2024 WRs

[IrishLax]

What do people think? How imperative is it get a top outside guy in the portal? I think ND should be moving heaven and earth to get at least one difference maker there. I think slot will be fine.

1. Faison. If he bulks up — which he almost certainly will — seems like he can be a dynamic return guy and slot WR. Super shifty but is always going to struggle with releases from the outside because he doesn’t have elite “top end” speed and is small.
2. Greathouse. Clearly his best position is the slot. Like Faison, he lacks top end speed, but he runs routes well and has good hands.
3. Flores. I’m “stock down” here because he seems to have the worst attributes of Faison and Greathouse, but as depth in the slot he seems fine.

On the outside, there are zero proven players. Thomas and Colzie were hurt this year, Merriweather played poorly. Braylon James couldn’t get on the field but has upside at least.

 

[IrishSpartan]

The only possible portal qb i like so far is Cam Ward. His receivers arent bad either

 

[Riddickulous]

We have a solid group of freshman receivers who should develop into productive players, but we're lacking a true gamebreaker. If we can scoop one up in the portal, we absolutely should.

Merriweather is the only one with true #1 potential IMO. Hopefully he can have a career trajectory like Boykin or Claypool where he gets more and more productive each year.

 

[NDMatt91]

I think they need 1-2 WR's from the portal. You can't bank on Cam being a stud from day 1 and for every WR with eligibility remaining to return. Prister and the II folks would prefer they bring in 2 WR's.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Much like their OL being all guards, their WR corps is pretty much all slot guys. Had Jaden Thomas been healthy he may have used this season to really get the needed reps in and become the leader we expected him to be. Not his fault but why is he still playing if it’s not close to 100%? I see him out there blocking & giving 100% but zero targets. Has Sam just moved away from him based on recent “success” w/ the younger guys?

On Sam’s horrible decision last night that ended in a pick, Merriweather looked to have his guy beat on the post. That may have required Sam to escape the pocket b/c he threw flat-footed and it cost him. If they could get a boundary guy, they should. Question is who would that be & why would they choose ND?

My gut tells me Colzie is transferring. MF keeps saying his recovery is slower than expected. That may be a nice way of saying “he’s decided to RS and look for opportunities in the portal”

it’s going to really come down to QB experience next year IMO. The WR corps has enough reps that they can really show growth next season w/ the right QB. Looking at if from a fan’s POV right now: Parker as OC, this WR corps & an inexperienced QB spells disaster for the offense.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Bring Hartline over from OSU as OC and bring a couple of WR's with him.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Bring Hartline over from OSU as OC and bring a couple of WR's with him.

So another unproven OC?

 

[NDFAN2008]

What do people think? How imperative is it get a top outside guy in the portal? I think ND should be moving heaven and earth to get at least one difference maker there. I think slot will be fine.

1. Faison. If he bulks up — which he almost certainly will — seems like he can be a dynamic return guy and slot WR. Super shifty but is always going to struggle with releases from the outside because he doesn’t have elite “top end” speed and is small.
2. Greathouse. Clearly his best position is the slot. Like Faison, he lacks top end speed, but he runs routes well and has good hands.
3. Flores. I’m “stock down” here because he seems to have the worst attributes of Faison and Greathouse, but as depth in the slot he seems fine.

On the outside, there are zero proven players. Thomas and Colzie were hurt this year, Merriweather played poorly. Braylon James couldn’t get on the field but has upside at least.

How can you say Faison doesn’t have top end speed? He’s burned a ton of DB’s in the minimal playing time

 

[stlnd01]

I think we have to take a big outside WR. We were really lacking that after Colzie went down and Tobias never quite emerged - and right now I'm not sure you rely on either of them for next year, nor can you assume Cam Williams will walk in and be a stud. Like Dodger said, basically everyone else is slot guys.

The tricky part will be who we bring in - we're not going to attract some alpha dog WR, with our current transfer restrictions and the questions at OC/QB - but maybe there's a Ben Skowronek type out there we could snag. That would go a long way.

 

[CanadalovesND]

How can you say Faison doesn’t have top end speed? He’s burned a ton of DB’s in the minimal playing time

I don't think Faison runs a 4.3 - that would be the definition of top end speed. Faison showed to be great at exploding at the top of his route, which is why he burned some DBs for TDs this season.

