2011 Recruting thoughts

[chyrspchuck]

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm baCCCCCk!

WATCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCH OUT Fellas..... ND in LA is back on the warpath. Glad to see you got a keyboard. Down in LA the damn thing probably cost you 2x the normal amount.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Bambi! When the hell did you get back?

You gotta know with the deer things pick up on IE again after Christmas. Welcome back bambilicious

 

[chyrspchuck]

Another great Brian Smith Blog from ISD including the players he thinks we should target.

2011 Recruiting

Written by Brian Smith Tuesday, 09 February 2010 14:07

A quick look at scholarship numbers for 2011. While the number currently resides below 20 available scholarships for the class of 2011, do not expect that trend to continue past this summer. Players could transfer to be closer to home, flunk out, seek an opportunity for more playing time at another school, suffer a career-ending injury, among other possibilities.

The following is a position-by-position judgment about how many scholarships ND would likely "prefer" to allocate to each position. Of course recruiting rarely works out that way, but hey, it's February 9th! So let's just go with it. I've already changed my mind a few times with these numbers, and that's because the class of 2010 provided several players with multiple talents, i.e. the ability to play more than one position. Thus, it's difficult to definitively state how many ND will need at each position. At any rate, here goes, based on 20 scholarships to offer:

QB -- If the Irish can land a really good signal caller, I'm all for it. Braxton Miller would be the ideal candidate, but since he's from Ohio, I'm not holding my breath. If ND does not land a QB it will not be a huge issue due to three field generals signing with the class of 2010. (0-1)

RB -- Say it with me now, "Aaron Green! Aaron Green! Aaron Green!" If you do not know whom this is, find his Youtube highlights. It's worth your time. At least one running back is needed, and a home run threat like Green would be ideal. Another Texan, and also from central Texas no-less, Malcolm Brown, will be a high priority recruit. (1-2)

WR -- Point blank, Michael Floyd is gone after this year (hello NFL). That means an elite down the field wide receiver will be needed. Hakeem Flowers from South Carolina and DeAnthony Arnett from Michigan will be big-play wide outs to watch, among others. (2)

TE -- Always looking for a tight end that can stretch the field and make plays in space (create mismatches with linebackers and safeties). As usual, ND appears to be in the mix with several tight ends, including Chris Barnett from Texas, Ben Koyack from Pennsylvania, and Jay Rome from Georgia, just to name a few. All three will receive offers from across the country. (1)

OL -- Three really good players would be good, possibly four. Young Mr. Christian Westerman, from Arizona, might be the top Irish target along the offensive line. For the spread, expect Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and his coaching staff to target more athletic lineman than the last coaching staff. Quickness will be more important for this particular offense. (3-4)

DE -- Need big bodies (height will be a major factor moving forward) with the ability to play a 2-gap or 1-gap scheme (ND will use both). Selling playing time will easy because of the lack of depth. Remember the name Cedric Reed, a 6-6 stalwart from the Houston area. If he does not accept an offer from Texas within the next several weeks, ND might be able to get involved (UT is having two junior day weekends, and probably will clean up once again. With ND trying to reestablish itself in Texas, it's something to watch.). (2-3)

NG -- Stay on course with one per year. Many big bodies to choose from, but almost all of them reside outside of the Midwest (Midwest DL numbers are horrible for 2011, just like with most years, especially outside of Ohio.). (1)

Rush Backer -- This is the key position for the 3-4. A combination outside linebacker/defensive end with a very high level of physical skill, i.e. a recruit with a legitimate shot to play in the NFL will be needed. Ray Drew, that would be you. The Georgia product is an ordained minister. Drew might also be the nation's best overall prospect. Jadeveon Clowney from South Carolina and Jermauria Rasco from Louisiana would make Irish eyes smile as well. Depending upon the specific player, a rush backer could grow into a down lineman. (1-2)

LB -- Linebacker numbers should be in balance for the first time in a long while this season. It would still good to land a player with the talent of Trey DePriest from Ohio or Anthony Wallace, from Dallas. Remember Allen Rossum? He's from Dallas Skyline, the same high school that Wallace plays for. It's still one of the best Division I producing schools in Texas. (1-2)

CB -- Notre Dame will lose the bulk of its cornerback depth chart by the conclusion of 2011. That means it's time to stock up! Look for cornerbacks with height (5-11 or taller) to be preferred. Look for Ohio, Florida, and Texas recruits to be a major part of cornerback recruiting efforts. All three states present many options for 2011, including Jalen Brown from Texas (he's about 6-0). (2-3)

S -- Free safety in particular will be a need. Height will once again be a factor. Considering how wide-open ND's free safety depth chart is beyond Jamoris Slaughter, this should not be a hard position to sell. Lyndell Johnson from Texas fits the mold. He's 6-3 and just under 200-pounds. (2-3)

ATH -- A player that could bounce from one side of the football to the other. Every class would benefit with at least one player like this. Look for the Irish to sign a player from this classification. Jabriel Washington from Tennessee fits this mold. He could be a free safety, cornerback, running back or wide receiver. (1)

 

[49er-Irish]

It's interesting that the #4 rated OG on Scout is from Cincinnati. Donavon Clark is 6'4" and 285 lbs, but his offer list isn't too impressive. Only Duke, Buffalo, and Ball State are listed with offers and Cincinnati and North Carolina are listed without offers, but medium interest. With Duke offering, it doesn't appear that grades are an issue. Kelly should definitely know who this kid is already.

Ryan Kelly is another Ohio kid that is ranked as the #1 center by Scout with offers from Indiana, Louisville and Indiana.

I know that there is always a gap when different people evaluate players, but to see guys that are ranked #4 and #1 at their positions by Scout and not have big interest (at least yet) from many schools is a little weird. With these kids being from Brian Kelly's old recruiting area and not receiving interest from ND (again....yet) I would have to guess that Kelly' evalution of talent is far off from Scout's. We'll see, maybe these guys will be in the next round of offers...

 

[chyrspchuck]

It's interesting that the #4 rated OG on Scout is from Cincinnati. Donavon Clark is 6'4" and 285 lbs, but his offer list isn't too impressive. Only Duke, Buffalo, and Ball State are listed with offers and Cincinnati and North Carolina are listed without offers, but medium interest. With Duke offering, it doesn't appear that grades are an issue. Kelly should definitely know who this kid is already.

Ryan Kelly is another Ohio kid that is ranked as the #1 center by Scout with offers from Indiana, Louisville and Indiana.

I know that there is always a gap when different people evaluate players, but to see guys that are ranked #4 and #1 at their positions by Scout and not have big interest (at least yet) from many schools is a little weird. With these kids being from Brian Kelly's old recruiting area and not receiving interest from ND (again....yet) I would have to guess that Kelly' evalution of talent is far off from Scout's. We'll see, maybe these guys will be in the next round of offers...

could be that these guys aren't suited to block in the spread offense.