'12 OH DE/OLB Ifeadi Odenigbo (Northwestern Verbal)

[Sherm Sticky]

No one's forgotten about Councell.

We've only got two true Dog OLBs: Spond, and Councell. No other position has so little depth and experience.

My only point is that ND fans should be much more excited about the prospect of landing Odenigbo than most around here seem to be. Dog OLB is our #1 recruiting need, and as the top OLB prospect, he's arguably the most important recruit left on our board.

You don't have Niklas as a true Dog backer...where do you see him playing?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

although Romeo is recruited as olb, being so young and w/ his frame he could be forced to move to dline just do to him being able to physically mature

Agreed. He's 6'4'' 235 lbs with a 600 lb squat at 16 years old. He might stay at Cat OLB if he doesn't grow much, but odds are good that Longo transforms him into a monstrous DL.

You don't have Niklas as a true Dog backer...where do you see him playing?

The kid's a hulk at 6'7'' 250 lbs. Similar to the analysis above for Okwara, if the staff keeps him slim and fast enough, he's a perfect fit for Cat, but with his frame he could easily grow into a DL as well.

While we're running them all down, it's become pretty obvious this season that Shembo is far better with his hand down than he is in coverage. He's Darius Fleming 2.0. I expect him to be the starting Cat in 2012 against Navy with Ishaq backing him up.

I'm not sure what Kelly will do with Niklas in the short-term. I firmly believe he's destined for Cat or DL, but lack of depth may keep him at Dog. I just don't think he's got the build or the coverage skills to settle in there long term.

Dog OLBs need speed and coverage skills. Spond and Councell are the only two we have that fit the bill.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Agreed. He's 6'4'' 235 lbs with a 600 lb squat at 16 years old. He might stay at Cat OLB if he doesn't grow much, but odds are good that Longo transforms him into a monstrous DL.



The kid's a hulk at 6'7'' 250 lbs. Similar to the analysis above for Okwara, if the staff keeps him slim and fast enough, he's a perfect fit for Cat, but with his frame he could easily grow into a DL as well.

While we're running them all down, it's become pretty obvious this season that Shembo is far better with his hand down than he is in coverage. He's Darius Fleming 2.0. I expect him to be the starting Cat in 2012 against Navy with Ishaq backing him up.

I'm not sure what Kelly will do with Niklas in the short-term. I firmly believe he's destined for Cat or DL, but lack of depth may keep him at Dog. I just don't think he's got the build or the coverage skills to settle in there long term.

Dog OLBs need speed and coverage skills. Spond and Councell are the only two we have that fit the bill.

Makes sense.

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

The kid's a hulk at 6'7'' 250 lbs. Similar to the analysis above for Okwara, if the staff keeps him slim and fast enough, he's a perfect fit for Cat, but with his frame he could easily grow into a DL as well.

While we're running them all down, it's become pretty obvious this season that Shembo is far better with his hand down than he is in coverage. He's Darius Fleming 2.0. I expect him to be the starting Cat in 2012 against Navy with Ishaq backing him up.

I'm not sure what Kelly will do with Niklas in the short-term. I firmly believe he's destined for Cat or DL, but lack of depth may keep him at Dog. I just don't think he's got the build or the coverage skills to settle in there long term.

Dog OLBs need speed and coverage skills. Spond and Councell are the only two we have that fit the bill.

I'm no expert on the situation, but didn't Kelly rave during fall practice about Niklas's ability to play in space? Wouldn't that make him a good fit at dog LB?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm no expert on the situation, but didn't Kelly rave during fall practice about Niklas's ability to play in space? Wouldn't that make him a good fit at dog LB?

IIRC, they were pleasantly surprised by his ability to play in space, which worked out well this season since there was no room for him at Cat, and we needed help at Dog. They were impressed by his coverage skills in light of his size; but they're not about to start him at Nickelback if one of the DBs gets injured.

 

[TerryTate]

Both Ishaq and Niklas haven't played in coverage before. This is all new to them. It's a process. It will take time for them to react without thinking too much. I know this a concern for everyone, but they're playing an entirely new position in a complex defense

 

[amgarvey]

IIRC, they were pleasantly surprised by his ability to play in space, which worked out well this season since there was no room for him at Cat, and we needed help at Dog. They were impressed by his coverage skills in light of his size; but they're not about to start him at Nickelback if one of the DBs gets injured.

I don't think this is true. If I recall Kelly called his ability to play in space "special". There was some superlative attached to it. You added the qualifyer.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Both Ishaq and Niklas haven't played in coverage before. This is all new to them. It's a process. It will take time for them to react without thinking too much. I know this a concern for everyone, but they're playing an entirely new position in a complex defense

I have no doubt that Ishaq will grow into the Cat quite nicely, as will Niklas (or maybe on the DL). But there's a reason you don't see any 6'7'' 250+ lb. guys playing DB.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I don't think this is true. If I recall Kelly called his ability to play in space "special". There was some superlative attached to it. You added the qualifyer.

