'22 MI OLB Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame Signee)

IAIrish

IAIrish

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I'll maintain that a healthy Burnham is a draftable prospect in '27... couple body blows for the dline in consecutive days.

Curious if this was a result of PT this season or it was based on a meeting with the coaches post season. Wonder if the staff thinks Young will up level after adjusting to the weight gain.
 
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OhioIrish

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Unless they have a better DL locked up in the portal, this makes no sense from the ND perspective. He is arguably our most productive returning DL after Traore. Pretty discouraging that they could not persuade him to stay. Even if it’s a cash issue, just pay him.
 
Huntr

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Damn.

Was really hoping to see him start next fall. I thought he was right there and could do some damage.

Bet he makes bank wherever he ends up.
 
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allenm5333

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OhioIrish said:
Unless they have a better DL locked up in the portal, this makes no sense from the ND perspective. He is arguably our most productive returning DL after Traore. Pretty discouraging that they could not persuade him to stay. Even if it’s a cash issue, just pay him.
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He probably wants something guaranteed like a starting role and snaps. May be easier to offer $. But he knows how high of a ceiling Young has and may be afraid he cant get pt
 
IRISHbluehen

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He will not be a guaranteed 3rd down player at ND next season, needs to be to improve to a top 5 round type player.

Best of luck to him.
 
NDPhilly

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Every deep team competing for aTitle faces the same type of attrition - quality depth piece wants to start or is worth more to someone else. It is what it is.

They need Bryce to take the next step. This is basically a bet on him.
 
NDPhilly

NDPhilly

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CoachB said:
I think Josh is better than Bryce. He always played well when in. This is a tough loss.
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I think he was better at the end of 25, but obviously the upside of Bryce is much higher and Josh is always dealing with something. I’m sure he felt slighted Bryce jumped him on the depth chart as well.
 
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Irishdawg

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NDPhilly said:
Every deep team competing for aTitle faces the same type of attrition - quality depth piece wants to start or is worth more to someone else. It is what it is.

They need Bryce to take the next step. This is basically a bet on him.
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Agreed, and I’ll wait until the college football free agency (portal) season plays out to comment. Sucks but I have faith in MF and his staff!!
 
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IrishInOntario

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IrishLax said:
Pat Coogan Part 2
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This one hurts more than Coogan for 3 reasons.

1. Unlike along the OL, the best teams in college football aggressively rotate their DL to keep them fresh and keep their pass rush highly active. Burnham was a huge part of ND's rotation and Notre Dame's experience behind him is not good.

2. ND's young defensive ends (Burgess' position is an unknown at this time) are a combination of inexperienced and lacking high end upside. Logan Thomas is wayyyy too light to play major snaps against the run (something Burnham excelled at). Dom Hulak is simply a lottery ticket and the same is true of Anthony Sacca if the rumored move to DE comes to fruition. Nobody should expect either of Dunham or Ewetade to be every down type ends as freshmen. Sub package pass rushers, sure.... But run down defenders as freshman? I highly doubt it. Both are lean guys that will need considerable time in the strength program.

3. KVA has been an excellent sub package pass rusher for ND and he's going to probably miss the first month and might not look fully like himself until the back half of the season. Losing him + Burnham heaps an enormous amount of pressure on Traore and Young to not only stay healthy, but to eat an enormous number of snaps early in the season. An injury to either of them would significantly degrade the defense.

Losing Botelho, Tuihalamaka and Burnham in the same season as your top 4 interior DL is really tough to replace... I think that's especially true as run defenders. ND is still going to have pass rush options, but I'm concerned about their run defense.

Serious work to do in the portal, with a limited budget to get it done. Time will tell.
 
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IrishInOntario

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NDPhilly said:
I think he was better at the end of 25, but obviously the upside of Bryce is much higher and Josh is always dealing with something. I’m sure he felt slighted Bryce jumped him on the depth chart as well.
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I understand why he's leaving, but it's a genuine blow to what could be an outstanding defense. Elite defenses are 8+ guys deep in their DL rotation and need to be stout against the run. Burnham was going to factor into that tremendously this year, at an affordable price.

Times have changed!
 
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stpeteirish

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IrishInOntario said:
I understand why he's leaving, but it's a genuine blow to what could be an outstanding defense. Elite defenses are 8+ guys deep in their DL rotation and need to be stout against the run. Burnham was going to factor into that tremendously this year, at an affordable price.

Times have changed!
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If you understand why he’s leaving, tell me. Makes no sense
 
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IrishInOntario

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stpeteirish said:
If you understand why he’s leaving, tell me. Makes no sense
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He'll end up going somewhere that he's paid more and will likely have the opportunity to be the "guaranteed" starter. At ND he's likely to be blocked by Young and Traore and relegated to second team reps. Extremely important second team reps for ND, but realistically, not the best situation for Burnham as he bets on himself to play major snaps for film ahead of next year's NFL Draft.

That's the reason, IMO. A decision purely for the benefit of the player, both financially and in terms of his NFL future. A tough loss for ND.
 
NDMatt91

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The question I have is who rounds out the 2 deep? Thomas needs to put on 20-30 pounds, which is easier said than done.
 
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IrishInOntario

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NDMatt91 said:
The question I have is who rounds out the 2 deep? Thomas needs to put on 20-30 pounds, which doesn't seem realistic.
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Likely a combination of a transfer portal acquistion as the #3 (heavy rotation like Burnham played). Somebody like an Adam Trick... With the #4 spot coming from one of Thomas, Hulak, Burgess, Sacca or Dunham. Whoever emerges from that group of young guys.
 
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