 

[irishff1014]

I think they will have to go to the portal. If all of these guys are still here it’ll be a miracle. And might depend on the OC and QB. I am disappointed there is no tweet that Parker is gone. Not surprised though.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I don't think Faison runs a 4.3 - that would be the definition of top end speed. Faison showed to be great at exploding at the top of his route, which is why he burned some DBs for TDs this season.

Technically I’ve heard media say Tyree is faster but Faison has the stop & go/lateral movement that makes him electric.

 

[IrishSpartan]

We will probably go after the Virginia kid. But i hope we go deep and try to find a Jamari Thrash some where.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

So another unproven OC?

Sure..why not? what proven OC is going to come to ND with this Roster with essentially a Rookie head coach? Someone from the PAC12 where Defense doesn't exist and they literally will have no idea how to adjust?

 

[arrowryan]

Definitely test the waters in the portal. But, generally speaking, there should be optimism for the group.

 

[MacIrish75]

I don’t care how you have to tamper. You force the Ayomanor kid from Stanford to tell you no.

I think you make sure that Tyree has an open invite to return, also.

 

[Armyirish47]

Definitely test the waters in the portal. But, generally speaking, there should be optimism for the group.

This is where I'm at, and I wouldn't bring in more than one irregardless (portal surprises out notwithstanding). With what we have, the freshman, and what will be a loaded TE and RB room we don't have a super duper need for lots of bodies.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Thomas basically counts as an addition to the 2024 roster. He only had 17 catches this year and most of that was against the easy part of the schedule.

I would love to add an outside possession guy (a Skowronek would be perfect) but I am pretty optimistic on the unit heading into 2024.

 

[IrishLax]

How can you say Faison doesn’t have top end speed? He’s burned a ton of DB’s in the minimal playing time

Trust me, he doesn’t have great “top end” speed. He’s not like a Tyreek Hill or Will Fuller style player who will post an elite 40 time. He’s more of Kyren Williams with elite short area quickness and agility, if that makes sense. His acceleration and speed within 15 yards of making a cut is as good as it gets, but he isn’t going to just run away from guys in a straight line.

 

[IrishLax]

Technically I’ve heard media say Tyree is faster but Faison has the stop & go/lateral movement that makes him electric.

This is exactly it. Tyree is way faster in a straight line 40. Tyree has nowhere close to the lateral quickness, agility, short area speed, etc. of Faison. The latter is way more important when it comes to being a productive WR like Edelman, Welker, etc.

Faison is a borderline Tavon Austin level player when it comes to “joystick” plays and it’s a miracle we got him here on a lacrosse offer. He has crazy upside because he does all the stuff you can’t teach while being his first year of playing the position full time AND not having done real football S&C.

 

[Irishdrunk]

So another unproven OC?

He is not leaving OSU for ND unless it’s to be HC which isn’t happening. And are you actually comparing Hartline with our beloved War Daddy??

Why do posters put out nutty takes?

 

[allenm5333]

What do people think? How imperative is it get a top outside guy in the portal? I think ND should be moving heaven and earth to get at least one difference maker there. I think slot will be fine.

1. Faison. If he bulks up — which he almost certainly will — seems like he can be a dynamic return guy and slot WR. Super shifty but is always going to struggle with releases from the outside because he doesn’t have elite “top end” speed and is small.
2. Greathouse. Clearly his best position is the slot. Like Faison, he lacks top end speed, but he runs routes well and has good hands.
3. Flores. I’m “stock down” here because he seems to have the worst attributes of Faison and Greathouse, but as depth in the slot he seems fine.

On the outside, there are zero proven players. Thomas and Colzie were hurt this year, Merriweather played poorly. Braylon James couldn’t get on the field but has upside at least.

X: Portal
Slot: Faison, Greathouse, Thomas, Tyree
Field: Merriweather, Greathouse, Flores, KK Smith, Thomas.

None of those are in order. Colzie is a question mark. The incoming freshmen are all field/slot guys. I could see Cam becoming an X in time but too small now.

