2015 starting lineup prediction

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Things definitely are looking up for ND! The one guy that I think will start next year and really breakout is Prosise. He had a 50 yard explosive play against LSU where he got the edge and out ran erbody. If he can become sure handed watch out because he is a freak when he gets the ball in his hands!

And if Zaire is going to get more time then the fact that Prosise is a far superior blocker to Carlisle will keep him on the field.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

And if Zaire is going to get more time then the fact that Prosise is a far superior blocker to Carlisle will keep him on the field.

Zaire is also a superior blocker to Carlisle.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Definitely great depth, but I really, really worry about the lack of an excellent pass rushing DE. Williams, Trumbetti, etc. have tons of potential and we have great depth, but are you confident of any of those listed above having more than 4 sacks? I'm not. We must improve here, as we ranked 71st in sacks this year

Is the Treadway kid going to be able to play right away when he comes in??

 

[PANDFAN]

According to a report from Irish Illustrated earlier on Tuesday, Notre Dame senior to be Sheldon Day will be returning to Notre Dame after receiving a “stay in school” grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

QB: Zaire/Golson
RB: Folston/Bryant
WR: Fuller/Brent - Hunter Jr.
WR: Brown/Robinson
WR: Carlisle/Prosise
TE: Smythe/Luatua
LT: Stanley/Bivin
LG: Nelson/Montelus
C: Martin/Harrell - Hoge (I know that's a bold prediction but Harrell has shown nothing so far)
RG: Elmer/McGovern - Elmer may get beat out if he doesn't learn to move his feet
RT: McGlinchey/Bars

DE: Trumbetti/Blankenship
DT: Rochell/Hayes - Swapped Rochell and Day, I see Day as a rush end before Rochell
DT: Jones/Cage
DE: Day/Williams
OLB: Smith/Martini
MLB: Schmidt/Grace
OLB: Morgan/Onwualu
CB: Russell/Watkins
CB: Luke/Butler
S: Redfield/Farley - was Farley injured? I haven't seen him in the game.
S: Shumate/Tranquill

I like your list and agree with it. Let's just hope some true freshman are so good, they force themselves in to the two deep, then we'll be developing the depth we need for a full season.

 

[GTO Slayer]

2015 2 Deep

2015 2 Deep

I'll play.

QB: Golson, Zaire
RB: Folston, Bryant
WR: Fuller, Brent
WR: Brown, Robinson
SLOT: Procise, Hunter
TE: Smythe, Luatua
LT: Stanley, Bivin
LG: McGovern, Nelson
C: Martin, Montellus
RG: Elmer, Mustipher
RT: McGlinchey, Bars


DE: Trumbetti, Okwara
NT: Jones, Cage
DT: Day, Hayes
DE: Rochelle, I. Williams
WLB: Smith, Martini
MLB: Schmidt, Grace
SLB: Onawalu, Tranquil
CB: Russell, Watkins
SS: Shumate, M. Williams
FS: Redfield, White
CB: Luke, Butler

If we continue to recruit using the boost we should get from our bowl game there will be some 5th year seniors on the bubble. I don't envy the coaches when the hard decisions have to be made. Guys like Hanratty, Hegarty, Carlisle, Daniels, etc. - you have to ask - can we get the same production from our roster with out these guys and make room for new blood, or are they vital to next year? Safety looks to be the position that will push aside some 5th year guys, still need two in my opinion. Running back is another position where there is a real need. I suppose you could move Coleman to RB for a year, for depth.

 

[arrowryan]

Who starts at nickel? Watkins?

 

[jerboski]

Who starts at nickel? Watkins?

I am going to say Farley, BVG likes him in that role and he played really well there in the beginning of the season. Mathias is an adequate blitzed from there as well

 

[GTO Slayer]

I am going to say Farley, BVG likes him in that role and he played really well there in the beginning of the season. Mathias is an adequate blitzed from there as well

I would have to agree, you have to seriously consider bringing back Farley one more year. He played well at this position, but don't move him any where else no matter the temptation (such as poor safety play next year).

 

[notredomer23]

God. Barring suspensions/injuries, this team will be scary next year. I don't think I have seen a starting line up that explosive on offense and that experienced on defense at ND in my lifetime.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Shaun Crawford is gonna play a lot for us next year mark it down. Kid is flat out a stud, is small at 5'9 but plays with such great instincts and is quick to make plays.

 

[dwshade]

I like your list and agree with it. Let's just hope some true freshman are so good, they force themselves in to the two deep, then we'll be developing the depth we need for a full season.

Day is a 3 tech all day long. Not a 4-3 DE. Williams/Trumbetti remain WDE with Rochell as SDE.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

God. Barring suspensions/injuries, this team will be scary next year. I don't think I have seen a starting line up that explosive on offense and that experienced on defense at ND in my lifetime.

