2015 starting lineup prediction

[Dizzyphil]

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

Breakdown of the Irish roster with an early look at 2015

thanks - reps!

 

[NDhoosier]

QB: Golson --> Zaire
RB: Folston --> Bryant
WR: Fuller --> Brent
WR: Brown = Robinson
SLOT: Carlisle = Prosise
TE: Smythe --> Luatua
LT: Stanley --> Bivin
LG: Nelson --> McGovern
C: Martin --> Montellus
RG: Elmer --> Mustipher
RT: McGlinchey --> Bars

* I am really like that Oline and the offense should have plenty of weapons. I do see Bryant getting more PT next year, but I think Folston will still be the #1.

DE: Trumbetti = Okwara
NT: Jones --> Cage
DT: Day --> Hayes
DE: Rochelle = I. Williams
WLB: Smith --> Martini
MLB: Schmidt --> Grace
SLB: Morgan --> Coney
CB: Russell --> Watkins
SS: Shumate --> Tranquill
FS: Redfield --> Onwualu
CB: Luke --> Butler
NB: Farley --> Watkins

Dline is looking stout. The DBs have plenty of talent and experience, but the 2 deep is average right now.

 

[Crazy Balki]

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.

That maybe, but Fuller actually saw the field a good bit last year, whereas Brent hasn't all season. The fact that he's in Kelly's doghouse should be reason enough to doubt his impact. I've frankly heard more good things about Holmes than I have from Brent. Hope I'm wrong, because he is a great talent, but he needs to grow up and develop his game.

 

[PLACforever]

Brent has above average experience

 

[EifertPower]

The more and more i think about it, the more i have a feeling that one of our WRs might get a position switch to safety or cornerback. Way too much talent/depth at WR and not nearly enough at safety and cornerback. Luke and Russell are a strong two but if one of them gets injured i have little confidence beyond that. Also, at safety we are putting our hopes on Shumate and Redfield who have been in Kelly's doghouse all year. And even if they are improved next year, what do we have behind them.

Who would be the most logical player to have their position converted to DB or S?

 

[arrowryan]

The more and more i think about it, the more i have a feeling that one of our WRs might get a position switch to safety or cornerback. Way too much talent/depth at WR and not nearly enough at safety and cornerback. Luke and Russell are a strong two but if one of them gets injured i have little confidence beyond that. Also, at safety we are putting our hopes on Shumate and Redfield who have been in Kelly's doghouse all year. And even if they are improved next year, what do we have behind them.

Who would be the most logical player to have their position converted to DB or S?

I actually love our DB starters and depth. With Butler and Watkins sitting behind Russell and Luke, what's not to like? And I think Crawford will be good enough as a freshman to be a reliable backup and possibly contribute on obvious passing downs.

For safety, I guess it will matter how they finish out the 2015 recruiting class before they make any position changes within the team

 

[jspags10pg]

The more and more i think about it, the more i have a feeling that one of our WRs might get a position switch to safety or cornerback. Way too much talent/depth at WR and not nearly enough at safety and cornerback. Luke and Russell are a strong two but if one of them gets injured i have little confidence beyond that. Also, at safety we are putting our hopes on Shumate and Redfield who have been in Kelly's doghouse all year. And even if they are improved next year, what do we have behind them.

Who would be the most logical player to have their position converted to DB or S?

I think Watkins will be a pretty good corner for us. He didn't have a lot of "wow" moments this year in the limited playing time that he saw but there also weren't any "WTF" moments either.

As to your question, I think the most logical move would be Brent to safety. Not that I want to see it or think he should be moved but I know he played safety at a pretty high level in HS and he certainly has the frame to play there. Still tho, I hope he stays at WR and matures like we all expect and turns into the stud WR we all expected. Some people get caught up in the fact the he redshirted this year and didn't see the field at all "so that must mean he's not all that great" but DaVaris redshirted his freshman year too and played very well and was Golson's go-to WR down the stretch in his sophomore (redshirt freshman) year.

I'm just hoping some of the DB's coming in can have an early impact. I think Crawford is good enough to have an impact his freshman year at CB or Nickel and hopefully Prentice McKinney sticks and can provide some depth at S and hopefully we can land another safety down the stretch who can provide more depth behind who we already have at S.

I'd rather avoid the position switch all together because I really like Brent and think he'll eventually mature into a solid WR.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

The more and more i think about it, the more i have a feeling that one of our WRs might get a position switch to safety or cornerback. Way too much talent/depth at WR and not nearly enough at safety and cornerback. Luke and Russell are a strong two but if one of them gets injured i have little confidence beyond that. Also, at safety we are putting our hopes on Shumate and Redfield who have been in Kelly's doghouse all year. And even if they are improved next year, what do we have behind them.

Who would be the most logical player to have their position converted to DB or S?

Prosise. I know he is playing well in the slot because of his size/strenght/speed but he is just not a natural Wide receiver. He is a body catcher and has no ball skills. On the other hand, he looks very good as an open field tackler on special teams, he wraps very well and tackles effortless. But like i said before, i have no problem with him on the offense, he is a good player. It is funny because i think Redfield would be better as WR and Prosise on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[NDRock]

Who would be the most logical player to have their position converted to DB or S?

