'18 IL ATH Houston Griffith (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[NDIrish88]

So it's decided, Houston will rotate in at safety behind Alohi, and Derrik Allen is the new rover.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Now on to Jack Lamb and Ovie moving to Drop . . . .

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Kiser to RB? hmmm

I'm kind of expecting this move. He's a phenomenal athlete and if he can pack on 10 lbs and keep his speed, he might be a big surprise.

 

[NDVirginia19]

I'm kind of expecting this move. He's a phenomenal athlete and if he can pack on 10 lbs and keep his speed, he might be a big surprise.

Did Kiser ever do a combine? It looks like he had a lot of time playing in 1 deep coverage in HS. I wonder if he has the speed to be a safety for us

 

[NDinMI]

Switched to Safety again. BK said he is cross training. Got some PT at safety in the last series or two of the game.

 

[BabyIrish]

Awesome. Would love for him to take steps forward and have him and Hamilton start next year.

 

[BobbyMac]

Awesome. Would love for him to take steps forward and have him and Hamilton start next year.

This. I have a feeling that Team Griffith wanted him to play CB if he came to ND. He played Safety at IMG and he's gonna be built to play safety next year. I'm relieved he's there and hopefully that's where he stays.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

This. I have a feeling that Team Griffith wanted him to play CB if he came to ND. He played Safety at IMG and he's gonna be built to play safety next year. I'm relieved he's there and hopefully that's where he stays.

Him moving to safety next year is big, because it allows ND to still have 3 safeties on the field in dime packages. I.E. Hamilton, Griffith and DJ Brown.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stlnd01]

Long run both Notre Dame and Griffith are better off with him at safety. But either Griffith or Vaughn should be four-game redshirting this year. Did Vaughn play today?

 

[dad4aa]

Long run both Notre Dame and Griffith are better off with him at safety. But either Griffith or Vaughn should be four-game redshirting this year. Did Vaughn play today?

I don’t remember seeing Vaughn play.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Looking at red shirting, the staff did a great job preserving all the freshman besides the necessary guys this year (Hamilton, Lacey, Bramblett). I cannot recall a year where ND only burnt three players freshman year in a class.

Looking at the sophomores: Jayson Ademilola, Bauer, Simon, Moala, Bracy, and Griffith burnt theirs last year to my knowledge.

Anyone follow the snap counts for Griffith? I noticed the other guys in plenty of games and much has been written about his absence, but was he absent because of redshirting and the transition to safety?

 

[tko]

Who is this Griffin guy?

 

[koonja]

He's played special teams in like every game?

What a wasted year for him. Don't know if that's his fault or the staffs.

 

[stpeteirish]

Looking at red shirting, the staff did a great job preserving all the freshman besides the necessary guys this year (Hamilton, Lacey, Bramblett). I cannot recall a year where ND only burnt three players freshman year in a class.

Looking at the sophomores: Jayson Ademilola, Bauer, Simon, Moala, Bracy, and Griffin burnt theirs last year to my knowledge.

Anyone follow the snap counts for Griffin? I noticed the other guys in plenty of games and much has been written about his absence, but was he absent because of redshirting and the transition to safety?

Played a bunch of Frosh 4 games. Per the official website Bertrand, Correll, Cross, Foskey Kiser Liufau Kristoflec Wallace and Williams. all played in 4 games. Good use of the new rule but leaves them unable to play in the Bowl.

 

[T-Boone]

plenty of time between now and the bowl game so they could switch him positions another 3 or 4 times

 

[IrishLion]

He's played special teams in like every game?

What a wasted year for him. Don't know if that's his fault or the staffs.

It's nobody's 'fault' because there wasn't anything wrong with how they handled him or the defense/special teams, IMO.

He wasn't going to make an impact at corner because of injuries and lack of pure coverage skills, and he wasn't going to crack a safety rotation with two seniors and Kyle Hamilton there.

He was a body they needed on special teams, and now he'll have bowl prep and a full offseason to start getting ready to be a starting safety or nickel, depending on if Gilman returns and how good Pryor is when he shows up.

