Who is likely next?

[irishog77]

In the "Does Cwynar get a 5th Year" (or whatever it's called) thread. I advise taking the time to go find it!

 

[irishtrain]

Yeah its becoming quite obvious that BK has a strong plan for this program (which needed rebuilding despite how much ridiculousness is spouted off by irrational fans), are there problems and things that need working out? Yes, of course. But it seems to me, an outsider, that BK and his program are building solid young men, who will contribute to society long after their playing days are done at ND. I'd rather have hope for the future than disdain for it anytime. But I'm a Cubs fan too, so I try to let the cards fall as they may. The time is coming my friends, just some of us are more realistic about what it takes to be a consistent top program in major D1 college football. History has a tendency to repeat itself and history has been good to ND.

I agree with all this and have said that this man is a good coach and program builder( maybe even a great coach ) but mark my words if he does not get a triggerman for this offense it will be his undoing. As I said the talent on the field was right there with FSU which says it all. Of course they'll get more quality depth and great players but in college football today you must have a QB with a little juice/attitude and football street sense. Kelly must either find or develope this guy. Its a winner like Clements/McDougle/Rice/Huarte not just a guy win 4/5 stars attached to his name. Its also not a pro guy (although pro football will soon lean towards a RG111 type guy) but its a guy who's not afraid of the blinding spotlight at Notre Dame.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Train: I think that really everybody agrees with you that if we can't get all the way to Alabama/LSU-type defense we must have a true play-maker at QB to rise up into the upper elite. Many posters on this board have mistaken the admiration [and loyal support] we have given Coach and Tommy for doing all they could under very difficult circumstances, and have missed our frequent comments that we have to get to the next stage of Full-Kelly offense to make this thing work. Surely nobody REALLY believes that Kelly doesn't want to get his whole offense moving as well.

On a more controversial note: I believe that if Alabama and LSU continue with their own forms of "station-keeping" QB play, one of the country's great offenses is going to put together a very good defense to go along with it and slap them down. You wonder when a Big 12 team is finally going to get that figured out, or Oregon? Hopefully Notre Dame will be hot on their tails. Our own defensive monster is almost in place for two years from now. The offense has the plan and most of the parts. This is an Old Man's patient optimistic perspective, as I have seen it before [I was here in the Kuharich years].

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I posted a similar question in Davonte's thread, but didn't want to stray from the topic of his recruitment. So I bring the rest of my question to this thread:

It was brought to my attention that Davonte may choose his school after NSD. I always have trouble wrapping my head around the 85 rule. Could someone explain to me what will happen if, hypothetically, our remaining spots fill up with say Shumate, Wright, Westerkamp, Garnett, and the Armstead Bros and then Davonte picks ND after we've "filled up." Other than oversigning (which I believe ND is not in the business of doing), what other loopholes/techniques are there to "making room" for prospects such as Fuller/Neal/Agholor/etc if they choose ND in the end? I'm not even a part of the staff/program and I'm already filling up with anxiety to see how this plays out. It blows my mind to have the opportunity to sign elite playmakers only to have to turn them away because ND is at the roster max.

 

[woolybug25]

I answered you in the other thread.

5th year seniors...

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I answered you in the other thread.

5th year seniors...

Right. So at this point in time, it's being assumed that there is approximately 6 spots left for the class. Was that estimation taking into consideration all of the 5th years coming back, or just the ones we assume are locks to stay (KLM, Cave, Slaughter)?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Right. So at this point in time, it's being assumed that there is approximately 6 spots left for the class. Was that estimation taking into consideration all of the 5th years coming back, or just the ones we assume are locks to stay (KLM, Cave, Slaughter)?

6 spots left assumes Cave, KLM, and Slaughter are the only 5Ys. If we take 6 and then Neal wants to jump on-board after NSD, we'd have to ditch one of those three. I don't want to have to make that decision.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Slaughter and Cave are irreplaceable next year, so it would have to be KLM, which I cannot hardly imagine. [unless his healing goes wrong].

 

[woolybug25]

I answered you in the other thread. It mirrors what Whiskey said, but with a twist.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

So basically what you're saying is the potential for wiggle room is one spot at best (and it's a maybe, because it comes at the expense of KLM).

Glad I'm not the one making these decisions...

 

[irishog77]

So basically what you're saying is the potential for wiggle room is one spot at best (and it's a maybe, because it comes at the expense of KLM).

Glad I'm not the one making these decisions...

Though it looks doubtful right now, a player on the current roster could transfer to another school. That too would open up a slot.
Perhaps Kelly has met with a kid or 2 straddling the fence on his decision, and if Kelly does or does not land the recruits he's targeting, Kelly may nudge the kid into staying or going?

 

[Irishman77]

In regards to transfers, I am not saying I want anyone to leave, but every year there seems to be a transfer or two. With the drama this year and Kelly's line in the sand about his guys(which I loved) it seems more likely to me that we would see a couple at least. Would you agree?

