'18 PA QB Phil Jurkovec (Wherever I May Roam Chud)

[Irish#1]

Always temper excitement and high expectations with a heavy doses of rationalization and reality. Freshmen (particularly QB's) rarely step in and make an impact. The speed, size of players, etc. take a while to adjust to. Most of the time when we see a freshmen QB playing, it's because he got the job due to injury or it's a lower P5 school building for the future.

 

[dublinirish]

FYI on the last II podcast Sampson mentioned that the first impressions of Phil inside the Gug was very impressive.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Always temper excitement and high expectations with a heavy doses of rationalization and reality. Freshmen (particularly QB's) rarely step in and make an impact. The speed, size of players, etc. take a while to adjust to. Most of the time when we see a freshmen QB playing, it's because he got the job due to injury or it's a lower P5 school building for the future.

Couldn't agree more. Although I'm hopeful that we will see him a bit this year with the new redshirt rule, allowing players to play in 4 games and still be available to redshirt. In games we have well in hand, I would love to see Phil get some chances to play and get further acclimated.

 

[BobbyMac]

Ron Powlus.

^^^ The last ND 5th year QB.

Play Phil as much as you can and forget the redshirt. Ian Book's not going to lead ND to a NC. ND needs an elite difference maker at QB like Clemson had with Watson in '16. Phil needs snaps. Start building this team for runs in '20 & '21. They finally have recruiting classes with the talent it will take to win one as long as Phil is who we hope he is and a couple of guys join him at the elite level, like Kevin Austin becoming Michael Floyd 2.0 for example.

Good to feel bullish again.

 

[greyhammer90]

Ron Powlus.

^^^ The last ND 5th year QB.

Play Phil as much as you can and forget the redshirt. Ian Book's not going to lead ND to a NC. ND needs an elite difference maker at QB like Clemson had with Watson in '16. Phil needs snaps. Start building this team for runs in '20 & '21. They finally have recruiting classes with the talent it will take to win one as long as Phil is who we hope he is and a couple of guys join him at the elite level, like Kevin Austin becoming Michael Floyd 2.0 for example.

Good to feel bullish again.

I agree with this. At schools where pro-prospects are dim, and where 7-8 wins is the realistic goal, saving for a 5th year with your QB is a good mindset to have the occasional run where his experience peaks to provide a really good season. At big time programs, if a QB stays for 5 years it means he probably isn't good enough to be a difference maker regardless. You want a QB who could leave after 3 but sticks around to be coached up for 4. Get him snaps early and often.

 

[NDty9]

(Just to preface, I am INSANELY EXCITED about this kids future, and have such high hopes for him.....)

I assume no one here is questioning his future with ND based on the shotty Army All American performance we saw? Just chalking it up to the setting itself, and lack of reps, among other things, i assume. That's what I am thinking, at least.

 

[arrowryan]

Ron Powlus.

^^^ The last ND 5th year QB.

Play Phil as much as you can and forget the redshirt. Ian Book's not going to lead ND to a NC. ND needs an elite difference maker at QB like Clemson had with Watson in '16. Phil needs snaps. Start building this team for runs in '20 & '21. They finally have recruiting classes with the talent it will take to win one as long as Phil is who we hope he is and a couple of guys join him at the elite level, like Kevin Austin becoming Michael Floyd 2.0 for example.

Good to feel bullish again.

And Phil isn't leading Notre Dame to a NC in 2018; Brandon Wimbush has a better chance at doing that. While I agree that Phil needs snaps, I'm not going to throw him into the fire in 2018 and potentially throw away the season. If we were only expecting 4-6 wins this season, then yeah let Phil be the starter. 2018 holds a lot of promise and I'm not going to let a true frosh QB potentially ruin that because I want to be ready for 2020 and 2021.

Phil is going to take over the reigns soon; I think it will be next season. I think Phil is going to be a great college player, but lets pump the breaks on letting him start as a true frosh. Brandon is plenty athletic enough to lead Notre Dame to the playoffs, lets see if his arm is up for the challenge and if his offseason adjustments will pay off.

Also, Phil will get to play a lot this season since freshmen can play 4 games before burning their RS. I'm excited to see what he can do.

 

[BobbyMac]

(Just to preface, I am INSANELY EXCITED about this kids future, and have such high hopes for him.....)

I assume no one here is questioning his future with ND based on the shotty Army All American performance we saw? Just chalking it up to the setting itself, and lack of reps, among other things, i assume. That's what I am thinking, at least.