 

[IAIrish]

Faison- came in and forced the staff to play him and give him a scholly. Will be one of my favs going forward for that tenacity. Imo, speed won't be any problem as he gains strength when cobinined with that wiggle. Thomas- it'll be interesting to see how Thomas is utilized going forward. Imo, he'll need to play boundary unless we're able to get a starting caliber boundary in the portal. If he has to play slot, he may be behind Faison, Greathouse and Tyree from a receiving perspective. Flores- This kid will always be underrated and discounted, imo. He'll just keep making plays and be that integral guy that improves yoy. Tyree- Hope he returns, but wouldn't be surprised if he moved on. Greathouse- imo, if we wasnt our best receiving threats starting, he can't be the slot. I think you get him a ton of reps at boundary and get him strong enough to win at the line. Has the smarts, just needs some physical development. Colzie- based on Freeman's reaction to any questions about him, would be shocked if he's on the roster next season. James- I hope he has a monster off season. Otherwise, it'll be tough catching out a role. That reported 4.4 showed needs to show up. KK Smith- ditto James comments. Merriweather- phew.. tantalizing highs, but if he doesn't take a big leap in tenacity/ fight in winter conditioning, he'll be on the next flight to a west coast school. Maddening talent. I agree with most that this position needs 1-2 in the portal, with a starting caliber boundary being the wish. Without that, it'll be a struggle.

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[notredomer23]

I am still firmly in the camp of paying for the best WR you can possibly get over QB, unless you can get Pratt or Ward. The offensive issues came down to inexperience and lack of numbers at receiver (outside of Parker). They don’t even need to add a stud there, but a guy who can get you 25-30 catches and will make it through the season. Idk what the offense would have looked like if transfer Kaleb Smith made it to fall camp because I generally think he stunk, but an additional 30 catch guy would have made a world of difference IMO

 

[INLaw]

Faison- came in and forced the staff to play him and give him a scholly. Will be one of my favs going forward for that tenacity. Imo, speed won't be any problem as he gains strength when cobinined with that wiggle. Thomas- it'll be interesting to see how Thomas is utilized going forward. Imo, he'll need to play boundary unless we're able to get a starting caliber boundary in the portal. If he has to play slot, he may be behind Faison, Greathouse and Tyree from a receiving perspective. Flores- This kid will always be underrated and discounted, imo. He'll just keep making plays and be that integral guy that improves yoy. Tyree- Hope he returns, but wouldn't be surprised if he moved on. Greathouse- imo, if we wasnt our best receiving threats starting, he can't be the slot. I think you get him a ton of reps at boundary and get him strong enough to win at the line. Has the smarts, just needs some physical development. Colzie- based on Freeman's reaction to any questions about him, would be shocked if he's on the roster next season. James- I hope he has a monster off season. Otherwise, it'll be tough catching out a role. That reported 4.4 showed needs to show up. KK Smith- ditto James comments. Merriweather- phew.. tantalizing highs, but if he doesn't take a big leap in tenacity/ fight in winter conditioning, he'll be on the next flight to a west coast school. Maddening talent. I agree with most that this position needs 1-2 in the portal, with a starting caliber boundary being the wish. Without that, it'll be a struggle.

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Great rundown
There's the rundown you asked for.

 

[BobbyMac]

They are doing deep dives on who is eligible to GT and the right kinda guy to get. Stanford or Duke will probably end up with Luke McCaffrey but ND could certainly get in the mix. He's quietly had 2 very productive years at Rice after transferring in from Neb where he played QB.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I’d be all over the Stanford players for transfers the good ones that is they aren’t good and won’t be good for a while

 

[Irish4life]

What do people think? How imperative is it get a top outside guy in the portal? I think ND should be moving heaven and earth to get at least one difference maker there. I think slot will be fine.

1. Faison. If he bulks up — which he almost certainly will — seems like he can be a dynamic return guy and slot WR. Super shifty but is always going to struggle with releases from the outside because he doesn’t have elite “top end” speed and is small.
2. Greathouse. Clearly his best position is the slot. Like Faison, he lacks top end speed, but he runs routes well and has good hands.
3. Flores. I’m “stock down” here because he seems to have the worst attributes of Faison and Greathouse, but as depth in the slot he seems fine.

On the outside, there are zero proven players. Thomas and Colzie were hurt this year, Merriweather played poorly. Braylon James couldn’t get on the field but has upside at least.

Add 2 good, veteran receivers to the WR room and the position group is a genuine strength. I don't know how you can be down on Flores after the season he's had lol.

 

[stpeteirish]

I’d be all over the Stanford players for transfers the good ones that is they aren’t good and won’t be good for a while

Correct. They had a ton of guys transfer last year because the the school's graduate programs don't automatically take their own athletes! Their seniors should be ripe for the plucking and the underclassman angle should be a lot more viable from the ND academic perspective than most other schools. Same goes for Duke if Elko leaves.

 

[Grahambo]

I think you can look for depth in the portal but play design and offensive scheme matter more. The WR room is talented but their route combos were poorly drawn up to include minimal spacing.

Always look for depth though.