'19 HI ATH Marist Liufau (Notre Dame Signee)

[yankeehater]

Where are they saying he fits in? Almost all of the highlights, he is playing with his hand on the ground. I doubt he has the size to do that at ND.

 

[Luckylucci]

Where are they saying he fits in? Almost all of the highlights, he is playing with his hand on the ground. I doubt he has the size to do that at ND.

Huh? He comes off the edge in a lot of his highlights but not with his hand down. For us it’s Buck/Rover LB.

Edit: to clarify in his senior highlights he doesn’t come out of a 3 pt. stance even once.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Where are they saying he fits in? Almost all of the highlights, he is playing with his hand on the ground. I doubt he has the size to do that at ND.

You sure? I just watched them and I don't recall him playing with his hand on the ground once.

I think he's destined for the Buck LB slot, however I could see him as a drop. He's skinny NOW. But that dude has a very long frame and I can see him getting up to 250 if they chose to go that route.

What's crazy is how fast and vicious he is going after the ball carrier. He's got a physical nature and bad attitude on the field. Just needs to put on some good weight.

We probably though Julian was too small for the Drop position, yet here we are.

 

[arrowryan]

So is he a Rover all the way? Picking up a Rover looked to have gained a lot of importance since Simon seems to be growing into a MLB. Or is he staying at Rover? So, now, Rover for 2019 is looking like Bilal-Simon?-JOK-Marist. I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Derrick Allen, Paul Moala, or Kyle Hamilton switched to Rover.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Huh? He comes off the edge in a lot of his highlights but not with his hand down. For us it’s Buck/Rover LB.

Edit: to clarify in his senior highlights he doesn’t come out of a 3 pt. stance even once.

You sure? I just watched them and I don't recall him playing with his hand on the ground once.

I think he's destined for the Buck LB slot, however I could see him as a drop. He's skinny NOW. But that dude has a very long frame and I can see him getting up to 250 if they chose to go that route.

What's crazy is how fast and vicious he is going after the ball carrier. He's got a physical nature and bad attitude on the field. Just needs to put on some good weight.

We probably though Julian was too small for the Drop position, yet here we are.

I don't want to pile on yankee but I also watched the video and I'm not sure what he was watching. I don't recall his hand on the ground in any clips.

He looks like someone who could get up to the 230-240 range. No hurry though, I trust the staff to put him in a position to make plays.

Between him Kiser and Osita, we have a lot of athleticism. I think the coaches have recruited the LB position incredibly well the previous classes so it allows them to take some chances on some very athletic guys who don't have top tier rankings.

Excited to watch the position play out int he coming seasons.

 

[NDIrish88]

Now rated as the 447 overall prospect by 247. Composite is higher than Kiser's at 899. He is also rated by 247 at his position higher than Michael Jansey, Keith Maguire, Spencer Lytle and Nick Jackson.

 

[Irishman77]

Great pick up. My speculation is he will end up playing a lot of football here regardless of position.

While watching his video I kept thinking of James Onwualu.

Going to be a very interesting offfseason with the numbers/transfers...

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Great pick up. My speculation is he will end up playing a lot of football here regardless of position.

While watching his video I kept thinking of James Onwualu.

Going to be a very interesting offfseason with the numbers/transfers...

I wouldn't mind another James Onwualu. He would have killed it at Rover.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Anyone know what the deal is with Derrick Allen as to why he isn't getting time this year? He tore it up in camps and stuff I just thought he would be a guy who could have made an impact this year

 

[arrowryan]

Anyone know what the deal is with Derrick Allen as to why he isn't getting time this year? He tore it up in camps and stuff I just thought he would be a guy who could have made an impact this year

Because football in shorts and 7on7 isn't D1 football. There could be a multitude of reasons why he isn't playing: speed of the game, playbook, emergence of veteran players, etc

 

[NDIrish88]

Because football in shorts and 7on7 isn't D1 football. There could be a multitude of reasons why he isn't playing: speed of the game, playbook, emergence of veteran players, etc

I posted the same question in his thread. I think Safety is difficult to play in this system. A lot of learning is necessary. Jalen Elliot wasn't great last year. He improved a lot this year but still has had some bad angles, placement, etc. the safety is essentially the QB of the defense in the 4-2-5.