I did; that was my read on Kelly's comment. Perhaps I'm just cynical that a guy of Niklas' size and speed can excel long term at a position that primarily covers WRs and RBs in space.

 

[rtrn2glory]

think he visited ohio st over the weekend...he seems to bring bad luck to where he visits officially...couldn't have been impressed with the on the field product.

 

[NDdomer2]

How much influence does the outcome of Saturday's game have an affect on his recruiting?

 

[amgarvey]

I did; that was my read on Kelly's comment. Perhaps I'm just cynical that a guy of Niklas' size and speed can excel long term at a position that primarily covers WRs and RBs in space.[/QUOTE

You may end up being correct, but those guys do come along every so often. And you can't forget that "Hercules" is only half human.

 

[rtrn2glory]

How much influence does the outcome of Saturday's game have an affect on his recruiting?

probably minimal...there's gonna be a lot of changes in cbus in the coming weeks.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Update from OSU Rivals site (Pulled from OSU board):

Ifeadi says the visit definitely helped tOSU as it was the most impressive atmosphere he has witnessed. He reiterates that he is interested in the coaching situation at tOSU and would like to speak with the new coach before making a decision.

 

[tko]

Update from OSU Rivals site (Pulled from OSU board):

i wish him the best as a buckeye. he'll get a tremendous education while being close to home.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

It's true ND and Stanford game day atmosphere doesn't equal OSU and SEC atmospheres.

 

[woolybug25]

i wish him the best as a buckeye. he'll get a tremendous education while being close to home.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Sh*******....this sucks. he was my favorite in the class. Coach Kelly needs to get after this one. fast!!!!!!!!!!

 

[t3hjc]

You guys overreact too easily.

 

[rtrn2glory]

gonna keep fickell and vrabel on the next staff so that will help in his recruitment...ohio state runs a 4-3 though, so he'd play defensive end most likely. idk if that appeals to him.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

You guys overreact too easily.

Yea seriously...there is a long way to go with his recruitment.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Reaction from Ifeadi:

“I don’t know. I had a relationship with coach (Jim) Tressel. Then he left and I had a relationship with coach (Luke) Fickell. Now I have to start all over again in a short amount of time. I’m still considering Ohio State, but it’s harder because of the coaching change. And I’m not sure what happens with coach Fickell and coach (Mike) Vrabel.”

I have heard that most don't expect Vrabel to be retained but who knows.


And immediate responses from a Bucknuts posters:

I have no doubts about Iffy's level of intelligence (kid seems like Dr. material) but I'm starting to get the sense he is kind of a pussy...

Maybe I am wrong, I don't know? I would still love to see him in S&G but he is coming off as a little soft to me...

Looks like Oden*** (whatever) thinks it is all about himself. We have had enough experience with kids like this. Don't need him.

 

[tko]

Reaction from Ifeadi:

“I don’t know. I had a relationship with coach (Jim) Tressel. Then he left and I had a relationship with coach (Luke) Fickell. Now I have to start all over again in a short amount of time. I’m still considering Ohio State, but it’s harder because of the coaching change. And I’m not sure what happens with coach Fickell and coach (Mike) Vrabel.”

I have heard that most don't expect Vrabel to be retained but who knows.


And an immediate response from a Bucknuts poster:

solution, dismiss OSU entirely and give your pledge to ND.

 

[rtrn2glory]

solution, dismiss OSU entirely and give your pledge to ND.

yes...yes...idk why you would react that way to a kid who is just covering his butt. he seems to be too smart to go to ohio st...they don't deserve him

unfortunately, urban will get on this one right away and start forming a relationship with him. don't count out ohio st yet, they are a major major player here...now even more so than before imo.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

yes...yes...idk why you would react that way to a kid who is just covering his butt. he seems to be too smart to go to ohio st...they don't deserve him

unfortunately, urban will get on this one right away and start forming a relationship with him. don't count out ohio st yet, they are a major major player here...now even more so than before imo.

In your opinion more so, in Ifeadi's less so. It is probably frustrating for a kid so involved in the recruiting process to have to build relationships with 3 coaches just for one school.

 

[Riddickulous]

Once the season's over, Diaco is going to be all over him.

 

[NDPhilly]

he dropped atleast 50 spots and is not in rivals new top 100. weird

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'll still take em

 

[Ndaccountant]

keep building the atleticism at LB. I would love to have him.

 

[irishff1014]

Reaction from Ifeadi:

“I don’t know. I had a relationship with coach (Jim) Tressel. Then he left and I had a relationship with coach (Luke) Fickell. Now I have to start all over again in a short amount of time. I’m still considering Ohio State, but it’s harder because of the coaching change. And I’m not sure what happens with coach Fickell and coach (Mike) Vrabel.”

I have heard that most don't expect Vrabel to be retained but who knows.


And immediate responses from a Bucknuts posters:

He makes a good point. Trying to understand what 3 different coaches want could be confusing. If OSU passes on him lets go all out and get him.