'15 NV TE Aliz'e Mack (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Sherm Sticky]

Love's taclking lately kinda tells me he already has his mind made up. And he will surely project 1st round so I would be suprised if he returns.

Ummmm...Love has been a physical recently as he ever has been. He basically knocked himself out of the F$U and possibly Syracuse game, because he came up to make a big hit and hurt himself in the 4th quarter.

Love's tackling has been normal this year, aka physical and sure, so maybe you're conflating him with Troy Pride, who had a bad game against Navy?

Yeah he must be thinking of Pride. Love doesn't care about business decisions when he is playing on the field.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Didn't realize that Te'von had any academic difficulties.

As you eluded to, Golson and Williams situation was different in that they were caught cheating and suspended for "Poor Academic Judgement". I really don't know for sure how Notre Dame looks at these things as it relates to 5th year offers. If they thought the cheating was a one time thing and the kid has learned from his mistakes and is performing well in classes, that may be looked on more favorably than a kid who didn't cheat but struggles with closer to a 2.0 GPA. That's probably an indicator that the player might have a problem with graduate level coursework. I have no idea how Mack has done in the classroom over the last year+, but he was hovering around a 2.0 GPA during the summer of 2017.

Kelly has alluded to academic "adjustments" / lack of focus / concerns, etc...

Not implying he "cheated" or anything like that. (he also had legal concerns too though).

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Ummmm...Love has been a physical recently as he ever has been. He basically knocked himself out of the F$U and possibly Syracuse game, because he came up to make a big hit and hurt himself in the 4th quarter.



Yeah he must be thinking of Pride. Love doesn't care about business decisions when he is playing on the field.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't BK say this week that Love was cleared to return early in the 4th Q against FSU, but it was a coaches decision to leave him out? Is he actually in danger of missing time?

 

[T Town Tommy]

Love's tackling has been normal this year, aka physical and sure, so maybe you're conflating him with Troy Pride, who had a bad game against Navy?

You are correct. My mistake and apologies to Love.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't BK say this week that Love was cleared to return early in the 4th Q against FSU, but it was a coaches decision to leave him out? Is he actually in danger of missing time?

Could be...I have not heard any update...But I just wanted to keep you all on edge haha

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Don't hate me for it, but does Alize remind anyone of Devin Funchess? Size, ability, etc.?

I hate Skunkbear w the burning passions of 1000 suns, so let's not confuse the issue.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Could be...I have not heard any update...But I just wanted to keep you all on edge haha

haha mission accomplished, you sent me into a frantic google search.

I think he said something about it in his presser or his post-game comments, I can't remember.

I'd be surprised if he's not suiting up Saturday, especially with the added fact that 90% of this board isn't freaking out yet lol.

I think he's the most irreplaceable player on D. Maybe 2nd behind Tevon.

 

[NDty9]

haha mission accomplished, you sent me into a frantic google search.

I think he said something about it in his presser or his post-game comments, I can't remember.

I'd be surprised if he's not suiting up Saturday, especially with the added fact that 90% of this board isn't freaking out yet lol.

I think he's the most irreplaceable player on D. Maybe 2nd behind Tevon.

I did see video of Love practicing yesterday, with Helmet on.... Id be SHOCKED if he's not playing Saturday!

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Don't hate me for it, but does Alize remind anyone of Devin Funchess? Size, ability, etc.?

I hate Skunkbear w the burning passions of 1000 suns, so let's not confuse the issue.

No, Alize can block.

(I get what you're saying in that they are athletic guys with questionable hands). Alize is listed an inch taller and about 20 pounds heavier. He does not have the same level of speed as Funchess but he does have the advantage of being a tight end rather than a tweener.

 

[calvegas04]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s an honor and a blessing to announce that I will be playing in the 2019 <a href="https://twitter.com/seniorbowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seniorbowl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/XpAIZa0Pnw">pic.twitter.com/XpAIZa0Pnw</a></p>— Alizé Mack (@AlizeMack97) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlizeMack97/status/1069740672528343040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[DONTH8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s an honor and a blessing to announce that I will be playing in the 2019 <a href="https://twitter.com/seniorbowl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@seniorbowl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> <a href="https://t.co/XpAIZa0Pnw">pic.twitter.com/XpAIZa0Pnw</a></p>— Alizé Mack (@AlizeMack97) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlizeMack97/status/1069740672528343040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Can he come back after playing in this, or is that not allowed which means he is 100% gone for sure?

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

Can he come back after playing in this, or is that not allowed which means he is 100% gone for sure?

Pretty confident that he can't come back, at least I've never heard of anyone having done so.

I also don't think he wants to come back. I thought he was one of those guys that only planned to stay 3 years. He underperformed and sat out a season which is why I think he came back for his senior season. But you have to respect the kid for sticking it out when he could have transferred and getting his degree (I assume).

 

[DONTH8]

Pretty confident that he can't come back, at least I've never heard of anyone having done so.

