'17 VA DT Darnell Ewell (Notre Dame Signee)

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Now listed at 6-3 / 330

If he can get develop a little quickness and use his hands, it'd be great for our dLine. I'd love to see a 330 NG in this defense, especially one that commands double teams.

 

[Big23Head]

If he can get develop a little quickness and use his hands, it'd be great for our dLine. I'd love to see a 330 NG in this defense, especially one that commands double teams.

All indications I've seen are to expect little to nothing from him again.

 

[NDBoiler]

All indications I've seen are to expect little to nothing from him again.

How does this happen? Or maybe, who let this happen?

 

[stlnd01]

How does this happen? Or maybe, who let this happen?

How do you mean? He came in as a raw prospect (apparently) and somehow put on 50 pounds between Signing Day and August. Not great, but not the first time that’s happened (remember Louis Nix as a freshman?) Now he’s behind a couple guys in his class who came in more ready to play, while he’s (apparently) still developing technique and getting in football shape.
But even if he doesn’t do much this year, Ewell has four years of eligibility remaining. That’s plenty of time. Some d linemen are later bloomers. I wouldn’t give up on him just yet.

 

[BGIF]

Now listed at 6-3 / 330

Sounds like he found the training table ... and ate it.

 

[stlnd01]

Sounds like he found the training table ... and ate it.

His big gain came before he got to ND. Was listed at 324 this time last year. Maybe that extra six pounds was from turning fat into muscle? (one hopes)

 

[BobbyMac]

How do you mean? He came in as a raw prospect (apparently) and somehow put on 50 pounds between Signing Day and August. Not great, but not the first time that’s happened (remember Louis Nix as a freshman?) Now he’s behind a couple guys in his class who came in more ready to play, while he’s (apparently) still developing technique and getting in football shape.
But even if he doesn’t do much this year, Ewell has four years of eligibility remaining. That’s plenty of time. Some d linemen are later bloomers. I wouldn’t give up on him just yet.

There was confusion on and after NSD regarding his weight. The 280 # was put out there but BK said he was 310 in Feb '17. I think the 280 we were going on was something the staff found on Hudl or some other online bio.

Looking back now, It's obvious he wasn't 280 anytime during or after his Sr. season and therefore I highly doubt he's gained 50 lbs at any point. Per a newspaper article, he was 300lb during the swimming season after his Sr. year of football and looked like this below.

He was then listed as 321 going into last season after Balis getting a hold of him. If he's 300+lbs in a Speedo below, 321 isn't hard to imagine 7 moths later. Plenty of room to pack on and in weight when you're in that good of shape for a 300 pounder at just 6-3.

 

[Luckylucci]

The roster could certainly use a big NT, but I’m not sure this is a functional 330.

 

[ResLife Hero]

Hopefully he's more a Nix than a Mokwuah.

 

[Irish YJ]

The roster could certainly use a big NT, but I’m not sure this is a functional 330.

That is a pretty svelte 300+ in the pic above. If that's say 310ish, 330 IMO would be functional on that guy easily.

Can anyone confirm the weight around the time of that pic.

 

[NDMIA]

That is a pretty svelte 300+ in the pic above. If that's say 310ish, 330 IMO would be functional on that guy easily.

Can anyone confirm the weight around the time of that pic.

His head alone is 180lbs in that pic. That is a big boy. If he could give them 8-10 snaps a game this year as the third NT that would be amazing. He brings a completely different look than Hinish & Bonner.

 

[Irish YJ]

His head alone is 180lbs in that pic. That is a big boy. If he could give them 8-10 snaps a game this year as the third NT that would be amazing. He brings a completely different look than Hinish & Bonner.

Hinish looks pretty lean though too, and is already Bonner's weight (295) while being two inches shorter. Would love to see both Ewell and Hinish get good reps this year with Bonner.

 

[Luckylucci]

That is a pretty svelte 300+ in the pic above. If that's say 310ish, 330 IMO would be functional on that guy easily.

