'17 MA ATH AJ Dillon (Boston College Verbal)

[BobbyMac]

Pretty much agree with you. I think Jones is a better, quicker runner anyway but Dillon's ability to play LB is kind of intriguing. He's a better fit schematically at Michigan and if he's dead set on playing RB it's probably the best spot for him.

It's comical how Dillon is bigger than all of Notre Dame's current LB commits.
Dillon can be a good linebacker at the next level and that's where id stick him i was a coach.
However, Dillon is also talented enough to have success at Michigan in their offense. I dont know how he would have worked at ND in Kelly's offense, because he isn't a great athlete.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Jones wrapped up a solid morning of testing, better in the power numbers than the pure speed drills. <a href="http://t.co/cA0vvNRztQ">pic.twitter.com/cA0vvNRztQ</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/618842093595725824">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpening">@TheOpening</a> NY/NJ! Truly thankful for being selected MVP! I had a wonderful experience <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GETOPEN?src=hash">#GETOPEN</a> <a href="http://t.co/uQPYGDacBI">pic.twitter.com/uQPYGDacBI</a></p>— AJ Dillon™ (@ajdillon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajdillon7/status/592424858824347648">April 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Calabrese's People]

Derrick Henry would have been a fine linebacker too. AJ is going to be a very good Running Back.

Monster O-Line + YAC RB = what we've been begging for for the best part of a decade. Now we want home run hitters and NFL body-profiles.... smdh.

 

[phillyirish]

Anthony Barr 2.0. legacy recruit who chooses another program on the promise he gets to play running back. Ends up as All American LB.

I've mentioned this before, but why can't ND lock down legacies? They should be guaranteed. We are 0-2 this cycle already with this guy and Paris Ford.

 

[Crazy Balki]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tony Jones wrapped up a solid morning of testing, better in the power numbers than the pure speed drills. <a href="http://t.co/cA0vvNRztQ">pic.twitter.com/cA0vvNRztQ</a></p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/618842093595725824">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpening">@TheOpening</a> NY/NJ! Truly thankful for being selected MVP! I had a wonderful experience <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GETOPEN?src=hash">#GETOPEN</a> <a href="http://t.co/uQPYGDacBI">pic.twitter.com/uQPYGDacBI</a></p>— AJ Dillon™ (@ajdillon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajdillon7/status/592424858824347648">April 26, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Based on film, Jones is the faster and more versatile back. Jones' senior film saw him gain a good bit of speed. That 4.7 time most likely doesn't hold weight anymore. Also, more than likely he arrives on campus much bigger than 210.

 

[ResLife Hero]

I think he'd be an excellent LB prospect and could well end up being a great RB, but if we're comparing to Jones, there are a lot of broken tackles in AJ's film that I don't think he breaks if he's facing IMG's competition. Sucks to miss on him, but I'd be more excited to see a RB with game-breaking speed than a power back in our system.

 

[irish o'phile]

I am a little surprised that I haven't heard about more interest from RB's this cycle and the last. You would think that RB's would be in line to come to ND with the O-Line being what it is. Look at last year, anyone that played RB excelled.

 

[BobbyMac]

Based on film, Jones is the faster and more versatile back. Jones' senior film saw him gain a good bit of speed. That 4.7 time most likely doesn't hold weight anymore. Also, more than likely he arrives on campus much bigger than 210.

Ok... don't let those standardized numbers that Nike designed to compare recruits get in the way of your story. I do like your guess that Jones will show up bigger and faster, he'd need that to compare to the already bigger and faster Dillon. Hopefully for your story's sake, Dillon got slower and lighter...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I was just piggy backing on the non sourced peeps..... I honestly have no clue. I feel shamed. I will see myself out.

No, don't go, you have too much to add. Just keep the quality up, or put it in parenthesis!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Ok... don't let those standardized numbers that Nike designed to compare recruits get in the way of your story. I do like your guess that Jones will show up bigger and faster, he'd need that to compare to the already bigger and faster Dillon. Hopefully for your story's sake, Dillon got slower and lighter...

