'14 UT TE Dalton Schultz (Stanford Verbal)

[IrishLax]

FYI - I wouldn't have enough vbucks to cover another bet (assuming I lose this one), so no more deals.

I don't see Schultz coming here, and if he did, I don't see Luatua moving from a loaded TE position to a loaded CAT position. That would be a lateral move in regards to 'putting talent where we have an opening' for an extreme lack of better phrasing lol. I'd expect an eventual transfer from one of last year's TEs or this years before a move to a loaded CAT position.

Think Luatua would be more of a run-stuffing, edge-setting DOG than a CAT. Then again... are those positions even going to exist come fall? He also has the traits for SAM in a 4-3 or ILB in a 3-4 (but we have no idea if he has the instincts/disposition for that).

Either way... odds are against him ending up at LB, and he probably has some unique value at TE even if it's crowded because like we discussed earlier he has a superior run-blocking upside to some of the other TEs.

 

[koonja]

Think Luatua would be more of a run-stuffing, edge-setting DOG than a CAT. Then again... are those positions even going to exist come fall? He also has the traits for SAM in a 4-3 or ILB in a 3-4 (but we have no idea if he has the instincts/disposition for that).

Either way... odds are against him ending up at LB, and he probably has some unique value at TE even if it's crowded because like we discussed earlier he has a superior run-blocking upside to some of the other TEs.

*When I said 'I expect an eventual transfer from TE position' that's based on IFF Schultz also joins this class* Not directing this at you Lax, just making that clear.

IDK, it'd be nice to have a DOG that is a run stuffer, but when primarily goal is to be a cover LB, I don't see Luatua beating out Jaylon (obviously) but also Drue Tranquill (No info on if Drue ends up a DOG, but I believe he will).

 

[NDdomer2]

Luatua offers more flexibility out of the TE position than any of our others IMO. More of a true H-Back. I am excited to have him part of the class.

 

[woolybug25]

Any chance that they indeed all play TE?

I mean, we can redshirt a couple-all '14 guys and have 3-4 years of stacked TE depth. Running power sets with 2 TE's, constantly rotating the TE's with super athletic dudes. Think of being a LB and getting stuck covering Huerman one play, Luatua the next and then Schultz on the next.

#bigboypants

 

[peoriairish]

Isn't Wieshar the one with the great hands? I could be mistaken on that, but what if he is used primarily as a split out HUGE WR? That would make room for Luatua and Dalton at TE with Nic primarily as a WR. I know we are staked out wide and have height out there, but none have the frame of Weishar. Just spitballin here, but you take Dalton if he wants on board, which I think he does.

Mike said last week that the visit really threw a wrench in Dalton's plans. He has 100% sold on Stanford for so long that being blown away by the ND visit and making him rethink his plans has confused him. The kid is making the biggest decision of his life and the visit to ND really flipped it on it's head. Gotta let it simmer and I think it comes out on our end.

 

[koonja]

Any chance that they indeed all play TE?

I mean, we can redshirt a couple-all '14 guys and have 3-4 years of stacked TE depth. Running power sets with 2 TE's, constantly rotating the TE's with super athletic dudes. Think of being a LB and getting stuck covering Huerman one play, Luatua the next and then Schultz on the next.

#bigboypants

Isn't Wieshar the one with the great hands? I could be mistaken on that, but what if he is used primarily as a split out HUGE WR? That would make room for Luatua and Dalton at TE with Nic primarily as a WR. I know we are staked out wide and have height out there, but none have the frame of Weishar. Just spitballin here, but you take Dalton if he wants on board, which I think he does.

Mike said last week that the visit really threw a wrench in Dalton's plans. He has 100% sold on Stanford for so long that being blown away by the ND visit and making him rethink his plans has confused him. The kid is making the biggest decision of his life and the visit to ND really flipped it on it's head. Gotta let it simmer and I think it comes out on our end.

