'19 TX DE Hunter Spears (Notre Dame Signee)

[ThePiombino]

Well, it's not really a numbers issue long term as we'll have a 16 man depth chart for next Fall Camp. It's for this Spring. We have 3 starters either down or limited. Then we have 2 backups that will also be down or limited. We haven't had attrition like this on the OL, all at once, in a long time. And that's kind of my concern with this move. Seems very short sighted. By Fall camp we should have all 5 of those guys back. Though one of them, Gibbons, seems to be injured quite a bit. Maybe he's a medical.

Right, makes sense. Looks like Spears is being inadvertently processed. Or, as you mentioned above, Avery Davis'ed.

 

[BobbyMac]

Forgot to post this here earlier this week.

Freebie from the SB-Trib when Spears signed:

What was the first position you played in football?

Offensive line. "And I hated it. I played offensive line all pee wee, and it made me quit football. I hated playing offensive line. I quit playing football from third grade (until middle school)."

https://www.ndinsider.com/recruitin...cle_4ab26eea-4b84-5420-b955-c6c8619d64af.html

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Right, makes sense. Looks like Spears is being inadvertently processed. Or, as you mentioned above, Avery Davis'ed.

I will say that the staff has gone out of their way to get Davis snaps. Which probably drives some people here crazy.

 

[NDMIA]

ND’s got 15 OL and 18 DL on scholarship going into the 2020 season. Position changes might have to do with injuries in the spring or Spears potentially having more future impact at guard but certainly has nothing to do with overall scholarship numbers. Their OL and DL are stacked with numbers and maybe it’s just that there’s a bunch of spring OLine injuries.

 

[BobbyMac]

Feels like I just lost most of my tickets for the Padraig Coogan drawing.

 

[stlnd01]

i think its more of DL depth issue. They were saying he is closer to 4th string. its more taking a good athlete and finding playing time.

I’m all for getting athletes on the field but that wouldn’t be easier on the DL? On offense, we have long-term starters who play full time. D line rotates so much more it seems like it’d be easier to crack.

 

[NDIrish88]

Forgot to post this here earlier this week.

Freebie from the SB-Trib when Spears signed:



https://www.ndinsider.com/recruitin...cle_4ab26eea-4b84-5420-b955-c6c8619d64af.html

Just great. I loved his HS film. He may be 4th string but with the DL rotation you would think he could get some reps.

 

[T-Boone]

4th on the depth chart doesn't seem that bad considering Ademilola is probably 2. If Spears was 3rd string he would be playing a lot and possibly a co-starter next season. So it sounds like Cross is possibly unexpectedly ahead of him.

 

[Luckylucci]

4th on the depth chart doesn't seem that bad considering Ademilola is probably 2. If Spears was 3rd string he would be playing a lot and possibly a co-starter next season. So it sounds like Cross is possibly unexpectedly ahead of him.

I think you are severely downplaying the difference between 4th or 2nd on a depth chart. He was 4th string NT and that's where he'd start Spring ball.

The difference between 4th or 2nd on a depth chart is massive. In fact, the staff only goes into each week with a plan for 10 DL. Now that 10 can change throughout the year based on injuries but they don't 'plan' to play more than the 2 deep plus 1-2 each week. Essentially eliminating the 4 deep guys from competition.

Also, he was at 1T while Cross is at 3T. That was the case all year so it shouldn't be unexpected for anyone.

 

[T-Boone]

Either he or Lacey should move to 3T...
Actually I don't know, whatever. I just had high hopes for him coming in.

 

[Luckylucci]

Either he or Lacey should move to 3T.

Why would Lacey move from 2nd string NT to 3rd String 3T? And, what good would moving our 4th string NT to 4th or 5th string 3T do?

I see the edit: I'm bummed as well as I thought Hunter's Sophomore film was about as good as any Sophomore film I've seen from any recent DL recruit we've signed. He was rag dolling kids older than him. But, two knee injuries later and it just doesn't look like it's going to happen for him. Let's hope he gets a legit shot at OG.

 

[NDIrish88]

Why would Lacey move from 2nd string NT to 3rd String 3T? And, what good would moving our 4th string NT to 4th or 5th string 3T do?

I see the edit: I'm bummed as well as I thought Hunter's Sophomore film was about as good as any Sophomore film I've seen from any recent DL recruit we've signed. He was rag dolling kids older than him. But, two knee injuries later and it just doesn't look like it's going to happen for him. Let's hope he gets a legit shot at OG.

If they do not give him a medical, they should let him stay at Nose. You never when someone could get injured. Look at 2 years ago when Franklin and MTA went down same year.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Can't have too many dudes up front on the d line.

Keep him where you intended him to be

 

[Luckylucci]

That’s what I think as well. Leave him at Nose and just recruit around him.

 

[OhioIrish31]

Does this move make him a "portal risk"?

 

[NDIrish88]

I thought he may be a medical scholly candidate.

 

[GUknights75]

Does this move make him a "portal risk"?

I would say it probably does, especially if the 1 time tranfer rule is passed. And theres this.

Forgot to post this here earlier this week.

