile a little closer.

I think Spond could do very well at the Will. Solid in coverage, good straight-line acceleration, and a hard hitter. Sort of Calabrese and Fox in one.

 

[NDPhilly]

Shembo's ability to play any of the LB positions means he's likely to be a starter for the next two seasons as well; likely on at one of the ILB positions since he fits that physical profile a little closer.

I think Spond could do very well at the Will. Solid in coverage, good straight-line acceleration, and a hard hitter. Sort of Calabrese and Fox in one.

Thanks I just think being 6'7" and with his athleticism the sky I'd the limit for him and don't think he should have to wait till his senior year to show it

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Thanks I just think being 6'7" and with his athleticism the sky I'd the limit for him and don't think he should have to wait till his senior year to show it

I agree. I'd be surprised if he lost his grip on the #2 Dog; he should see lots of reps that way.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Is it Possible we could move both Spond and Shembo to MLB when Teo leaves because Niklas might be sitting behind Shembo for 3 years

With Troy's natural abilities and current rate of development.

He won't have to worry about playing time for very long..

 

[Old Man Mike]

Depth chart that I read had an "or" between Niklas and Spond, just as it did for Welch/Koyack, Fox/Calabreese, Filer/Ishaq, Cwynar/Nix, Slaughter/Motta... for what that's worth. Lots of nervous jumping to conclusions on the board lately. Guess that's what two "games from H@ll" will do to you.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

yeah guys...Niklas hasn't passed Spond. Depth chart states Spond or Niklas in that order. As noted Spond has a hamstring injury and probably won't play this weekend.

 

[Irishman77]

congrats on your start Troy and happy 19th tomorrow. Total Freak!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Notre Dame-Air Force Family Affair

 

[johnnykillz]

^ Great read.