2014 Master List

[Domina Nostra]

My current wish list (I tend to favor kids who like ND):

QB (1)
Brandon Dawkins
RB (1)
Elijah Hood/Nathan Hood
WR (3)
Justin Brent
Mark Andrews/Josh Malone
Artavis Scott
TE (1)
Tyler Luatua/Jeb Blazevich
OL (5)
Jimmy Bryne
Reilley Gibbons
Mason Cole
K.C. McDemott
Braden Smith/Kevin Wilkins
DL (4)
Jay Hayes
Andrew Trumbetti
Malik McDowell/Nifae Lealao
Enoch Smith
OLB (2)
Andrew Williams
Raekwon McMillan
ILB (2)
Greer Martini
Nyles Morgan
CB (2)
Jabrill Peppers
Quincy Wilson/Troy Vincent
S (1)
Tommy Mister

 

[PraetorianND]

Braden Smith & Jabrill Peppers are at the top of my list.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The magic number is 19 right now, correct?

Magic number is 22, which includes 5Ys. Assuming my guess of 3 5Ys is correct, then 19 incoming freshman is about right.

Is that assuming Tuitt stays for his senior year? I hate to be the guy who brings that up, but it'll be the elephant in the room for months.

Based on what we know about him and his mom, I'd think he'll be back. But we won't be able to rest easy until it's officially confirmed.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think he'll be back as well but the staff will probably recruit like he won't be. Imagince McDowell backing up Tuitt his senior year, WOW.

 

[irishff1014]

Magic number is 22, which includes 5Ys. Assuming my guess of 3 5Ys is correct, then 19 incoming freshman is about right.



Based on what we know about him and his mom, I'd think he'll be back. But we won't be able to rest easy until it's officially confirmed.

That small of a class do you think they would try have 3 5Y? A little early but who would you think they would bring back.

 

[ndfb3]

Irish 2014 class already in progress

Any big time WR we are after?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

That small of a class do you think they would try have 3 5Y? A little early but who would you think they would bring back.

Lombard looks like the only 5Y lock. I could see Welch, Moore, Wood, and/or Collinsworth getting invited back also.

Does the staff want to bring back any of those four guys? At this point, probably not, since none of them has been a consistent contributor. But we always seem to bring back more than initially expected. Look at this year; we expected to bring back only Z. Martin, Watt, and Fox, with all other spots going to blue chip recruits.

We whiffed on a few prospects down the stretch, so we're bringing back 5 instead of 3. I just expect that to happen every year now.

Irish 2014 class already in progress

Any big time WR we are after?

According to ISD, here are our current WR offers:

• KD Cannon - 5, 0.9839 rating
• Cameron Denson - 4, 0.9817 rating (Arizona commit)
• Drake Harris - 4, 0.9769 rating (Michigan State commit)
• Mark Andrews - 4, 0.9737 rating
• Shaq Davidson - 4, 0.9733 rating
• Artavis Scott - 4, 0.9647 rating
• Josh Malone - 4, 0.9602 rating
• Speedy Noil - 4, 0.9594 rating
• Thaddeus Snodgrass - 4, 0.9470 rating
• Justin Brent - 4, 0.9145 rating (ND commit)
• Jacob McCrary - 4, 0.9036 rating
• Terry Googer - 3, 0.8725 rating
• Corey Holmes - 3, 0.8667 rating

Edit 1: ISD's Sean Mele thinks we have most every type of WR on the roster already except for a true deep threat. So speed will be more important than size for our remaining WR targets. We've already got a log jam at Z WR, so I expect to take 1-2 more (aside from Brent) that are 6'0'' + burners.

Edit 2: Reading over that again, is he forgetting about Chris Brown?

 

[Irish YJ]

Lombard looks like the only 5Y lock. I could see Welch, Moore, Wood, and/or Collinsworth getting invited back also.

Does the staff want to bring back any of those four guys? At this point, probably not, since none of them has been a consistent contributor. But we always seem to bring back more than initially expected. Look at this year; we expected to bring back only Z. Martin, Watt, and Fox, with all other spots going to blue chip recruits.

We whiffed on a few prospects down the stretch, so we're bringing back 5 instead of 3. I just expect that to happen every year now.