I am not sure I believe that Dillon is a hands down better athlete than Jones.

Dillon is taller, but he doesn't have the lower center of gravity Jones has, which I think is important for a running back, especially one in a spread offense. Don't you agree.

And I think Jones' speed is absolutely deceptive. I will even go as far to bring the 'there is a big difference between a forty in track gear, and a forty with full equipment on a field in a game situation.' In truth, the only back I ever saw whose speed was not compromised to any extent was the Rocket. That guy was blistering under any conditions.

A couple years ago with Ceirre Wood, Jonas Gray was like that. Wood was timed at 4.46 in the forty, but Gray was the one that ran away from defenses.

Also, as others more knowledgeable that I have stated, Jones has a lot of room to improve his speed. He has relied solely on power thus far in his career, and shows it. In college his stride will be totally reconstructed, and I believe that will really increase his speed.

I actually would take Jones over Dillon, purely as a running back in ND's offense. And, I think Dillon would have a harder time getting carries than Jones will. But you are right, we will never know.

 

[TomHaverford]

I like him a lot more as a LB.

Kind of sick of Michigan RB's that can't hit the home run. Last guy we had that could do that was Chris Perry. He was more of a grinder and a big body, but he also had the burst to bust a big one every now and then. Mike Hart was a great all-around back, but the guy literally had zero speed. De'Veon Smith is a nice power back but he's even slower then that and he's even slower than some of the FB's on the roster.

Dillon's 4.6 speed is average at RB, at ILB it's elite or near elite. Not many ILB run in the 4.6's. Average at the NFL combine for LB's at the combine is 4.8. LB's like Patrick Willis or Jaylon Smith who run 4.5/4.4 those kind guys are beyond elite- they are just freaks of nature.

 

[BobbyMac]

I am not sure I believe that Dillon is a hands down better athlete than Jones.

Dillon is taller, but he doesn't have the lower center of gravity Jones has, which I think is important for a running back, especially one in a spread offense. Don't you agree.

And I think Jones' speed is absolutely deceptive. I will even go as far to bring the 'there is a big difference between a forty in track gear, and a forty with full equipment on a field in a game situation.' In truth, the only back I ever saw whose speed was not compromised to any extent was the Rocket. That guy was blistering under any conditions.

A couple years ago with Ceirre Wood, Jonas Gray was like that. Wood was timed at 4.46 in the forty, but Gray was the one that ran away from defenses.

Also, as others more knowledgeable that I have stated, Jones has a lot of room to improve his speed. He has relied solely on power thus far in his career, and shows it. In college his stride will be totally reconstructed, and I believe that will really increase his speed.

I actually would take Jones over Dillon, purely as a running back in ND's offense. And, I think Dillon would have a harder time getting carries than Jones will. But you are right, we will never know.

All I can say is, he's 2 inches taller, he weighs 20lbs more and he out tested him on the industries standardized metric. I don't care which one had the game most suited for ND's spread, I wanted a 230+ RB that could double duty in FB situations since the FB is a dirty word in South Bend these days. That is all. I never said I don't like Tony Jones. At 5-10, 212... He's a step in the right direction. Now it's training table, weight room, track, rinse, repeat until he's 230.

 

[GBdomer]

I just don't see the Dillion love the staff recruited him as a linebacker because he doesn't fit the scheme at all. He is perfect for what Michigan wants to do and I'm not even sure Michigan is recruiting him at RB because that was brought up and he isn't being recruited soley to play running back. Yes he's Gatewoods grandson but be plays awful competition while Tony Jones played against the best everyday in practice and on Friday nights. If he wasn't a legacy I don't think anyone would be upset while it seems the whole fanbase is upset over this. ND can do better at RB and I think they will. They are after some big names

 

[TomHaverford]

lots of talk he's going to de-commit in the next 48 hrs. Likely for Boston College. He just took his official to Michigan this last weekend, think he was in Ann Arbor from the 9-11th, and was there the same time as Najee Harris. I don't want to read into things too much, but if the kid is de-committing for Boston College just 4-5 days after taking his official at the same time as Najee Harris- well maybe Michigan got some great news on the Harris front.