I think that every year and each year, I think we have more depth. Now that our dline depth is almost where it needs to be, it appears our secondary may be thin with the loss of Barratti and the switch of Prosise. Hopefully our guys can continue their development because we really need Shumate and Redfield to move forward by leaps and bounds. A good DLine should help with that.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Day is a 3 tech all day long. Not a 4-3 DE. Williams/Trumbetti remain WDE with Rochell as SDE.

I know, it's how he's always been played and he's been great in that position but I just picture him on the outside as a rush DE, especially given the bevy of big body men we have on the roster: Jones, Rochell, Cage, Mokwuah, all the incoming freshmen DTs.

I know I'm wrong but I have a difficult time reconciling that Day's best position is on the interior

 

[GTO Slayer]

Day is a 3 tech all day long. Not a 4-3 DE. Williams/Trumbetti remain WDE with Rochell as SDE.

I agree, Day reminds me of Warren Sapp, or maybe a John Randall type of player. He does seem to be a little more injury prone than the aforementioned players. I think with Jones and Rochelle maturing, hopefully I. Williams returning, and Trumbetti with a year in the weight lifting program, Day could have his best year yet.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

QB: Zaire | Kizer (I think Golson transfers if he gets his degree and moves on)
RB: Folston | Bryant
TE: Smythe | Luatua (H-Back)
WR: Fuller | Brown
WR: Carlisle | Prosise
WR: Robinson | Boykin/ESB?
OT: Stanley | Nelson
OG: Nelson | Bivin
C: Martin | Bivin/Hoge
OG: Elmer | Montelus
OT: McGlinchey | Bars

DE: Rochelle/I. Williams? (If not, Blankenship)
DT: Jones/Cage
DT: Day/Hayes
DE: Trumbetti/Okwara
OLB: Morgan | Turner
MLB: Schmidt | Martini/Grace? (If he can return)
OLB: Smith | Barajas
CB: Russell | Watkins
CB: Luke | Crawford (Don't think there's a chance of him flipping *knock on wood*)
S: Shumate | McKinney/Williams
S: Redfield | Farley/Onwualu
NB: Farley | Crawford

K: Yoon
P: Newsome
KR: Sanders/Carlisle
PR: Bryant | Crawford


Based on the news of Stanley not getting a 1st round grade, I think he'll stay. He can easily be an early 1st rounder (top 10-15) next season. After the first round, it's hard to gauge where OL will go.

Without them even on campus yet (and one hasn't committed yet) you have true freshmen in the 2 deep at receiver but don't list Brent or Hunter at all? One of those guys will be in the mix next year if not both. We have a sic receiving corps. Think how much better it will be if we land ESB and Jones

 

[kmoose]

Just some FYI... From yesterday's game notes:

Notre Dame only started two players today (TE Ben Koyack and CB Cody Riggs) who have no remaining eligibility.

 

[GoldenDomer]

QB-Zaire-Golson/Wimbush
RB-Folston-Bryant
WR-Robinson
WR-Fuller
WR-Procise
TE-Smythe/Luatua (Hopefully on the field together a lot)
LT-Bars
LG-Martin
OC-Hegarty
RG-Elmer
RT-McGlinchey

DE-Rochell/Okwara
NT-Jones
DT-Day
DE-Trumbetti/Okwara
OLB-Morgan-Bilal
MLB-Schmidt-Martini
OLB-Smith-Coney
CB-Russell-Crawford
SS-Shumate
FS-Redfield
CB-Luke-Crawford

_-_ = possible direct backup
_/_ = possible rotating (doesn't matter who is starter)

 

[kmoose]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on Greer Martini. He may not have the prototypical measurables, but every time he played he was always near the ball. He seems to just have great instincts and an incredible "want to".

 

[GoldenDomer]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on Greer Martini. He may not have the prototypical measurables, but every time he played he was always near the ball. He seems to just have great instincts and an incredible "want to".

Good point, adding him.

 

[pkt77242]

QB-Zaire-Golson/Wimbush
RB-Folston-Bryant
WR-Robinson
WR-Fuller
WR-Procise
TE-Smythe/Luatua (Hopefully on the field together a lot)
LT-Bars
LG-Martin
OC-Hegarty
RG-Elmer
RT-McGlinchey

DE-Rochell/Okwara
NT-Jones
DT-Day
DE-Trumbetti/Okwara
OLB-Morgan-Bilal
MLB-Schmidt-Barajas
OLB-Smith-Coney
CB-Russell-Crawford
SS-Shumate
FS-Redfield
CB-Luke-Crawford

_-_ = possible direct backup
_/_ = possible rotating (doesn't matter who is starter)

You are a smidge in love with in-coming recruits. Why wouldn't Martini be the back-up MLB. Why wouldn't Kizer be ahead of Wimbush, why wouldn't Farley, Butler, Watkins be ahead of Crawford (though I do kind of understand this, I expect Crawford to play in the slot some but Butler/Watkins/Farley back-up the outside positions).