According to ISD, here are our current WR offers:

• KD Cannon - 5, 0.9839 rating
• Cameron Denson - 4, 0.9817 rating (Arizona commit)
• Drake Harris - 4, 0.9769 rating (Michigan State commit)
• Mark Andrews - 4, 0.9737 rating
• Shaq Davidson - 4, 0.9733 rating
• Artavis Scott - 4, 0.9647 rating
• Josh Malone - 4, 0.9602 rating
• Speedy Noil - 4, 0.9594 rating
• Thaddeus Snodgrass - 4, 0.9470 rating
• Justin Brent - 4, 0.9145 rating (ND commit)
• Jacob McCrary - 4, 0.9036 rating
• Terry Googer - 3, 0.8725 rating
• Corey Holmes - 3, 0.8667 rating

Liking Harris the most. Any way we pull him from MichSt?
Love Andrews, but at 6-6 225, thinking he moves to the TE ranks at some point.

 

[McGlovin]

Have there been any Top 150 lists, or anything in that format, released yet from any of the major recruiting services? I'd be interested to see where our current and prospective recruits are in terms of National Ranking.

 

[NDdomer2]

Lombard looks like the only 5Y lock. I could see Welch, Moore, Wood, and/or Collinsworth getting invited back also.

Does the staff want to bring back any of those four guys? At this point, probably not, since none of them has been a consistent contributor. But we always seem to bring back more than initially expected. Look at this year; we expected to bring back only Z. Martin, Watt, and Fox, with all other spots going to blue chip recruits.

We whiffed on a few prospects down the stretch, so we're bringing back 5 instead of 3. I just expect that to happen every year now.



According to ISD, here are our current WR offers:

• KD Cannon - 5, 0.9839 rating
• Cameron Denson - 4, 0.9817 rating (Arizona commit)
• Drake Harris - 4, 0.9769 rating (Michigan State commit)
• Mark Andrews - 4, 0.9737 rating
• Shaq Davidson - 4, 0.9733 rating
• Artavis Scott - 4, 0.9647 rating
• Josh Malone - 4, 0.9602 rating
• Speedy Noil - 4, 0.9594 rating
• Thaddeus Snodgrass - 4, 0.9470 rating
• Justin Brent - 4, 0.9145 rating (ND commit)
• Jacob McCrary - 4, 0.9036 rating
• Terry Googer - 3, 0.8725 rating
• Corey Holmes - 3, 0.8667 rating

Edit 1: ISD's Sean Mele thinks we have most every type of WR on the roster already except for a true deep threat. So speed will be more important than size for our remaining WR targets. We've already got a log jam at Z WR, so I expect to take 1-2 more (aside from Brent) that are 6'0'' + burners.

Edit 2: Reading over that again, is he forgetting about Chris Brown?

Artavis Scott is favoring us correct? I don't recall if he is a "burner" but i know he isn't very big.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Artavis Scott is favoring us correct? I don't recall if he is a "burner" but i know he isn't very big.

According to 247, we're in his top 5. He's also a team mate of Mason Cole, for whom we lead. We may very well end up with both.

The current offer list seems to reinforce the theory that Kelly puts a premium on size for his X/ W WRs. Aside from Scott and Noil, every one of those guys is 6'0'' +. I assume Scott and Noil must have some serious speed then.

Edit: I see Noil's 40-time is listed at 4.45. Can't find anything on Scott yet.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Lombard looks like the only 5Y lock. I could see Welch, Moore, Wood, and/or Collinsworth getting invited back also.

Does the staff want to bring back any of those four guys? At this point, probably not, since none of them has been a consistent contributor. But we always seem to bring back more than initially expected. Look at this year; we expected to bring back only Z. Martin, Watt, and Fox, with all other spots going to blue chip recruits.

We whiffed on a few prospects down the stretch, so we're bringing back 5 instead of 3. I just expect that to happen every year now.

It's hard for me to speculate too far in advance and w/o hurting feelings, but just for sake of conversation here's my take:

Lombard - Lock. Can never have too much OL depth.
Moore - Lock. I'm still not convinced our ILB depth is solid. Missing on Anzalone causes me to want Moore to get that 5th year. I think he'll have a good year in '13.
Welch - With two TE commits this cycle, I'm ok with giving Welch's spot to a new-comer.
Wood/Collinsworth - I'm torn here, but if the staff can land one or two more blue chippers in '14, I'm ok with moving on w/o these two. They'd certainly provide some depth, but I feel like our new-comers will be developed and ready to overtake these positions sooner rather than later. Keivarea's emergence has allowed me to feel more at ease with secondary depth. Shumate played well at times last year and some feel like Redfield is an instant-impact type player (not to mention everyone else chomping at the bit to see time).

