2025 Transfer Portal

[IrishFanForever23]

How could the oline room possibly be a mess. Rudolph put together a top tier line last year with duct tape and wd 40. They should all say thanks what should I do next sir and shut the fuck up.

He's insinuating that Rudolph says one thing and does another and some of the guys don't feel like they received a fair shot or were put in the best position to succeed prior to the season.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Driskell poured more gasoline on the OL room being a mess and the players don't trust Rudolph and that's why these players are transferring. Even goes on to say he expects more to leave unless it's corrected.

I don't buy a word Driskell says. So is the OL room a mess because Rudolph isn't promising starting spots? Sorry you need to compete and earn your spot.

 

[Dale]

We’ve had two OL coaches and if Rocco is one of them mad, he’s had issues with both.

Maybe it’s not the OL coach at fault

 

[NDFAN2008]

He's insinuating that Rudolph says one thing and does another and some of the guys don't feel like they received a fair shot or were put in the best position to succeed prior to the season.

Not sure how Sam Pendelton didn't get a fair shot he started because of injuries then looked bad at times. Coogan and Spindler were given more than a fair shot. You can't make promises to guys that they'll start if that's the case you'll lose more guys

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

He's insinuating that Rudolph says one thing and does another and some of the guys don't feel like they received a fair shot or were put in the best position to succeed prior to the season.

That's 100% got to be Spindler there. He was somehow in the doghouse and not getting brought up as a contender for a starting spot during camp.

 

[NDFAN2008]

We’ve had two OL coaches and if Rocco is one of them mad, he’s had issues with both.

Maybe it’s not the OL coach at fault

Rocco wanted a starting spot gurantee and got his feelings hurt when he was told no

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Not sure how Sam Pendelton didn't get a fair shot he started because of injuries then looked bad at times. Coogan and Spindler were given more than a fair shot. You can't make promises to guys that they'll start if that's the case you'll lose more guys

He actually touched on Pendleton a bit saying it was a bad decision to start Pendleton on the left side next to another freshman aka Knapp and that the injuries saved Rudolph as he was forced to start playing the other guys that should have been starting the year. He also made it sound like people felt he was playing favorites with certain players and those players couldn't do anything wrong even if they had terrible games.

 

[Huntr]

This whole thread is fun:

 

[IrishFanForever23]

This whole thread is fun:

That dude is spitting out the same stuff Driskell did. He mentioned Fisher and Correll leaving without hesitation too as if it was the OL room that made the decision for them.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Gawd. Talk about inventing unknowable "reasons" for things which are pretty obvious.

Hell, IE has known for months that our OLine room is too good to stay intact (without an NFL salary incentive for second teamers.)

I would go so far to say, that at this stage in a young man's life, even if the "pay" was high, he is wanting to see how far he can go in his favorite "fantasy" (playing in the NFL) and is going to give himself what he believes is his best chance --- which means starting in a college program.

I'm sorry to waste everyone's time reiterating what all of our football-smart IE posters already know, and what certain "media" people seem to deliberately ignore in order to make money creating bitchfests --- or they are really WAY DUMBER people than I thought. (I would, by the way, find stupidity more forgivable than self-serving conscious lying about things.)

 

[IAIrish]

Sounds like a nothing burger. I'd be surprised if Coogan and Rocco weren't a little salty about not having an assured spot after 2 years of starting. And Pendleton lost his spot due to poor game performance.

I'm surprised Absher didn't bail too as a fellow Carolinian who didn't get any run.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Driskell poured more gasoline on the OL room being a mess and the players don't trust Rudolph and that's why these players are transferring. Even goes on to say he expects more to leave unless it's corrected.

I have zero insight but if I had to guess, I would speculate that Driskell chummied up w/ Marc Spindler in fanboy fashion & that’s his “source”. Rocco went to ND as a tribute to his grandfather so Marc couldn’t care less one way or the other just that his kid get a starting position. But that seems to have been Driskel’s MO while on the beat post-Somogyi.

 

[ColinKSU]

I have zero insight but if I had to guess, I would speculate that Driskell chummied up w/ Marc Spindler in fanboy fashion & that’s his “source”. Rocco went to ND as a tribute to his grandfather so Marc couldn’t care less one way or the other just that his kid get a starting position. But that seems to have been Driskel’s MO while on the beat post-Somogyi.

It's always been unbelievably obvious who Driskell's sources are on the team. No one had more excuses for why Merriweather didn't produce on the field than Coach D.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Driskell poured more gasoline on the OL room being a mess and the players don't trust Rudolph and that's why these players are transferring. Even goes on to say he expects more to leave unless it's corrected.

This just sounds like Driskell not having any clue what he's talking about.