 

[NDIrish88]

It's nobody's 'fault' because there wasn't anything wrong with how they handled him or the defense/special teams, IMO.

He wasn't going to make an impact at corner because of injuries and lack of pure coverage skills, and he wasn't going to crack a safety rotation with two seniors and Kyle Hamilton there.

He was a body they needed on special teams, and now he'll have bowl prep and a full offseason to start getting ready to be a starting safety or nickel, depending on if Gilman returns and how good Pryor is when he shows up.

Talked about this in the Spring 2020 roster. A lot of users on here think cornerback looks suspect for 2020. I would tend to agree. On paper, Bracy is the only guy I think we know what he is capable of but the others are untested. Having Griffith play corner and Pryor take over the Gilman duties may not be a bad way to go. Griffith played a lot of field of corner in HS but if you pair him with Bracy he may have to play boundary just because of the run game. The staff definitely has their work cut out for them at corner though.

 

[stlnd01]

It's nobody's 'fault' because there wasn't anything wrong with how they handled him or the defense/special teams, IMO.

He wasn't going to make an impact at corner because of injuries and lack of pure coverage skills, and he wasn't going to crack a safety rotation with two seniors and Kyle Hamilton there.

He was a body they needed on special teams, and now he'll have bowl prep and a full offseason to start getting ready to be a starting safety or nickel, depending on if Gilman returns and how good Pryor is when he shows up.

Agree it's no one's "fault," but it does seem like they might have been able to save a year of eligibility for either Griffith or Donte Vaughn. Neither were good enough to make much impact this season but could improve, at positions of high future need.

 

[BabyIrish]

Talked about this in the Spring 2020 roster. A lot of users on here think cornerback looks suspect for 2020. I would tend to agree. On paper, Bracy is the only guy I think we know what he is capable of but the others are untested. Having Griffith play corner and Pryor take over the Gilman duties may not be a bad way to go. Griffith played a lot of field of corner in HS but if you pair him with Bracy he may have to play boundary just because of the run game. The staff definitely has their work cut out for them at corner though.

There's a reason he was moved from corner to safety because he was struggling at corner in practice. He was much better in practice as a safety (according to the beat). As far as I can remember Wallace did well for a freshman in camp and practice, and the thought was for him to potentially play the slot once Crawford went down. But they were able to make it work to preserve a season of eligibility. Certainly, corner is a cause for concern but I believe we have the bodies to field a good group, just need the coaching to get it done.

 

[IrishLax]

There's a reason he was moved from corner to safety because he was struggling at corner in practice. He was much better in practice as a safety (according to the beat). As far as I can remember Wallace did well for a freshman in camp and practice, and the thought was for him to potentially play the slot once Crawford went down. But they were able to make it work to preserve a season of eligibility. Certainly, corner is a cause for concern but I believe we have the bodies to field a good group, just need the coaching to get it done.

This is 100% true. The only reason he was moved from safety to corner for part of this year was because of depth at corner vs depth at safety. He's a natural safety, and was recruited to play safety. Most likely all of Griffith/Pryor/Hamilton will play significant snaps in combination next year.

 

[NDdomer2]

So CB is going to be from the following:

Significant Playing Time:
Shaun Crawford, GS. '19 (hopefully)
Tariq Bracey, So. '21

Playing Time:
Avery Davis, So. '21
KJ Wallace, Fr. '23

Newcomers:
Isiah Rutherford, Fr. '23
Cam Hart, Fr. '23
Caleb Offord, EE

Can DJ Brown perhaps play CB? This list certainly doesnt give you the warm fuzzies.

 

[NDIrish88]

So CB is going to be from the following:

Significant Playing Time:
Shaun Crawford, GS. '19 (hopefully)
Tariq Bracey, So. '21

Playing Time:
Avery Davis, So. '21
KJ Wallace, Fr. '23

Newcomers:
Isiah Rutherford, Fr. '23
Cam Hart, Fr. '23
Caleb Offord, EE

Can DJ Brown perhaps play CB? This list certainly doesnt give you the warm fuzzies.

