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

[SJIrish]

SJ if you dont mind me asking how did you catch wiff of this?

Friend of mine at ND who knows Niklas said he told him a few days ago that the staff was moving him to TE.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

Friend of mine at ND who knows Niklas said he told him a few days ago that the staff was moving him to TE.

You look better in green SJ (don't we all)! I had my reservations, as a few of your spirited comments earned you a steep climb to reputation redemption. Appreciate your contributions. We need to spruce you up with a [beer] or something for your profile... /fixed.

Edit: Still wrapping my mind around Troy at TE. He's a play-maker; no doubt, but this does effect the team chemistry/position projections.

 

[Irish Fam]

maybe a sign that Councell is ready to get on the field?

 

[Kak7304]

This is pure speculation, but it could be the result of a change in philosophy in the defense. Maybe Diaco plans on using more speed at the OLB spot, like he did moving Slaughter there for the bowl game, and wants more speed/quickness at the position rather than size. Niklas is an athletic freak, but it's damn near impossible for a 6'7 OLB to have the agility of a 6'2-6'3 OLB.

 

[GBdomer]

This is pure speculation, but it could be the result of a change in philosophy in the defense. Maybe Diaco plans on using more speed at the OLB spot, like he did moving Slaughter there for the bowl game, and wants more speed/quickness at the position rather than size. Niklas is an athletic freak, but it's damn near impossible for a 6'7 OLB to have the agility of a 6'2-6'3 OLB.

SJ is hearing the same thing i am. I believe the dude.

 

[Kak7304]

SJ is hearing the same thing i am. I believe the dude.

I should clarify that I meant I was purely speculating on why the move could have been made not whether it was made. I think it's a solid move and he'll make one hell of a TE and also has a higher ceiling at that position.

 

[BGIF]

109 posts deep and SJ has finally crept out of the red. Not saying he is flat out trolling us, just that I for one would like a credible source before we start the position change riot machine.

Edit: Beat me GB. If anything can be gained in a constructive fashion, I would recommend to SJ, that he list where he got his information from so we can gauge it's authenticity and give him/her the thanks he/she deserves for keeping us apprised as so many "in the know" posters do in the future.

Jesuits are sources.

 

[BGIF]

This is pure speculation, but it could be the result of a change in philosophy in the defense. Maybe Diaco plans on using more speed at the OLB spot, like he did moving Slaughter there for the bowl game, and wants more speed/quickness at the position rather than size. Niklas is an athletic freak, but it's damn near impossible for a 6'7 OLB to have the agility of a 6'2-6'3 OLB.

Could be but I suspect it's it restocks TE. Eifert will be gone next season and I doubt J. Golic is back for a 5th (this may also reflect his surgery). As no TE was added in the recent class the '13 TE corps would have been Welch and Koyack and whatever freshman comes in next February. Niklas provides a 3rd big body right now with HS experience at the position and 7 months to transition. He'll see PT.

 

[ThePiombino]

I think this says a lot about the staff's confidence, or lack thereof, in landing two quality guys this year at the TE position. Hopefully I'm wrong and this is more about depth and having a truer blocker at the position.

 

[dublinirish]

Just read that Matuska is being recruited for Defense by ND now. But How in the blue hell though is there still a roster spot for Golic if Troy is gonna be playing TE also?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Just read that Matuska is being recruited for Defense by ND now. But How in the blue hell though is there still a roster spot for Golic if Troy is gonna be playing TE also?

golic's been holding an undeserved scholly since he got here. he'd be an average mac player at best.

personally i really liked herc on defense. i'm worried we're creating a cluster at TE and there won't be enough time to get the 4 guys that deserve to be on there time.

 

[irishff1014]

golic's been holding an undeserved scholly since he got here. he'd be an average mac player at best.

personally i really liked herc on defense. i'm worried we're creating a cluster at TE and there won't be enough time to get the 4 guys that deserve to be on there time.

Maybe this is a sign that we will see some more 2 tight end sets in the play calling this year.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

If anything, (barring this happens) it makes me excited to think of the confidence the coaching staff must have with the current OLB depth and their readiness to play.

Maybe it speaks on how confident the coaching staff is on landing Jaylon.. just maybe.

 

[irish4ever]

golic's been holding an undeserved scholly since he got here. he'd be an average mac player at best.
personally i really liked herc on defense. i'm worried we're creating a cluster at TE and there won't be enough time to get the 4 guys that deserve to be on there time.

Agreed! I said it before, if Golic wants a 5th yr., daddy should pay for it .... I'm certain that he could squeeze enough out of his big pay ck. to foot the bill for 1 more year.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

I bet ya he will surprise some of you this spring

Perhaps this is what TP meant (the move to TE)? Certainly a surprise to me. On another note, we have heard that there was going to be more emphasis put on the running game this year. Having Niklas as a TE certainly provides additional blocking along the OLine to help these efforts. Having his size and athleticism to go out in the passing routes is a bonus as well (see Stanfords TE's last year). Reminds me of the Nate Solder situation, although he came out of HS as a TE and was converted to Tackle. Niklas may ultimately end up there.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Maybe this is a sign that we will see some more 2 tight end sets in the play calling this year.

still though, you would think eifert will hold one of those spots all year. that leaves one spot to be filled by welch, koyack, and niklas. great depth yes i agree 100%, but that means two quality guys will be riding pine for a majority of the year.

