'15 IN ILB/OLB Asmar Bilal (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Irish#1]

It certainly could, and I hope it does, but I'm not sure how you could make that decision prior to Spring practice. His problem is instincts, and since LSU, he's had no live reps to determine if his instincts are getting better. I certainly agree that as a senior, you roll him out there for first team reps to start Spring ball. I just hope that the staff is willing to look at all options, including moving Drue back to Rover, should that make sense.

Of course it could be him being a senior he is designated starter by default until the others show what they can do. I have to believe this is all very fluid right now and if Drew is needed at rover, he'll be there.

 

[GBdomer]

Rover position gonna be interesting this year
Bilal is perfectly situated for this position and he has the upside to play it just wonder what he looks like in coverage. Also wonder if he flips that switch
JOK looks like ten million bucks
Robertson is the best athlete at this postion I think it comes down to consistently with him. Athletically he can do things that the other guys can. Also will he be big enough for the postion this year?
Then you have Simon who I believe is the future of this postion

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Rover position gonna be interesting this year
Bilal is perfectly situated for this position and he has the upside to play it just wonder what he looks like in coverage. Also wonder if he flips that switch
JOK looks like ten million bucks
Robertson is the best athlete at this postion I think it comes down to consistently with him. Athletically he can do things that the other guys can. Also will he be big enough for the postion this year?
Then you have Simon who I believe is the future of this postion

JOK has been touted as an incredible athlete, I'd bet all my vbucks he's the starter for us this year.

 

[PANDFAN]

Rover position gonna be interesting this year
Bilal is perfectly situated for this position and he has the upside to play it just wonder what he looks like in coverage. Also wonder if he flips that switch
JOK looks like ten million bucks
Robertson is the best athlete at this postion I think it comes down to consistently with him. Athletically he can do things that the other guys can. Also will he be big enough for the postion this year?
Then you have Simon who I believe is the future of this postion

from last year when he was in coverage, he appeared to not have a clue as to where he should be and was out of position...unless it is the case of someone else not being in the right position and him then trying to find out where to go...idk

 

[dublinirish]

have zero confidence in Bilal really. Hopefully the light goes on for him but i doubt it. I reckon he's just a starter because he's an upperclassmen

 

[ResLife Hero]

JOK has been touted as an incredible athlete, I'd bet all my vbucks he's the starter for us this year.

Good call

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Three guys really jumped out at me today athletically. Sophomore Rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has incredible quickness and speed. Everything he does is fast. He's clearly the best athlete at the position. Still thin, but he was really impressive athletically.</p>— Bryan Driskell (@BGI_CoachD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_CoachD/status/971041561151754241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rocket89]

have zero confidence in Bilal really. Hopefully the light goes on for him but i doubt it. I reckon he's just a starter because he's an upperclassmen

Zero confidence?

1) I think generally we’re seeing a lot of “backup QB syndrome” with the Rover position.

2) Bilal has been serviceable at worst. I can’t really square away why so many are willing to throw him in the trash heap. He made a few really nice plays last year and is good at attacking the line of scrimmage, which was 90% of what he was asked to do. Not sure his ability in coverage is a black mark, even that wasn’t a major strength for Tranquill.

3) Plenty to be excited about with JOW or Simon. But it’s important to remember that they’re really young. Plus, athletically it’s not like Bilal is a slouch. It’s just we’ve yet to see mental mistakes from the younger guys.

TL;DR I think there’s a really good chance Bilal plays the 3rd most snaps among the linebackers, it probably won’t be close, and he might be fine.

 

[dublinirish]

Zero confidence?

1) I think generally we’re seeing a lot of “backup QB syndrome” with the Rover position.

2) Bilal has been serviceable at worst. I can’t really square away why so many are willing to throw him in the trash heap. He made a few really nice plays last year and is good at attacking the line of scrimmage, which was 90% of what he was asked to do. Not sure his ability in coverage is a black mark, even that wasn’t a major strength for Tranquill.

3) Plenty to be excited about with JOW or Simon. But it’s important to remember that they’re really young. Plus, athletically it’s not like Bilal is a slouch. It’s just we’ve yet to see mental mistakes from the younger guys.

TL;DR I think there’s a really good chance Bilal plays the 3rd most snaps among the linebackers, it probably won’t be close, and he might be fine.

he's soft and can't tackle and has kendall moore syndrome where he looks like he has no idea what he is meant to be doing. sure having him at the LOS, blitzing might work for him but he'd need to be more of an all round player to start at Rover. He's a situational guy at best.

 

[Luckylucci]

Good call

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Three guys really jumped out at me today athletically. Sophomore Rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has incredible quickness and speed. Everything he does is fast. He's clearly the best athlete at the position. Still thin, but he was really impressive athletically.</p>— Bryan Driskell (@BGI_CoachD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGI_CoachD/status/971041561151754241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Something that jumped out to analysts during fall camp was JOK seemed to have a different gear than the rest of the LB's/Rovers. Now, part of that is because he was considerably smaller, but he's a quick twitch athlete, that our D has been needing more of. Not surprised to hear more of this.