 

[Crazy Balki]

Without them even on campus yet (and one hasn't committed yet) you have true freshmen in the 2 deep at receiver but don't list Brent or Hunter at all? One of those guys will be in the mix next year if not both. We have a sic receiving corps. Think how much better it will be if we land ESB and Jones

Brent seems to be in Kelly's dog house and I've heard little to nothing about him from Kelly, other than his lack of maturity. Brent has a lot of work to do to warrant a spot in the two-deep. I don't know about Hunter. I expected him to make a bigger impact, but he just keeps getting hurt and it stalls his development. I was expecting him to play a lot this year, and outside of Syracuse, I don't remember him being on the field at all (I'm sure he was, but he really made little to no impact). I wouldn't be surprised if ESB or Boykin would jump him behind Robinson, since they're more in the CR mold. The big bodied receiver, with (presumably) good hands. Though Boykin and ESB seem to have a bit more muscle to them, especially Boykin.

 

[GoldenDomer]

You are a smidge in love with in-coming recruits. Why wouldn't Martini be the back-up MLB. Why wouldn't Kizer be ahead of Wimbush, why wouldn't Farley, Butler, Watkins be ahead of Crawford (though I do kind of understand this, I expect Crawford to play in the slot some but Butler/Watkins/Farley back-up the outside positions).

I didn't think of Martini, I replaced Barajas with him.

I think Wimbush is super talented and will be 2nd or 3rd string (Depending on Golson's status).

And I think Crawford will see the field early.

 

[pkt77242]

Brent seems to be in Kelly's dog house and I've heard little to nothing about him from Kelly, other than his lack of maturity. Brent has a lot of work to do to warrant a spot in the two-deep. I don't know about Hunter. I expected him to make a bigger impact, but he just keeps getting hurt and it stalls his development. I was expecting him to play a lot this year, and outside of Syracuse, I don't remember him being on the field at all (I'm sure he was, but he really made little to no impact). I wouldn't be surprised if ESB or Boykin would jump him behind Robinson, since they're more in the CR mold. The big bodied receiver, with (presumably) good hands. Though Boykin and ESB seem to have a bit more muscle to them, especially Boykin.

Here is Hunter's stats Torii Hunter Jr. Stats, News, Videos, Pictures, Bio - Notre Dame Fighting Irish - ESPN

He had catches in 5 games. Didn't play a ton but then again Fuller rarely came off the field and Brown and Robinson shared the other WR spot (with CJ and Amir sharing the slot).

 

[pkt77242]

I didn't think of Martini, I replaced Barajas with him.

I think Wimbush is super talented and will be 2nd or 3rd string (Depending on Golson's status).

And I think Crawford will see the field early.

I agree with Crawford but I think he will mostly play special teams and slot corner (and he will share that with Farley). I think that Watkins and Butler (though I wish they would move Butler to S) will back-up KVR and Luke at the outside CB positions.

 

[GoldenDomer]

I agree with Crawford but I think he will mostly play special teams and slot corner (and he will share that with Farley). I think that Watkins and Butler (though I wish they would move Butler to S) will back-up KVR and Luke at the outside CB positions.

That's probably the most practical scenario, but it's January and I'm stuck on our recruits.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I agree with Crawford but I think he will mostly play special teams and slot corner (and he will share that with Farley). I think that Watkins and Butler (though I wish they would move Butler to S) will back-up KVR and Luke at the outside CB positions.

I'd expect Farley to start at NB against run-first spreads, and Crawford to see a lot of snaps against pass-first spreads.

 

[pkt77242]

I'd expect Farley to start at NB against run-first spreads, and Crawford to see a lot of snaps against pass-first spreads.

Agreed.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Brent seems to be in Kelly's dog house and I've heard little to nothing about him from Kelly, other than his lack of maturity. Brent has a lot of work to do to warrant a spot in the two-deep. I don't know about Hunter. I expected him to make a bigger impact, but he just keeps getting hurt and it stalls his development. I was expecting him to play a lot this year, and outside of Syracuse, I don't remember him being on the field at all (I'm sure he was, but he really made little to no impact). I wouldn't be surprised if ESB or Boykin would jump him behind Robinson, since they're more in the CR mold. The big bodied receiver, with (presumably) good hands. Though Boykin and ESB seem to have a bit more muscle to them, especially Boykin.

Brent is a freshman and we have a lot of really good receiving weapons. Just because they didn't play this year doesn't mean they can't or won't contribute next year. Fuller wasn't used a great deal last year either. Hunter is more like a freshman due to his injury. I know Brent is in the doghouse but he is a really good talent and I doubt he will stay in the doghouse. Maybe he will but to assume a recruit who hasn't even committed yet will play before either of those guys is a little premature.

 

[kmoose]

This is a pretty good article on the roster, and it's free:

Breakdown of the Irish roster with an early look at 2015