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

IrishLax

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I really think next year you see Ishaq/Shembo at CAT and Councell at DOG making impacts... outside of that I have no idea what happens with Niklas, Spond, etc. and who gets PT. But it's hard to see Niklas supplanting Shembo or Ishaq at CAT.
 
Irish Fam

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Baratti does seem like the perfect fit for dog. good size and plays well in space. Troy is obviously a giant, but does he really move that well in space? I remember a play or two this past season where he just looked lost dropping in coverage. But he was a true freshman, so maybe the added experience will help.
 
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Bogtrotter07

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Why, if they already have moved Shembo away from Dog this year, would they move him back next year? The coaches have already stated that he plays a better rush linebacker, and a number of people on this site have called him Darius, Jr.

How does anyone know about Spond with him injured most of the season?

Counsell is a natural for drop, it seems, but has he been tested? How has he performed?

Troy is incredibly fast and strong. Don't bet against him.
 
Old Man Mike

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I believe that Troy Niklas is the most "mysterious" player on this team. What do we know?

1). he is a great even freakish talent; this means that any coach is open-mouthed at the potential and wants it on the field;

2). our real-world coaches think the same way, as they have shoved him onto the field early;

3). but it doesn't seem that he "fits" anywhere in an obvious fashion. Is he TOO big for action-in-space linebacking? Not massive enough for meathouse D-Line work? Ill-disposed for offense? Positioned poorly given the depth chart at CAT? Too inexperienced to have WILL instincts?

The staff must have a much clearer view of this than we do. I wish that someone would ask Kelly directly what they think Niklas' "natural position" is.
 
Old Man Mike

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But the staff must not think TE is the place as Diaco's holding onto him like grim death trying to find the right fit himself maybe. Diaco's ingenious enough that he could tinker a special wrinkle into his 3-4 which made the Herculean fit more optimal. I'm really interested in how this goes in Spring practice.
 
Domina Nostra

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Old Man Mike said:
But the staff must not think TE is the place as Diaco's holding onto him like grim death trying to find the right fit himself maybe. Diaco's ingenious enough that he could tinker a special wrinkle into his 3-4 which made the Herculean fit more optimal. I'm really interested in how this goes in Spring practice.
Click to expand...

It all starts on defense and we are in no shortage of TEs.
 
Whiskeyjack

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Niklas spent 2011 doing the following: (1) dominating on ST, (2) performing surprisingly well at Drop OLB, and (3) even doing some interior rushing during Tuitt's absence/ illness.

All this while his two most natural positions, Rush OLB and DE, were too stacked for him to see the field. Count me with OMM as being very curious to see how Kelly and Diaco employ Niklas in 2012.
 
Irishman77

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i think once we get our defensive personnel developed we use Niklas as a Joker. Move him around, stand him up, put his hand in the dirt, put him on each side finding the mismatch. Keep the defense guessing.
 
TheTurningPoint

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Yeah I feel Niklas will used in many different roles the next few years.

Basically he is screwed when he goes to the NFL bc of no position. Once he is in the NFL....he will be used in many different roles over his career lol
 
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Bogtrotter07

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I believe that Troy Niklas is the most "mysterious" player on this team. What do we know?

1). he is a great even freakish talent; this means that any coach is open-mouthed at the potential and wants it on the field;

2). our real-world coaches think the same way, as they have shoved him onto the field early;

3). but it doesn't seem that he "fits" anywhere in an obvious fashion. Is he TOO big for action-in-space linebacking? Not massive enough for meathouse D-Line work? Ill-disposed for offense? Positioned poorly given the depth chart at CAT? Too inexperienced to have WILL instincts?

The staff must have a much clearer view of this than we do. I wish that someone would ask Kelly directly what they think Niklas' "natural position" is.
Click to expand...

