'19 FL RB Cesare 'Chez' Mellusi (Clemson Verbal)

NDMIA

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Power Hour is loaded! <a href="https://t.co/ECixZ3K2V9">https://t.co/ECixZ3K2V9</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/996087640385564672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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21:40 of yesterday's ISD Power Hour, Mike Frank discusses Notre Dame dropping Mellusi's OV. Mentioned that someone very close to Mellusi told them that Mellusi would probably have committed to ND on his visit. The interesting part is that they questioned whether Mellusi was fully qualified for ND (didn't confirm grades, just speculated), and ND didn't want to have another Stepp issue on their hands like last year where they are scrambling for a RB in January because one didn't make the grades. Now, if ND knew he had a 10% chance of getting into ND and likely would've been a no-go in admissions then I understand completely because then you're wasting a spot. However, if the kid was maybe 50-50 or higher to get into ND, but you just weren't completely sure yet, then it seems disappointing to move on from him. I say that because I don't think if Mellusi is in the class he affects what Kyren Williams is doing because they are very different types of football players. Also, you need multiple backs in this class so its not like your recruiting stance would change if Mellusi joined the fold. On top of all of that, if ND got Kyren Williams, Mellusi, and maybe one other and you designate Kyren Williams as sort of that APB/WR guy, then if Mellusi doesn't qualify then you're back to 2 RB's and you're fine. I understand almost the entirety of it is speculation, but hopefully it is just that and Mellusi would not have been a take at ND regardless, because otherwise he's a fine prospect who I think will thrive at Clemson.
 

PANDFAN

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Power Hour is loaded! <a href="https://t.co/ECixZ3K2V9">https://t.co/ECixZ3K2V9</a></p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/996087640385564672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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21:40 of yesterday's ISD Power Hour, Mike Frank discusses Notre Dame dropping Mellusi's OV. Mentioned that someone very close to Mellusi told them that Mellusi would probably have committed to ND on his visit. The interesting part is that they questioned whether Mellusi was fully qualified for ND (didn't confirm grades, just speculated), and ND didn't want to have another Stepp issue on their hands like last year where they are scrambling for a RB in January because one didn't make the grades. Now, if ND knew he had a 10% chance of getting into ND and likely would've been a no-go in admissions then I understand completely because then you're wasting a spot. However, if the kid was maybe 50-50 or higher to get into ND, but you just weren't completely sure yet, then it seems disappointing to move on from him. I say that because I don't think if Mellusi is in the class he affects what Kyren Williams is doing because they are very different types of football players. Also, you need multiple backs in this class so its not like your recruiting stance would change if Mellusi joined the fold. On top of all of that, if ND got Kyren Williams, Mellusi, and maybe one other and you designate Kyren Williams as sort of that APB/WR guy, then if Mellusi doesn't qualify then you're back to 2 RB's and you're fine. I understand almost the entirety of it is speculation, but hopefully it is just that and Mellusi would not have been a take at ND regardless, because otherwise he's a fine prospect who I think will thrive at Clemson.

They also mentioned that he was basically a great athlete not a great running back...he was a one trick pony basically as he wasn't a natural rb..they other KEY thing they kept mentioning was how little production we have received from florida kids and whether that played a part to...this was just them spitballing it seemed but very plausible they didn't want to invest into something that they weren't sure all the boxes checked out
 

T Town Tommy

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Don't think the Irish need to hit the panic button at RB just yet. Still plenty of good ones out there and we have seen it doesn't take a highly rated one to be successful... just the right one that can run behind what should develop in to an above average OL.
 

PANDFAN

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Don't think the Irish need to hit the panic button at RB just yet. Still plenty of good ones out there and we have seen it doesn't take a highly rated one to be successful... just the right one that can run behind what should develop in to an above average OL.

that was the whole premise of them stating why we didn't want to accept his committment when it didn't appear ALL things checked out..whether grades, qualifying etc but they mentioned we ended up going to plan c and further at the end of the last cycle because we had someone committed who couldn't be admitted and we don't have the luxury of playing the waiting game to see if they do or don't and we also don't encourage them to go to like that one military academy like hargraves sp? who could then transfer in...so that's the big picture here...avoid now and plan better than scrambling late
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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I'll bet there's a day next year or in '21 that we say... Should've taken two in '19 or '20.

I'll take that bet. We have a lot of young talent and we're adding the fastest man in 2020 to that mix. TJJr has one more year, Armstrong has two more.


I think we'd all like a 5 star RB prospect on the roster now but we have lots of options.

If we lose 2-3 RBs in a season, then your scenario is probably true. But Kyren seemingly forcing his way on the field as a true freshman is a very good sign for the future.

Even if we lose TJJr and Armstrong after one more year, we'll have J. Smith, C'Bo, Kyren and Chris Tyree.
 

Luckylucci

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I'll take that bet. We have a lot of young talent and we're adding the fastest man in 2020 to that mix. TJJr has one more year, Armstrong has two more.


