'18 OR ATH Braden Lenzy (Notre Dame Signee)

[stlnd01]

Feels like Lenzy is one of those guys who is solid, and could be good, but will never be great. If he's done with college (or ND) and wants to move on, no worries, there will be another. That said, if he wants back, you take him back. He has developed into a leader among an otherwise young/inconsistent WR room, and you shouldn't turn your back on those guys.

 

[Dale]

 

[Dale]

How many deep balls he could have had over his career if given the chance to run under them and not work back to them….

Good way for him to go out

 

[ulukinatme]

How many deep balls he could have had over his career if given the chance to run under them and not work back to them….

Good way for him to go out

I said the same in our IE group text. I think Lenzy struggled a bit at the beginning of the year, still had some trouble with the dropped balls and getting open. I think the more he worked with Stuckey the better he got. We saw more consistency and the ability to get separation, unfortunately Pyne wasn't able to get him. Lenzy made some great plays in the bowl today with TB back, it was a very nice sendoff.

I was really critical of him last year, but he was an important member of the offense that made some plays in big games. He probably could have had a great 2nd half to the season if QB play was a bit more consistent. It's a shame we didn't get Stuckey sooner.

 

[irishfan]

Are we sure this is how he goes out?

 

[IrishBoognish]

I'm really sad to see Lenzy go. Especially how people were getting on him when he had some bad body language or dropped a ball or two.


Kid is wildly athletic and turned out to be an incredible leader on the team. I really hope there might be a chance someone can talk him in to playing with Hartman and showing the NFL some film.

Doesn't hurt he's from the Portland metro area that I'm such a big fan... but he's legit a good man in the locker room.


Hope he finds great success in his employment if he chooses to retire from football. He's an ND Man in my book.

 

[bkess8]

I said the same in our IE group text. I think Lenzy struggled a bit at the beginning of the year, still had some trouble with the dropped balls and getting open. I think the more he worked with Stuckey the better he got. We saw more consistency and the ability to get separation, unfortunately Pyne wasn't able to get him. Lenzy made some great plays in the bowl today with TB back, it was a very nice sendoff.

I was really critical of him last year, but he was an important member of the offense that made some plays in big games. He probably could have had a great 2nd half to the season if QB play was a bit more consistent. It's a shame we didn't get Stuckey sooner.

What is this IE group text you speak of? I’m disappointed haha!

 

[IA4irish]

I'm really sad to see Lenzy go. Especially how people were getting on him when he had some bad body language or dropped a ball or two.


Kid is wildly athletic and turned out to be an incredible leader on the team. I really hope there might be a chance someone can talk him in to playing with Hartman and showing the NFL some film.

Doesn't hurt he's from the Portland metro area that I'm such a big fan... but he's legit a good man in the locker room.


Hope he finds great success in his employment if he chooses to retire from football. He's an ND Man in my book.

Completely agree. I thought he was a transfer risk early in his career. Stuck it out through hard times. This year was obviously a disappointment from the standpoint of no one could get him the ball in space. He still blocked his butt off and caught a decent number of short routes. Great way to go out last night. I definitely wish he would come back for one more year though

 

[MacIrish75]

If you’re going to be Braden Lenzy and you’re going to hang it up, you do it after finally executing the route concept you’ve been waiting four years to get to accomplish.

Cue Simple Minds. It’s his Bender moment.

 

[irishandy]

I remember when he came out of high school, he was the speed that Notre Dame needed.

If he doesn't get injured I think he could've been a first day draftee.

 

[OKCDomer23]

Lenzy had himself a game yesterday. That punt fake and long td pass were sweet. Arguably his best game at ND.

All the best Braden Lenzy!

 

[Grahambo]

I’ve been harsh on him for his drops but credit where credit is due. Braden absolutely rocked it yesterday. I’m okay if he decides to come back for one more but understand if he’s done.

 

[irishff1014]

I think the majority of people were hard on Lenzy because he is so likable and we never he could be what we saw last night. Some of that wasn’t his fault with the Qb play and injuries.

But you have to be extremely proud of him. He never gave up. He just kept working hard. He didn’t transfer when the going got hard and even made himself a little money.

I would love to see him come back because I think he has a coach now and the QB play would benefit him. Also the playing calling for him was just right.