Brown played CB in HS but he is on the slower side. That gives me reservation at corner

 

[NDdomer2]

Brown played CB in HS but he is on the slower side. That gives me reservation at corner

I certainly wasnt expecting him to be the savior of the group - was just curious.

I know there is still somewhat of an expectation that we land Ramon Henderson, but is he likely to end up on offense?

I would like to see us try and grab one more pure CB in this class.

 

[Luckylucci]

So CB is going to be from the following:

Significant Playing Time:
Shaun Crawford, GS. '19 (hopefully)
Tariq Bracey, So. '21

Playing Time:
Avery Davis, So. '21
KJ Wallace, Fr. '23

Newcomers:
Isiah Rutherford, Fr. '23
Cam Hart, Fr. '23
Caleb Offord, EE

Can DJ Brown perhaps play CB? This list certainly doesnt give you the warm fuzzies.

Davis was moved back to RB. I'd be very surprised if they move Brown back to CB. You also forgot Barelson and Lewis as newcomers.

No, I don't get the warm and fuzzies but there is talent. Folks tend to forget about Freshman once they become sophomores and haven't made that 'immediate' impact everyone expects. Rutherford and Wallace are nice CB prospects. Both 4 star CB's that could have been playing at a lot of big time P5 programs including multiple programs that are currently ranked ahead of ND, FWIW.

 

[NDIrish88]

Davis was moved back to RB. I'd be very surprised if they move Brown back to CB. You also forgot Barelson and Lewis as newcomers.

No, I don't get the warm and fuzzies but there is talent. Folks tend to forget about Freshman once they become sophomores and haven't made that 'immediate' impact everyone expects. Rutherford and Wallace are nice CB prospects. Both 4 star CB's that could have been playing at a lot of big time P5 programs including multiple programs that are currently ranked ahead of ND, FWIW.

I think that the CB group is talented and form what I have read about Lewis and Bartelson, they are very good athletes with abilities that translate well into being productive CBs. I am higher on Cam Hart than probably most, simply because I think he prefers defense to offense and is a good athlete. I am excited to see what Wallace and Rutherford are capable of. hopefully Rutherford can go 1 on 1 with the taller WR in a way that Donte Vaughn could not i.e. Clemson in the CFP.

 

[NDMIA]

.9484 4* RS SR Shaun Crawford
.8843 3* JR Tariq Bracy
.9171 4* RS FR Isaiah Rutherford
.9017 4* RS FR KJ Wallace
.8710 3* RS FR Cam Hart
.8702 3* FR Caleb Offord
.8660 3* FR Landen Bartleson
.8647 3* FR Clarence Lewis

8 man squad going into next season. Really desperately need Crawford to come back. I also hope they take the best possible CB grad transfer available. I have a feeling you’ll see KJ Wallace really come on next season and I’m hopeful Isaiah Rutherford will work out well even though he couldn’t even step on the field this season. I think with the right coaching, the CB could do fine next season. Gonna need to go out and grab a recruiter for the DB position in the future though. Todd Lyght’s another Autry Denson and that doesn’t cut it at this level.

 

[NDdomer2]

Davis was moved back to RB. I'd be very surprised if they move Brown back to CB. You also forgot Barelson and Lewis as newcomers.

No, I don't get the warm and fuzzies but there is talent. Folks tend to forget about Freshman once they become sophomores and haven't made that 'immediate' impact everyone expects. Rutherford and Wallace are nice CB prospects. Both 4 star CB's that could have been playing at a lot of big time P5 programs including multiple programs that are currently ranked ahead of ND, FWIW.

I thought it seemed light. I grabbed from spring roster thread totally forgetting the non-EE's.

There is talent, but young and inexperienced. Lots of important coaching in the upcoming 9 months.

