ND's Talking Heads ... The good, bad & ugly

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IrishInOntario

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If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.
 
IAIrish

IAIrish

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IrishInOntario said:
If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.
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It's definitely a fun debate to have and a worthy offseason discussion, IIO.

I have to put Shuler and Gray in the 6/7 slot, interchangeably. I think those two are victims of simply having so much tape, there are bound to be some warts due to sheer volume of reps they've had and the nature of the positions they play. What isn't debatable is that both have made plays in massive games at critical punctures. Who can forget Gray's sliding int in the semi's against psu?

BY2 is fascinating. He could literally shoot to #1 on this list given his talent. Or it could be a carbon copy of last year. If it's the former, this team becomes an easy favorite.

I'm Missouri when it comes to Brewu and McKinney. They gotta show up and show out when the lights shine the brightest. Can't wait to watch them compete when Miami shivers into town in November.

Ultimately, I'm with you in that it's an embarrassment of riches when you go down the list. We could go to 20 and still be giddy looking at the talent. They're engineered for a 16 game run.
 
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IrishInOntario

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IAIrish said:
It's definitely a fun debate to have and a worthy offseason discussion, IIO.

I have to put Shuler and Gray in the 6/7 slot, interchangeably. I think those two are victims of simply having so much tape, there are bound to be some warts due to sheer volume of reps they've had and the nature of the positions they play. What isn't debatable is that both have made plays in massive games at critical punctures. Who can forget Gray's sliding int in the semi's against psu?

BY2 is fascinating. He could literally shoot to #1 on this list given his talent. Or it could be a carbon copy of last year. If it's the former, this team becomes an easy favorite.

Yeah, I have no real pushback against any of your points. I could look at the list all day and convince myself to move players all around
I'm Missouri when it comes to Brewu and McKinney. They gotta show up and show out when the lights shine the brightest. Can't wait to watch them compete when Miami shivers into town in November.

Ultimately, I'm with you in that it's an embarrassment of riches when you go down the list. We could go to 20 and still be giddy looking at the talent. They're engineered for a 16 game run.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have no real pushback against any of your points. I could look at the list all day and convince myself to move players all around. The defense is absolutely loaded.
 
Veritate Duce Progredi

Veritate Duce Progredi

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IrishInOntario said:
If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.
Click to expand...
1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Brauntae Johnson
4. Kingston Viliamu-Asa
5. Adon Shuler
6. Francis Brewu
7. Drayk Bowen
8. DJ Mckinney
9. Bryce Young
10. Christian Gray/Dallas Golden
11. Jason Onye
12. Rodney Dunham (with a lot of potential to move up)
13. Elijah Hughes
14. Madden Faraimo
15. Tionne Gray
16. Jaylen Sneed
17. Armel Mukam
18. Luke Talich
19. Jaiden Ausberry
20. Keon Keeley

This list includes only 1 freshman and we have 3-4 who could make an impact this fall. I want to see what JOB, K. Adams, Pouncey and Smith can do after a little more weight room/recovery. Where could Ewatade be after a few games of experience? With the 5 for 5 rule, most of these guys will be given snaps, especially in the first 4-6 games.

This doesn't account for Jayden Sanders, Cole Mullins, Sevillano, Elijah Golden, Chris Burgess, Ethan Long and whoever may be close to emerging. I'm glad we have a busy summer because it'll help me enjoy my time while waiting for the beginning of a fun season.
 
dublinirish

dublinirish

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II Podcast were talking about their Mount Rushmore of ND players of various eras to interview. Funny they mentioned Tillery and Hartman as the "Opposite of Mount Rushmore". Prister in particular has no time for Tillery lol
 
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allenm5333

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dublinirish said:
II Podcast were talking about their Mount Rushmore of ND players of various eras to interview. Funny they mentioned Tillery and Hartman as the "Opposite of Mount Rushmore". Prister in particular has no time for Tillery lol
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The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone
 
zelezo vlk

zelezo vlk

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allenm5333 said:
The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone
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I think the Fight Down and killing SC in revenge for the '22 game helped a lot
 
Rockin’Irish

Rockin’Irish

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allenm5333 said:
The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone
Click to expand...
When Tillery was at ND, it seemed like there were commonly tidbits leaking out about him being a very unique (aka odd) dude. Wouldn’t surprise me if he would come off as aloof which can often be viewed as Prister described.
 
Fbolt

Fbolt

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Ironic, considering how much Prister craps on people/fans. If only we were as smart or as knowledgeable as him.
 
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