Offensive Line.

[Irish To The Core]

Regardless of which specific players step into Robinson and Dever's spots, they will have won the position in a competition between many promising kids. Nick Martin, Christian Lombard, Matthew Hegarty, Connor Hanratty, Mike Golic, Brad Carrico, Tate Nichols, Jordan Prestwood and even Bruce Heggie (about whom I have heard some good things). That is an awful lot of talent competing for a couple of spots. We will be fine.

 

[Irish Man3]

Need to grab an elite tackle prospect this year. So far we have a project in Decker and a solid inside lineman prosect in Harrell. I dont think it matters if it's Peat, Banner, Garnett, Murphy, or Theus. Just need an elite this year to continue the competition.

 

[NDPhilly]

Need to grab an elite tackle prospect this year. So far we have a project in Decker and a solid inside lineman prosect in Harrell. I dont think it matters if it's Peat, Banner, Garnett, Murphy, or Theus. Just need an elite this year to continue the competition.

in really don't see us getting any of them. The best chance would probably be Banner but we got ground to make up. Stanley isn't bad and has a USC offer.

 

[Old Man Mike]

It was very interesting to hear that Matt Hegarty is practicing at guard/center. When Zach Martin emerged as a near All-American quality left tackle [the position Hegarty was allegedly made for] I thought "great for us, but I hope that Matt will then move. So, I have a completely unsupported speculation: Kelly/Warriner don't want to play Matt this year. To protect against that, even if a tackle or guard would go down, why not remove the temptation to put him on the field as a small part-time sub but rather place him with the threes and let folks like Nick and Connor be on the twos? O-Line is the one place [other than QB in non-desperation situations] where you REALLY don't want to have to play your young studs as Freshmen.

I'd love o see us roll out next year with Cave/Watt/ZMartin and two of Lombard/Hegarty/NMartin/Prestwood in the rightside positions. Why? Because it would seem to be in concert with the idea that all the scouts had that both Hegarty and Prestwood were elite. And just maybe I could smile and believe that this is true.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

in really don't see us getting any of them. The best chance would probably be Banner but we got ground to make up. Stanley isn't bad and has a USC offer.

You don't see us getting any? Why?

ND looks very attractive to prospective OL recruits right now.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Our O-Line is getting national notice. What's not to like about Notre Dame and playing O-Line??

 

[NDPhilly]

You don't see us getting any? Why?

ND looks very attractive to prospective OL recruits right now.

Banner seems like a Michigan lean, Theus is committed to GA unless Richt gets fired which probably ain't happening, Garnett doesn't like us nearly as much as Banner, We are outside Peats top 4, and are outside Murphys top 3

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Banner seems like a Michigan lean, Theus is committed to GA unless Richt gets fired which probably ain't happening, Garnett doesn't like us nearly as much as Banner, We are outside Peats top 4, and are outside Murphys top 3

But besides that.....???

 

[Riddickulous]

Our O-Line is getting national notice. What's not to like about Notre Dame and playing O-Line??

Having to practice against this guy:

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Banner seems like a Michigan lean, Theus is committed to GA unless Richt gets fired which probably ain't happening, Garnett doesn't like us nearly as much as Banner, We are outside Peats top 4, and are outside Murphys top 3

Well when you put it that way...

I think we land Stanley and along with one of those listed above. The USC game will blow at least one of 'em away.

 

[NDPhilly]

Stanley has about as good an offer list as any of those guys:

USC
Oregon
FSU
Miami FL
Nebraska
Auburn

Impressive right? He's not a huge step down from this guys. I also like him because he wants to play bball I believe and ND needs a powerful Center

 

[jason_h537]

I find it funny how quickly you guys say its over with Banner after 1 visit. He last saw Michigan, of course he will be high on them. He was high on ND after he visited over the summer and he is coming back.

Guess we shouldn't have gone after Agholor, Mahone, or Jarron Jones since they were high on other schools before they visited.

 

[Irish Man3]

Banner has yet to visit for a game. I think we sit pretty well with Banner actually. Stanley is someone that would certainly fill the void. This staff will land one of these guys. Beat USC in front of the nation and we will improve our stock with players you never thought we had a chance with.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I find it funny how quickly you guys say its over with Banner after 1 visit. He last saw Michigan, of course he will be high on them. He was high on ND after he visited over the summer and he is coming back.

Guess we shouldn't have gone after Agholor, Mahone, or Jarron Jones since they were high on other schools before they visited.

Who said it's already over with Banner?

Philly thinks we won't land any of the elite OL; no one else in this thread shared his pessimism, but since we don't currently lead for any of them, it's not an unreasonable prediction.

 

[jason_h537]

Who said it's already over with Banner?

Philly thinks we won't land any of the elite OL; no one else in this thread shared his pessimism, but since we don't currently lead for any of them, it's not an unreasonable prediction.

Maybe I am projecting some of the pessimism from the 4HL over here.

 

[ulukinatme]

Next man in.

This. Right now I'm not too worried about O-Line. O-Line was a big question going into Kelly's first year, and he exceeded expectations in my opinion. We're running the ball well right now, and thats not because of a change in running backs. Our O-Line is stronger and dominating opponents. They were not pulling their weight for the several years prior. I'm not sure if it's the Longo effect, or O-line coaching, or both...but I'm liking what I see and I have a feeling we can see more of the same if the coaching remains strong in this area...regardless of who goes in next.

 

[NDPhilly]

I do find it hard to believe we won't make a huge impression on at least one of these Olineman but as it sits now we are on the outside looking in on all of them.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

This. Right now I'm not too worried about O-Line. O-Line was a big question going into Kelly's first year, and he exceeded expectations in my opinion. We're running the ball well right now, and thats not because of a change in running backs. Our O-Line is stronger and dominating opponents. They were not pulling their weight for the several years prior. I'm not sure if it's the Longo effect, or O-line coaching, or both...but I'm liking what I see and I have a feeling we can see more of the same if the coaching remains strong in this area...regardless of who goes in next.

Looooooooonnnnnnngooooooo...

 

[irishtrain]

We're at #19 for total sacks allowed and sacks allowed per game. (1)
Notables ahead of us: UM, Stanford, Boise St. Oregon, GaTech, AF, Tex A&M, OU, Navy, USC, UCLA, LSU, Maryland.

Which ones probably have better OL? Stanford, OU, and LSU for sure. A&M, Oregon, UM, and Boise maybe. UF is at #24 and played Bama and LSU with unexperienced QBs. Their OL is easily better. I'd say we have a top 10 OL.

Sacks for 3 of these schools is a non issue. My top 5 O-lines in the country-Texas A&M/OU/Ala/LSU/Notre Dame. Mich and Ga Tech along with the Navy/Air Force combo dont throw enough and play a style that stats like this dont matter. (Not in any order). Oregon like the option teams doesnt give up sacks because of the style. USC is there because they have a pro prospect who knows how the passing game is played. A&M/Ala/LSU are hammers full of pro prospects. I'd compare Notre Dame to OU-and thats a good thing.

 

[Kak7304]

From @bhardin2

Most underrated position group in CFB? ND O-line. 7th in nation in yards/carry & 14th in sacks/game. On pace for school records in both.