 

[irishff1014]

still though, you would think eifert will hold one of those spots all year. that leaves one spot to be filled by welch, koyack, and niklas. great depth yes i agree 100%, but that means two quality guys will be riding pine for a majority of the year.

I agree with what you are saying as well. You always have to count for injury also.

 

[MNIrish14]

Personally I am really happy with this move. The guy is an athletic freak, could be the next Gronkowski

 

[Grahambo]

As long as Niklas is okay with the move. I don't mind moving players as long as the player is okay with it. If he is ready to get after it as a TE then by all means, go for it. If he is against it, he could transfer, sulk, and just waste away.

Any idea how Troy feels about the move?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I remember some brilliant poster at the begining of the season or maybe during fall camp that thought Niklas's best position would be TE. Does anyone remember who that brilliant poster was?

ME

 

[Emcee77]

I like the move. We've got a ton of LB talent and I like Niklas's strength/athleticism/size at TE. He might already be our best blocking TE, and I have no doubt he can make plays as a receiver. Looking forward to seeing how he looks this spring.

Now I wonder what to make of the rumors that Ishaq was going to play more DOG this year so Shembo can play CAT. Makes sense, at least situationally, but who is the third string CAT? With Niklas moving to offense I wonder if some of the guys currently listed at ILB, like maybe Rabasa, will get reps at CAT.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I like the move. We've got a ton of LB talent and I like Niklas's strength/athleticism/size at TE. He might already be our best blocking TE, and I have no doubt he can make plays as a receiver. Looking forward to seeing how he looks this spring.

Now I wonder what to make of the rumors that Ishaq was going to play more DOG this year so Shembo can play CAT. Makes sense, at least situationally, but who is the third string CAT? With Niklas moving to offense I wonder if some of the guys currently listed at ILB, like maybe Rabasa, will get reps at CAT.

Word...I can see Shembo, Ishaq, Rabasa, Romoe all getting time at CAT.

That leaves Councell, Ishaq, Spond (please stay healthy) and maybe even moving Fox to Dog. If you move Fox to Dog that gives Moore a chance to play next to Manti?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Red zone packages with Eifert, Koyack, and Niklas alll on the field.

6'6 6'5 6'7


Good luck defense.

 

[Emcee77]

Word...I can see Shembo, Ishaq, Rabasa, Romoe all getting time at CAT.

That leaves Councell, Ishaq, Spond (please stay healthy) and maybe even moving Fox to Dog. If you move Fox to Dog that gives Moore a chance to play next to Manti?

Interesting. I can dig it.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This would make better sense to me if two things are true:

1).Kelly plans to flank Eifert out a lot this year [ex. Eifert, Koyack or Welsh or Niklas, and two of the "normal" receivers], and bulk up on the goal line [Niklas and Welch or Koyack in part of a Tank package]; and

2). Diaco has told Coach that Niklas is at best an awkward fit at anywhere but DE and Cat, and we are loaded in both places.

I still don't see that this necessarily tells us anything about how we're doing about improving speed and coverage at either Dog or Will.

As to the future of OT --- well, if one was serious about that, that would put Niklas in the actual-eligibility class of Lombard, Nichols, and Heggie, since no O-Lineman of his own class played his freshman year, but Niklas did elsewhere. The wisdom of this would be if one felt that Niklas could be an extremely quick study to catch up to Prestwood, NMartin, Nichols --- his main competition at tackle --- and get ahead of them plus Ronnie Stanley. If one thought all the down inside to guard, then one might say the numbers are less challenging [mainly Lombard, Hanratty, and maybe NMartin]. Kelly could easily see, come Lombard's senior year, the need for another outstanding guard to have emerged.

Pretty foggy crystal ball.....

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Red zone packages with Eifert, Koyack, and Niklas alll on the field.

6'6 6'5 6'7


Good luck defense.

Poor Welch...

 

[koonja]

Personally don't like the move. Since our offense will be in rebuilding year (to say the least) I wanted our defense to be stacked with players that looked like they belonged on the movie 300. I'm sure the staff knows what's best, though.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Word...I can see Shembo, Ishaq, Rabasa, Romoe all getting time at CAT.

That leaves Councell, Ishaq, Spond (please stay healthy) and maybe even moving Fox to Dog. If you move Fox to Dog that gives Moore a chance to play next to Manti?

I wanna see the Werewolf.

 

[woolybug25]

Personally don't like the move. Since our offense will be in rebuilding year (to say the least) I wanted our defense to be stacked with players that looked like they belonged on the movie 300. I'm sure the staff knows what's best, though.

I think our offense will be improved. I will bet you a vbeer and 100,000 vbucks.

Mark. It. Down.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I wanna see the Werewolf.

I hear that, but I've been waiting for two years to see Moore and his speed. In 2010 he was scout team player of the year, in 2011 he had some huge hits in mop up time.