I guess IFF we wiff on Quick, McKenzie, Lazard, and Nelson, maybe the staff plays Nick strictly at WR? IDK, haven't seen his film in a while, nor do I know enough about film to make a good guess.

 

[peoriairish]

I guess IFF we wiff on Quick, McKenzie, Lazard, and Nelson, maybe the staff plays Nick strictly at WR? IDK, haven't seen his film in a while, nor do I know enough about film to make a good guess.

His film is awesome. And the 247 ratings for him have very high route running, hands and catching radius. I think that if Dalton is a real option for the coaches, bring him on board and move Nic to WR. Match-up nightmare.

 

[Emcee77]

Isn't Wieshar the one with the great hands? I could be mistaken on that, but what if he is used primarily as a split out HUGE WR? That would make room for Luatua and Dalton at TE with Nic primarily as a WR. I know we are staked out wide and have height out there, but none have the frame of Weishar. Just spitballin here, but you take Dalton if he wants on board, which I think he does.

Mike said last week that the visit really threw a wrench in Dalton's plans. He has 100% sold on Stanford for so long that being blown away by the ND visit and making him rethink his plans has confused him. The kid is making the biggest decision of his life and the visit to ND really flipped it on it's head. Gotta let it simmer and I think it comes out on our end.

It's true that he really seemed to enjoy the visit and had great things to say about it, but, whatever Mike is saying, on BGI they have been saying that we didn't make up the ground we needed to on Stanford, nor are we really close. I'm not gonna stress too much about what we would do if Schultz wants in because I really don't see it happening.

However, if he did want to come to ND, I definitely think we could find ways to use all of these guys. Weishar is an Eifert-like WR in a TE body who could play split out wide, Schultz we could use the way we use Niklas (in-line blocker and receiver) and Luatua we could use as a sort of Daniel Smith blocker/H-back. I think it works.

 

[ACamp1900]

The thought of Ace back, one wide, three TE sets with two stacked to the strong side....

oh yes... just keep the ball high and move those chains.

 

[NDdomer2]

even if he is going to end up Stanford the staff knew what they were doing sending out the pog's. especially to a kid who video logs his recruitment.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Any chance that they indeed all play TE?

I mean, we can redshirt a couple-all '14 guys and have 3-4 years of stacked TE depth. Running power sets with 2 TE's, constantly rotating the TE's with super athletic dudes. Think of being a LB and getting stuck covering Huerman one play, Luatua the next and then Schultz on the next.

#bigboypants

That scenario doesn't appeal to me.

1) It's still seven scholarships for 1/24 of the positions.
2) rotate three guys in, and two are still total benchwarmers,
3) Kelly would have to not bring back a stud 5th year or beg one to go pro after 2016,
4) Kelly will still have to recruit TEs in the 2016 class because of the logjam.

 

[woolybug25]

That scenario doesn't appeal to me.

1) It's still seven scholarships for 1/24 of the positions.
2) rotate three guys in, and two are still total benchwarmers,
3) Kelly would have to not bring back a stud 5th year or beg one to go pro after 2016,
4) Kelly will still have to recruit TEs in the 2016 class because of the logjam.

1) It's actually 2 out of 24 or 3 if you split one out wide. That's way better playing time than say... A stacked RB depth chart when we rarely have more than 1 on the field at a time.
2) in two TE sets we would be rotating 4, possibly 5 guys. That's better reps than our RB's get.
3) how does this fact change with a Schultz commitment?
4) we will recruit a TE in '16 either way. Especially if we are running a two TE set offense.

 

[peoriairish]

1) It's actually 2 out of 24 or 3 if you split one out wide. That's way better playing time than say... A stacked RB depth chart when we rarely have more than 1 on the field at a time.
2) in two TE sets we would be rotating 4, possibly 5 guys. That's better reps than our RB's get.
3) how does this fact change with a Schultz commitment?
4) we will recruit a TE in '16 either way. Especially if we are running a two TE set offense.

