2025 Fall Practice Thread

[Some Irish Bloke]

That’s what I take from the warmup thing, the comment about how interceptions mess him up, even the fact that he comes from football royalty but played small-school ball in high school and never really got punched in the mouth. He has always been the chosen one, and that’s a lot of pressure. He seems to feel it.

He played D1 in MI. Plenty of D1 schollys going around in Ann Arbor and Metro-Detroit. I'm not saying it's IMG Academy or anything but "small school ball" is also not accurate. Obviously a small sample size, but I went to see him play against Ann Arbor Pioneer back in '22 and his parents and Lloyd just happened to end up sitting behind us. Nicest folks you'll ever meet; no part of me felt like there was an air of "football royalty" or "chosen one" going on. Carr ran up the score, was engaged with teammates between every drive then he was fully engaged on the sidelines when the second string went in. He looked like a true leader from where I sat. I'm not saying Minchey isn't, but I haven't seen him play live.

This isn't a direct shot at you stlnd but this whole thing is such a nothing burger. I can't believe how many posts Horka's dumb ass tweets got.

Freeman is such a big culture guy. If it was even a minor issue, I'm surprised people wouldn't give MFMF the benefit of the doubt that he would've shut it down immediately. We need real football, we have reached peak fall camp mode. Nothing better to talk about than a lower tier media member's BS take.

 

[Giddyup]

We’ve got a freshman AA at left tackle. Guerby’s time will come plus injuries are gonna happen.

 

[SoIll]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):

OFFENSE

Carr: Stretchgate is a nothingburger. He shows up early to stretch, that way he can start throwing earlier. He views this as HIS team, so he's trying to lead by putting in extra work.

Carr: first day was a little bit rust, a little bit forcing throws. He will adjust quickly, not concerned.

Minchey: has improved most of the physical and technique stuff, but needs to keep working on reading through the progression, consistent footwork, and knowing when to change the play at the line

Minchey: players suggesting that he is the starter are unfounded rumors

QB Battle in general: this is Carr's team unless he forgets how to play QB during fall camp

Love is a mutant that reminds people of Reggie Bush. Won't have the gaudy stats that Bush had, but will look freakish.

Price is really working on committing to inside runs, may have finally clicked

Kedren Young may not see much playing time, but it's not because he's not ready... RB room is crazy

Jagusah likely back mid-October if things go well

Lambert is a stud and potential a future AA

Burress vastly underrated, is going to see playing time

Pauling already looking like Mr. Reliable, will generate important 1st downs

Raridon is getting the media treatment, but TE will be a committee early on


DEFENSE

Bryce Young: bigger, faster, more mobility. Could be a double-digit sack guy if he puts it together

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Junior: will be a rush edge sometimes, but looks much more comfortable dropping into coverage if needed

Sneed: continues to learn how to play under control, using the athleticism within the system

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

KVA: continues to progress well

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Smith: he's on the cusp of being considered a true "Lockdown" DB in the secondary

Lol give the Goat his flowers! He's alive and well. (maybe he told you to not share is name)

 

[Free Manera]

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

Where do I find the "more interceptions than completions allowed" bet on Fanduel?

 

[arrowryan]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):

OFFENSE

Carr: Stretchgate is a nothingburger. He shows up early to stretch, that way he can start throwing earlier. He views this as HIS team, so he's trying to lead by putting in extra work.

Carr: first day was a little bit rust, a little bit forcing throws. He will adjust quickly, not concerned.

Minchey: has improved most of the physical and technique stuff, but needs to keep working on reading through the progression, consistent footwork, and knowing when to change the play at the line

Minchey: players suggesting that he is the starter are unfounded rumors

QB Battle in general: this is Carr's team unless he forgets how to play QB during fall camp

Love is a mutant that reminds people of Reggie Bush. Won't have the gaudy stats that Bush had, but will look freakish.

Price is really working on committing to inside runs, may have finally clicked

Kedren Young may not see much playing time, but it's not because he's not ready... RB room is crazy

Jagusah likely back mid-October if things go well

Lambert is a stud and potential a future AA

Burress vastly underrated, is going to see playing time

Pauling already looking like Mr. Reliable, will generate important 1st downs

Raridon is getting the media treatment, but TE will be a committee early on


DEFENSE

Bryce Young: bigger, faster, more mobility. Could be a double-digit sack guy if he puts it together

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Junior: will be a rush edge sometimes, but looks much more comfortable dropping into coverage if needed

Sneed: continues to learn how to play under control, using the athleticism within the system

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

KVA: continues to progress well

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Smith: he's on the cusp of being considered a true "Lockdown" DB in the secondary

That makes it really hard not to drink the kool-aid.

 

[LifelongFan]

If Dawson is that good and Young is catching on then the defense could be as close to perfect as imaginable.

 

[dublinirish]

That makes it really hard not to drink the kool-aid.

Kool-Aid drinkers are Future Bedwetters

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):

OFFENSE

Carr: Stretchgate is a nothingburger. He shows up early to stretch, that way he can start throwing earlier. He views this as HIS team, so he's trying to lead by putting in extra work.