I also don't think he wants to come back. I thought he was one of those guys that only planned to stay 3 years. He underperformed and sat out a season which is why I think he came back for his senior season. But you have to respect the kid for sticking it out when he could have transferred and getting his degree (I assume).

I'd be shocked if he came back, because I'm pretty sure what you said is absolutely true. I was just wondering if this basically him announcing that he's not.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I hope Alize can boost his resume in the playoffs and earn a mid grade pick. I'll root for him, glad he came back and made the best of it. We've seen lesser men hit the trails when things got tough.

 

[Irish YJ]

I hope Alize can boost his resume in the playoffs and earn a mid grade pick. I'll root for him, glad he came back and made the best of it. We've seen lesser men hit the trails when things got tough.

I have a feeling he'll be pretty damn good if he gets a shot with a team that runs the right system.

IMO, we have not used him correctly at all at ND. He would have been a complete monster reception machine in an Eifert like role.

 

[greyhammer90]

I have a feeling he'll be pretty damn good if he gets a shot with a team that runs the right system.

IMO, we have not used him correctly at all at ND. He would have been a complete monster reception machine in an Eifert like role.

I think he lost that chance when he dropped contested balls earlier in his career. If I remember right he was given a lot more over the shoulder type throws in the middle of the field early on. Dropped a bunch. Then got suspended.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think he lost that chance when he dropped contested balls earlier in his career. If I remember right he was given a lot more over the shoulder type throws in the middle of the field early on. Dropped a bunch. Then got suspended.

I think it's more the O has changed since then. i think he flashed good and bad in virtually all kinds of passes and areas of the field early. IMO Long's O just uses TEs differently, and aren't willing to go to far away from the core.

Honestly with the lack of speed as a whole, we really haven't had that many "over the shoulder" throws to even WRs (or at least that's how it feels). Given he's looked fine on contested balls for the most part this year, not sure it's really a trust issue. And half the time, it feel's that Boykin is a TE lol. Not a ton of size difference between them (1 inch, 15lbs)

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I think it's more the O has changed since then. i think he flashed good and bad in virtually all kinds of passes and areas of the field early. IMO Long's O just uses TEs differently, and aren't willing to go to far away from the core.

Honestly with the lack of speed as a whole, we really haven't had that many "over the shoulder" throws to even WRs (or at least that's how it feels). Given he's looked fine on contested balls for the most part this year, not sure it's really a trust issue. And half the time, it feel's that Boykin is a TE lol. Not a ton of size difference between them (1 inch, 15lbs)

Mack has had a decent year but all else being the same I prefer throwing to Boykin TBH.

 

[irishog77]

I think it's more the O has changed since then. i think he flashed good and bad in virtually all kinds of passes and areas of the field early. IMO Long's O just uses TEs differently, and aren't willing to go to far away from the core.

Honestly with the lack of speed as a whole, we really haven't had that many "over the shoulder" throws to even WRs (or at least that's how it feels). Given he's looked fine on contested balls for the most part this year, not sure it's really a trust issue. And half the time, it feel's that Boykin is a TE lol. Not a ton of size difference between them (1 inch, 15lbs)

This brings up a good topic: TE's in Long's system. I'm interested to hear what others have to say about this. He obviously like multiple TE sets. For the most part, it seems we have seen basic routes out of them (hello 2 yard drag route on Book rollout to the right). We've seen a few aggressive play calls with (mainly) Mack in the middle of the field, but by and large, it seems almost like safety-net type of routes by TE's. Is some of this because there are deficiencies in the OL and TE's are asked to stay close? I'm sure that's part of it. I'd love to see TE's get more targets 12-16 yards down the middle of the field, or even quick throws to them in the middle. Maybe Book can't see them or isn't tall enough to hit those throws?

All in all, I'm a little disappointed in the overall TE production, especially considering there are 2 and 3 on the field most of the time. I think TE play has been solid, but it certainly hasn't been spectacular, or even necessarily game-changing.

I'm curious what others think about TE's under Long.

 

[Irish YJ]

This brings up a good topic: TE's in Long's system. I'm interested to hear what others have to say about this. He obviously like multiple TE sets. For the most part, it seems we have seen basic routes out of them (hello 2 yard drag route on Book rollout to the right). We've seen a few aggressive play calls with (mainly) Mack in the middle of the field, but by and large, it seems almost like safety-net type of routes by TE's. Is some of this because there are deficiencies in the OL and TE's are asked to stay close? I'm sure that's part of it. I'd love to see TE's get more targets 12-16 yards down the middle of the field, or even quick throws to them in the middle. Maybe Book can't see them or isn't tall enough to hit those throws?

All in all, I'm a little disappointed in the overall TE production, especially considering there are 2 and 3 on the field most of the time. I think TE play has been solid, but it certainly hasn't been spectacular, or even necessarily game-changing.