 

[yankeehater]

OK. So he is an edge rusher in his video without putting his hand on the ground. I apologize! I guess my point, which a lot have answered, is where does he fit in. He is 210, if that, so he will need years to get up to the weight to play that position at ND. I am not seeing a lot of video of him running sideline to sideline which I want to see from a prospective rover. I will just have to believe in the coaches on this one. For me, I would take a Cade Albreight, who might possibly be Orange County Defensive POY, over him if you want an edge rusher. Check out his SR film. Bigger and more athletic already.

 

[arrowryan]

I posted the same question in his thread. I think Safety is difficult to play in this system. A lot of learning is necessary. Jalen Elliot wasn't great last year. He improved a lot this year but still has had some bad angles, placement, etc. the safety is essentially the QB of the defense in the 4-2-5.

This is why people need to quit getting so enamored with rankings and stars; this Notre Dame defense is exactly why we should "trust the process" and expect the players to turn the corner eventually. For all we know, Derrick Allen could be swimming and feeling overwhelmed with the academic and football workload. I wouldn't be surprised if this is how most true frosh feel at ND.

Jalen Elliot, Nick Coleman, Khalid Kareem, Julian Okwara, Ian Book, Alize Mack, Chase Claypool, and Miles Boykin are great examples of guys that just need to establish themselves with the coaches, players, and program before they make themselves known on the field.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I wouldn't mind another James Onwualu. He would have killed it at Rover.

Dude was a good linebacker by his senior year, even with BVG coaching him most of his time.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Anyone know what the deal is with Derrick Allen as to why he isn't getting time this year? He tore it up in camps and stuff I just thought he would be a guy who could have made an impact this year

He has a lot of talent in front of him at LB. Most believe he grows into an LB and he wasn't going to unseat Gliman or Elliot at S, given how they've played this year. They are true juniors with a lot of experience. Allen would have to be incredible to take over at safety or LB this year. We have two guys who could be in the NFL next year and a 3rd that has played very well as a first year starter.

Griffith was fortunate that Coleman tore his ACL because he wouldn't have received many nickels snaps with Coleman healthy.

We have so many quality freshman who haven't played this year because the staff is finally getting this recruiting thing down.

1. Never leave gaps in a class
2. Develop this talent with staff who are competent

Through Kelly's early tenure, he failed at one or more of these every year. We'd whiff at positions or we'd have poor coaches who either sucked at their job or at recruiting.

I believe he's finally assembled a staff that enjoys all the requirements of the job. They are excelling at it. Our recruiting in the last couple classes has been complete and we're putting a compelling product on the field.

Let's hope we can continue stringing together 10+ win seasons and see if Kelly can get over the next hurdle. He's managed to figure out at every other stop. It's taken him longer at ND but I think he's finally there and I think he's poised for the next jump.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

OK. So he is an edge rusher in his video without putting his hand on the ground. I apologize! I guess my point, which a lot have answered, is where does he fit in. He is 210, if that, so he will need years to get up to the weight to play that position at ND. I am not seeing a lot of video of him running sideline to sideline which I want to see from a prospective rover. I will just have to believe in the coaches on this one. For me, I would take a Cade Albreight, who might possibly be Orange County Defensive POY, over him if you want an edge rusher. Check out his SR film. Bigger and more athletic already.

If you want to see more film of him playing in space and why people think he can play Rover, check out his sophomore film. When you look at all of his film in totality, he looks like a very dynamic athlete with a good football IQ who could play several positions depending on how his body fills out. It seems like he is still growing a decent amount and has the frame to fill out, so I think that is why some are projecting Buck or even Drop, but if he were to stop growing I think you could easily project his skill set to the Rover position with some more coaching on running with someone in coverage.

 

[NDMIA]

I posted the same question in his thread. I think Safety is difficult to play in this system. A lot of learning is necessary. Jalen Elliot wasn't great last year. He improved a lot this year but still has had some bad angles, placement, etc. the safety is essentially the QB of the defense in the 4-2-5.

I do think under the Clark Lea/Mike Elko model that the safety position is very difficult to pick up. Last year Jordan Genmark-Heath started the bowl game as a true freshman, but until that point it was really Nick Coleman, Jalen Elliott, and Devin Studstill getting all the snaps at the two safety spots and if the game was in hand then I think JGH came in a little (I’m not positive on snap counts, so correct me if I’m wrong). I think in an ideal world, ND isn’t playing a true freshman safety in this defense moving forward.