This. All of this.

And to Emcee's point's about not making up enough ground, I personally think we did. I think we are at 50/50 right now. I hate saying those odds because it looks like I'm hedging my bets, but before his visit it was 100/0 in favor of the tree, so that is coming a huge way. Keep on him and I think we have a good chance. When is his in home?

 

[GATTACA!]

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Prayer Thread.

 

[johnnycando]

Dayum straight. Pray. Oh yes we pray , pray.

We have to pray just to make it today.

 

[Cali_domer]

Another pot of gold maybe?

 

[Brooklyn]

 

[Irishnuke]

Dayum straight. Pray. Oh yes we pray , pray.

We have to pray just to make it today.

Please Johnny, don't hurt em.

 

[IrishLax]

He's not coming. OV to Stanford this weekend, getting the red carpet. Just posted a video of him loving the 5 hotel. And he has a decision date, which means he likely already had his mind made up heading into this OV.

More importantly, really have to wonder how this may/may not play out with Alexander. Stanford somehow arranged to have all 16 commits and 5 targets in town for the same weekend. It's going to be like the Big House BBQ on crack.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

He's not coming. OV to Stanford this weekend, getting the red carpet. Just posted a video of him loving the 5 hotel. And he has a decision date, which means he likely already had his mind made up heading into this OV.

More importantly, really have to wonder how this may/may not play out with Alexander. Stanford somehow arranged to have all 16 commits and 5 targets in town for the same weekend. It's going to be like the Big House BBQ on weed.

FIFY

That shit is going to be epic.

 

[TheChosen1]

I remember a poster on this board arguing hourly that we shouldn't take 3 tight ends. Well this is exactly why we take them if they want to come in. You never know what will happen. You always try to get elite talent.

 

[Cackalacky]

He's not coming. OV to Stanford this weekend, getting the red carpet. Just posted a video of him loving the 5 hotel. And he has a decision date, which means he likely already had his mind made up heading into this OV.

More importantly, really have to wonder how this may/may not play out with Alexander. Stanford somehow arranged to have all 16 commits and 5 targets in town for the same weekend. It's going to be like the Big House BBQ on crack.

Fine let them eat BBQ. That stuff gives you the "itis."

 

[Domina Nostra]

He's not coming. OV to Stanford this weekend, getting the red carpet. Just posted a video of him loving the 5 hotel. And he has a decision date, which means he likely already had his mind made up heading into this OV.

More importantly, really have to wonder how this may/may not play out with Alexander. Stanford somehow arranged to have all 16 commits and 5 targets in town for the same weekend. It's going to be like the Big House BBQ on crack.

Goonies never say die.

 

[aubeirish]

GATTACA. That sig is Glorious. Lol.

"Ohhhh, man I wish I could go back in time. I'd take state. "

 

[dublinirish]

seemingly at the weekend Stanford brought all their commits/recruits to the EA Sports HQ where they got to see themselves created in NCAA playing for Stanford. Pretty cool visit i can imagine for guys like Dalton who are video gamers

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

seemingly at the weekend Stanford brought all their commits/recruits to the EA Sports HQ where they got to see themselves created in NCAA playing for Stanford. Pretty cool visit i can imagine for guys like Dalton who are video gamers

God damn't. I hate Stanford this time of year. That is awesome.

 

[dublinirish]

EA have used David Shaw as a consultant before: http://www.easports.com/ncaa-football/news-updates-gameplay/video/-acyDnXRDR0

but yah Fuuu those guys

 

[Irish#1]

seemingly at the weekend Stanford brought all their commits/recruits to the EA Sports HQ where they got to see themselves created in NCAA playing for Stanford. Pretty cool visit i can imagine for guys like Dalton who are video gamers

Time to start a video game technology degree.

 

[Irish8248]

I create myself all the time and sign with ND lol ... I get it though, visiting EA would be legit