'08 CA ILB Anthony McDonald (Signed LOI to ND)

[Ricochet]

I may be wrong, but early commits should pressure the "interested" others who think they may lose their spot. Everything looks good so far!

I think it will, I will be suprised if Fleming doesn't commit just before or after the B&G spring game and I'm saying it would happen but I also wouldn't be surprised to see Filer come on board soon after.

 

[Ricochet]

Good post, but I can see Kamara being a stud WR before long.

I think he can be quite good very soon but watching him or atleast his highlights for the last couple of years I don't think he the gamechanger that ND is looking for. He's alot like Mo Stovall and more of a possession WR. Thats not a knock on him it just what it is and he will be great at what he does but he's not that threat that teams freakout about.

 

[Ricochet]

I agree GG, with the 3-4 and the current lack of depth, 7 is not an unrealistic number if Brown were somehow to commit. Even if there are 6 already, the Irish will hold open a slot for Brown if he is showing any interest at all. He is that good.

I agree, I see ND getting about 6 LB's and 7 if they can get Brown but I think alot of the confusion comes from the fact that I don't think that ND's going completely with 3-4 defense and that ir's more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 and that ND will take 4 to 5 4-3 LB's that can play in the 3-4 and two 4-3 DE's that can be DE's in the 4-3 and be 3-4 OLB's.

 

[irishunclebill]

I agree, I see ND getting about 6 LB's and 7 if they can get Brown but I think alot of the confusion comes from the fact that I don't think that ND's going completely with 3-4 defense and that ir's more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3 and that ND will take 4 to 5 4-3 LB's that can play in the 3-4 and two 4-3 DE's that can be DE's in the 4-3 and be 3-4 OLB's.

Absolutely, that is why for the purpose of the 6 or 7 number, you have to include Fleming as one of the 6 or 7, even though he is listed as a DE. He is also the only one of those guys who would play DE in a 4-3 alignment, which is why I am a little surprised that Erik LeGrand has not been offered. LeGrand could also play OLB in a 3-4 alignment, and DE in a 4-3 alignment. The only reason I can see for not offering LeGrand is that they are probably waiting to see what happens with Filer, Sweat, & Beal before they offer LeGrand because they must rate those three guys higher than him, and also because there is a pretty strong possibility that LeGrand would accept an Irish offer fairly quickly.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I love this.

Sure, these linebackers we're bringing in aren't "Elite" -- but that's ok with me. These are the "glue guys" -- the kind of guys you build a solid defense around.

Once this defense gets in gear and starts playing better and better, the elite recruits will WANT to come here.

USC doesn't offer too many people right away because the elite guys always choose them. But it wasn't always like that.

This class is starting to take shape like the Trojans' 2002 class -- no five stars, but TONS of 4-star guys (names like Darnell Bing, Oscar Lua, Fred Matua, Manuel Wright, and Dallas Sartz). These are the building blocks of a solid defense, and when you start to perform on the field, the elite guys will come.

I'm very, very happy to get guys like McDonald and Poz to fill out the rest of this class. Keep 'em coming!

 

[johnnd05]

Awesome stuff. Welcome, Anthony! Looking forward to seeing you on the field.

 

[nd1]

this class is going to be very good class. we don't need all the five stars if we can get the very good four stars. lets remember that some of these five stars doesn't turn out to be that good. I like the fact that they are going after good football players that can make plays. forget the star rating.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Great stuff guys. This has been one of the best threads in recent times, as far as I'm concerned. I do think we will go after 3 WR.

 

[Irishknight1023]

We've only gotten 3-5 stars in the past two years so it's not like we've been loading up on them anyway, im not really interested in them...we have to start building our powerhouse first before they come because they usually just go to whoevers winning.

 

[Junkhead]

I love this.

Sure, these linebackers we're bringing in aren't "Elite" -- but that's ok with me. These are the "glue guys" -- the kind of guys you build a solid defense around.

Recruiting is maybe half the battle. The more important half is the coaching and how they develop. A 5 star kid can be a turd, or a 3 star kid can be an all-american. What separates an "elite" kid from a 3 star? Every kid that gets an ND scholarship was a star on his team. Point is, the development after HS is more important than in HS. A tenth in the 40 or a few bench reps doesn't show heart or determination.

 

[nd1]

Recruiting is maybe half the battle. The more important half is the coaching and how they develop. A 5 star kid can be a turd, or a 3 star kid can be an all-american. What separates an "elite" kid from a 3 star? Every kid that gets an ND scholarship was a star on his team. Point is, the development after HS is more important than in HS. A tenth in the 40 or a few bench reps doesn't show heart or determination.

very well said junkhead. we need players that want to be here and are going to go out there and be nasty and make plays. I really don't care if we get a five star or not as long as we get good football players and they help us win.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Star rankings on profile updated

 

[Irishknight1023]

I get the feeling McDonald will be ready and in shape for when he comes to ND...

 

[IrishCalves]

I love what this kid brings to the table - aside from the fact that he's chiseled. He's got a family pedigree for football success, which isn't a half bad place to start. That in mind, he is a guy that - to someone who isn't an expert - looks like he plays very fast, is a terrific hitter, and is very apt at sifting through garbage to make the tackle.

To me? If he's coachable, he'll be as good as gold for this defense. Physically it's all there and then some. Whatever shortcomings are derived from pass coverage or things of that nature can be addressed with time. I know we're excited about the more recent verbals, but this guy is definitely one of my favorite gets, and just looks like an ideal linebacker prospect for ND. I'd be very disappointed if he followed his Dad's footsteps to USC... luckily there are no worries about that.