But sounds like he is taking a job in San Fran that’s pretty good. Again can’t be upset that he did the hard work in the classroom and helped himself for life with the network.

Congrats Lenzy. You had the Irish spirit and never quit attitude. I hope you continue to strive for big goals.

 

[ThePiombino]

Dunno if he's past the point of no return (decision wise), but I would LOVE to see Lenzy give it one more year with a proper QB. May even be able to play himself into a UFA after the kind of season we think he's capable of.

 

[spoonidentity]

Don't forget, in 2021 they tried to run 2 or 3 deep routes per game with him but Coan couldn't get the ball quite right. His career perception would have been different by a lot if they connected on even 2 of those throws.

It was somewhat ironic because Clean was brought in as the antithesis of Ian Book. Not dynamic at all with his legs but supposedly a much better (and willing!) deep ball thrower. That didn't work out at all and we went to the 1-2-3 quick throw tempo about 1/3rd through the year.

 

[ThePiombino]

Don't forget, in 2021 they tried to run 2 or 3 deep routes per game with him but Coan couldn't get the ball quite right. His career perception would have been different by a lot if they connected on even 2 of those throws.

It was somewhat ironic because Clean was brought in as the antithesis of Ian Book. Not dynamic at all with his legs but supposedly a much better (and willing!) deep ball thrower. That didn't work out at all and we went to the 1-2-3 quick throw tempo about 1/3rd through the year.

I completely agree. I believe his career trajectory is 100% victim of circumstance. I truly believe that, if he has ANY love left for the game and wants to give the pros one more shot, a grizzled vet like Hartman would be precisely what the doctor ordered.

 

[DONTH8]

I said the same in our IE group text…

 

[jprue24]

He's done..

 

[Plankton]

He's done..

Good on him. I appreciate a kid who sticks it out when things didn't come easy or quickly for him. This speaks to strong character, which will serve him well in his career and life. Best of luck Braden, and great game to go out on.

 

[MacIrish75]

Fella went out on such a high note. Well done Braden.

 

[NDisme]

A kid like Braden, just proud to have him in the program.

 

[irishandy]

Best of luck Braden!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I really appreciate Lenzy sticking it out and giving us some memorable moments. Now he can transition to the next phase

 

[Blazers46]

Go Irish!! Time for that 40!!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Respect, Braden:

Dude had a rough first four years, but he stuck it out and provided a reliable veteran presence among this year's WR core that we needed so badly. I'll always wonder what might have been if he'd agreed to come in as a DB instead.

 

[Irishnuke]

Little bummed but good for him. He stuck it out when he could have easily bailed and probably had a better football career somewhere else. That’s something most kids won’t do any more.

 

[ThePiombino]

Disappointed, but I get it. Really think he could have had a much better year next year, but the dude said "when" and you have to respect that. Best of luck, Braden!

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[NorthDakota]

Good luck to him in the next phase of his life. Thank you Mr. Lenzy for coming to Notre Dame.

 

[ulukinatme]

Best of luck at the next step, Lenzy! Great job yesterday in your final game, definitely balled out.

 

[bumpdaddy]

So this kind of threw me off the other day. In Prister's top 40 ND players write-up about Lenzy, he strongly implies Lenzy wanted to come back for a 6th year but ND told him they wanted to move on. Does anyone have any more insight on this? Does this make any sense considering we've been looking at WRs in the transfer portal? Here's a link to the story:

Irish Illustrated’s Top 40 Notre Dame Players of 2022 (21-30)

In the second of a six-part series, Irish Illustrated’s Nos. 21-30 from the ’22 season offer a little bit of everything, including promising DE-Jordan Botelho, S-Xavier Watts and TE-Mitchell Evans, underrated CB-Clarence Lewis, and still-developing WR-Deion Colzie, LB-Marist Liufau, and DL-Rylie...

247sports.com

And here's the quote:

“Sounds like he wanted to return for a sixth year, but the Irish turned the page."

Why would we turn away a deep-threat starter who was finally showing improvement, not to mention a tremendous representative of the university? I'd rather have him back than chase after Williams or Anthony or any of the other WRs we've seen pop up in the portal so far.

Is it even possible that Prister is right?