'21 CA QB Tyler Buchner (ND FB -> Bama FB -> ND LAX???)

[FightingIrishLover7]

He’d be the third best lacrosse player on the football team.

I'm a huge fan of Tyler's (the person) and I refuse to say anything mean spirited about him.

But damn if this didn't make me lol

 

[stlnd01]

I guess that's where I differ because rees is a big part of why NDs offense is finally set up to be really really good (I expect it to be better than Bama). I think Rees calls his own shot if he had stayed and NDs offense becomes what it should be. I think that will take 2-3 years more at Bama. Maybe that's the right thing, to train under saban, or maybe he wants a shot at bama after saban. I don't know. But I think ND's offense is set up to be better in 23 than Bama, and I think his next big gig would be quicker to happen at ND.

It's worth remembering just how young Rees is. He's only 31. He's got a LONG career ahead of him and he can afford to take his time a little and invest in himself. I suspect that's what this move is.

Whether his goal is NFL OC, or P5 HC, he might have gotten there a little faster with a great year at Notre Dame in 2023, but those jobs will still be there in 2025 or 2026 and he might be better off when he gets there for having spent two or three years under Saban.

 

[Rizzophil]

I have never seen that reported anywhere. Jack came out and said that Kelly didn’t even give him the opportunity. He just resigned and was gone.

This is exactly what Jack said

 

[Irish#1]

I'm not excusing it, but, unfortunately, that's the nature of the business. You don't extend open-ended offers, especially in these types of transactions. Basically, you've got to be ready to take the calls and move and act fast. If not, Woodward moves on and locks up the next coach on his list.

He could have waited another hour or two. I doubt Woodward was going to move on that easy.

 

[PutuporShutup]

The offense is absolutely primed to explode this season. Most of our starters will no longer be underclassmen, we have a proven starter at QB for the first time in awhile, and arguably the weakest position is TE where ND tends to do well anyway. I could see our offense being better than Bama's, a lot will hinge on their QB play as they still have studs everywhere else. That said, historically ND OC's haven't found themselves at great positions after leaving here. The best we can boast is two guys that made it as MAC HCs, one of which fizzled out. The prospects are just better at Bama historically from a career standpoint.

Agree, except in reality Kelly was still the OC until this past year. Yeah some called plays, but it was the design/structure/plan that kelly wanted for the year and each game.

Look at DCs under saban, no where near the success as OCs or pedigree. Kirby being the clear exception. I think there's something to being the coordinator on a team when your HC has big time expertise/influence and is still heavily involved on that side.

The OC at Bama is running the offense good or bad, like the DC was at ND under Kelly. Kelly had a lot of DCs go into HC jobs unlike his OCs.

 

[PutuporShutup]

It's worth remembering just how young Rees is. He's only 31. He's got a LONG career ahead of him and he can afford to take his time a little and invest in himself. I suspect that's what this move is.

Whether his goal is NFL OC, or P5 HC, he might have gotten there a little faster with a great year at Notre Dame in 2023, but those jobs will still be there in 2025 or 2026 and he might be better off when he gets there for having spent two or three years under Saban.

I think it's a possibility the Bama offense bombs (compared to their normal expectations) and maybe even goes 8-4. Unlikely, but possible. If Bama goes 8-4 Rees is taking the fall IMO.

 

[stlnd01]

I think it's a possibility the Bama offense bombs (compared to their normal expectations) and maybe even goes 8-4. Unlikely, but possible. If Bama goes 8-4 Rees is taking the fall IMO.

If Bama's offense bombs, it's because they don't have a good QB. Which is not really on Rees; he didn't get there until after the winter transfer window had closed and all the good QBs were off the market.
Also, if there's an elite-program OC in America who knows how to make the most of a suboptimal QB room, it is Rees. Dude went to the CFP twice with Ian Book and wrung nine wins out of Buchner and Pyne.
I doubt we'll see the last of Tommy that easy.

 

[forkbeard3777]

He could have waited another hour or two. I doubt Woodward was going to move on that easy.

I get what you're saying, but at that point, the deal, while being very close to being finalized, wasn't wholly wrapped up yet. In reality, there are so many moving parts involved; I can't say that it was right or wrong to take the call. At the very least, BK was out and about, representing Notre Dame, and still recruiting kids to Notre Dame. He could have really mailed it in when he caught wind of serious interest.

 

[forkbeard3777]

I think it's a possibility the Bama offense bombs (compared to their normal expectations) and maybe even goes 8-4. Unlikely, but possible. If Bama goes 8-4 Rees is taking the fall IMO.

They'll have an elite offensive line and running game. There defense will be very good too. The majority of their tough games are at home, too. A place that's nearly impossible to win at. They'll be better than most think. 10-2.