 

[stlnd01]

Is there any chance that, come Signing Day, if Kelly & co. think that Neal is a strong possibility (say, we lead with one visit to go), they cut a committed player off the bottom of this year's class? Or is that such a breach of recruiting decorum that it risks overturning too many other apple carts?

 

[irishog77]

Suppose for a moment too that Arik Armstead wants to come to ND...but REALLY wants to play with his brother. If the staff does find itself in the severe numbers crunch, would it let KLM go, meaning they get Armstead the Elder for one 1 year (KLM's time left on campus) and Armstead the Younger for 3-4? I don't know the answer, but it's something I think they'd have to at least consider.

 

[Rack Em]

Is there any chance that, come Signing Day, if Kelly & co. think that Neal is a strong possibility (say, we lead with one visit to go), they cut a committed player off the bottom of this year's class? Or is that such a breach of recruiting decorum that it risks overturning too many other apple carts?

Never.

 

[woolybug25]

Suppose for a moment too that Arik Armstead wants to come to ND...but REALLY wants to play with his brother. If the staff does find itself in the severe numbers crunch, would it let KLM go, meaning they get Armstead the Elder for one 1 year (KLM's time left on campus) and Armstead the Younger for 3-4? I don't know the answer, but it's something I think they'd have to at least consider.

I think that there would be no question. With due respect to KLM and what he has done for Notre Dame, I would argue that Armond has been a better player so far in their respective careers. We would not only improve with Armond, but Arik's one of the best prospects of this class. It's a no brainer if you ask me.

 

[NYIrish14]

According to JSapp, we are in the mix for a new skilled recruit who has mutual interest. Sapp said that the name would be quickly recognized and many of us would be excited about this. He's not saying we are going to get him, but we are in the early stages and are in the mix with him.

EDIT: Sapp does know who it is but will provide more information later.

 

[irishog77]

According to JSapp, we are in the mix for a new skilled recruit who has mutual interest. Sapp said that the name would be quickly recognized and many of us would be excited about this. He's not saying we are going to get him, but we are in the early stages and are in the mix with him. Sapp is unsure of who it is but will let us know soon.

Keith Marshall? Gunner?

 

[NYIrish14]

Keith Marshall? Gunner?

I think it's someone new.

 

[Buster Bluth]

According to JSapp, we are in the mix for a new skilled recruit who has mutual interest. Sapp said that the name would be quickly recognized and many of us would be excited about this. He's not saying we are going to get him, but we are in the early stages and are in the mix with him.

EDIT: Sapp does know who it is but will provide more information later.

Dorial Green-Beckham

 

[Whiskeyjack]

According to JSapp, we are in the mix for a new skilled recruit who has mutual interest. Sapp said that the name would be quickly recognized and many of us would be excited about this. He's not saying we are going to get him, but we are in the early stages and are in the mix with him. Sapp is unsure of who it is but will let us know soon.

How can he be unsure of who it is, while knowing that it's a well-known and exciting recruit?

 

[woolybug25]

How can he be unsure of who it is, while knowing that it's a well-known and exciting recruit?

Good question. I wonder if he knows where the prospect in question is from (cough.. Jersey...ehem...cough) and doesn't know which one it is.

- Devin Fuller
- Darius Hamilton

 

[irishog77]

How can he be unsure of who it is, while knowing that it's a well-known and exciting recruit?

Hence my smart @ss comment above. Posts like this from Sapp are stupid.

 

[NDdomer2]

Good question. I wonder if he knows where the prospect in question is from (cough.. Jersey...ehem...cough) and doesn't know which one it is.

- Devin Fuller
- Darius Hamilton

According to Rivals Darius Hamilton reminds them of John Abraham, who I believe is second only to Jason Taylor in sacks by active players. (Soon to be first as Taylor is retiring) I'll take it.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Good question. I wonder if he knows where the prospect in question is from (cough.. Jersey...ehem...cough) and doesn't know which one it is.

- Devin Fuller
- Darius Hamilton

According to NYIrish14's post, if Sapp knows it's a "skill" recruit, I'd assume that counts out Hamilton.

Fuller was my initial thought as well, though he's been firmly on every Irish recruitnik's radar since Kiel committed to LSU, so he hardly counts as "new". I hope Sapp isn't stooping to such levels to manufacture excitement.

 

[irishog77]

Keith Marshall? Gunner?

I think it's someone new.

I was referring to trinity's nefew, Gunner. Not Gunner Kiel.

That Gunner would be new.

 

[NYIrish14]

Sorry guys I edited my post. He does know who it is, he will give us additional details later.

 

[woolybug25]

It was written somewhere that Hamilton was getting talked to by Shumate and Yuri the day they were all geared up in ND garb. They supposedly were trying to get him to consider Notre Dame. Now that Shumate's commitment may be eminent, maybe that was enough to turn his teammate's head?

That being said, if Sapp is hearing that they were able to turn the head of a NJ recruit, it could easily be him.

This is all speculation on my part, mind.

 

[t3hjc]

I'm hoping it's someone not at a position we've been heavily recruiting.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Hamilton is 6'4'', 250 lbs., and runs a 4.7 40. Sounds like a Cat OLB to me.