Freebie from the SB-Trib when Spears signed:



https://www.ndinsider.com/recruitin...cle_4ab26eea-4b84-5420-b955-c6c8619d64af.html

 

[NDIrish88]

They should keep him at DT and also make him a goal line package fullback lol

 

[Wild Bill]

I’m all for getting athletes on the field but that wouldn’t be easier on the DL? On offense, we have long-term starters who play full time. D line rotates so much more it seems like it’d be easier to crack.

With four years of eligibility left, the path to playing time after 2020 is probably more open on offense. Kraemer, Hainsey and Eichenberg are all gone after this year, nobody outside of Lugg has significant experience and he's probably playing tackle in 2021 unless Carroll and Kristofic are good enough to push Lugg to guard.

Assuming Lugg takes one tackle spot in 2021, Carroll and Kristofic compete for the other, who is the front runner to take Kraemer's spot? Has anyone else, Gibbons, Dirksen or Correll, been impressive enough to be the presumptive starting guard in 2021?

 

[BobbyMac]

With four years of eligibility left, the path to playing time after 2020 is probably more open on offense. Kraemer, Hainsey and Eichenberg are all gone after this year, nobody outside of Lugg has significant experience and he's probably playing tackle in 2021 unless Carroll and Kristofic are good enough to push Lugg to guard.

Assuming Lugg takes one tackle spot in 2021, Carroll and Kristofic compete for the other, who is the front runner to take Kraemer's spot? Has anyone else, Gibbons, Dirksen or Correll, been impressive enough to be the presumptive starting guard in 2021?

Don't forget Tosh Baker will have a year of Balis under his belt and I see him contending with Carroll & Kristofic. Back when I thought he was going to EE, I had him penciled in as starting OT in '21, now that is not a given.

Lugg CAN move inside. To have your best 5 on the field, he may have to.

If Correll is phycially ready, he could be in at OC and move Patterson to OG.

Then there's Mr. Fisher... could he be a day one starter???

Lastly, I can't shake the feeling that Dirksen is going to have his day in the sun.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

With four years of eligibility left, the path to playing time after 2020 is probably more open on offense. Kraemer, Hainsey and Eichenberg are all gone after this year, nobody outside of Lugg has significant experience and he's probably playing tackle in 2021 unless Carroll and Kristofic are good enough to push Lugg to guard.

Assuming Lugg takes one tackle spot in 2021, Carroll and Kristofic compete for the other, who is the front runner to take Kraemer's spot? Has anyone else, Gibbons, Dirksen or Correll, been impressive enough to be the presumptive starting guard in 2021?

You a ruling out the very likely possibility of Mr. Banks moving to tackle for his 5th year. I believe the coaching staff to entice Banks for coming back for a 5th year has a plan for him to play tackle, which should improve his draft stock. An example that leads me to believe this is Banks was basically the 2nd team LT in 2019. In garbage time when 2nd unit was on the field Banks was playing LT.

 

[Wild Bill]

Don't forget Tosh Baker will have a year of Balis under his belt and I see him contending with Carroll & Kristofic. Back when I thought he was going to EE, I had him penciled in as starting OT in '21, now that is not a given.

Lugg CAN move inside. To have your best 5 on the field, he may have to.

If Correll is phycially ready, he could be in at OC and move Patterson to OG.

Then there's Mr. Fisher... could he be a day one starter???

Lastly, I can't shake the feeling that Dirksen is going to have his day in the sun.

You are high on Baker, man. I hope you're right. The kid definitely has the size and skill to be a stud. I agree with you on Lugg - he could definitely take Kraemer's spot assuming two bookends emerge. That's probably the best case scenario for the offense, imo.

You a ruling out the very likely possibility of Mr. Banks moving to tackle for his 5th year. I believe the coaching staff to entice Banks for coming back for a 5th year has a plan for him to play tackle, which should improve his draft stock. An example that leads me to believe this is Banks was basically the 2nd team LT in 2019. In garbage time when 2nd unit was on the field Banks was playing LT.

Didn't think about that one. You could be right.

 

[irishandy]

Either he or Lacey should move to 3T...
Actually I don't know, whatever. I just had high hopes for him coming in.

Lacey played very well for a freshman and it wouldn't surprise me if he worked his way to first team.

 

[Luckylucci]

Lacey played very well for a freshman and it wouldn't surprise me if he worked his way to first team.

I’d be very surprised if he took the first team from Hinish during his Senior campaign but I do think it’ll get close to a 50/50 split much like Hinish was able to do with Bonner during his.

 

[Irish Man3]

I’d be very surprised if he took the first team from Hinish during his Senior campaign but I do think it’ll get close to a 50/50 split much like Hinish was able to do with Bonner during his.

I think we'll see a steady rotation across the board on the DL. ND has solid depth at every position and some young guys are going to push.

 

[NDMIA]

Curious to know is he still practicing with the OLine or was that only a spring thing? Is he a full-time OLineman?

 

[stpeteirish]

247 update seems to indicate he may never play again. "High school injuries (ACL)" prevented him from practicing this spring.

 

[Irish#1]

Hate to hear something like that.

 

[NDIrish88]

What a shame. I loved his film. Thought he would make a great 3 tech.

 

[texbender]

Bummer. Local kid here in Dallas northern suburb, had a nice high school stint and I was pumped when he signed with ND. I seem to recall he missed a year due to injury.