2023 Schedule:
MTSU
Texas
@ South Florida
Ole Miss
@ Mississippi State
@ Texas A&M
Arkansas
Tennessee
LSU
@ Kentucky
UT-Chattanooga
@ Auburn

 

[stlnd01]

They'll have an elite offensive line and running game. There defense will be very good too. The majority of their tough games are at home, too. A place that's nearly impossible to win at. They'll be better than most think. 10-2.

They were just voted #4 in the preseason AP poll, which would suggest that most think they'll be a playoff team.

 

[PutuporShutup]

They were just voted #4 in the preseason AP poll, which would suggest that most think they'll be a playoff team.

I think they lose vs Texas and it’s not their only loss…

 

[forkbeard3777]

I think they lose vs Texas and it’s not their only loss…

I agree with you on both predictions. I'm sticking with 10-2 with one of the losses being to Texas. A&M is an interesting team with a lot of talent, LSU should be better than last year, Hooker is gone, but Tennessee will still be tough, Kiffin/Ole Miss should have enough offense to keep them in the game, Auburn should be improved and that's a nasty nasty rivalry that's being played in an extremely hostile environment

 

[PutuporShutup]

If Bama's offense bombs, it's because they don't have a good QB. Which is not really on Rees; he didn't get there until after the winter transfer window had closed and all the good QBs were off the market.
Also, if there's an elite-program OC in America who knows how to make the most of a suboptimal QB room, it is Rees. Dude went to the CFP twice with Ian Book and wrung nine wins out of Buchner and Pyne.
I doubt we'll see the last of Tommy that easy.

Agree, still think Rees takes blame if their offense isn’t good.

I think 8-4 is the absolute floor for bama this year so highly unlikely. We went 8-4 last year due to beat tee in college solid D and what turned into a really good running game

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Agree, still think Rees takes blame if their offense isn’t good.

I think 8-4 is the absolute floor for bama this year so highly unlikely. We went 8-4 last year due to beat tee in college solid D and what turned into a really good running game

Living here in Bama country, I can assure you the Tide fans will blame Tommy if the offense plays poorly (or just below status quo) this year. There is no doubt.

 

[forkbeard3777]

Living here in Bama country, I can assure you the Tide fans will blame Tommy if the offense plays poorly (or just below status quo) this year. There is no doubt.

Where at? I have an upcoming work trip to Huntsville - Madison. That area is exploding. Alabama fans will absolutely want Rees' head on a plate if they struggle. They despised BOB and Pete Golding.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

And TRs came with a raise also. Moot.

And even ND fans can acknowledge that in 2023, Bama provides a more direct path to the NFL than other schools (incl Rees’ Alma mater). I never got the vibe that he’d be in college that long. He always struck me as a guy putting in the reps to earn a ticket to the NFL. Now he has his chance.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Where at? I have an upcoming work trip to Huntsville - Madison. That area is exploding. Alabama fans will absolutely want Rees' head on a plate if they struggle. They despised BOB and Pete Golding.

I live in a very small town SE of B’ham, going towards Auburn (on Lay Lake). I lived in Birmingham for about 25 years before moving to the land that time forgot. Roadkill Rees will certainly be on the menu if the offense under delivers 🤣

 

[#1rish]

I always felt like TB was a slightly better Wimbush. Incredible wheels but questionable throwing accuracy and decision-making.

 

[tko]

No matter what happens, TB was a warrior out there. I'll always appreciate his efforts.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I always felt like TB was a slightly better Wimbush. Incredible wheels but questionable throwing accuracy and decision-making.

I don’t think he’s close to wimbush ability

 

[StPaul_Irish]

No matter what happens, TB was a warrior out there. I'll always appreciate his efforts.

Agreed, if not for the misstep in his development

 

[Irish#1]

Agreed, if not for the COVID in his development

FIFY

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Also, if there's an elite-program OC in America who knows how to make the most of a suboptimal QB room, it is Rees. Dude went to the CFP twice with Ian Book and wrung nine wins out of Buchner and Pyne.

Wish more people grasped this concept. Great post.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Wish more people grasped this concept. Great post.

I truly believe Rees had little to do with that. It was kelly's offense and QB development. Rees got the chance to pick two QBs and he picked Buchner and Pyne, then proceeded to have the worst ND offense in 16 years as true OC with the two QBs he picked and didn't think we needed the portal to help with.

If one of Bama's QBs lights the world on fire this year, especially buchner, then i will eat MASSIVE crow and give him major kudos. I fully expect Rees to have bad QB play for his second year in a row as a first time stand alone OC, and for Bama to have their worst offense in 12+ years.

 

[ulukinatme]

I truly believe Rees had little to do with that. It was kelly's offense and QB development. Rees got the chance to pick two QBs and he picked Buchner and Pyne, then proceeded to have the worst ND offense in 16 years as true OC with the two QBs he picked and didn't think we needed the portal to help with.

If one of Bama's QBs lights the world on fire this year, especially buchner, then i will eat MASSIVE crow and give him major kudos. I fully expect Rees to have bad QB play for his second year in a row as a first time stand alone OC, and for Bama to have their worst offense in 12+ years.