With that, I predict two 5Y to return. That keeps the magic number at 20. The rumblings of a transfer is still possible. And it's impossible to predict any future attrition. 20 is a safe bet, but I could see 22 new signees on NSD next Feb.

 

[Riddickulous]

According to 247, we're in his top 5. He's also a team mate of Mason Cole, for whom we lead. We may very well end up with both.

I believe they were touting themselves as a package deal a couple of months ago.

 

[Emcee77]

According to 247, we're in his top 5. He's also a team mate of Mason Cole, for whom we lead. We may very well end up with both.

The current offer list seems to reinforce the theory that Kelly puts a premium on size for his X/ W WRs. Aside from Scott and Noil, every one of those guys is 6'0'' +. I assume Scott and Noil must have some serious speed then.

Edit: I see Noil's 40-time is listed at 4.45. Can't find anything on Scott yet.

Last I heard (I think from GITF, lol), Josh Malone is the top target. He's like the perfect wideout for us. 6'2", 4.43 speed, great ball skills, eludes tacklers with ease. DO WANT.

Check out his sophomore highlights. They make me drool.



<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YNeYF05_Tjg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Domina Nostra]

Are we recruiting Melvin Keihn or Troy Vincent, from Gilman in Baltimore (Abimiri and Wooden)? Gilman should be a feeder, like Woodberry.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

It's hard for me to speculate too far in advance and w/o hurting feelings, but just for sake of conversation here's my take:

Lombard - Lock. Can never have too much OL depth.
Moore - Lock. I'm still not convinced our ILB depth is solid. Missing on Anzalone causes me to want Moore to get that 5th year. I think he'll have a good year in '13.
Welch - With two TE commits this cycle, I'm ok with giving Welch's spot to a new-comer.
Wood/Collinsworth - I'm torn here, but if the staff can land one or two more blue chippers in '14, I'm ok with moving on w/o these two. They'd certainly provide some depth, but I feel like our new-comers will be developed and ready to overtake these positions sooner rather than later. Keivarea's emergence has allowed me to feel more at ease with secondary depth. Shumate played well at times last year and some feel like Redfield is an instant-impact type player (not to mention everyone else chomping at the bit to see time).

With that, I predict two 5Y to return. That keeps the magic number at 20. The rumblings of a transfer is still possible. And it's impossible to predict any future attrition. 20 is a safe bet, but I could see 22 new signees on NSD next Feb.

I disagree. I don't think we should just write off kids who we haven't really seen too much of. They went through injuries. I'll trust the coaches to invite back the players who will help us win games.

 

[md_bennett]

Beyond the big names we all know, Connor Strachan is a guy that I am interested in personally. He is a ILB with the right size, right kind of interests and can flat out fly if his 40 is correct. If we miss on those first couple of ILB I would love to see more about this guy.

 

[NDBoiler]

For WR, I am going to throw it out there that I think ND lands Scott & Malone to round out the 2014 receviers.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I disagree. I don't think we should just write off kids who we haven't really seen too much of. They went through injuries. I'll trust the coaches to invite back the players who will help us win games.

That's why I said it's hard for me to speculate too far in advance w/o hurting feelings. I posted just for the sake of conversation. It doesn't necessarily mean that I think Wood and Collinsworth won't contribute and we should just write them off. Wood had a starting spot locked down before his injury. Clearly the staff thinks highly of him. Austin has contributed a lot as well. It's not that I think they're terrible players, I just developed a stance for sake of discussion and went with it.

 

[md_bennett]

Wood had a starting spot locked down before his injury. Clearly the staff thinks highly of him.