Silly to judge Phil on his football performance with an All Star OL and new WR's during the middle of his basketball season. All things considered, it's amazing he didn't look completely incompetent. He literally took 4 days off, went to San Antonio with no prep and then back to Pittsburgh to lead P-R to the state finals in his other sport.

 

[BobbyMac]

And Phil isn't leading Notre Dame to a NC in 2018; Brandon Wimbush has a better chance at doing that. While I agree that Phil needs snaps, I'm not going to throw him into the fire in 2018 and potentially throw away the season. If we were only expecting 4-6 wins this season, then yeah let Phil be the starter. 2018 holds a lot of promise and I'm not going to let a true frosh QB potentially ruin that because I want to be ready for 2020 and 2021.

Phil is going to take over the reigns soon; I think it will be next season. I think Phil is going to be a great college player, but lets pump the breaks on letting him start as a true frosh. Brandon is plenty athletic enough to lead Notre Dame to the playoffs, lets see if his arm is up for the challenge and if his offseason adjustments will pay off.

Also, Phil will get to play a lot this season since freshmen can play 4 games before burning their RS. I'm excited to see what he can do.

You may wanna re-read my post.

 

[NDty9]

Silly to judge Phil on his football performance with an All Star OL and new WR's during the middle of his basketball season. All things considered, it's amazing he didn't look completely incompetent. He literally took 4 days off, went to San Antonio with no prep and then back to Pittsburgh to lead P-R to the state finals in his other sport.

Agree 100% just making sure thats the consensus !

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

And Phil isn't leading Notre Dame to a NC in 2018; Brandon Wimbush has a better chance at doing that. While I agree that Phil needs snaps, I'm not going to throw him into the fire in 2018 and potentially throw away the season. If we were only expecting 4-6 wins this season, then yeah let Phil be the starter. 2018 holds a lot of promise and I'm not going to let a true frosh QB potentially ruin that because I want to be ready for 2020 and 2021.

Phil is going to take over the reigns soon; I think it will be next season. I think Phil is going to be a great college player, but lets pump the breaks on letting him start as a true frosh. Brandon is plenty athletic enough to lead Notre Dame to the playoffs, lets see if his arm is up for the challenge and if his off-season adjustments will pay off.

Also, Phil will get to play a lot this season since freshmen can play 4 games before burning their RS. I'm excited to see what he can do.

I think you misinterpreted what Crusader was saying. He was implying that Wimbush should start, but don't worry about keeping Phil under 4 games just to redshirt. Get him as many snaps as possible to develop him and make a run his Junior and Senior season as our starter.

I agree, actually, it's a good point. So I'll retract my comment above. Ian Book is nothing more than a solid safety net; a Tommy Reese 2.0, if you will, maybe with a higher ceiling, but I don't think anyone is fooling him for a NC level QB. Develop PJ as much as possible. With the addition of Drew Pyne in '20, we have the luxury to do so.

 

[NDty9]

A side note.... in the article about Jurkovec that was posted earlier on this page, there was a quote that said

“His biggest advantage, even coming to Notre Dame, is that he’s going to walk into the quarterback room and he will be without a doubt the most impressive athlete in that room,”

Is this true? Is he instantly an upgrade in athleticism to Wimbush?

 

[arrowryan]

You may wanna re-read my post.

I think you misinterpreted what Crusader was saying. He was implying that Wimbush should start, but don't worry about keeping Phil under 4 games just to redshirt. Get him as many snaps as possible to develop him and make a run his Junior and Senior season as our starter.

I agree, actually, it's a good point. So I'll retract my comment above. Ian Book is nothing more than a solid safety net; a Tommy Reese 2.0, if you will, maybe with a higher ceiling, but I don't think anyone is fooling him for a NC level QB. Develop PJ as much as possible. With the addition of Drew Pyne in '20, we have the luxury to do so.

My bad NDC. I guess we agree then, start Wimbush. The amount of snaps Phil gets I guess will depend on how good this team will be at putting teams away early and often. I also agree that if he lives up to the hype, he wouldn't and shouldn't stay for a 5th year (maybe not even a 4th).

 

[arrowryan]

A side note.... in the article about Jurkovec that was posted earlier on this page, there was a quote that said

“His biggest advantage, even coming to Notre Dame, is that he’s going to walk into the quarterback room and he will be without a doubt the most impressive athlete in that room,”

Is this true? Is he instantly an upgrade in athleticism to Wimbush?

I doubt Phil is faster than Brandon, but 6'5", 230 pound frosh QBs that run a 4.7 40 don't grow on trees. He's already dangerously close to Cam Newton body type.