2018
JR Jalen Elliott
RS SO Alohi Gilman
SR Nick Coleman
JR Devin Studstill

2019
SR Jalen Elliott
RS JR Alohi Gilman
SR Devin Studstill
SO Houston Griffith/RS FR Derrik Allen

2020
RS SR Alohi Gilman
JR Houston Griffith
RS SO Derrik Allen
RS FR Kyle Hamilton

This is a total guess at the two deep but I think the staff wants guys who’ve been in the system and have learned all the concepts to be running out there. Obviously you want to put your most talented guys out there, but they want guys who know the defense and are not swimming in the playbook. Next year Devin Studstill could get passed up and a bunch of guys can get passed up, but I think the staff has recruited to the point of they have great depth and a great deal of talent where they can have competition at the safety spots for PT and guys can also learn the system at a comfortable pace without having to be thrown on the field. Derrik Allen is a super talented prospect and I think he’ll see the field at some point but maybe this defense and the academic rigors of ND were a big adjustment for him.

 

[irish4ever]

I do think under the Clark Lea/Mike Elko model that the safety position is very difficult to pick up. Last year Jordan Genmark-Heath started the bowl game as a true freshman, but until that point it was really Nick Coleman, Jalen Elliott, and Devin Studstill getting all the snaps at the two safety spots and if the game was in hand then I think JGH came in a little (I’m not positive on snap counts, so correct me if I’m wrong). I think in an ideal world, ND isn’t playing a true freshman safety in this defense moving forward.

2018
JR Jalen Elliott
RS SO Alohi Gilman
SR Nick Coleman
JR Devin Studstill

2019
SR Jalen Elliott
RS JR Alohi Gilman
SR Devin Studstill
SO Houston Griffith/RS FR Derrik Allen

2020
RS SR Alohi Gilman
JR Houston Griffith
RS SO Derrik Allen
RS FR Kyle Hamilton

This is a total guess at the two deep but I think the staff wants guys who’ve been in the system and have learned all the concepts to be running out there. Obviously you want to put your most talented guys out there, but they want guys who know the defense and are not swimming in the playbook. Next year Devin Studstill could get passed up and a bunch of guys can get passed up, but I think the staff has recruited to the point of they have great depth and a great deal of talent where they can have competition at the safety spots for PT and guys can also learn the system at a comfortable pace without having to be thrown on the field. Derrik Allen is a super talented prospect and I think he’ll see the field at some point but maybe this defense and the academic rigors of ND were a big adjustment for him.

If still here. If he keeps improving his skillset from where he is now currently, I wouldn't be surprised seeing him heading to the NFL after next yr. He would surely have his degree by then. I dunno, just maybe he'd stay for the 5th yr.

 

[NDMIA]

If still here. If he keeps improving his skillset from where he is now currently, I wouldn't be surprised seeing him heading to the NFL after next yr. He would surely have his degree by then. I dunno, just maybe he'd stay for the 5th yr.

Agreed, in which case, ND might have Allen & Griffith as their starting safeties in their 3rd years on campus which would be awesome to watch.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Agreed, in which case, ND might have Allen & Griffith as their starting safeties in their 3rd years on campus which would be awesome to watch.

I'm certain I've read a number of times that Allen will likely grow into an LB. Is he possibly there already? Or does he look like he's stopped growing in girth?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Griffith was fortunate that Coleman tore his ACL because he wouldn't have received many nickels snaps with Coleman healthy.

Crawford

 

[yankeehater]

If you want to see more film of him playing in space and why people think he can play Rover, check out his sophomore film. When you look at all of his film in totality, he looks like a very dynamic athlete with a good football IQ who could play several positions depending on how his body fills out. It seems like he is still growing a decent amount and has the frame to fill out, so I think that is why some are projecting Buck or even Drop, but if he were to stop growing I think you could easily project his skill set to the Rover position with some more coaching on running with someone in coverage.

Thank you! I will check it out.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Crawford

Derp, thanks.

The Poly pipeline is in full force at ND! It's nice to make inroads to a predominantly West Coast community. Manti and Toma were really the tipping point for this and Polian deserves a ton of credit here.

We get irritated at special teams but I believe they were the first Polynesian players to scorn the west coast schools in favor of ND.

Since their time Kona, Gilman, MTA, Moala and now Liufau (hope I didn't miss anyone?) Was Luatua Polynesian?. All of them have been players for us. The success rate of the Polynesian players in our program is incredible. Gilman has just started to make h is mark on the field and Moala is getting rave reviews from coaches.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Derp, thanks.

