'20 KY ATH Landen Bartleson

[NDIrish88]

Futurecast from EJ. With clark Phillips trending to OSU wonder if he is gonna pop soon.

 

[Luckylucci]

Futurecast from EJ. With clark Phillips trending to OSU wonder if he is gonna pop soon.

I think he does on the visit. He really made it sound like this is a party for 1.

 

[JD Irish]

I don't see what the staff sees here.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I don't see what the staff sees here.

A potential diamond in the rough? A secondary player that wants to join this class? All the above?

What more is there to see? We need 5 DBs and we have zero now.

 

[JD Irish]

A potential diamond in the rough? A secondary player that wants to join this class? All the above?

What more is there to see? We need 5 DBs and we have zero now.

Do you actually see any of that? Anything beyond an average or below average player who is willing to play defensive back? That's basically where our recruiting is - if you can play defensive back, you have an offer. It's pretty horrifying where our DB recruiting is compared to every other position.

 

[stlnd01]

Do you actually see any of that? Anything beyond an average or below average player who is willing to play defensive back? That's basically where our recruiting is - if you can play defensive back, you have an offer. It's pretty horrifying where our DB recruiting is compared to every other position.

Why are we having such a hard time with DB recruiting this year? We're doing great almost everywhere else on the field. We just produced an All-American CB and maybe the best defensive backfield we've had in 15 or 20 years. We don't have an especially intimidating depth chart. And yet aside from that Phillips kid (who's apparently going to OSU) we haven't had even a sniff from a four-star corner?
Is that bad recruiting by Lyght? The mix of recruits this cycle? Any idea?

 

[NDdomer2]

I don't see what the staff sees here.

Do you actually see any of that? Anything beyond an average or below average player who is willing to play defensive back? That's basically where our recruiting is - if you can play defensive back, you have an offer. It's pretty horrifying where our DB recruiting is compared to every other position.

Why are we having such a hard time with DB recruiting this year? We're doing great almost everywhere else on the field. We just produced an All-American CB and maybe the best defensive backfield we've had in 15 or 20 years. We don't have an especially intimidating depth chart. And yet aside from that Phillips kid (who's apparently going to OSU) we haven't had even a sniff from a four-star corner?
Is that bad recruiting by Lyght? The mix of recruits this cycle? Any idea?

 

[Luckylucci]

Why are we having such a hard time with DB recruiting this year? We're doing great almost everywhere else on the field. We just produced an All-American CB and maybe the best defensive backfield we've had in 15 or 20 years. We don't have an especially intimidating depth chart. And yet aside from that Phillips kid (who's apparently going to OSU) we haven't had even a sniff from a four-star corner?
Is that bad recruiting by Lyght? The mix of recruits this cycle? Any idea?

Well, that’s not entirely accurate to say not even a sniff. We got Kimber and Watts on OV’s and still communicate with Watts. They’ve recruited Jennings albeit not aggressively because not sure they view him as a CB.

I think what folks are really struggling with is the staff doesn’t seem to be going down the top 247 list of CB’s and offering/recruiting those prospects. Once they missed on their very top few they expanded the board in a direction they feel is best. Seems pretty apparent that there is an athlete profile they are looking for but that won’t make star gazers happy.

We also need to consider that not only was Love underrated but so was Troy Pride at this point in his recruitment. He was rated in the 1000’s and didn’t jump until the Spring eval period. And that was to the 400’s. He didn’t make his huge jump until end of the cycle. Why? Because he was a very raw athlete that hadn’t played much corner. Sound familiar?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Do you actually see any of that? Anything beyond an average or below average player who is willing to play defensive back? That's basically where our recruiting is - if you can play defensive back, you have an offer. It's pretty horrifying where our DB recruiting is compared to every other position.

I trust the staff to put in the effort to identify talent and make offers. I trust them in talent eval far more than myself. Given how well we are recruiting every other position, this can't be due to lack of effort. This may be an odd year where there aren't many cultural fits or the players who do fit, choose elsewhere.

Horrifying would be not signing players to develop. I'd love to have some 4-5 star CBs but if it doesn't happen, I trust the staff to find the right players.

There are always late acquisitions as well. If Kelly & Co can put together another good/great season, we might have some people develop interest.

 

[NDIrish88]

Well, that’s not entirely accurate to say not even a sniff. We got Kimber and Watts on OV’s and still communicate with Watts. They’ve recruited Jennings albeit not aggressively because not sure they view him as a CB.

I think what folks are really struggling with is the staff doesn’t seem to be going down the top 247 list of CB’s and offering/recruiting those prospects. Once they missed on their very top few they expanded the board in a direction they feel is best. Seems pretty apparent that there is an athlete profile they are looking for but that won’t make star gazers happy.

We also need to consider that not only was Love underrated but so was Troy Pride at this point in his recruitment. He was rated in the 1000’s and didn’t jump until the Spring eval period. And that was to the 400’s. He didn’t make his huge jump until end of the cycle. Why? Because he was a very raw athlete that hadn’t played much corner. Sound familiar?

Yeah Lucky is right. There is going to be years when there aren't obvious ND guys on the board in certain positions. See last year for TE. Also when ND offered Kyle Hamilton, similar to Troy Pride, he was rated low.

Also ND has good talent at that position that is unproven. Griffith is going to start for the next 3 years it just might not be where he is now. He could go back to safety. Hamilton will also start sooner than later. Then you have Ajavon and Derrik Allen who could really pan out at safety as well. I think the staff is going after players they van develop with raw abilities.