I think we'd all like a 5 star RB prospect on the roster now but we have lots of options.

If we lose 2-3 RBs in a season, then your scenario is probably true. But Kyren seemingly forcing his way on the field as a true freshman is a very good sign for the future.

Even if we lose TJJr and Armstrong after one more year, we'll have J. Smith, C'Bo, Kyren and Chris Tyree.

And the prospect/s they add in 2021.
 

Veritate Duce Progredi

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And the prospect/s they add in 2021.

Yep. Since we don't know who that is, I left that part off because now we're talking about RBs that could help us leading into the 2021 season and quite frankly, I'm incapable of accounting for all the variables.

Obviously I hope Will Shipley is running out there with Tyree but who knows at this point.
 

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Tony Jones Jr - 119att, 672yds, 5.6ypc
Jahmir Smith - 39att, 182yds, 4.7ypc
C’Bo Flemister - 37att, 111yds, 3.0ypc
Jafar Armstrong - 35att, 70yds, 2.0ypc
Avery Davis Jr. - 6att, 10yds, 1.7ypc
Kyren Williams - 4att, 26yds, 6.5ypc

Chez Mellusi - 39att, 264yds, 6.8ypc

I know Clemson’s line is wayyyy better than ND’s but I’d love to trade a couple dudes and a couple draft picks for Mellusi to reconsider that official visit he was supposed to take and commit.
 

stlnd01

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I don't think he'll ever be a clear #2 at ND during his career, and we don't even bring in great talent.

Why not? Because he dropped a pass against Louisville and took a redshirt this year?
 
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koonja

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Why not? Because he dropped a pass against Louisville and took a redshirt this year?

He's like a smaller Tony Jones. And Tony Jones wouldn't start if he wasn't hesd and shoulders above the rest in pass pro and as a WR.

Kyren is just not that talented, IMO.
 

stlnd01

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He's like a smaller Tony Jones. And Tony Jones wouldn't start if he wasn't hesd and shoulders above the rest in pass pro and as a WR.

Kyren is just not that talented, IMO.

OK. He's the most talented natural RB on our roster right now, IMO.
 
K

koonja

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OK. He's the most talented natural RB on our roster right now, IMO.

He's 4th, maybe 5th on the depth next year if Tyree passes him.

What is his talent? He's not fast, hasn't shown quickness since he's been at ND, and he's tiny yet thicc.
 

stlnd01

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He's 4th, maybe 5th on the depth next year if Tyree passes him.

What is his talent? He's not fast, hasn't shown quickness since he's been at ND, and he's tiny yet thicc.

I mean, we'll see. He hasn't played much. Had four carries early in the year before they decided to redshirt him. But he looked good in the spring game. He's bigger than C'Bo and Jahmir, faster than TJ and unlike Jafar is actually a running back. Not saying he's going to win the Heisman, but I see no reason to expect he won't contribute over the next two-three years.
 
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koonja

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Apparently ND wasn't as high on Chez as we thought and his OV was canceled because they knew he would commit and they were after others first.

Bummer (or feel free to substitute any number of other words you feel are more applicable in place of bummer) if true, but it's happened before...


.

Fun. For Kyren? SMH.
 

NDMIA

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Fun. For Kyren? SMH.

I’m not that down on Kyren. I’m just not that high on anybody else in the RB room. II is high on C’Bo moreso than Jahmir and yet Jahmir is better in every statistical and analytic measurement this season. Tony Jones Jr is solid but unspectacular. Jafar is not a RB if he can’t carry the ball that much and hasn’t shown any sustained success at the position. The heir apparent doesn’t have any 100yd rush games, got worn out with 15,13,11 and 8 carries to the point of injury and now can’t stay healthy this season. I’d build my backfield up with Kyren and Tyree next season with as much as they can handle and let Tony Jones or Jafar take the rest of the carries. I’m not saying Kyren and Tyree should start and get all the carries but I think the future is Kyren, Tyree and hopefully Will Shipley. I think the OLine has been brutal this season, the RB’s don’t have a ton of talent but I think Lance Taylor is up for the job as he’s pulling Tyree and hopefully another big time back or two like Will Shipley. I’d love to get the RB room looking like Ohio State’s. It’s really tough to do but every year you go out and try to get 1-2 4-5*’s to join the backfield and never stop. It’ll be tough to do but there’s a possibility that Lance Taylor makes it 3 seasons in a row with a 4* RB if Shipley or someone commits and then onto 2022!
 
