'11 TX ATH Cam McDaniel (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[CraigKrenzel]

Yep. He definitely showed all those bags on the ground who the boss was.

...

 

[KPENN]

What is with the obsession with him on this board? I don't get it.

 

[GBdomer]

Hahahahaah is this a serious thread? I don't get why everyone thinks he is all that and a bag of chips.

Btw anyone think Ben Koyack has potential?

 

[KPENN]

Hahahahaah is this a serious thread? I don't get why everyone thinks he is all that and a bag of chips.

Btw anyone think Ben Koyack has potential?

Come on man, didn't you see him run on that awful, beat up, defeated Miami defense?


That thread needs a comeback....

 

[GBdomer]

Come on man, didn't you see him run on that awful, beat up, defeated Miami defense?


That thread needs a comeback....

Ya man and I also saw him run against second string navy defense.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

I think the only reason GAIII got on the field at all last season was because of his home run capability. He didn't do a whole lot when in the game. His 2 long TD's were against Navy and Miami and the only other good play I remember was the TD against either BYU or Stanford, I can't remember which one but it did give us the lead if I recall correctly. Cam didn't provide anything new to what Theo or Cierre could do so he was used as our cleanup guy. With both Theo and Cierre gone, there is no reason at all to believe he won't see more than garbage time. It appears he is beating out Mahone at the moment for the #2 spot and there are no guarantees that Bryant will be ready to be the #2 right away and I think Folston will be mostly slot.

I think there are certain characteristics that Cam has that will put him on the field. He will start the season as #2 and will earn more time as the season progresses.

How does beating out Mahone translate into him being the #2? I'm seeing Amir #1, GAIII# 2, are you saying Cam has suddenly out done GAIII and is now a bigger home run threat than George? Very doubtful, if not impossible. Cam obviously is not the worst back in the country or we would have never offered. I look at Cam as a prime example or motivator to other running backs, he's the 'Rudy' for the running backs. Will bust his @ss every play every practice but just won't ever reach that next level.

I think he's an excellent player to have on the roster, especially for Bryant and Folston coming in, but do you think their gonna wanna get beat out by some small white slow kid like Cam, ha, I kid, but really, these two are studs coming out of HS and highly recruited players, Cam will push every running back to their highest potential, but still won't have enough talent to push him to the next level.

I like Cam and all, but I like Greg's potential and athleticism. I know Greg hasn't stepped onto campus yet, but his physical attributes are already far and away better than Cam's.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Does anyone else think Cam McDaniel could be a huge part of this offense this season

If the 3rd string RB becomes a huge part of your offense, I think your offense is in trouble.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I know everyone likes the small, scrappy white running back, but he's not going to get snaps before Atkinson, Bryant, or a healthy Carlisle. He can make an impact on special teams or maybe even defense, but McDaniel won't be a major part of this offense. There's too much pure talent for him to break through. Maybe on a Weis offense.

 

[LoveThee]

I know everyone likes the small, scrappy white running back, but he's not going to get snaps before Atkinson, Bryant, or a healthy Carlisle. He can make an impact on special teams or maybe even defense, but McDaniel won't be a major part of this offense. There's too much pure talent for him to break through. Maybe on a Weis offense.

Atkinson, I dont know about. He's had a lot to improve on, we will probably know more about how much he figures to play at RB after the spring game.

Bryant is also a true freshman, albeit a very talented one. Who knows.

Carlisle if healthy would definitely play over McDaniel.

I just wouldn't be so definite in saying McDaniel won't play over those guys. RB is gonna be an interesting position group to watch.

I will say though, I think the other guys do play over him.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think Cam plays just not sure how much. As of right now I think he's running 3rd behind Atkinson and Amir. It seems the staff has made that pretty clear. However there are some moving parts. Can Amir stay healthy? How fast do Folston and Bryant pick up the offense in the summer? Does GAIII continue to improve?

 

[anarin]

Come on man, didn't you see him run on that awful, beat up, defeated Miami defense?