I loved Lo too but I have 2 concerns. One thing I do wonder about though is his ability to come back in the same form. Blowing up that Achilles tendon can be VERY difficult to come back from and be the same type of player. The second thing is how do we now remove Russell from the starting spot and give Lo snaps without killing his confidence. BK has already been quoted as saying that Luke will play this year. I don't know where the snaps will come from even if he does come back to form. I want nothing but the best for him but in college sometimes an injury that takes one season CAN take the rest of a career.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Wish List
QB(1)
Brandon Dawkins
RB(2)
Sony Michel
Elijah Hood
Wr(3)
Justin Brent
Mark Andrews
Artavis Scott
TE(1)
Jeb Blazevich
OL(3)
Jimmy Byrne
KC McDermott
Mason Cole
DL(4)
Andrew Trumbetti
Jay Hayes
Malik McDowell
Enoch Smith
LB(4)
Andrew Williams
Nyles Morgan
Greer Martini
Raekwon McMillan
CB(2)
Jabrill Peppers
Quincy Wilson

 

[ndfb3]

I loved Lo too but I have 2 concerns. One thing I do wonder about though is his ability to come back in the same form. Blowing up that Achilles tendon can be VERY difficult to come back from and be the same type of player. The second thing is how do we now remove Russell from the starting spot and give Lo snaps without killing his confidence. BK has already been quoted as saying that Luke will play this year. I don't know where the snaps will come from even if he does come back to form. I want nothing but the best for him but in college sometimes an injury that takes one season CAN take the rest of a career.

We play 4 CB when teams are going 4 wide because we will have more experience in the secondary. We played zone all year to protect them last season.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would think we rotate quite a few DB's next year as some will be more seasoned and others will have too much talent to keep off the field. I doubt Lo gets his job back. Kelly will plays who's best but KR improved significantly over the season and I just dont see that happening. What will be nice is we'll have the luxury to go into our two deep next year at CB more, we weren't able to last year. KR and Bennett played so well considering they were playing a lot of snaps.

 

[Grahambo]

I would think we rotate quite a few DB's next year as some will be more seasoned and others will have too much talent to keep off the field. I doubt Lo gets his job back. Kelly will plays who's best but KR improved significantly over the season and I just dont see that happening. What will be nice is we'll have the luxury to go into our two deep next year at CB more, we weren't able to last year. KR and Bennett played so well considering they were playing a lot of snaps.

I feel that Bobby D will be able to gamble a little more up front and attack a little bit more with the secondary coming back with experience this time around. KR gets an entire offseason to enhance his skills and BJax can just continue to evolve.

I think the defense will be better this upcoming season and have the same affect the offense has had once Floyd left. Everybody stepped their game up and had an overall positive effect. Defensively you will see the same thing especially with the growth of our top guys and the athleticism across the board being that much better.

 

[STLDomer]

We should have had a (mini) junior day this weekend with the Michigan-Notre Dame hockey game and Louisville-Notre Dame basketball game

 

[drake29]

Quick wishlist:

QB: none
RB: Sony Michel
WR: Justin Brent (commit)
WR: Drake Harris
WR: Mark Andrews (would replace with Dalton Schultz if ND gets involved
TE: Jeb Blazevich
OL: Jimmy Byrne (commit)
OL: KC McDermott
OL: Braden Smith
OL: Mason Cole
DE: Jay Hayes
DE: Malik McDowell
NG: Khairi Clark
Cat LB: Andrew Williams - could grow into a DE
Dog LB: Dillon Bates - could also shift ILB
ILB: Raekwon McMillan
CB: Jabrill Peppers
CB: Jalen Tabor
S: Quin Blanding

 

[STLDomer]

Isn't Dalton Schulz a TE?

 

[drake29]

Schultz is a kid a lot like a Mark Andrews that fits a similar positon that Eifert played this season. He's got speed to split out wide but has the size to be an absolute match up nightmare. I think he's more agile and has better hands than Andrews. Andrews' hands seem to be his biggets knock. I've hears he's pretty inconsistant catching the ball.

 

[dwshade]

Liking Harris the most. Any way we pull him from MichSt?
Love Andrews, but at 6-6 225, thinking he moves to the TE ranks at some point.

We will definitely be in the running for Harris. His MSU commit was mostly made for b-ball.

 

[irishff1014]

I disagree. I don't think we should just write off kids who we haven't really seen too much of. They went through injuries. I'll trust the coaches to invite back the players who will help us win games.

With the players coming in at those positions they are going have a hard time beating the others out. Another class like this years and 5 years become a lot less important then a good recruit IMO.