My mentor's grand niece is a roomate of one of the training staff. Troy has one of the most incredible natural builds, with a low bodyfat rate, of any athlete you will ever see. His strength is off the charts, and his speed is not far behind. He is also very bright and learns quickly. One poster mentioned a time he seemed to be uncomfortable in drop; I believe that was against MSU. As time went on, the other players would tell him his assignment, particularly Manti. Then look at his his overall play and stats for the MSU game realizing he found out the day before the game he would start as a true freshman . . .
 
mick2

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Bogtrotter07 said:
My mentor's grand niece is a roomate of one of the training staff. Troy has one of the most incredible natural builds, with a low bodyfat rate, of any athlete you will ever see. His strength is off the charts, and his speed is not far behind. He is also very bright and learns quickly. One poster mentioned a time he seemed to be uncomfortable in drop; I believe that was against MSU. As time went on, the other players would tell him his assignment, particularly Manti. Then look at his his overall play and stats for the MSU game realizing he found out the day before the game he would start as a true freshman . . .
Click to expand...

i was on the elevator with troy at the hotel the team stayed at during the bowl game week. and he is HUGE! one of the biggest dudes i've ever seen in person, seems to be a cool guy too. kind of a loner tho, every player had grey sweats to wear during the bowl week and he was the only guy i didn't see wearing it he was wearing a flannel shirt an jeans every time i saw him and was usually wandering around by himself, but a nice dude.

on a side note staying at the hotel the team stayed at was pretty awesome, I met Manti and harrison smith. got to see a bunch of coaches and players around the hotel, Swarbrick was a table over from us at dinner, golic was there, i met BK's brother, got a hat signed by Hendrix (that i threw away after that pick he threw....JK) vitale was there, collinsworth was there. Saw Diaco the first day in a nice suit carrying his briefcase heading back into the hotel, he must have been coming back from a recruiting visit. Dude looks sharp and i dont think hes going to be a DC much longer. definite future head coach he has that fire in his eyes.

overall awesome experience.
 
BeauBenken

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I shook the hand of a guy who had seen a guy who had met the daughter of Troy's mother's father...

lol Just messing with you guys.
 
Domina Nostra

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This is the team's mystery man, IMO.

He is one of the best athletes on the team, but he is stuck behind Ishaq Williams, one of the few athletes with more potential as well as the very solid Prince Shembo. Personally, I would still not be surprised if he ended up starting at CAT. I think he is going to emerge as a dominant player a little faster than Ishaq.

He could also probably play DOG, but seems a touch big. If we ever have a lin-up with Ishaq on one side and Niklas on the other, ND is going to scare some offenses.

Realistically, he could also play TE or DE with a little weight.

In any event, seems a shame to have him on the sideline.

How do we think Diaco (or Martin) will use him this year?
 
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TerryTate

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DE in 4-3 sets

Fast enough to play DOG, big enough to play CAT

Councell could see some time as well.
 
Emcee77

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TerryTate said:
DE in 4-3 sets
Fast enough to play DOG, big enough to play CAT

Councell could see some time as well.
Click to expand...

Love the bolded. I've been wondering about Niklas too, and I pretty much agree with what's been said so far. He seems like a natural CAT linebacker/4-3 DE ... but we already have two guys like that in Shembo and Ishaq. Niklas could stay at DOG (as could Shembo, but I hope not), but Spond (if he stays healthy) and Councell (if he's ready) seem like better fits. Niklas as a TE is intriguing; maybe if we strike out on TEs in this class he moves? Doubtful I guess. We'll know more after we see how Ishaq, Spond and Councell look this spring.
 
Whiskeyjack

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I expect he'll be used much like he was last year: DOLB on standard downs and DL on passing downs.

His future is on the DL.
 
BeauBenken

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You know...I don't know if I've said this before, but Troy sorta reminds me of Ryan Kerrigan.
 
irishog77

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Domina Nostra said:
This is the team's mystery man, IMO.

He is one of the best athletes on the team, but he is stuck behind Ishaq Williams, one of the few athletes with more potential as well as the very solid Prince Shembo. Personally, I would still not be surprised if he ended up starting at CAT. I think he is going to emerge as a dominant player a little faster than Ishaq.

He could also probably play DOG, but seems a touch bi. If we ever have a lin-up with Ishaq on one side and Niklas on the other, ND is going to scare some offenses.

Realistically, he could also play TE or DE with a little weight.

In any event, seems a shame to have him on the sideline.

How do we think Diaco (or Martin) will use him this year?
Click to expand...

Huh???
 
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