 

[NDty9]

I doubt Phil is faster than Brandon, but 6'5", 230 pound frosh QBs that run a 4.7 40 don't grown on trees. He's already dangerously close to Cam Newton body type.

Can't waiiiiit! haha

 

[BobbyMac]

So I'll retract my comment above. Ian Book is nothing more than a solid safety net; a Tommy Reese 2.0, if you will, maybe with a higher ceiling, but I don't think anyone is fooling him for a NC level QB.

If Book was Bama's starter, I'd still have them as the NC favorite. But for ND to win an NC (in the near future vs rosters like Bama, OSU, UGA), they need an elite QB (and a few others) to lift their roster like Watson did for Clemson.

A side note.... in the article about Jurkovec that was posted earlier on this page, there was a quote that said

“His biggest advantage, even coming to Notre Dame, is that he’s going to walk into the quarterback room and he will be without a doubt the most impressive athlete in that room,”

Is this true? Is he instantly an upgrade in athleticism to Wimbush?

Well we know Wimbush is faster, so it's pretty clumsy to use that phrasing but Phil's height combined with his level of athleticism might make him a better traditional QB prospect? Who knows, doesn't matter. DeShone Kizer (on his good days) was a QB that could've lead ND to a title with the better roster that is being developed as we speak and he's not the athlete PJ or BW are.

 

[NDMIA]

Ron Powlus.

^^^ The last ND 5th year QB.

Play Phil as much as you can and forget the redshirt. Ian Book's not going to lead ND to a NC. ND needs an elite difference maker at QB like Clemson had with Watson in '16. Phil needs snaps. Start building this team for runs in '20 & '21. They finally have recruiting classes with the talent it will take to win one as long as Phil is who we hope he is and a couple of guys join him at the elite level, like Kevin Austin becoming Michael Floyd 2.0 for example.

Good to feel bullish again.

Here’s a list of the most recent Heisman Trophy finalists and winners.

Baker Mayfield - Redshirt
Lamar Jackson
Deshaun Watson
Marcus Mariota - Redshirt
Jameis Winston - Redshirt
AJ McCarron - Redshirt
Johnny Manziel - Redshirt
Robert Griffin III
Andrew Luck - Redshirt
Cam Newton
Colt McCoy - Redshirt

I totally agree that if Phil Jurkovec picks up the playbook, is ready to win football games, and outperforms Ian Book for the backup job, then he should be thrown into the fire. However, if he’s not going to help Notre Dame win games more than Ian Book then i think he should redshirt. Seeing the list above should help make apparent that Redshirting doesn’t mean it’s a failure of a year by the staff to prepare the player or the player not having enough abilities, but rather a good time to watch the game, adjust to the speed, and prepare for a successful career. He can attack the body by Balis plan, master Chip Long’s offense, and gain knowledge of his teammates’ tendencies. Bottom line is I think that Jurkovec should only play if he’s absolutely ready and there’s no need to shake his confidence if he doesn’t have everything ready to go. Remember that this dude set foot on campus only a few weeks ago. He hasn’t had a ton of time to master the playbook, get a college-level body, adjust to the speed of the game, etc. I think he’ll be great but I think Wimbush/Book are the guys ND is looking towards for the 2018 season.

 

[IrishLion]

DeShone Kizer (on his good days) was a QB that could've lead ND to a title with the better roster that is being developed as we speak and he's not the athlete PJ or BW are.

The '15 offense with the '17 defense goes to the playoffs for sure, and probably wins a natty.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[zelezo vlk]

The '15 offense with the '17 defense goes to the playoffs for sure, and probably wins a natty.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The '17 offense plus Will Fuller probably goes to the playoffs

 

[GowerND11]

Here’s a list of the most recent Heisman Trophy finalists and winners.

Baker Mayfield - Redshirt
Lamar Jackson
Deshaun Watson
Marcus Mariota - Redshirt
Jameis Winston - Redshirt
AJ McCarron - Redshirt
Johnny Manziel - Redshirt
Robert Griffin III
Andrew Luck - Redshirt
Cam Newton
Colt McCoy - Redshirt

I totally agree that if Phil Jurkovec picks up the playbook, is ready to win football games, and outperforms Ian Book for the backup job, then he should be thrown into the fire. However, if he’s not going to help Notre Dame win games more than Ian Book then i think he should redshirt. Seeing the list above should help make apparent that Redshirting doesn’t mean it’s a failure of a year by the staff to prepare the player or the player not having enough abilities, but rather a good time to watch the game, adjust to the speed, and prepare for a successful career. He can attack the body by Balis plan, master Chip Long’s offense, and gain knowledge of his teammates’ tendencies. Bottom line is I think that Jurkovec should only play if he’s absolutely ready and there’s no need to shake his confidence if he doesn’t have everything ready to go. Remember that this dude set foot on campus only a few weeks ago. He hasn’t had a ton of time to master the playbook, get a college-level body, adjust to the speed of the game, etc. I think he’ll be great but I think Wimbush/Book are the guys ND is looking towards for the 2018 season.