Wasn't Brent a pretty good safety in HS? From the off field reports, the kid definitely likes to lay the wood.

 

[Wild Bill]

Prosise. I know he is playing well in the slot because of his size/strenght/speed but he is just not a natural Wide receiver. He is a body catcher and has no ball skills. On the other hand, he looks very good as an open field tackler on special teams, he wraps very well and tackles effortless. But like i said before, i have no problem with him on the offense, he is a good player. It is funny because i think Redfield would be better as WR and Prosise on the defensive side of the ball.

He's the logical move but his value is going to increase on offense if Malik is the starter. He's a great blocker from the slot and we can do a lot with him off the zone read.

 

[PerthDomer]

Move on walk to strong safety?

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

If Brown is starting wr, and Rochelle is starting DE again. Kittens and puppies around the world will all disappear.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

so you don't think that neither should start?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

so you don't think that neither should start?

The double negative has perplexed me. Are you saying he believes both should be starting at the positions mentioned? I took his statement to mean the opposite.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

so you don't think that neither should start?

Brown couldn't get off the Los, he has no business starting over Corey. Davaris coming back hopefully, eliminates brown starting anyways. Rochelle is not a de, slow laterally and likes to just power rush then hug the olineman. He needs to shed 20lbs or stay inside. Ishaq coming back and redshirts playing mostly eliminate his need on outside.

 

[Irish YJ]

The double negative has perplexed me. Are you saying he believes both should be starting at the positions mentioned? I took his statement to mean the opposite.

VDP trying to still the grammar hammer...

 

[stlnd01]

Prosise. I know he is playing well in the slot because of his size/strenght/speed but he is just not a natural Wide receiver. He is a body catcher and has no ball skills. On the other hand, he looks very good as an open field tackler on special teams, he wraps very well and tackles effortless. But like i said before, i have no problem with him on the offense, he is a good player. It is funny because i think Redfield would be better as WR and Prosise on the defensive side of the ball.

Yeah. I know what you're saying about Prosise. He's not that good at catching the football. But once he gets it he's a pretty dangerous weapon. Also a good blocker, as the world saw at the end of the FSU game. At this point probably better he stick on offense. And Brent certainly looks the part of a big outside WR. He's got the potential to be a total stud there.
Could Onwualu play safety? Wasn't he recruited there originally or something? He felt like a man without a position this season.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Yeah. I know what you're saying about Prosise. He's not that good at catching the football. But once he gets it he's a pretty dangerous weapon. Also a good blocker, as the world saw at the end of the FSU game. At this point probably better he stick on offense. And Brent certainly looks the part of a big outside WR. He's got the potential to be a total stud there.
Could Onwualu play safety? Wasn't he recruited there originally or something? He felt like a man without a position this season.

Onwualu was at Safety last spring, but moved to LB in the summer.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I think Tranquil and Onuwula go to safety.. Next year if guys are healthy LB will be a strength of ours. We will Smith, Martini, schmit, Grace, Morgan, Deeb, Randolph at LB plus freshmen coming in Bilal, Barajas and Coney who I think all three could come in and play and make an impact and I could also see Okwara moving back to LB with the depth on the DL..

 

[NDinL.A.]

I think Tranquil and Onuwula go to safety.. Next year if guys are healthy LB will be a strength of ours. We will Smith, Martini, schmit, Grace, Morgan, Deeb, Randolph at LB plus freshmen coming in Bilal, Barajas and Coney who I think all three could come in and play and make an impact and I could also see Okwara moving back to LB with the depth on the DL..

Romeo Might have been an OLB in a 3-4, but no way is he a LB in a 4-3. He's way too big/tall and way too slow/stiff to play LB now. He is a defensive lineman all the way.

I don't see all 3 freshmen LBs making an impact next year either. They have a lot of guys to pass in order to do that, including all 3 starters and their back-ups (assuming Onwualu stays at OLB where he started and played a ton vs. LSU). But I can see one of them, MAYBE two, making some impact plays.

 

[Domina Nostra]

This is a review of the ND roster, assuming we get all of our current commits except McKinney. I assume we don't get Jones, ESB, another Safety, etc.

Here is how I think we look:

QB: Everett Golson/Malik Zaire
RB: Tarean Folston
WR: C.J. Prosise
WR1: Will Fuller
WR2: Davaris Daniels
TE: Durham Smythe
LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Steve Elmer
C: Nick Martin
RG: Quentin Nelson
RT: MIke McGlinchy
WDE: Andrew Trumbetti
DT1: Day
DT2: Jones
SDE: Rochelle
WILL: Jaylon Smith
MIKE: Nyles Morgan
SAM: James Onwualu
FS: Max Redfield
SS: Dru Tranquil
CB1) Cole Luke
CB2) Kevarie Russell

 

[irishff1014]

This is a review of the ND roster, assuming we get all of our current commits except McKinney. I assume we don't get Jones, ESB, another Safety, etc.