That thread needs a comeback....

Ya man and I also saw him run against second string navy defense.

To be fair, what exactly did GAIII do against anyone other then miami and navy?

5 carries for 11 yards and a td against BYU? Is that your valid argument?

Everyone that is against Cam has the same argument as the people that are for Cam, and its the potential of who they see compared to the potential of Cam in this offense.

When I say he will win the job, I firmly believe he will based on the fact he is shifty, catches really well out of the backfield & and is a hardnosed player. Now is he gonna wow us and show NFL potential? probably not. But the fact that I've read things such as a small slow white boy & that he is the next coming of Rudy; really show that alot of people on this board are really underestimating this kid.

 

[CraigKrenzel]

I think Cam plays just not sure how much. As of right now I think he's running 3rd behind Atkinson and Amir. It seems the staff has made that pretty clear. However there are some moving parts. Can Amir stay healthy? How fast do Folston and Bryant pick up the offense in the summer? Does GAIII continue to improve?

This is about where I am, too. I like Cam. I don't think he's going to be getting a majority of snaps at any time this season. I think he brings nice flexibility - shifty guy with great hands - to our offense. If Amir goes down - and he's surely the #1 option in this role - there will be a drop-off, no doubt about it, but I'm excited to see what Cam can bring.

I love GAIII. I love our recruits. I love Amir.

 

[Patulski]

One of the press corps asked Kelly about McDaniel and his versatility during the April 6 Press Conference. He started talking about how he could use two running backs, but mentioned Atkinson and Carlisle, not McDaniel.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

One of the press corps asked Kelly about McDaniel and his versatility during the April 6 Press Conference. He started talking about how he could use two running backs, but mentioned Atkinson and Carlisle, not McDaniel.

Again, what Kelly said was he didn't see Carslile and GA III playing the same position. Like Runningback A and Runningback B. In otherwords, they could be on the field at the same time. SO CAM (OR WILL OR GREG) DOESN'T HAVE TO BE NUMBER THREE ON THE LIST!

I am not arguing for Cam or George Thorogood, for that matter. Just that you all are not hearing what Kelly, Denbrock, and Marting have said.

I will lay it out for everyone: Think position groups. Different groups that include different players for different situations against different opponents, some stars, some roll players. If there are five skill players that you have for these positions usually, ND this year may use fourteen. (I made the numbers up, more players depending on the desired effect.)

Salient question: How do you create a defensive game plan for this kind of offense?

 

[scUM Hater]

I know kelly doesn't use a fullback, but does anyone think Cam could be used as a "fullback" type player? Or would one of the tight ends be better in that position?

 

[NOLAIrish]

I know kelly doesn't use a fullback, but does anyone think Cam could be used as a "fullback" type player? Or would one of the tight ends be better in that position?

Cam's too small (5'10 195, narrow build). Everything I've seen says he's a one-cut runner with good speed and great balance. He runs hard, but I think we tend to misconstrue his huge effort for a smash-mouth style. To me, he looks more like a Thurman Thomas type.

 

[NOLAIrish]

Also, it just occurred to me that a quarter of the board probably had to google Thurman Thomas. If y'all need me for anything more tonight, I'll be eating pudding and watching Matlock.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I like him in the slot. I think his skill set would translate well to working the underneath parts of the field, he seems to have pretty decent hands, and there is a little bit of a vacuum at that position right now. I'm not sure why that possibility is never mentioned, but that seems to me to be his most likely way onto the field. Climbing to the top of the RB depth chart is going to be a challenge.

 

[PraetorianND]

Maybe I'm on my own but I'd like to see GA3 in the slot more than Cam. BK needs to get GA3 in the open field with some space. He needs to be able to actually use those afterburners of his. Cam is in there somewhere on the depth chart but I have a feeling our new RBs are gonna make some noise. I think Cam is sweet and is a great underdog. He's quick, scrappy, and tough but his ceiling is incredibly low compared to some of the other guys on the roster or coming in. I'm looking at Amir to have a solid year personally.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

How does beating out Mahone translate into him being the #2? I'm seeing Amir #1, GAIII# 2, are you saying Cam has suddenly out done GAIII and is now a bigger home run threat than George? Very doubtful, if not impossible. Cam obviously is not the worst back in the country or we would have never offered. I look at Cam as a prime example or motivator to other running backs, he's the 'Rudy' for the running backs. Will bust his @ss every play every practice but just won't ever reach that next level.