Also next year at corner looks promising. Jordan Jonshons teammate at Desmet is already in love with ND

 

[stlnd01]

I think what folks are really struggling with is the staff doesn’t seem to be going down the top 247 list of CB’s and offering/recruiting those prospects. Once they missed on their very top few they expanded the board in a direction they feel is best. Seems pretty apparent that there is an athlete profile they are looking for but that won’t make star gazers happy.

We also need to consider that not only was Love underrated but so was Troy Pride at this point in his recruitment. He was rated in the 1000’s and didn’t jump until the Spring eval period. And that was to the 400’s. He didn’t make his huge jump until end of the cycle. Why? Because he was a very raw athlete that hadn’t played much corner. Sound familiar?

Fair enough. I'd much rather the staff pursue kids who fit what they want, and fit ND academically/culturally (and will stick), than simply chase stars for stars' sake. And I completely agree about Love and Pride and late-blooming recruits and player development.

It's just striking when you look at the high-star talent we're pulling at pretty much every other position, and compare it to what's going on at corner. Especially when we apparently need five DBs in this relatively small class and haven't yet landed any.

 

[OCIrish]

Something to keep in mind.......Clark Lea was at Wake when they signed Jessie Bates. I talked to my buddy, when Lea was named DC because my buddy coached Bates at Snider. Lea was awfully instrumental in his recruitment as was Elko. I trust Lea and his ability to find talent when the miss on their first group. It's not gonna be every time, and you certainly don't want to make a living off of diamonds in the rough, but it certainly helps to know what you're looking for.

 

[NEIIrish]

I trust Clark lea on judgement more than anyone on the staff. He’s the most sincere guy we have. We are lucky to have him

 

[NDIrish88]

ND CB from Wiltfong. Seems like he is a lock at this point. Just waiting until he announces . . .

 

[NDMIA]

ND CB from Wiltfong. Seems like he is a lock at this point. Just waiting until he announces . . .

It seems extremely likely that ND ends up with Clarence Lewis, Caleb Offord, and Landen Bartleson in their DB class by July 4th (Offord’s supposed announcement date). Then that leaves them 5-6 months to fill 2-3 spots and they’ve got their core done. Seems solid. You could do a lot worse than those three.

 

[fightingirish26]

Are Bartleson/Offord racing for a spot? Or are they both takes?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Are Bartleson/Offord racing for a spot? Or are they both takes?

I'm guessing both are takes since we wanted 6 DBs in this class. That still leaves room for 2 safeties and a CB should they want to join later in the cycle.

There are always prospects that show interest late in the cycle, depending on the year we have. If we have another double digit win season and push for a playoff spot, those BPA positions will have some competition.

 

[arrowryan]

Are Bartleson/Offord racing for a spot? Or are they both takes?

From what I was told, a thing or two has to happen with other recruits before Bartelson gets the green light.

 

[NDIrish88]

From what I was told, a thing or two has to happen with other recruits before Bartelson gets the green light.

can you elaborate?

 

[arrowryan]

can you elaborate?

We'll get some answers this weekend and the DB situation should become clearer. Will Nixon's visit looms large

I don't think Offord is competing with anyone for a spot. If he wants in, then he's in.

 

[NDIrish88]

Will Nixon is an interesting prospect but I think he goes the way of Joe Wilkins. If ND lands him and he stays, I think he ends up a WR. His WR film is really good, IMO. I am surprised he is even entertaining other schools given his pedigree, though.

 

[IrishLion]

We'll get some answers this weekend and the DB situation should become clearer. Will Nixon's visit looms large

I don't think Offord is competing with anyone for a spot. If he wants in, then he's in.

So the staff seems to favor taking a WR with DB potential, rather than taking a DB that has emergency RB potential?

Interesting.

 

[arrowryan]

So the staff seems to favor taking a WR with DB potential, rather than taking a DB that has emergency RB potential?

Interesting.

If this happens to be the case, I wouldn't view it as a bad thing. BK is basically famous for his position switches that work out 70%-80% of the time. For all we know, Nixon might've been offered as a DB.

 

[IrishLion]

If this happens to be the case, I wouldn't view it as a bad thing. BK is basically famous for his position switches that work out 70%-80% of the time. For all we know, Nixon might've been offered as a DB.

I have no doubt that Nixon has been offered as a DB, based on who they're still pressing for at WR. I've got faith in Clark Lea and the rest of the staff if they think he can do it.

I just find it interesting that they wouldn't have room for both, based on how DB recruiting is going, and the fact that Bartleson is more of sure-fire DB at this point.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Rumor on another site that he's commiting to us this weekend.

 

[koonja]

Rumor on another site that he's commiting to us this weekend.

In pecking order of the DBs visiting, he'd be the last one I'd accept. I hope the staff holds off until they at least put some pressure on the others.

 

[Luckylucci]

In pecking order of the DBs visiting, he'd be the last one I'd accept. I hope the staff holds off until they at least put some pressure on the others.

I'd have him ahead of Nixon.

 

[BobbyMac]

In pecking order of the DBs visiting, he'd be the last one I'd accept. I hope the staff holds off until they at least put some pressure on the others.

As you saw reported on ISD, they think there is a hurdle (or two?)

That would make sense becuase I couldn't figure out for the life of me why he hasn't gone public with a commitment. He publicly shut down his recruitment with other schools months ago.

I like him as a recruit. DB/WR/APB/Returner. Good athlete with the ball in his hands if the DB thing don't work out.

 

[NDIrish88]

Per EJ Holland Bartelson and Nixon are both takes at this point.

 

[Irish#1]

Per EJ Holland Bartelson and Nixon are both takes at this point.

Commas are your friend.