 

[NDIrish88]

.9484 4* RS SR Shaun Crawford
.8843 3* JR Tariq Bracy
.9171 4* RS FR Isaiah Rutherford
.9017 4* RS FR KJ Wallace
.8710 3* RS FR Cam Hart
.8702 3* FR Caleb Offord
.8660 3* FR Landen Bartleson
.8647 3* FR Clarence Lewis

8 man squad going into next season. Really desperately need Crawford to come back. I also hope they take the best possible CB grad transfer available. I have a feeling you’ll see KJ Wallace really come on next season and I’m hopeful Isaiah Rutherford will work out well even though he couldn’t even step on the field this season. I think with the right coaching, the CB could do fine next season. Gonna need to go out and grab a recruiter for the DB position in the future though. Todd Lyght’s another Autry Denson and that doesn’t cut it at this level.

Roderick Campbell from Northwestern entered the transfer portal. Was on NDs radar out of HS and camped there, but Julian Love got that spot before him. I think that worked out well for ND.

 

[NDdomer2]

.9484 4* RS SR Shaun Crawford
.8843 3* JR Tariq Bracy
.9171 4* RS FR Isaiah Rutherford
.9017 4* RS FR KJ Wallace
.8710 3* RS FR Cam Hart
.8702 3* FR Caleb Offord
.8660 3* FR Landen Bartleson
.8647 3* FR Clarence Lewis

8 man squad going into next season. Really desperately need Crawford to come back. I also hope they take the best possible CB grad transfer available. I have a feeling you’ll see KJ Wallace really come on next season and I’m hopeful Isaiah Rutherford will work out well even though he couldn’t even step on the field this season. I think with the right coaching, the CB could do fine next season. Gonna need to go out and grab a recruiter for the DB position in the future though. Todd Lyght’s another Autry Denson and that doesn’t cut it at this level.

Most likely way too early to even have an idea of who would be available right?

 

[NDMIA]

Most likely way too early to even have an idea of who would be available right?

Yes too early. The staff I’m sure already has a list and maybe has even contacted some that have been in the portal and are legal to talk to. However, I’m not sure as to the quality of the DB recruits in the portal. There are some 4* dudes but it’s hard to know if they were busts or other things.

1) I’d look into Devin Bush from Arkansas. He was offered by ND back in the day and was impressive apparently in spring practice. Then he played minimally for 4 games and then bounced. He tall and extremely fast and could be an asset in the DB room.

2) Miles Brooks and Javier Morton. Two DB’s from the south who are likely headed to GT. Brooks is committed and Morton could be leaning that way. They’ve got offers from Cal, Florida, Michigan, UNC, Duke, Illinois and Virginia among their other offers. I’m amazed that a 3-9 could potentially get 2 6’1”+ 4* DB recruits and ND could get none. That’s embarrassing. Hopefully ND can get on the radar with some DB recruits over the next few weeks and steal one or two dudes. I’d love to ideally see 2-3 more DB’s join the squad before next fall!

 

[Luckylucci]

Yes too early. The staff I’m sure already has a list and maybe has even contacted some that have been in the portal and are legal to talk to. However, I’m not sure as to the quality of the DB recruits in the portal. There are some 4* dudes but it’s hard to know if they were busts or other things.

1) I’d look into Devin Bush from Arkansas. He was offered by ND back in the day and was impressive apparently in spring practice. Then he played minimally for 4 games and then bounced. He tall and extremely fast and could be an asset in the DB room.

2) Miles Brooks and Javier Morton. Two DB’s from the south who are likely headed to GT. Brooks is committed and Morton could be leaning that way. They’ve got offers from Cal, Florida, Michigan, UNC, Duke, Illinois and Virginia among their other offers. I’m amazed that a 3-9 could potentially get 2 6’1”+ 4* DB recruits and ND could get none. That’s embarrassing. Hopefully ND can get on the radar with some DB recruits over the next few weeks and steal one or two dudes. I’d love to ideally see 2-3 more DB’s join the squad before next fall!

Its important to keep in mind that this is the opinion of the ratings services and you. This more than likely does not reflect the opinion of the staff that just won 10 games, not 3. Or the ratings services who've won zero games as football coaches.