I think he's an excellent player to have on the roster, especially for Bryant and Folston coming in, but do you think their gonna wanna get beat out by some small white slow kid like Cam, ha, I kid, but really, these two are studs coming out of HS and highly recruited players, Cam will push every running back to their highest potential, but still won't have enough talent to push him to the next level.

I like Cam and all, but I like Greg's potential and athleticism. I know Greg hasn't stepped onto campus yet, but his physical attributes are already far and away better than Cam's.

Rudy of the running backs? Are you serious? He has bucket loads more talent than Rudy did. Rudy was all heart and a tiny amount of talent. Cam played in the toughest football state and I believe he won POY, though I can't remember if that was just in his area, the whole state, or what. And his HS was ranked 4th in the whole state of TX his senior season and he played at the highest level in TX (5A). To be the star RB of a 5A team in TX that is ranked in the top 5 in the state, you have to be pretty darn good. At the UT camp, the coaches raved about him and he didn't look less athletic than any of the black athletes out there. If Cam doesn't crack the 2 or 3 deep this season, it certainly won't be for lack of talent or effort on his part. It will be because of the insane talent in front him which is a good problem for Coach Kelly to have.

I looked back at his HS tape and the kid is as tough as they come. Hard to bring down, shifty, and just a great athlete. I don't know how he was only a 3 star player when he played the way he did and against really good teams. I think at this point it's very difficult for anyone to say if he will play much since nobody saw anything other than garbage time against some weak defenses. That argument goes for both the supporters and the fans who don't think he has a chance in h#ll. GAIII didn't get much more time on the field than Cam did and he's supposed to be our track star with a football. I would question that more than why a "slow white boy" didn't get on the field. And in the OU game, I felt Cam did better returning the ball than GAIII did all season until the last KO in the USC game.

I live in TX so I would love nothing more than for a kid from my home state to get his shot but I also think he has the talent and the tools to do it. And there are many ND fans who are not from TX who feel the same way. I think the slot is definitely a spot he could play. I loved Toma but I think Cam does have a lot more talent than Toma and could succeed there.

 

[CraigKrenzel]

And in the OU game, I felt Cam did better returning the ball than GAIII did all season until the last KO in the USC game.

OU vs Notre Dame 2012 - Cam McDaniel Ignores The Fact That His Blockers Are Terrible

Love the shake n' bake on this one.

 

[rocket66]

I definitely agree on kick off returns. Cam isn't afraid to put his head down and fight for extra yards. It seemed like George was a bit scared of the contact for whatever reason.

 

[irishpat183]

Dude is a role player. At best.


Come on. Especially with the kind of guys we're bringing in.

 

[RDU Irish]

Cam gets my vote for some meaningful touches. What he does with those touches will determine if he sees more. I don't understand the hate.

 

[irishpat183]

Cam gets my vote for some meaningful touches. What he does with those touches will determine if he sees more. I don't understand the hate.

It's not hate.

It's just when you're bringing in Greg Bryants, Folston's, and you have GAIII....not much room for him.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

It's not hate.

It's just when you're bringing in Greg Bryants, Folston's, and you have GAIII....not much room for him.

Bryant and Folston haven't done anything yet to deserve all the acclaim. Are they super talented? Of course but that doesn't always translate to the next level. Would anyone have thought Toma would hold Davonte Neal to just a couple catches all year? Davonte Neal is A LOT more talented than Roby Toma and yet Toma started just about every game, though Riddick did line up in the slot some, too. But Toma got a lot more touches than Neal. And I personally believe Cam is quite a bit more talented than Toma and Davonte Neal is in the same caliber as Bryant and Folston. My point is that there are no guarantees that Folston or Bryant will be physically or mentally ready to compete at a high level the minute they step on campus or at any point in the 2013 season. Cam has proven he has both the physical and mental toughness to get on the field.

