I want to see ND to load up on the D-Line because frankly there is going to be busts, injuries and transfers and if you can get top talent you take it and let the chips fall where they may. Some will think its crazy but as long as they are getting the top talent and not settling in any way then...
Supply & Demand. The kid is a stud, ND wanted him bad out if HS and if he went just about anywhere else other than tOSU and get stuck behind the best WR in college we would have seen him live up to his ranking.
Don't see Marcus Fakatou staying a DE, the kid already 6'6 290. I see him as a DT-3T.
Jayce Brewer is more likely than not to also end up a DT but what I don't see is true DE. A hybrid DE-DT or an out an out DT.
He had issues with the housing situation and the fact he had essentially no PT this season and unless with the guys currently ahead of him are still here and with super stud Joey O'Brien coming in the quality PT probably wasn't going to be there until '27.
It sucks. I would've loved for him to...
I don't think getting Smothers would effect Aneyas. Regardless who the RB is, he's sharing carries with at least 1other for the majority of the touches.
Getting Smothers effects the other RBs much more than it does him IMO.
I get why they would want Smothers as he's a proven commodity...
My guess is that they were seriously interested Ludwig but wasn't going play any games or get in a bidding war for him because they '26 class they have as well as '27 guys they are looking good with.
From what I understand is that the high academic accolades is from their grad schools and the undergraduate college of The Pratt School of Engineering whereas the vast majority of undergraduates go to Duke's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.