Just seems weird regardless that he'd de-commit. He seemed like one of the strongest commits. If he was going to flip to Wisconsin or Notre Dame- I'd get it. Boston College though?

 

[NDShark]

lots of talk he's going to de-commit in the next 48 hrs. Likely for Boston College. He just took his official to Michigan this last weekend, think he was in Ann Arbor from the 9-11th, and was there the same time as Najee Harris. I don't want to read into things too much, but if the kid is de-committing for Boston College just 4-5 days after taking his official at the same time as Najee Harris- well maybe Michigan got some great news on the Harris front.

Just seems weird regardless that he'd de-commit. He seemed like one of the strongest commits. If he was going to flip to Wisconsin or Notre Dame- I'd get it. Boston College though?

Hometown school, so distance?

 

[Meatloaf]

Considering he could be an LB, I wouldn't mind ND making another run at him.

 

[TomHaverford]

Hometown school, so distance?

No idea. Never thought distance was that big a factor for him, and it's not like Ann Arbor is all the way across the country on the other coast or way down in the deep south. It's relatively close to his hometown.

This just doesn't make sense to do it 4-5 days after you take an official to a school that you've been committed to for a year and have visited like half a dozen times already before. This past weekend was Michigan's huge official visitor week. Damn near all of their commits came in for their OV's and a ton of their top targets were there as well. Dillon was there.

Now just days after coming out of that official- word is he's going to de-commit? I don't know, maybe Harris told Michigan he was coming. Maybe Michigan told AJ Dillon we want you to play LB. No clue. But something happened.

 

[TomHaverford]

Considering he could be an LB, I wouldn't mind ND making another run at him.

He's pretty much saying I'm only playing RB. Which is ridiculous. He's a decent RB prospect. He's a potentially elite LB prospect.

 

[ACamp1900]

Michigan, Fredo, either way he'll be a step child.

 

[Luckylucci]

He's definitely getting processed. No doubt about that.

 

[PANDFAN]

He's definitely getting processed. No doubt about that.

correct...read the tea leaves....he took an official to BC not too long ago...he is seeing the writing on the wall...you don't "official" to BC when you are not far from it...

 

[TomHaverford]

He's definitely getting processed. No doubt about that.

I don't think they'd process him unless they had Najee Harris in the bag. At least that's what I'd hope. I don't believe they have Najee Harris in the bag.

My guess is they probably told him they'd like him to give LB a shot and he's saying no I'm a RB, I'll go prove it somewhere else.

I think he's a pretty good RB recruit, ranked about where he should be as a RB.

If he had been a MLB recruit though- 5 STARZ potential there. He's a legit 6'1, 235 and runs in the mid 4.5's laser-timed with like a 39" vertical and 4.09 shuttle. Something stupid like that.

He's got future 1st round athletic ability for a MIKE 'Backer. He's a freak of nature if he's playing LB. As a RB he's a good step below the freaks of nature like Peterson or Fournette or Zeke Elliot.

 

[koonja]

I don't think they'd process him unless they had Najee Harris in the bag. At least that's what I'd hope. I don't believe they have Najee Harris in the bag.

My guess is they probably told him they'd like him to give LB a shot and he's saying no I'm a RB, I'll go prove it somewhere else.

I think he's a pretty good RB recruit, ranked about where he should be as a RB.

If he had been a MLB recruit though- 5 STARZ potential there. He's a legit 6'1, 235 and runs in the mid 4.5's laser-timed with like a 39" vertical and 4.09 shuttle. Something stupid like that.

He's got future 1st round athletic ability for a MIKE 'Backer. He's a freak of nature if he's playing LB. As a RB he's a good step below the freaks of nature like Peterson or Fournette or Zeke Elliot.

Go away. You passive-aggressively brag, with the 'I doubt it's true but OMG if it is', and we don't care.

You're 1-2 in your last 3 games. You had 43 seniors and you couldn't beat Urban Meyer.

31-0.