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koonja

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I think our best RBs as RUNNERS are in order:

Jamir Smith
C'bo Flemister
Tony Jones JR 3A
Jafar Armstrong 3B
Kyren

I just think Kyren gets passed by Tyree too, and Will Shipley in the following year.
 

stlnd01

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I’m not that down on Kyren. I’m just not that high on anybody else in the RB room. II is high on C’Bo moreso than Jahmir and yet Jahmir is better in every statistical and analytic measurement this season. Tony Jones Jr is solid but unspectacular. Jafar is not a RB if he can’t carry the ball that much and hasn’t shown any sustained success at the position. The heir apparent doesn’t have any 100yd rush games, got worn out with 15,13,11 and 8 carries to the point of injury and now can’t stay healthy this season. I’d build my backfield up with Kyren and Tyree next season with as much as they can handle and let Tony Jones or Jafar take the rest of the carries. I’m not saying Kyren and Tyree should start and get all the carries but I think the future is Kyren, Tyree and hopefully Will Shipley. I think the OLine has been brutal this season, the RB’s don’t have a ton of talent but I think Lance Taylor is up for the job as he’s pulling Tyree and hopefully another big time back or two like Will Shipley. I’d love to get the RB room looking like Ohio State’s. It’s really tough to do but every year you go out and try to get 1-2 4-5*’s to join the backfield and never stop. It’ll be tough to do but there’s a possibility that Lance Taylor makes it 3 seasons in a row with a 4* RB if Shipley or someone commits and then onto 2022!

I will say, in his limited action, I was pleasantly surprised by C'Bo. Every time he touches the ball he runs like a guy who wants to get more yards. But then if he were really good maybe he'd get more touches. Agree completely about TJ and Jafar. And about where the future lies.
 

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Crazy Balki

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I think our best RBs as RUNNERS are in order:

Jamir Smith
C'bo Flemister
Tony Jones JR 3A
Jafar Armstrong 3B
Kyren

I just think Kyren gets passed by Tyree too, and Will Shipley in the following year.

You've deduced this after watching all of 4 carries from Williams? Really?

You severely underestimate KW's abilities.
 

Crazy Balki

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I’m not that down on Kyren. I’m just not that high on anybody else in the RB room. II is high on C’Bo moreso than Jahmir and yet Jahmir is better in every statistical and analytic measurement this season. Tony Jones Jr is solid but unspectacular. Jafar is not a RB if he can’t carry the ball that much and hasn’t shown any sustained success at the position. The heir apparent doesn’t have any 100yd rush games, got worn out with 15,13,11 and 8 carries to the point of injury and now can’t stay healthy this season. I’d build my backfield up with Kyren and Tyree next season with as much as they can handle and let Tony Jones or Jafar take the rest of the carries. I’m not saying Kyren and Tyree should start and get all the carries but I think the future is Kyren, Tyree and hopefully Will Shipley. I think the OLine has been brutal this season, the RB’s don’t have a ton of talent but I think Lance Taylor is up for the job as he’s pulling Tyree and hopefully another big time back or two like Will Shipley. I’d love to get the RB room looking like Ohio State’s. It’s really tough to do but every year you go out and try to get 1-2 4-5*’s to join the backfield and never stop. It’ll be tough to do but there’s a possibility that Lance Taylor makes it 3 seasons in a row with a 4* RB if Shipley or someone commits and then onto 2022!

I think the big problems with Tony and Jafar are that they are never healthy. I mean, NEVER.

Tony has dealt with a multitude of injuries practically since he arrived on campus, and he's been out frequently. I think he had quality potential but all those injuries have hindered his athleticism, which he didn't have that much to begin with, now he's just slow.

Jafar simply isn't a natural runner and he's out so often that he's never going to develop natural running instincts.

Jahmir looks to be the most natural runner and the guy with the most juice out of the backfield. He needs more reps.

KW is a bit of an unknown, but he's got the full package. He's not TJ big, but he's faster and more elusive. I do think he put on a significant amount of muscle and he was still adapting to running with that newly acquired size. The guy gained probably 20 pounds over the offseason at least and it showed. He had tree trunks for legs.
 
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koonja

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You've deduced this after watching all of 4 carries from Williams? Really?

You severely underestimate KW's abilities.

Yeah. I really expected suddeness and maybe even speed. Mostly in the BG game and then what we saw early in the year, I was disappointed to see that's not the case.

Athleticism is apparent. You don't need to see something 100 times to know it's there or not (unless you're blind).

I don't need to see Lenzy run 50 fly routes to know he's fast. I don't need to see Mckinley run 50 to see he's not.

A few will do - athleticism is apparent.
 
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What do you expect out of guys that are ranked 609th and 1000+ in the country coming out? Kyren at least has a shot to be good, he was a low 4*, I just pray that Chris Tyree comes in and can handle 10-15 touches, or more, out of the gate. Not only that, but I hope BK isn't too stubborn to use him.

Hopefully Lance Taylor will keep thing rolling, in a few years the RB room could look like this:

SR- Kyren Williams (367th) 4*
JR- Chris Tyree (24th) 5*
SO- Will Shipley (23rd) 5*
FR- Nick Singleton (likely high 4*)

Lance Taylor would/should have an entrance named after him if this comes to fruition. "Lance Taylor South Entrance"
 

PANDFAN

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PORTAL TIME.......Hell, Ray Charles saw this coming when he committed
 
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