Can anyone confirm the weight around the time of that pic.

Not about how it looks, it’s about what he can do with it. Up to this point, it’s not functional mass. He has a low workload rate.

 

[Irish YJ]

Not about how it looks, it’s about what he can do with it. Up to this point, it’s not functional mass. He has a low workload rate.

Sure, but what I thought I was reading was that the added weight/mass kept him from being functional. Lean mass is not necessarily functional, but it's normally not a hindrance. Does that make sense?

 

[JD Irish]

Does anyone think he will be on the roster a year from now?

 

[Crazy Balki]

Ewell very well may be going down the "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" path.

Weight is not the issue. Anyone who's seen him can easily tell that he's arguably the most physically imposing figure on the defensive roster.

Unfortunately having loads of size, strength and muscle means jack sh*t if you can't get off the line with a quickness. His agility has left a lot to be desired, his technique is still very raw, and despite his impressive physique, he doesn't appear to be in good football shape. Hopefully, all that running at Camp Balis paid him major dividends. We could really use that insane strength inside.

 

[NDMIA]

Does anyone think he will be on the roster a year from now?

Darnell Ewell enrolled at Notre Dame on June 17, 2017. It’s been 13.5 months since he arrived. Relax. 6’3” 330lb Nose Tackles are often like Centers in college basketball, sometimes it takes a few years for everything to come together. Louis Nix took until his second year to play and probably wouldn’t have played as much as he did but DT depth sucked compared to what it is today. You can find an all star list of DT’s in the NFL who redshirted their freshman year.

Gerald McCoy
Kawann Short - played until his 5th year at Purdue
Ndamukong Suh - medical his first year, but didn’t start til year 3
Michael Brockers - redshirt, didn’t start til year 3
Dalvin Tomlinson - named a starter in his 5th season

This isn’t to mention many of the Nose Tackles that went to real small schools or D2 schools who became big time. I think if Darnell Ewell continues to work on his athleticism and keeps his weight in check then he could be a dynamite contributor at ND. Remember folks, he’s just been on campus for 13.5 months. Not time to write him off at all.

 

[BobbyMac]

Ewell very well may be going down the "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" path.

Weight is not the issue. Anyone who's seen him can easily tell that he's arguably the most physically imposing figure on the defensive roster.

Unfortunately having loads of size, strength and muscle means jack sh*t if you can't get off the line with a quickness. His agility has left a lot to be desired, his technique is still very raw, and despite his impressive physique, he doesn't appear to be in good football shape. Hopefully, all that running at Camp Balis paid him major dividends. We could really use that insane strength inside.

Source?

 

[Luckylucci]

Sure, but what I thought I was reading was that the added weight/mass kept him from being functional. Lean mass is not necessarily functional, but it's normally not a hindrance. Does that make sense?

Sure, my post wasn’t directed at the added weight, it’s whatever weight he’s ever been at. That picture is of his senior year in HS. Months later he could barely finish the first couple days of training camp. In fact, even as recently as Spring ball, it seems like he still struggles with effort on consecutive plays. So, though it may look like he carries the weight well, he can’t do much with it.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Source?

Eyeballs.

He may have issues with agility or maintaining quality conditioning, but that physique doesn't scream "out of shape". Pete Mokwuah he is not.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Sure, my post wasn’t directed at the added weight, it’s whatever weight he’s ever been at. That picture is of his senior year in HS. Months later he could barely finish the first couple days of training camp. In fact, even as recently as Spring ball, it seems like he still struggles with effort on consecutive plays. So, though it may look like he carries the weight well, he can’t do much with it.

The thing is, weight really doesn't have much to do with it. Ewell has to get himself in football shape. By all accounts, he's struggled to get burst off the line. I've seen guys a lot bigger than him get that down pat. It's less about shedding weight and more about learning how to achieve burst with said weight in tact.