 

[BoredIrish]

This reminds me an Anthony Barr. Girlfriend aside, I think ND lost out partly because they said they wanted him on defense.

So he went to UCLA, played RB for a year and then was switched over to defense and became a 1st round pick.

I think by processed what is probably meant is that he knows Harbaugh is a scumbag who will tell him anything now and then once he signs, just push him to defense.

 

[TomHaverford]

This reminds me an Anthony Barr. Girlfriend aside, I think ND lost out partly because they said they wanted him on defense.

So he went to UCLA, played RB for a year and then was switched over to defense and became a 1st round pick.

I think by processed what is probably meant is that he knows Harbaugh is a scumbag who will tell him anything now and then once he signs, just push him to defense.

what a scumbag- wanting him to play the position that best fits his talents and future!

Anthony Barr would've never been drafted by the NFL had he not switched positions to LB. Kid became a top 10 draft pick and just had a breakout season of sorts last year for the Vikings.

Not sure Dillon will get drafted at RB. He might go prove everybody wrong, but to my eye test- he's just a decent RB prospect. He's a friggin great LB prospect. Like potential 1st round LB prospect.

To each his own though.

 

[ColinKSU]

what a scumbag- wanting him to play the position that best fits his talents and future!

Anthony Barr would've never been drafted by the NFL had he not switched positions to LB. Kid became a top 10 draft pick and just had a breakout season of sorts last year for the Vikings.

Not sure Dillon will get drafted at RB. He might go prove everybody wrong, but to my eye test- he's just a decent RB prospect. He's a friggin great LB prospect. Like potential 1st round LB prospect.

To each his own though.

I've watched Terrell Pryor have a breakout season at receiver for the Cleveland Browns, and it reminded me of his recruitment. Not that he would have gone to Notre Dame anyway, but he removed ND entirely from his recruitment because Charlie told him that his future was at receiver, not QB.

 

[BobbyMac]

I predict fellow UM commit Andrew Stueber will be his roommate at BC.

There will be Swensons.

 

[BoredIrish]

what a scumbag- wanting him to play the position that best fits his talents and future!

Anthony Barr would've never been drafted by the NFL had he not switched positions to LB. Kid became a top 10 draft pick and just had a breakout season of sorts last year for the Vikings.

Not sure Dillon will get drafted at RB. He might go prove everybody wrong, but to my eye test- he's just a decent RB prospect. He's a friggin great LB prospect. Like potential 1st round LB prospect.

To each his own though.

He is a scumbag if he lies to him about giving him a shot at RB just to sign him up.

 

[TomHaverford]

I've watched Terrell Pryor have a breakout season at receiver for the Cleveland Browns, and it reminded me of his recruitment. Not that he would have gone to Notre Dame anyway, but he removed ND entirely from his recruitment because Charlie told him that his future was at receiver, not QB.

GREAT example there.

Was Pryor even drafted? I know TatGate and missing his senior season did him no favors- but he was never going be drafted as a QB by the NFL.

He's finally now starting to have some semblance of a legit NFL career as a WR after 6 years bouncing around the league.

Had he played WR in college, he'd have been a top 10 pick and 6 years into to a Hall of Fame level career or close to it as a WR. I really believe that. Dude is off the charts athletically. 6'4, 225 with 4.3 speed.

 

[TomHaverford]

He is a scumbag if he lies to him about giving him a shot at RB just to sign him up.

Urban did this with Torrance Gibson out of Florida. Gibson was switched to WR almost immediately. Now it sounds like he's on his way out to go to a JUCO school and try his hand at QB.

 

[Luckylucci]

GREAT example there.

Was Pryor even drafted? I know TatGate and missing his senior season did him no favors- but he was never going be drafted as a QB by the NFL.

He's finally now starting to have some semblance of a legit NFL career as a WR after 6 years bouncing around the league.

Had he played WR in college, he'd have been a top 10 pick and 6 years into to a Hall of Fame level career or close to it as a WR. I really believe that. Dude is off the charts athletically. 6'4, 225 with 4.3 speed.

He was taken as a QB in the supplemental draft.