Here is how I think we look:

QB: Everett Golson/Malik Zaire
RB: Tarean Folston
WR: C.J. Prosise
WR1: Will Fuller
WR2: Davaris Daniels
TE: Durham Smythe
LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Steve Elmer
C: Nick Martin
RG: Quentin Nelson
RT: MIke McGlinchy
SDE: Andrew Trumbetti
WILL: Jaylon Smith
MIKE: Nyles Morgan
SAM: James Onwualu
FS: Max Redfield
SS: Dru Tranquil
CB1) Cole Luke
CB2) Kevarie Russell

First off I hope we have more then 8 defenders on the field. We struggled with 11 this can you image with 8. I could see Schmit pushing Morgan to Sam and him tking the mike spot. As long as he stayed in good shape Williams should start at the other DE spot. I don't see Drustarting either he isn't a division 1 safety.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Brown couldn't get off the Los, he has no business starting over Corey. Davaris coming back hopefully, eliminates brown starting anyways. Rochelle is not a de, slow laterally and likes to just power rush then hug the olineman. He needs to shed 20lbs or stay inside. Ishaq coming back and redshirts playing mostly eliminate his need on outside.

Agree with Rochelle, but Brown was our 2nd best receiver by the end of the year, and it wasn't even close really. Corey was slowed by injury, but still, Brown was better. He was getting off the line that last 4 games; teams were jamming him, especially LSU, and he caught only one ball less than Fuller and he had a higher ypc than Fuller. So it's not unfathomable to see him being our 2nd receiver, especially if Daniels doesn't return.

 

[NDinL.A.]

First off I hope we have more then 8 defenders on the field. We struggled with 11 this can you image with 8. I could see Schmit pushing Morgan to Sam and him tking the mike spot. As long as he stayed in good shape Williams should start at the other DE spot. I don't see Drustarting either he isn't a division 1 safety.

Dru will make you eat those words. He was a true freshman and was thrown into the fire, and you're writing him off already? Harrison Smith is laughing right now.

 

[koonja]

Dru will make you eat those words. He was a true freshman and was thrown into the fire, and you're writing him off already? Harrison Smith is laughing right now.

He said safety, and at safety I completely agree with him. I hope he winds up at LB somehow. When he was closer to the ball and blitzing, he made plays.

He's not fast enough for safety. He's not, NOT D1 safety material, but he's not scaring anyone back there. Yes, he was a freshman, but it's not like he's going to miraculously get faster, especially after an ACL tear. If he stays at safety, we're going to be complaining about him getting beat a lot, IMO.

 

[NDinL.A.]

He said safety, and at safety I completely agree with him. I hope he winds up at LB somehow. When he was closer to the ball and blitzing, he made plays.

He's not fast enough for safety. He's not, NOT D1 safety material, but he's not scaring anyone back there. Yes, he was a freshman, but it's not like he's going to miraculously get faster, especially after an ACL tear. If he stays at safety, we're going to be complaining about him getting beat a lot, IMO.

Actually you don't completely agree with him, unless you think Tranquill couldn't start at Western Michigan or Army. Dru Tranquil can play D1 safety. At the level we need? Remains to be seen, and a fair question. I see Shumate's starting there next year for sure. But to say he couldn't start for a place like Central Michigan is over-the-top.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Agree with Rochelle, but Brown was our 2nd best receiver by the end of the year, and it wasn't even close really. Corey was slowed by injury, but still, Brown was better. He was getting off the line that last 4 games; teams were jamming him, especially LSU, and he caught only one ball less than Fuller and he had a higher ypc than Fuller. So it's not unfathomable to see him being our 2nd receiver, especially if Daniels doesn't return.

Brown started 9 more games then Robinson. Caught 1 less ball and 4 less tds. The fact fuller did what he did with no real threat on opposite side, speaks to his awesomeness. Next year should be scary good, if Malik works on the deep ball.

 

[koonja]

Actually you don't completely agree with him, unless you think Tranquill couldn't start at Western Michigan or Army. Dru Tranquil can play D1 safety. At the level we need? Remains to be seen, and a fair question. But to say he couldn't start for a place like Central Michigan is over-the-top.

I do agree with him, I just also have an ability to recognize hyperbole.

I really liked Drue early in the season when he was near the line. He was nasty as a blitzer. I'm not sure it resulted in any sacks, but he got pressure. I like him there as a blitzer/fake blitzer who can jump back as a LB in sliding coverage. I think he'd be great in that role and own the shallow-middle of the field.

 

[kmoose]

Brown started 9 more games then Robinson. Caught 1 less ball and 4 less tds. The fact fuller did what he did with no real threat on opposite side, speaks to his awesomeness. Next year should be scary good, if Malik works on the deep ball.

I think what may play a big factor into who wins the starting job, between Robinson and Brown, might not be what they catch, but what they don't drop. Robinson had a LOT of drops(and/or balls that he just should have caught, but didn't) this year.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Drue was violent and active at lb. Putting him at safety was puzzling. Onwuala never really seemed around plays at lb like drue was