2026 Spring Practice Thread

[Dale]

This is basically how I feel about WRs:


There is a lot of athleticism and a lot of potential in this group. They could be anything! Even a really productive, NFL caliber WR...

They are replacing two proven veterans. Who here would take Fields + Pauling back for another year in lieu of rolling the dice on the ~8 guys who all combined have much less production than either Fields or Pauling? I don't think many would. I think the vast majority of people would rather go for higher ceiling playmakers. Bring on the mystery box. But I hope we aren't kidding ourselves that the guys they're replacing were quite good when called upon and these are big shoes to fill.

Faison/Graham > Faison
Greathouse/Graham > Pauling (if big if healthy)
Porter/Gilbert/Williams < Fields

The question is Greathouse’ health and really how big of a drop of their is from Fields. It could be large, it could be non-existent. We’ll have to see. I do think Gilbert is underrated considering Fields got benched during the Miami game and Gilbert caught a TD. He’s always had a good connection with Carr seemingly. He also just wasn’t healthy last year.

They will eat in the run game but IMO Raridon to Flanigan/Flanagan will be a bigger drop off in the pass game than anything at WR

 

[OKCDomer23]

They will eat in the run game but IMO Raridon to Flanigan/Flanagan will be a bigger drop off in the pass game than anything at WR

I think Premer may get a real look at legitimate pt as a true frosh. His receiving skills at tight end are outstanding and some of the best film I've seen ever for the position in hs with very good speed. He's also 6'6" with long arms and plays like a wr. Blocking supposedly on point. Superb overall talent. His commitment to ND last year was the most surprising to me considering the 5 star status and minimal smoke prior. Very excited about this kid.

 

[NDPhilly]

I think Premer may get a real look at legitimate pt as a true frosh. His receiving skills at tight end are outstanding and some of the best film I've seen ever for the position in hs with very good speed. He's also 6'6" with long arms and plays like a wr. Blocking supposedly on point. Superb overall talent. His commitment to ND last year was the most surprising to me considering the 5 star status and minimal smoke prior. Very excited about this kid.

Yeah I actually just realized Premer is our highest rated Tight End commit in the modern recruiting era. Ended up a composite 5 star and the #1 TE in the country. Slightly higher than Mayer, Raridon, and Kyle Rudolph out of HS.

If he doesn’t play meaningful snaps it would be a surprise. Lot of natural talent between the Flanagans and him.

https://247sports.com/player/ian-premer-46148527/

 

[NDFAN2008]

I think Premer may get a real look at legitimate pt as a true frosh. His receiving skills at tight end are outstanding and some of the best film I've seen ever for the position in hs with very good speed. He's also 6'6" with long arms and plays like a wr. Blocking supposedly on point. Superb overall talent. His commitment to ND last year was the most surprising to me considering the 5 star status and minimal smoke prior. Very excited about this kid.

I think the TE room will be deeper this year than last as long as it stays healthy.

 

[ab2cmiller]

It feels like it's been a long long time since we've had a healthy TE room. Hopefully this is the year.

 

[OKCDomer23]

I don't see anyone on the current roster that will touch Premer's receiving potential at te. Love the size at 6'6" and athletic traits, star basketball player too. Kid is big already and supposedly has serious juice with the ball in his hands. Very eager to see what he does. ISD has his potential comp as Tyler Warren. Enough said.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Yeah I actually just realized Premer is our highest rated Tight End commit in the modern recruiting era. Ended up a composite 5 star and the #1 TE in the country. Slightly higher than Mayer, Raridon, and Kyle Rudolph out of HS.

If he doesn’t play meaningful snaps it would be a surprise. Lot of natural talent between the Flanagans and him.

https://247sports.com/player/ian-premer-46148527/

IDK if it's a good or bad thing, but I have VERY high expectations for Premer coming in. He reminds me so much of the group you just mentioned and actually might be more athletic overall than the bunch.

 

[Old Man Mike]

"Michael Mayer" would be nice somewhere on this team, but I'd take "Brock Wright" in a heartbeat.

 

[allenm5333]

"Michael Mayer" would be nice somewhere on this team, but I'd take "Brock Wright" in a heartbeat.

Junior year Mitchell Evans would be good

 

[Dale]

I think Premer may get a real look at legitimate pt as a true frosh. His receiving skills at tight end are outstanding and some of the best film I've seen ever for the position in hs with very good speed. He's also 6'6" with long arms and plays like a wr. Blocking supposedly on point. Superb overall talent. His commitment to ND last year was the most surprising to me considering the 5 star status and minimal smoke prior. Very excited about this kid.

Premer playing significant snaps would definitely change things

 

[GoldenAura]

 

[Ian77]

IDK if it's a good or bad thing, but I have VERY high expectations for Premer coming in. He reminds me so much of the group you just mentioned and actually might be more athletic overall than the bunch.

Same here. I do wish he could've EE'd, but so many of the other frosh did, so I can't really complain too much. Watching his highlights, he's so much bigger than the other kids that it's almost unnecessary to point him out pre-snap like most highlight films do. It'd be nice if he could have a spring playing with other guys in his weight class, so to speak.