'12 WA RB Keivarae Russell (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[NDPhilly]

He reminds me of a little slower Theo Riddick. Probably a more natural RB though. If Riddick does stay at RB then I don't think we need another RB this class.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Is it possible that Kelly and co. have taken their collective foot off the gas pedal with Russell? I've never been clear on whether we wanted him in the slot or the backfield primarily; with our current lead for Westerkamp and Neal, I wonder if the staff is happy to stick with Mahone and pick up two RBs next cycle...

 

[IrishLax]

Is it possible that Kelly and co. have taken their collective foot off the gas pedal with Russell? I've never been clear on whether we wanted him in the slot or the backfield primarily; with our current lead for Westerkamp and Neal, I wonder if the staff is happy to stick with Mahone and pick up two RBs next cycle...

I don't want to say yes because I have no confirmation, but this is the general vibe I got. Russel was being recruited as an ATH and Neal is probably a more dynamic version of Russel (but smaller) and Westerkamp seems to fill the 'need' at slot if/when he commits (with the flexibility to play outside if we land someone like Neal).

I think (with with the way this class is shaping up) that our staff would rather take Westerkamp and swing for the fences with Neal as an ATH than continue to commit resources to pushing hard for Russel who was, at best, a 50% proposition. And probably worse than that.

All of the above is pure unfounded speculation.

 

[irishog77]

Is it possible that Kelly and co. have taken their collective foot off the gas pedal with Russell? I've never been clear on whether we wanted him in the slot or the backfield primarily; with our current lead for Westerkamp and Neal, I wonder if the staff is happy to stick with Mahone and pick up two RBs next cycle...

I don't want to say yes because I have no confirmation, but this is the general vibe I got. Russel was being recruited as an ATH and Neal is probably a more dynamic version of Russel (but smaller) and Westerkamp seems to fill the 'need' at slot if/when he commits (with the flexibility to play outside if we land someone like Neal).

I think (with with the way this class is shaping up) that our staff would rather take Westerkamp and swing for the fences with Neal as an ATH than continue to commit resources to pushing hard for Russel who was, at best, a 50% proposition. And probably worse than that.

All of the above is pure unfounded speculation.

I was thinking about this as well and think both of you are correct. At this point, I think the staff probably feels they would like him, but he could be taking a spot from Yuri/Elijah/Davonte, or even an OL, LB, all of which they'd rather have.

They're swinging for the fences on these last few spots and look to be in good shape to get a few of them. And then looking large for next year as well.

 

[ThePiombino]

Did Russell get an in-home the week after the Stanford game?

 

[PANDFAN]

“I’m down to Washington and Notre Dame,” Russell said.

 

[IrishLax]

Did Russell get an in-home the week after the Stanford game?

Kelly did not have a chance to have an in-home.

 

[magogian]

He reminds me of a little slower Theo Riddick. .

I hope not. Riddick isn't very fast.

 

[tko]

I hope not. Riddick isn't very fast.

well, he appears very slow with a nagging hammy.

 

[anarin]

He reminds me of a little slower Theo Riddick. Probably a more natural RB though. If Riddick does stay at RB then I don't think we need another RB this class.

I hope not. Riddick isn't very fast.

So Russell bounces around like a rabbit before deciding to run towards the end zone?

 

[magogian]

well, he appears very slow with a nagging hammy.

Oh, I didn't know Riddick has been playing with an injury. Comments from Kelly though indicated that they didn't think Riddick was fast in general. More of an agile guy.

 

[ClausentoTate]

I hope not. Riddick isn't very fast.

He's "quicker than fast"

 

[PANDFAN]

Oh, I didn't know Riddick has been playing with an injury. Comments from Kelly though indicated that they didn't think Riddick was fast in general. More of an agile guy.

he didn't play in 1-2 games which is why toma started in the slot...came back for stanford as rb

 

[magogian]

he didn't play in 1-2 games which is why toma was in at slot...came back for stanford as rb

He didn't look that fast before his injury either.

Edit: anyway, I'm off topic.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Russell reminds me more of Armando Allen than Riddick.

Riddick is actually fast when healthy. He has raced Cierre & Jonas many times in 40 yard dash and always wins.

 

[eNDzone]

Will Mahone 5 minutes ago:

@iWill_doiterday
William Mahone
I know something y'all don't know ahaha

@iWill_doiterday
William Mahone
#NDNation stand UP!!

Pulled this from the Gunner Kiel thread. In an II interview he says he pretty much knows where he is going and has told some family and friends. He also said he talked to Mahone on Monday.

ND is still recruiting him hard.

 

[JadeBrecks]

I cant wait for some verbals from these guys!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Pulled this from the Gunner Kiel thread. In an II interview he says he pretty much knows where he is going and has told some family and friends. He also said he talked to Mahone on Monday.

ND is still recruiting him hard.

Are you suggesting that Mahone was really tweeting about Russell? Because everyone naturally assumed it was Gunner, and Mahone retweeted everything about Gunner.

 

[eNDzone]

Mahone also tweeted we would have a top 5 class before all is said and done.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Mahone also tweeted we would have a top 5 class before all is said and done.

To be clear, you do think that Mahone's above quoted tweets were about Russell?

And what makes you think ND is still recruiting him hard? Most indications seem to point toward the staff easing off on him.

 

[eNDzone]

Russell says they have seen him 4 times in 2 months. He gets that Indiana isn't just out his back door.

 

[NDPhilly]

Per II he will decide on Thurs Dec 29. The day of the Champs Sports Bowl. I think we get him but I'm wouldn't be suprised if he chose UDub. Why else wouldn't we be recruiting another RB?

 

[DillonHall]

Per II he will decide on Thurs Dec 29. The day of the Champs Sports Bowl. I think we get him but I'm wouldn't be suprised if he chose UDub. Why else wouldn't we be recruiting another RB?

Thanks!

 

[IrishLax]

247 reports the same and thinks we get him. I don't, but we'll see.

 

[NDPhilly]

247 reports the same and thinks we get him. I don't, but we'll see.

Saw that. Do you think his recent visit to UW put them on top?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

247 reports the same and thinks we get him. I don't, but we'll see.

Me either. Just doesn't feel like there is any buzz or momentum. Kelly didn't even make an in home visit either.

 

[IrishLax]

Saw that. Do you think his recent visit to UW put them on top?

I just think the timeline doesn't add up to an ND commitment; but at the same time I understand why people think we might lead. A lot of it is smoke with Mahone and the other part is "vibes." We very well may land him, it's just my personal uninformed opinion that we won't. But hey, can't complain with 50/50 odds.

 

[NDPhilly]

In the the article Monday on how he was going to announce next week he said that he talked to Mahone and then Mahone had that tweet where he said I know something you don't and the one that said ND could have a top 5 class.

 

[Grahambo]

If he decided to announce on the day of the Champs Sports Bowl, that sounds like he might be leaning ND. No? Am I reading too much into it?

 

[SirStrutsAlot]

If he decided to announce on the day of the Champs Sports Bowl, that sounds like he might be leaning ND. No? Am I reading too much into it?

basically the same thing i was about to say...