Carr: first day was a little bit rust, a little bit forcing throws. He will adjust quickly, not concerned.

Minchey: has improved most of the physical and technique stuff, but needs to keep working on reading through the progression, consistent footwork, and knowing when to change the play at the line

Minchey: players suggesting that he is the starter are unfounded rumors

QB Battle in general: this is Carr's team unless he forgets how to play QB during fall camp

Love is a mutant that reminds people of Reggie Bush. Won't have the gaudy stats that Bush had, but will look freakish.

Price is really working on committing to inside runs, may have finally clicked

Kedren Young may not see much playing time, but it's not because he's not ready... RB room is crazy

Jagusah likely back mid-October if things go well

Lambert is a stud and potential a future AA

Burress vastly underrated, is going to see playing time

Pauling already looking like Mr. Reliable, will generate important 1st downs

Raridon is getting the media treatment, but TE will be a committee early on


DEFENSE

Bryce Young: bigger, faster, more mobility. Could be a double-digit sack guy if he puts it together

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Junior: will be a rush edge sometimes, but looks much more comfortable dropping into coverage if needed

Sneed: continues to learn how to play under control, using the athleticism within the system

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

KVA: continues to progress well

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Smith: he's on the cusp of being considered a true "Lockdown" DB in the secondary

This is the most encouraging thing I've read in a while. If each of these players meets half of these projections, we're in a for an incredible year.

Noticed Malachi wasn't mentioned, nor Tae, nor Greathouse, Traore, Burnham, Botelho, Gray, Moore, Shuler, Craig, Schrauth, etc. Meaning, they are already expected to be huge pieces. Add the players above and we're looking at a really lethal team.

I'm most curious in our blitz percentage the first few games. How much pressure do we bring with the expectation that 4 should get home. Does Miami's stout O-line force us to bring 5 and 6 or can we make things uncomfortable with our sticky secondary and 4 DLs collapsing the pocket?

We still have nearly 4 weeks to go. I'm ready to see regular season data point 1 of 12!!!

 

[NDFAN2008]

If Dawson is unblockable it's gonna cause teams to have to double team him which is gonna allow the DE's to pick up more sacks.

 

[Irish#1]

What's that phrase? "All is well."

 

[allenm5333]

If Dawson is unblockable it's gonna cause teams to have to double team him which is gonna allow the DE's to pick up more sacks.

And LBs to fill gaps in run game. Great things!

 

[NDWarrior]

'Unicorn' freshman safety raising eyebrows among Notre Dame coaches, analysts. They JaDon make 'em like this anymore.

 

[NDFAN2008]

And LBs to fill gaps in run game. Great things!

Exactly I think this opens up things for Sneed, Asa, Ausberry, even Shular in certain blitz situations

 

[irishnd31]

And @IrishLion saves this trash can of a thread. I just wasted so much time on absolutely nothing. I went through 4 pages of useless shit to find 1 post that isn’t just a waste of effort postig it. I wish there was a way to identify posts as useless drivel and ones with actual substance.

My post total would get bumped down to 3.

 

[IrishLax]

Got some info from a reliable source, will paraphrase (and may include some of my own inferences):

OFFENSE

Carr: Stretchgate is a nothingburger. He shows up early to stretch, that way he can start throwing earlier. He views this as HIS team, so he's trying to lead by putting in extra work.

Carr: first day was a little bit rust, a little bit forcing throws. He will adjust quickly, not concerned.

Minchey: has improved most of the physical and technique stuff, but needs to keep working on reading through the progression, consistent footwork, and knowing when to change the play at the line

Minchey: players suggesting that he is the starter are unfounded rumors

QB Battle in general: this is Carr's team unless he forgets how to play QB during fall camp

Love is a mutant that reminds people of Reggie Bush. Won't have the gaudy stats that Bush had, but will look freakish.

Price is really working on committing to inside runs, may have finally clicked

Kedren Young may not see much playing time, but it's not because he's not ready... RB room is crazy

Jagusah likely back mid-October if things go well

Lambert is a stud and potential a future AA

Burress vastly underrated, is going to see playing time

Pauling already looking like Mr. Reliable, will generate important 1st downs

Raridon is getting the media treatment, but TE will be a committee early on


DEFENSE

Bryce Young: bigger, faster, more mobility. Could be a double-digit sack guy if he puts it together

Dawson: can't be blocked right now (panic about interior OL was NOT included... Dawson might just be a dude)

Junior: will be a rush edge sometimes, but looks much more comfortable dropping into coverage if needed

Sneed: continues to learn how to play under control, using the athleticism within the system

Secondary in general: might work better as a collective unit than last year's did

KVA: continues to progress well

Onye: massive human, also progressing well

Smith: he's on the cusp of being considered a true "Lockdown" DB in the secondary

I think general vibe around the program is that this is the most top-to-bottom talented team in the modern era of ND football. There have been some teams like 2012 (Te'o, Martin) and 2015 (Smith, Fuller, Stanley, etc.) that have had some truly elite players but always had "holes" at other spots. This team has rotational guys that would be stars on some past teams and the worst positions are still top or middle tier P5 starters.