The OL played terrific this year, despite the injuries. You could argue that it was the group that the entire team rallied around. What exactly is the problem? Guys don't trust Rudolph...why? Because no one is guaranteed a starting spot?

It just seems like this is out of nowhere. The group played well all year. They seemed united and loved by the entire team. And Driskell is the only guy reporting this, with not a peep of there being problems from any other source.

I mean, it just is really, really hard to believe.

 

[NDMatt91]

It's always been unbelievably obvious who Driskell's sources are on the team. No one had more excuses for why Merriweather didn't produce on the field than Coach D.

That's why IB is able to get the parents of players/recruits on their youtube shows. The parents are the sources.

 

[notredomer23]

Hmmmm... sounds like sour grapes because experienced but less taleneted older guys are getting passed up by much more talented younger guys, and we know Driskell's only sources are player parents. Think Dodger nailed it.

I am glad we're going to go through this at least once an off-season though with a specific position group. I am sure if Devan Houstan transfers the Al Washington trashing will commence.

 

[Katzenboyer]

He's insinuating that Rudolph says one thing and does another and some of the guys don't feel like they received a fair shot or were put in the best position to succeed prior to the season.

WTF does this mean?

Neither Rocco nor Coogan started the season, and played because of injuries. Is Driskell insinuating that both those guys were promised starting roles before the year and were upset because younger guys beat them out? Or that they want promises to start next year?

And WTF does "received a fair shot"? We rotated a lot of bodies on the OL this year.

Seriously, this absolutely boggles my mind. It just smells like complete BS (or a disgruntled parent/parents).

 

[gregm83]

I would prefer a certain amount of back ups to be pissed.
Last thing you need is backups not giving effort.
Has to be some degree of turnover year to year

 

[gregm83]

Wasnt Rocco even full go (healthy) until Fall camp

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

I’m shocked Sneed isn’t in the portal

Why? He got meaningful playoff minutes

 

[IrishFanForever23]

WTF does this mean?

Neither Rocco nor Coogan started the season, and played because of injuries. Is Driskell insinuating that both those guys were promised starting roles before the year and were upset because younger guys beat them out? Or that they want promises to start next year?

And WTF does "received a fair shot"? We rotated a lot of bodies on the OL this year.

Seriously, this absolutely boggles my mind. It just smells like complete BS (or a disgruntled parent/parents).

No, not that they were promised starting roles and didn't get them. He was saying how Pendleton was able to stick with one position on the left side, yet Spindler was jumping between positions constantly drill after drill which didn't help his development.

As others have stated, it's obvious Rocco and/or his dad are the sources.

 

[Katzenboyer]

No, not that they were promised starting roles and didn't get them. He was saying how Pendleton was able to stick with one position on the left side, yet Spindler was jumping between positions constantly drill after drill which didn't help his development.

As others have stated, it's obvious Rocco and/or his dad are the sources.

It's clearly a parent who's upset. But I don't see how Driskell takes that and turns it into the "OL room is a mess" and "Rudolph broke promises."

It's just frustrating to read about these supposed problems coming off the best year of ND Football since 1993, especially when they just do not seem to be rooted in any kind of fact.

 

[Rocketman84]

17 vs 7

But 9 of those were on the first drive that ended in a TD so it's kinda hard to complain about those. Also a few were unplanned scrambles.

Agree 9 were on the first drive, but hard to fathom winning a game and you tell me our backs ran 7 times. Pretty much impossible

 

[Rocketman84]

I think the run game will be better if whomever is the QB is an effective downfield passer. I mean QB run is just numbers. It’s a +1 to the offense. But teams rarely didn’t pack the box against us so that’s a -1 or even -2. If you have to respect the pass game, and the OL is better, it’ll all even out

Exactamente! Then perhaps land a few reliable down field deep threats

 

[stlnd01]

Why? He got meaningful playoff minutes

He's also long been close with Freeman and seems to value being at Notre Dame. I could see him going either way, wouldn't at all assume he'll leave.

He's also one where the system he's in matters a lot. He's better suited for rover than inside backer, and not everyone uses a rover, but he also comes off the field alot in nickel packages. I do wonder if the uncertainty about DC/system might be a factor here.

 

[dublinirish]

Driskell's sources are always the parents of disgruntled players

 

[rtrn2glory]

If he talked to Roccos Dad I can bet he was disgruntled. From my brief experience with him he had hardcore annoying parent written all over him

 

[dublinirish]

If he talked to Roccos Dad I can bet he was disgruntled. From my brief experience with him he had hardcore annoying parent written all over him

dude used to get ejected from his daughters high school tennis matches for trash talking ump's and her opponents lol, hes something.

 

[BeatSC]

Yes hahaha

What a dork

 

[IrishLax]