I'm curious what others think about TE's under Long.

I'd like to think that if we had more speed and had better OL pass blocking, we'd see different sets. Sets that would allow for more deep go routes, which in turn open intermediate shots up for the TE. One has to think with our OL struggling, the TEs are needed more as both simple blockers, and short relief valves, than normal.

 

[Irish YJ]

Mack has had a decent year but all else being the same I prefer throwing to Boykin TBH.

i'd love to see targets vs completions % per game for all the WRs and TEs. along with some data on routes per WR/TE.

 

[Irishman77]

Hope he tears it up the next couple months and gets a real shot in the NFL.

With that said there is no room for him here next year.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

This brings up a good topic: TE's in Long's system. I'm interested to hear what others have to say about this. He obviously like multiple TE sets. For the most part, it seems we have seen basic routes out of them (hello 2 yard drag route on Book rollout to the right). We've seen a few aggressive play calls with (mainly) Mack in the middle of the field, but by and large, it seems almost like safety-net type of routes by TE's. Is some of this because there are deficiencies in the OL and TE's are asked to stay close? I'm sure that's part of it. I'd love to see TE's get more targets 12-16 yards down the middle of the field, or even quick throws to them in the middle. Maybe Book can't see them or isn't tall enough to hit those throws?

All in all, I'm a little disappointed in the overall TE production, especially considering there are 2 and 3 on the field most of the time. I think TE play has been solid, but it certainly hasn't been spectacular, or even necessarily game-changing.

I'm curious what others think about TE's under Long.

I definitely think it's personnel based. I believe once our OL takes a big step forward, we'll see a lot more TE passes mixed in. Kmet and Wright will be juniors next year which means their physical development should be to the point where they can cover all responsibilities.

We've seen a nice bump in TE production this year compared to the past few years. I think we'll continue to see that in Long's system.

 

[BobbyMac]

I definitely think it's personnel based. I believe once our OL takes a big step forward, we'll see a lot more TE passes mixed in. Kmet and Wright will be juniors next year which means their physical development should be to the point where they can cover all responsibilities.

We've seen a nice bump in TE production this year compared to the past few years. I think we'll continue to see that in Long's system.

Depending on how many yards you'd have to back out for Alize's receptions from the slot, This is not just a bump but the second best production from the TE position in BK's tenure, second only to 2013 when Niklas had @ 500 yds. That includes his first year with Rudolph too.

 

[irishog77]

I definitely think it's personnel based. I believe once our OL takes a big step forward, we'll see a lot more TE passes mixed in. Kmet and Wright will be juniors next year which means their physical development should be to the point where they can cover all responsibilities.

We've seen a nice bump in TE production this year compared to the past few years. I think we'll continue to see that in Long's system.

This is what I'm thinking (hoping) as well.

With Mack and Weishar leaving, it is also imperative that probably both of the freshmen (definitely 1) make some big strides and are ready to contribute next year.

If neither Tremble or Takacs are ready to contribute much, do we still see heavy 2 and 3 TE sets, or does Long have to move to more 1 TE sets?

 

[BobbyMac]

This is what I'm thinking (hoping) as well.

With Mack and Weishar leaving, it is also imperative that probably both of the freshmen (definitely 1) make some big strides and are ready to contribute next year.

If neither Tremble or Takacs are ready to contribute much, do we still see heavy 2 and 3 TE sets, or does Long have to move to more 1 TE sets?

Sounds like Takacs looked good physically and did well inline. Even heard something about him and OT. (Quinn's history) Regardless, he could be that blocking giant at 6-6/260+ and Tremble seems destined for the slot. Kmet has the best chance to be Troy Niklas that ND has had since '13 and hopefully Wright becomes a more rounded TE instead of the blocking FB he's used at now.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

So it's clear now that he will not be returning next season. I'm glad he get's a chance to show what he can do at the Senior Bowl.

 

[BeatSC]

Kind of bummed but we have never been without a playmaker at TE. HE was supposed to be our X factor and not sure other than the two awesome TD catches in one game that he has come close to living up to the advanced billing. I hope he gets his degree and makes some dough at the next level. An ND TE comes with some cache already so if he tests out well (assuming he is invited to the combine) I see him going in the 5th or 6th round. IF he stayed I think he could have run that to 3rd round and I bet he would have pulled in 50+ balls.

 

[irishog77]

Kind of bummed but we have never been without a playmaker at TE. HE was supposed to be our X factor and not sure other than the two awesome TD catches in one game that he has come close to living up to the advanced billing. I hope he gets his degree and makes some dough at the next level. An ND TE comes with some cache already so if he tests out well (assuming he is invited to the combine) I see him going in the 5th or 6th round. IF he stayed I think he could have run that to 3rd round and I bet he would have pulled in 50+ balls.

RackEm does that daily.

 

[notredomer23]

Made Sports Illustrated's second team All American team. Congrats to him.