 

[NDMIA]

First significant snaps of his career against a good team. Really really impressed with how he played. Had at least 3-4 plays where he was in the backfield redirecting the ball carrier. He didn’t make the play himself every time but by redirecting the guy the entire defense came in support. Only had 1-2 questionable plays and they weren’t catastrophic. For the first start of his career I really like it. This LBer corps could be really really special.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Hopefully correct and more. We'll see. (I still don't see the instinctiveness of a really good linebacker.) Tranquill and Coney have WAY more of that. The new "werewolf" is, however, Gilman.

 

[GowerND11]

I really wanted him to have that sack he just barely missed. I think it would have done wonders for him and the way fans view him. Great for him getting in like that though.

 

[Riddickulous]

Would have liked to see him get that sack on Patterson that he whiffed on, but other than that he played really well. He stood out in a positive way, which I don't think a lot of people expected.

 

[dublinirish]

one bad play he whiffed on when was UM ran play action and Gentry came across the formation on a rollout pass and Bilal totally didnt see him

 

[Rocket89]

he's soft and can't tackle and has kendall moore syndrome where he looks like he has no idea what he is meant to be doing. sure having him at the LOS, blitzing might work for him but he'd need to be more of an all round player to start at Rover. He's a situational guy at best.

Bump.

 

[arrowryan]

He is definitely the best surprise on the defense this season. I remember when some, including me, thought he was in serious danger of getting beat our by JOK or Simon. Kudos to him for not only taking advantage of this opportunity, but for staying committed to the process even when things weren't lookin very bright

 

[Irish YJ]

He is definitely the best surprise on the defense this season. I remember when some, including me, thought he was in serious danger of getting beat our by JOK or Simon. Kudos to him for not only taking advantage of this opportunity, but for staying committed to the process even when things weren't lookin very bright

Terrific story!
I won't lie, I thought he was the weakest link on the D coming into the season. Starting to buy the hype on him, but still a little cautious as this also could be part product of the great performances around him making things easier. Regardless, it's awesome, and I love seeing him emerge.

 

[GowerND11]

Terrific story!
I won't lie, I thought he was the weakest link on the D coming into the season. Starting to buy the hype on him, but still a little cautious as this also could be part product of the great performances around him making things easier. Regardless, it's awesome, and I love seeing him emerge.

This is all true. I'd also add that I think when a player is given the opportunity to start, sometimes they just play. No need to overthink about not screwing up as a backup/sub. No worries about staying focused as a backup. Just know your role, get better, and play.

 

[Irish YJ]

This is all true. I'd also add that I think when a player is given the opportunity to start, sometimes they just play. No need to overthink about not screwing up as a backup/sub. No worries about staying focused as a backup. Just know your role, get better, and play.

Yup, and when you can trust those around you, know your role, stuff can come together and the overall play of the unit becomes more solid. I had high hopes for him when he first committed, then got down on him. Glad we've come full circle!!

 

[Johannes]

In his presser yesterday, BK credited grad assistant Nick Lezynski (ND '11) for working directly with Bilal. Between that and getting quality game reps, it has just clicked on for Asmar. He was all over the field against the Cardinal, such an impressive turnaround. He'll provide much needed continuity at LB next year.

 

[Irish YJ]

In his presser yesterday, BK credited grad assistant Nick Lezynski (ND '11) for working directly with Bilal. Between that and getting quality game reps, it has just clicked on for Asmar. He was all over the field against the Cardinal, such an impressive turnaround. He'll provide much needed continuity at LB next year.

Good stuff Johannes. Didn't know that. Lezynski was a walk on. Glad to see he's still making an unselfish impact to the team.

 

[NDIrish88]

Is Bilal eligible for a 5th year?

 

[DONTH8]

Is Bilal eligible for a 5th year?

He should be. He was on the scout team as a freshmen according to his bio on UND.


https://und.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1564

 

[Irish YJ]

he is
https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-scholarship-chart

 

[NDIrish88]

he is
https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-scholarship-chart

Thanks I was using the 2019 Scholly chart on OFD and he isn't there.

 

[jspags10pg]

Clark Lea aint too bad of an LB coach I'd say.

Guys have taken off under him. Nyles was banged up all last year but every LB that has played besides Nyles has improved drastically under Lea. Coney, Tranquill, Bilal, Martini. It might take more time for things to click for some but they do click.

I'm loving the Clark Lea hire more and more as time goes on.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I just wanted to give props to Bilal for coming into his own this season.

Question. Does Bilal Drew Tranquil and move to Buck for his final season? I think he would be able to make the transition. Thus, opening up rover for Simon next year. Or does Simon with a full year of the weight room move to Buck and Bilal remains starter at rover?


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[Irishman77]

Bumps on player threads during bye week weekends is scary.

 

[Irish YJ]

I just wanted to give props to Bilal for coming into his own this season.

Question. Does Bilal Drew Tranquil and move to Buck for his final season? I think he would be able to make the transition. Thus, opening up rover for Simon next year. Or does Simon with a full year of the weight room move to Buck and Bilal remains starter at rover?


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Finished watching the 1H of the Pitt game tonight. Bilal had some very nice plays.
I want to see Simon as Rover.

 

[NDMIA]

Finished watching the 1H of the Pitt game tonight. Bilal had some very nice plays.
I want to see Simon as Rover.

I think you’ll see the best 3 linebackers on the field next season. Whether that be Bilal-Bauer-Simon or Genmark-Heath or Jones or maybe Owusu-Koramoah, the staff will figure out where everyone best fits.