 

[NDgrandson]

I liked seeing the recruits picture side by side. You often do not get to see that kind of stuff except for the AAA game. They look similar in size but play different positions. Cool.

 

[Irishknight1023]

McDonald is by far my favorite recruit this year much like Harrison Smith was for me last year.

 

[GoshenGipper]

I liked seeing the recruits picture side by side. You often do not get to see that kind of stuff except for the AAA game. They look similar in size but play different positions. Cool.

That pic was actually taken and posted on McDonald's MySpace as the Future of ND Football a week or so before Fleming publically commited.

 

[RichardRiot]

I get the feeling McDonald will be ready and in shape for when he comes to ND...

Free video on II showing AMac (in ND High spring camp). When he is a college junior/senior he will be 'one big dude'; he already looks like he is in college......

 

[Irishknight1023]

You wanna know for sure that we got "the guy".....watch this "Wes Horton" highlight video and check out 54 the LB and see if he makes every single tackle in Hortons Highlight film....

http://notredame.rivals.com/video.asp?pkey=59249&section=fbrecruit&vidtype=prospect&vidid=95672

 

[jboxer562]

nice vid

 

[Axl Rose]

You wanna know for sure that we got "the guy".....watch this "Wes Horton" highlight video and check out 54 the LB and see if he makes every single tackle in Hortons Highlight film....

http://notredame.rivals.com/video.asp?pkey=59249&section=fbrecruit&vidtype=prospect&vidid=95672

LOL, I saw that a month ago too. I wash blown away, how do you steal the spotlight in someone else's highlight film. I checked a lot of highlight films of USC's players and can't help feel like a lot of them are inexplicably overrated. How is Shoemate who hasn't played since his sophmore year a 5 star? He showed up to USC camp dropping balls and looking sluggish. Same with Horton, he looked out of shape at USC camp, hows he rated so high?

 

[IrishCalves]

LOL, I saw that a month ago too. I wash blown away, how do you steal the spotlight in someone else's highlight film. I checked a lot of highlight films of USC's players and can't help feel like a lot of them are inexplicably overrated. How is Shoemate who hasn't played since his sophmore year a 5 star? He showed up to USC camp dropping balls and looking sluggish. Same with Horton, he looked out of shape at USC camp, hows he rated so high?

They're saying that Shoemate had the stomach flu or something, which could be a reason why... well, he flat out looked bad. The best spin some who observed could do with that is he showed "good intensity" - it just sounds half hearted.

When you watch his older film, he looks like a real good receiver. I don't know about a 5 star lock, but a good player nevertheless, 4 star caliber. But honestly, checking out Shoemate at the USC camp? He looks more like a linebacker - and that isn't meant to be a compliment. Didn't move well, didn't have soft hands, looked like he was laboring. Maybe it was the flu, or maybe he just isn't the same guy since his injury (sounds a lot like the reviews we've heard from D.J. Hord this spring, of looking really rusty), who knows.

One thing is for sure: right now rivals is looking pretty foolish for putting themselves out a 5 star limb with a kid who had such a glaring red flag from the year before. If he reverts to what I saw on him as a sophomore, it could very well pay off, but as for now, they're looking like little more than USC Kool-Aid drinkers.

Sorry to hijack the McDonald thread. But lets just say I feel better and better about having him on board, when juxtaposed to some of the USC grabs.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Who does a camp when they are already committed to USC and have the flu?Bulllllllsssshiiittt

 

[GhostSpirit]

I heard he's playing LB for them.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Thursday, Sept. 20 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (Calif.) vs. Birmingham (Calif.) 11 p.m. ESPN2

--------This game will be televised so you get to see future Irishmen McDonald and Crist.

ESPN - 2007 ESPNU high school football schedule - Insider

 

[Akron Irish]

Thursday, Sept. 20 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (Calif.) vs. Birmingham (Calif.) 11 p.m. ESPN2

--------This game will be televised so you get to see future Irishmen McDonald and Crist.

ESPN - 2007 ESPNU high school football schedule - Insider

Thanks for the info!! :footballh

 

[notredomer23]

thats great info!

 

[irish4ever]

My calendar is marked!

 

[johnnd05]

I posted this in the Crist thread, but it has a bit on McDonald as well. It's from this article, previewing their game tonight:

But Notre Dame, unlike Canyon, does have its quarterback and running back returning.

And they're a pair of good ones.

Dayne Crist, a preseason candidate for National Player of the Year honors, is the biggie.

Having already committed to the college version of Notre Dame, the 6-foot-5 signal caller presents his share of challenges. He led the Knights to their 18-17 win over Canyon last time around.

Despite a back injury which limited his playing time a season ago, his first as Notre Dame's starter, Crist threw 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Bigger numbers are expected this year.

"He has a great arm, he's a great athlete and he has the great size you want in a quarterback," said Notre Dame head coach Kevin Rooney. "Dayne is our leader. We have a lot of confidence in him."

Thaddeus Brown, Notre Dame's returning runner, is a likewise proven commodity, having run for 1,340 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago as a junior. He is also a standout defensive back.

The strength of the Notre Dame team, though, according to Rooney is their defense, which returns all of its starting linebackers including Anthony McDonald, a University of Notre Dame-bound terror.

Also back is Wes Horton, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive lineman who has committed to USC.

 

[kjones]

I just skimmed through and when I got to the bolded part, I thought it meant OUR Notre Dame team at first. Definitely was surprised to hear about the strength of our team being the returning linebackers. Then I realized...