The Poly pipeline is in full force at ND! It's nice to make inroads to a predominantly West Coast community. Manti and Toma were really the tipping point for this and Polian deserves a ton of credit here.

We get irritated at special teams but I believe they were the first Polynesian players to scorn the west coast schools in favor of ND.

Since their time Kona, Gilman, MTA, Moala and now Liufau (hope I didn't miss anyone?) Was Luatua Polynesian?. All of them have been players for us. The success rate of the Polynesian players in our program is incredible. Gilman has just started to make h is mark on the field and Moala is getting rave reviews from coaches.

Yes he is, but was from Cali.

You left off Utupo who is also Polynesian, but from Cali. Damn bro you are having a rough day

 

[NDVirginia19]

Man... reminds me exactly of Troy Polamalu.

 

[GBdomer]

Anyone know what the deal is with Derrick Allen as to why he isn't getting time this year? He tore it up in camps and stuff I just thought he would be a guy who could have made an impact this year

As much as I love Derrick Allen and think his upside is tremendous whether he's a giant SS or moves down to LB. Honestly who would he have played over this season? I think he always needed a redshirt season to get his body right and have him put on the necassary muscle and body type to play in this defense. I don't think anything is wrong with Allen at all. He's got a very bright future in South Bend and it's kind of been known this season he is a little disappointed he is a taking a redshirt this season.

Having Allen, Griffith and Hamilton at safety is just something ND hasn't had in a long time. There are also a lot of body types on this roster that are similar to Allen with Moala, Roberston, Simon, JWO, Ovie,

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

As much as I love Derrick Allen and think his upside is tremendous whether he's a giant SS or moves down to LB. Honestly who would he have played over this season? I think he always needed a redshirt season to get his body right and have him put on the necassary muscle and body type to play in this defense. I don't think anything is wrong with Allen at all. He's got a very bright future in South Bend and it's kind of been known this season he is a little disappointed he is a taking a redshirt this season.

Having Allen, Griffith and Hamilton at safety is just something ND hasn't had in a long time. There are also a lot of body types on this roster that are similar to Allen with Moala, Roberston, Simon, JWO, Ovie,

Hamilton is the big name but don't forget about Ajavon. Who knows how ready he'll be. Do we know who the EEs are?

 

[Luckylucci]

OK. So he is an edge rusher in his video without putting his hand on the ground. I apologize! I guess my point, which a lot have answered, is where does he fit in. He is 210, if that, so he will need years to get up to the weight to play that position at ND. I am not seeing a lot of video of him running sideline to sideline which I want to see from a prospective rover. I will just have to believe in the coaches on this one. For me, I would take a Cade Albreight, who might possibly be Orange County Defensive POY, over him if you want an edge rusher. Check out his SR film. Bigger and more athletic already.

As of now it's Rover/Buck, there is a natural progression there that Elko/Lea seem to like.

And I don't want to be a dick but once again, I'm really confused as to what you are watching. In his highlight video (by my count could've missed one or two) he's only lined up as a "ROLB" or would be counted as a part of the DL (4 down lineman), 14 times. He's lined up in another position 17 times. So over half that tape is not of him playing a ROLB position.

Lastly, just because a player is lined up on the edge (blitzing the C gap), doesn't make them part of the DL. In fact a lot of those plays he's doing exactly what we'd do with our Rover (not named Asmar Bilal), overload a blitz to one side. Or with our Buck, blitz the A or B gaps. A lot of similarities there with how this scheme has used Rover and Bucks.

 

[GBdomer]

Hamilton is the big name but don't forget about Ajavon. Who knows how ready he'll be. Do we know who the EEs are?

Hamilton is the gem of this class IMO. I really like Ajavon around the ball and laying a hat on someone. I really wonder if he can play in coverage and has the speed to go sideline to sideline. His athletic ability reminds me a lot of Devin Studstill where he can play around the box and play good run support. But I wonder if Ajavon can play in space and run sideline to sideline

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Hamilton is the gem of this class IMO. I really like Ajavon around the ball and laying a hat on someone. I really wonder if he can play in coverage and has the speed to go sideline to sideline. His athletic ability reminds me a lot of Devin Studstill where he can play around the box and play good run support. But I wonder if Ajavon can play in space and run sideline to sideline

No doubt. Hamilton looks like the prototype FS you'd create in a lab. I think he's going to take the ball away a lot. With his height and speed, he can cover a lot of ground. If he has the instincts for it, he'll get situational time next year.