 

[BGIF]

The thing is, weight really doesn't have much to do with it. Ewell has to get himself in football shape. By all accounts, he's struggled to get burst off the line. I've seen guys a lot bigger than him get that down pat. It's less about shedding weight and more about learning how to achieve burst with said weight in tact.

Defying Newton's First and Second Laws?

An object an rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a external force. (A bigger one that was required last year when overcoming inertia was a concern for a smaller mass)

The acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables, the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. (Again the mass is greater than it was last year so more force is required. He doesn't just have to "get in shape" he needs to improve his net force.)

 

[Crazy Balki]

Defying Newton's First and Second Laws?

An object an rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a external force. (A bigger one that was required last year when overcoming inertia was a concern for a smaller mass)

The acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables, the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. (Again the mass is greater than it was last year so more force is required. He doesn't just have to "get in shape" he needs to improve his net force.)

"Getting in football shape" and improving his net force are both inclusive. There have been guys who have been able to put on weight while also improving their net force, thus improving their initial burst and endurance.

In reality, it isn't that cut and dry though. He had a lot of work in terms of instincts, technique and improving short-area burst and motor. In high school, Ewell was used to bullying guys much smaller and less talented than him, so he never had to try and get a leg up on blockers or use proper hand technique. Now he's in college and the far bigger, stronger and more technically sound ND offensive linemen are cleaning his clocks.

I'm just saying that him being at a certain weight plays little factor in this. Guys have gained weight while improving all these facets before him and Ewell can do the same. If not, well as I stated before, "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane."

 

[Fbolt]

In reality, ..."Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane."

Looks like Jane, types like Tarzan.

Reality...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Defying Newton's First and Second Laws?

An object an rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by a external force. (A bigger one that was required last year when overcoming inertia was a concern for a smaller mass)

The acceleration of an object is dependent upon two variables, the net force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. (Again the mass is greater than it was last year so more force is required. He doesn't just have to "get in shape" he needs to improve his net force.)

so...

 

[Irish YJ]

Sure, my post wasn’t directed at the added weight, it’s whatever weight he’s ever been at. That picture is of his senior year in HS. Months later he could barely finish the first couple days of training camp. In fact, even as recently as Spring ball, it seems like he still struggles with effort on consecutive plays. So, though it may look like he carries the weight well, he can’t do much with it.

Thanks LL. I didn't know he was still sucking wind to that degree.
Let's hope there is more C than S going on in the strength and conditioning program. I'd put him on the track team until further notice.....

 

[arrowryan]

How does this happen? Or maybe, who let this happen?

Chipotle, Five Guys, and Blaze Pizza being across the street from campus made this happen.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Coach was all over Big Lou for quite a while in his career noting that his "work-rate" (number of plays consecutively and total plays at maximum level effort per game) was so low --- in Kelly's eyes --- that unless Lou got his physical act together he wasn't going to play at all, even if he was great for 10-15 plays. Lou at least got that part of the message and got in the line-up.

As to Ewell: my brother (the US National Olympic Weight-Lifting coach, Tim Swords) says that players like Ewell (he wasn't talking to me specifically about him) can increase mass/weight and explosive burst (including overall speed, jumping, quickness) by following proper Olympic-lifting training (including heavy squats.) He has some very "odd-shaped" studs who can sky, for instance. ... and he has helped put dozens of wannabees into D1 football programs. Ewell could, with proper training, "easily" put on weight and explosion at the same time.

Doubtless Balis knows all of that already.

 

[Irish#1]

Thanks LL. I didn't know he was still sucking wind to that degree.
Let's hope there is more C than S going on in the strength and conditioning program. I'd put him on the track team until further notice.....

Yeah, but they'd stick him at discus and shot put.

 

[connor_in]

Yeah, but they'd stick him at discuss and shot put.

He'd throw the shot and then debate it?

My, track has really changed over the years.