He isn't saying redshirts are bad. He is saying that guys don't stay for 5 years, especially at ND. So to redshirt him doesn't necessarily guarantee that he will be here as a RS Sr.

 

[Irish YJ]

If he is clearly better than Book (in the head as much as tools), anytime we are up by 21 or more in the second half, or 17 in the the 4Q, PJ should be in. Keeps BW healthy and rested, and gets PJ the most experience. I care nothing for a RS in this situation.

 

[Irish#1]

Didn't know I'd raise a sh!t storm with my comment. lol

I was simply saying that our expectations should be tempered for the moment. The biggest key for Phil is going to be the mental piece and how he adjusts to it. He should be getting reps this year. How many is going to be determined by the schedule, scores and how quickly he adjusts mentally. If he has a mental makeup like Peyton Manning, he'll be going guns a blaze very early.

We just need to relax before we anoint him Saint Phil, even if NDC has the holy oil ready to go. lol

 

[Old Man Mike]

If Phil Jurkovec is already "better than Ian Book in the head", just anoint him now. That comment is as over-the-top as any of those pushing for him to come right in and be Joe Montana (who stunk his first years.) Just give the guy a break, and with his work ethic he'll be better than Wimbush physically (for the actual job of playing QB) and the equal of Book/Rees mentally by next year maybe. Anoint then if due.

As for now, if Wimbush has closed the "head" gap on Book, we're fine --- 10 wins or more fine. If not, and if Kelly has the chones to use Book, we're still 10 wins fine if we just find one more linebacker and don't get injuries. Jurkovec can be brought along --- yes, play when possible, but Book needs snaps too.

 

[snoopdog]

If PJ is clearly better than Book, the classy thing to do is, anoint PJ the back-up and allow Book the opportunity to Transfer.

The one proviso is, BW may struggle mightily in the opener against UM and mentally fade away, meaning Book is clearly in the picture for 2018 and beyond.

But if BW is balling, and PJ is looking strong and with Clark and Pyne coming in and Davis on the roster than maybe Book can transfer to a Pac12 or a Mountain West School because he is clearly good enough to be a starter at a Div 1 school

 

[Irish YJ]

If Phil Jurkovec is already "better than Ian Book in the head", just anoint him now. That comment is as over-the-top as any of those pushing for him to come right in and be Joe Montana (who stunk his first years.) Just give the guy a break, and with his work ethic he'll be better than Wimbush physically (for the actual job of playing QB) and the equal of Book/Rees mentally by next year maybe. Anoint then if due.

As for now, if Wimbush has closed the "head" gap on Book, we're fine --- 10 wins or more fine. If not, and if Kelly has the chones to use Book, we're still 10 wins fine if we just find one more linebacker and don't get injuries. Jurkovec can be brought along --- yes, play when possible, but Book needs snaps too.

didn't imply he was better in the head. purely if, relevant to the conversation of a RS.
if he is not, and Book's combo (head/tools) is better, than Book should get the majority of mop of time. hell, the jury is still out on BW's head closing the gap. scUM game will tell us a lot and can't get here soon enough.

 

[BobbyMac]

Wow. I say don't worry about 5 Star Phil's redshirt and get him snaps... then you guys go full Fonzie and jump the shark.

 

[ND NYC]

Whoever the best QB we have is, that's who I want playing in the game.

on this we can all agree.

(I think...)

 

[Irish YJ]

Wow. I say don't worry about 5 Star Phil's redshirt and get him snaps... then you guys go full Fonzie and jump the shark.

 

[T Town Tommy]

He can play the four games with the new rule and still not lose a year of eligibility. If the opportunity presents itself, then let him get the reps. We already have a pretty good idea of what Book can do.

 

[Irish#1]

the jury is still out on BW's head closing the gap. scUM game will tell us a lot.

This is it in a nutshell. If BW has grown up, neither Book or St. Phil will be seeing the field except in mop up time.