Seems more likely that Kelly made the call on Buchner and Pyne being that they were low hanging fruit. When Rees was free of Kelly he landed Minchey, Hartman, and Carr. Also, Freeman went on record by saying they both made the call not to use the portal. It's doubtful we would have gotten a better prospect from the available list, the few good ones last year would have still wound up at their destinations. We got lucky with Coan in 2021, there wasn't a Coan we could have pulled last year.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Seems more likely that Kelly made the call on Buchner and Pyne being that they were low hanging fruit. When Rees was free of Kelly he landed Minchey, Hartman, and Carr. Also, Freeman went on record by saying they both made the call not to use the portal. It's doubtful we would have gotten a better prospect from the available list, the few good ones last year would have still wound up at their destinations. We got lucky with Coan in 2021, there wasn't a Coan we could have pulled last year.

All possible but LSU sure got a good one, bottom line with facts, we had an average offense last year for the first time in awhile. I think Bama is going to have the same for them this year. Stats won't lie.

LSU went from like 76th in PPG in 21 to maybe 25th last year. ND went from 18th in 21 to 33 in 2022. Yes there are a lot of opinions on this as to why it happened for both schools, but I do think coaching had a lot to do with it.

 

[stlnd01]

I truly believe Rees had little to do with that. It was kelly's offense and QB development. Rees got the chance to pick two QBs and he picked Buchner and Pyne, then proceeded to have the worst ND offense in 16 years as true OC with the two QBs he picked and didn't think we needed the portal to help with.

You don’t think Rees had much to do with developing Ian Book?

You don’t think Rees had much to do with getting Pyne to the point where he was at least a serviceable QB by the second half of last season?

I’m not talking about recruiting, or about the (debatable) decision not to take a transfer last season. I’m talking about Rees’ ability to get the most out of the talent he had available in the moment. That’s the job in front of him right now at Bama. He did it pretty well at Notre Dame.

 

[KPENN]

All possible but LSU sure got a good one, bottom line with facts, we had an average offense last year for the first time in awhile. I think Bama is going to have the same for them this year. Stats won't lie.

LSU went from like 76th in PPG in 21 to maybe 25th last year. ND went from 18th in 21 to 33 in 2022. Yes there are a lot of opinions on this as to why it happened for both schools, but I do think coaching had a lot to do with it.

So Notre Dame had an average offense last year but LSU that finished 21st is an accomplishment?

Also it’s fucking LSU. Anyone coaching them would have been an improvement over ED Orgeron. Some of you on here are acting like he was coaching Mississippi State

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I truly believe Rees had little to do with that. It was kelly's offense and QB development. Rees got the chance to pick two QBs and he picked Buchner and Pyne, then proceeded to have the worst ND offense in 16 years as true OC with the two QBs he picked and didn't think we needed the portal to help with.

If one of Bama's QBs lights the world on fire this year, especially buchner, then i will eat MASSIVE crow and give him major kudos. I fully expect Rees to have bad QB play for his second year in a row as a first time stand alone OC, and for Bama to have their worst offense in 12+ years.

Yeah...because BK had a GREAT track record of developing QBs before Rees got there.

Here are most of the QBs who saw time during BK's tenure here, pre-Rees:

Dayne Crist
Andrew Hendrix
Everett Golson
Malik Zaire
(I'll give you 2015 Deshone Kizer, 2016 Kizer digressed)
Brandon Wimbush

In total, I'll say he got Tommy Rees (though PLENTY on this board would contest me on this point) and Deshone Kizer to over perform their respective rankings.

The other were all bona-fide four or five star recruits who all underperformed, and in most, if not all cases, actually got worse, which is ass-backwards.

BK had a knack for having QBs play better during their first year of starting than the later years of their careers, which would actually point to QB digression, not "development."

Ian Book drastically over performed during his career and did not digress in 2019 or 2020. Tommy Rees was the common denominator there.

 

[condoms SUCk]

If Bama's offense bombs, it's because they don't have a good QB. Which is not really on Rees; he didn't get there until after the winter transfer window had closed and all the good QBs were off the market.
Also, if there's an elite-program OC in America who knows how to make the most of a suboptimal QB room, it is Rees. Dude went to the CFP twice with Ian Book

If Bama's offense bombs, it's because they don't have a good QB. Which is not really on Rees; he didn't get there until after the winter transfer window had closed and all the good QBs were off the market.
Also, if there's an elite-program OC in America who knows how to make the most of a suboptimal QB room, it is Rees. Dude went to the CFP twice with Ian Book and wrung nine wins out of Buchner and Pyne.
I doubt we'll see the last of Tommy that easy.

I'd contend the defenses on those two teams were the main reason ND went to the playoffs, along w/ a great run game. QB play was just efficient enough. Now, with that being said, that's the same situation that Bama will be in this year. great defense and good to possibly great RB's.