And GAIII hasn't done a whole lot more than those guys, either. I think he will be the starter due to his explosiveness and experience and Amir looks to be every bit as good as advertised so those 2 may be the real roadblocks for Cam but I think he can get on the field in meaningful minutes even if he isn't the #1 or #2 back. I see him as 3rd string at worst and possibly 2nd if Amir is strictly in the slot. And Amir's injury history may play a part here, too.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

this is a post i put in the Amir thread, seems relevant in this one too.

i think it's just extremely too early to speculate the RB position.

regardless of how anything has been done before, or who is still on the roster.

the biggest question to me, is who will be best at blitz pick up and who's going to put their hat on someone.

tangible evidence. GA3 has a ridiculous YPC because of a small handful of big runs. it's still possible he has a little fumble-itis. can he catch? can he block? can he blitz pick up?

Amir, in all honesty, is exciting to think about (and see in small little snippits) but the fact is, he has missed something like 17 or 18 of a total of 24 or 25 eligible games. bad luck? bad genes? too early to tell.

Mahone--no tangible evidence, from spectators observation. Red Zone threat only? ground and pound to kill clock? plus, all of the other questions--hands, catch, block, blitz? how's he do?

Cam--what do you say? hard worker. shifty. can hard work steal from "talent"?

2 legitimate feature backs coming in--how do they assimilate. how game ready are they? how quick do they understand offensive concepts...and again, to me, most important thing--is blitz pick up. you cant put your hat on that OLB--you arent going to play. plain and simple. on top of that--grades, homesick, practice, etc.

in short--we dont know much because none of these guys have proven ANYTHING. GA3 has the most experience and i still have more questions than answers to feel comfortable.

it's time to separate what we "really hope"--as fans and from being emotional from watching these kids since they were juniors in high school, from what is the statistical and eye test answers to who give us the greatest chance to be successful and ave. over 3.5 per play, with limited to no turnovers and will help the passing game beyond their hands.

 

[fightinirish68]

I just think he can play a large role in the offense. Boston and bryant Havent even touched a college playback. Cams had 3yrs. Who's going to be easier to play this year the freshman or the Jr? amir has missed all spring ball he's behind. Not to say he wont end up starting. And has GA 3 really inpressed anyone other than those maybe 3 games? I think rb is wide open

 

[aubeirish]

I just think he can play a large role in the offense. Boston and bryant Havent even touched a college playback. Cams had 3yrs. Who's going to be easier to play this year the freshman or the Jr? amir has missed all spring ball he's behind. Not to say he wont end up starting. And has GA 3 really inpressed anyone other than those maybe 3 games? I think rb is wide open

I tend to agree with this. We will have a better sense of all this in August. Predicting playing time for any incoming freshman is bold right now. Lots of talent coming in, so it's going to be a fun pre-season camp.
I will say this about GA3. From the spring practice footage, he looked like he has improved his running style. Hard to tell from so very little, but it's encouraging.

 

[bigedefense]

Just my opinion, but I really like what Cam brings to the offense. He runs hard. He runs with authority. He protects the football. He has an inner fire that seems to push him forward. What I mean by that is, it seems that when he is tackled, he runs low and falls forward. A scenario that comes to mind for me is, 4th quarter with 5 minutes to go and we've got a 2 point lead. The drive starts at our own 25 yard line. I can think of no better back on ND's roster I would rather feed the ball to than Cam. Is he as explosive as GA3? No, but I think Cam will get 3 plus yards on each carry. I feel that he is the most dependable, not the most flashy, but dependable. Nice problem to be debating this time of year & I am only speaking as a high school coach. I do not pretend to be any where near the coach that Coach Kelly & staff are. I am only going on what I personally would do.