'11 CA ATH George Atkinson III (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[irishfan]

The only thing reported was that Kelly told George to be ready to play some RB this fall. People are now convinced he's a RB.

... I think he plays WR

I think he gets time at RB. If Cierre or Jonas get hurt it can't be all up to Cam to be the backup RB IMO. I hope he only has to play sparingly at RB and maybe some in the slot so he can get ready to move back to WR full time for his soph year. I hope he's out there/coming in motion/something in the Wildcat with Theo also.

 

[IrishLax]

George wasn't going to crack the lineup (at least as a full-time guy) as a freshman at either RB or WR this year. I expect him to be a KR starting day 1, but he would see only limited reps at any other position (if any at all).

As such, it makes more sense to start him at RB where two unfortunate injuries would potentially doom us/have him getting a ton of touches over WR where two injuries would still not make him a "must play."

I think WR is his future but I think the logical choice is RB to start.

 

[RyCo1983]

George wasn't going to crack the lineup (at least as a full-time guy) as a freshman at either RB or WR this year. I expect him to be a KR starting day 1, but he would see only limited reps at any other position (if any at all).

As such, it makes more sense to start him at RB where two unfortunate injuries would potentially doom us/have him getting a ton of touches over WR where two injuries would still not make him a "must play."

I think WR is his future but I think the logical choice is RB to start.

Getting reps at RB will help George with honing his KR skills for certain. Developing some good moves and elusiveness while running the ball will help him when taking kicks back. He will see the field, likely in the slot and at RB depending on situations. More so at RB.

I totally agree that RB is the logical place for him to start, given the depth issues at RB and his likely future at KR and possibly PR. This kid will be a big time contributor as an upperclassman.

 

[BeauBenken]

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[BleedBlueGold]

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His facial expression says it all when asked what it's like to block guys like Manti Te'o.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Changing number to #34 because both he and Gray are on special teams.

 

[Ironman8]

Looks like George will be sticking at RB, per BK in his talk with the media today:

In terms of George Atkinson, does he have an idea of what direction you are going to go with him?

“He’s a running back. We told him, ‘That’s your position.’ He is uniquely qualified to play running back. He reads holes well and is going to be a physical back for us. His destination is running back.”

Did he know this when you recruited him?

“He had great athletic ability. We weren’t really sure as to what position was best for him until we got him here.”

He probably doesn’t mind being a running back?

“Yeah. There’s a better comfort level and he’s got good ball skills, but not great. So he’s better suited as a running back.”

 

[NDPhilly]

Cool we will have enough WR depth for him to not be their with our incoming class. I wonder what he means by Physical Back. He the fastest player on the team after all.

 

[Ironman8]

Per ISD BK also added that recruiting won't affect this decision either way as well. GAIII is an RB for us. Period.

 

[BeauBenken]

Interesting. I think it will be more comfortable for him though which is a good thing. We will need experience at that position next year as well.

 

[Irish2015]

I like it he seems natural back there.

 

[TerryTate]

BOOO

 

[irishfan]

Maybe McDaniel moves to the slot now. Who knows.

 

[NDdomer2]

BOOO

I felt the same way. But hearing Kelly say he lacks the ball skills makes it an easy decision.

 

[NDPhilly]

He did play RB throughout HS

 

[TerryTate]

I felt the same way. But hearing Kelly say he lacks the ball skills makes it an easy decision.

Where?

 

[clashmore_mike]

Where?

University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site

Kelly said he ball skills were good, not great.


Also saw a comment from Coach D at ISD that GAIII was asked about it and Kelly hadn't told him that he was staying at RB, but he was very happy to hear it.

 

[Irish Fam]

Hes an exceptional athlete. Just put him somewhere and let him develop in that role. Im very okay with keeping him at RB

 

[TerryTate]

Just get the weapons on the field.

 

[NDdomer2]

Just get the weapons on the field.

Amen, the more there are the harder we are to defend.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Maybe McDaniel moves to slot, and we take one more RB for 2012.

Maybe McDaniel stays put and we take another WR for 2012.

Kinda disappointed by this, but I'm sure it's for the best.

 

[tadman95]

The more touches he gets the better. He's going to fun to watch,

 

[rocket66]

Kelly is recruiting elite wr's now that fit the skill set and body type his offense requires. There's no need to be moving rb's to wr anymore and I like that.

 

[Yes]

I think GAIII's given us that factor on returns that we haven't had in a very long time. He's one of just five players in the FBS with two kickoff return touchdowns.

Can't wait to see him when he's worked into our offense.

 

[IrishLax]

Did he get hurt yesterday?

 

[arrowryan]

Best returner since The Rocket?

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I got to talk to George and Josh on Friday afternoon outside the Gug. George is much bigger than I expected. He definitely seems to be a legit 6'2 and lots of room to put on weight still.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Did he get hurt yesterday?

Not that I know of?? He made the tackle on kickoff after Gray's TD run and then returned the final KO of the game so it would have had to have come on that return. I didn't notice anything.

 

[kmoose]

Best returner since The Rocket?

Kickoff returner? Sure. But Zibby was a better punt returner than GAIII is, a kick returner, up to this point. Atkinson may well turn out to be better, but he hasn't been doing it very long.

 

[arrowryan]

Kickoff returner? Sure. But Zibby was a better punt returner than GAIII is, a kick returner, up to this point. Atkinson may well turn out to be better, but he hasn't been doing it very long.

Atkinson is turning himself into a factor on the special teams. He already has 2 touchdown returns on the year and he could very well have another or 2. He is just a freshman and will be one of the best returners in the country when he is a junior and a senior