 

[NDVirginia19]

'Unicorn' freshman safety raising eyebrows among Notre Dame coaches, analysts. They JaDon make 'em like this anymore.

Opposing OCs to Mike Mickens

 

[Irish5Saint]

I think general vibe around the program is that this is the most top-to-bottom talented team in the modern era of ND football. There have been some teams like 2012 (Te'o, Martin) and 2015 (Smith, Fuller, Stanley, etc.) that have had some truly elite players but always had "holes" at other spots. This team has rotational guys that would be stars on some past teams and the worst positions are still top or middle tier P5 starters.

More than 2024?

 

[NDVirginia19]

More than 2024?

I think it really hinges on three things:

How does the LB Corps fare without Kiser
How does the interior DL fare without Mills/Cross
Does the arm of Minchey/Carr make up for the loss of Leonard's legs?

I think if just one out of three of those things is better with the 25 team, then the 25 team is better than the 24 team.

 

[tko]

"Dawson spelled backwards is Noswad"

I had to look this player up.

 

[ndfanatic78]

My post total would get bumped down to 3.

Disagree. You at least add humor. Not a bunch of fear based reactionary thinking.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think it really hinges on three things:

How does the LB Corps fare without Kiser
How does the interior DL fare without Mills/Cross
Does the arm of Minchey/Carr make up for the loss of Leonard's legs?

I think if just one out of three of those things is better with the 25 team, then the 25 team is better than the 24 team.

In full agreement but I'd add the loss of Watts in with Kiser as well. Between Kiser/Watts/Golden there was a lot of synergistic defensive intelligence that was lost this off season that I'm much more concerned about than athleticism. I think the D boys are going to be studly from an athletics perspective.

 

[NDVirginia19]

In full agreement but I'd add the loss of Watts in with Kiser as well. Between Kiser/Watts/Golden there was a lot of synergistic defensive intelligence that was lost this off season that I'm much more concerned about than athleticism. I think the D boys are going to be studly from an athletics perspective.

Considered adding in the loss of Watts, but I think talent wise we have the horses and I trust Mike Mickens to cook

 

[IrishLax]

More than 2024?

2024 had much worse OL and WRs, and most of the guys are just better versions of themselves from last year.

 

[stlnd01]

Considered adding in the loss of Watts, but I think talent wise we have the horses and I trust Mike Mickens to cook

There was just so much experience up the middle of our defense last year. We're probably upgrading talent - especially if Dawson's legit - but those guys had played a lot of ball. Kinda wish our two first games weren't (likely) the two toughest on the schedule.

 

[dublinirish]

There was just so much experience up the middle of our defense last year. We're probably upgrading talent - especially if Dawson's legit - but those guys had played a lot of ball. Kinda wish our two first games weren't (likely) the two toughest on the schedule.

Should be an advantage for ND to have this every year though. Other teams have way more turnover than ND. ND's consistency each year should always give them advantage. Look at A+M last year, they got better as year went on and ND got them early and got the W.

 

[Huntr]

There was just so much experience up the middle of our defense last year. We're probably upgrading talent - especially if Dawson's legit - but those guys had played a lot of ball. Kinda wish our two first games weren't (likely) the two toughest on the schedule.

In Drayk we trust

 

[stlnd01]

Should be an advantage for ND to have this every year though. Other teams have way more turnover than ND. ND's consistency each year should always give them advantage. Look at A+M last year, they got better as year went on and ND got them early and got the W.

True. Came up in another thread (or maybe this one, I can't recall) how 21 of our 23 recruits in the class of 2023 are still here. Those guys are juniors now, the heart of this year's depth chart, and have spent three years playing together. That's a big advantage over these revolving-door programs, especially early in the season.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I think general vibe around the program is that this is the most top-to-bottom talented team in the modern era of ND football. There have been some teams like 2012 (Te'o, Martin) and 2015 (Smith, Fuller, Stanley, etc.) that have had some truly elite players but always had "holes" at other spots. This team has rotational guys that would be stars on some past teams and the worst positions are still top or middle tier P5

Whats scary is 75% of the starters and the 2 deep should be back next year.

 

[ShroudedInMystery]

True. Came up in another thread (or maybe this one, I can't recall) how 21 of our 23 recruits in the class of 2023 are still here. Those guys are juniors now, the heart of this year's depth chart, and have spent three years playing together. That's a big advantage over these revolving-door programs, especially early in the season.

I count 19. Pendleton, Flores, Bell, James are transfers

 

[CoachB]

Should be an advantage for ND to have this every year though. Other teams have way more turnover than ND. ND's consistency each year should always give them advantage. Look at A+M last year, they got better as year went on and ND got them early and got the W.

I like the gist of your post and agree, however A&M fell off drastically last year. Started 7-1 and finished 8-5.