'21 IN OT Blake Fisher (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I also believe Fisher needs another year and likely, a kick inside so he can maul. I wanted him to be the LT next year but he loses too many times from the right to feel confident. I think he could be absolutely nasty as a guard. I think he should give it a go to prove his utility and his draft stock.

Trying to be a realist, where do you think he'd be selected? My money is on the 5th round if he had phenomenal workouts/pro day. Otherwise, probably a 6th rd. Is that too pessimistic?

 

[zbikowski88]

Reminds me of Kevin Austin, should’ve stayed for another year but went undrafted. Different positions but similar situation.

 

[Plankton]

I also believe Fisher needs another year and likely, a kick inside so he can maul. I wanted him to be the LT next year but he loses too many times from the right to feel confident. I think he could be absolutely nasty as a guard. I think he should give it a go to prove his utility and his draft stock.

Trying to be a realist, where do you think he'd be selected? My money is on the 5th round if he had phenomenal workouts/pro day. Otherwise, probably a 6th rd. Is that too pessimistic?

Frankly, he needs more weight training and core flexibility training. He's not as strong as you would expect (in terms of play strength), and can look a bit stiff at times where he doesn't sink his hips in blocking as well as you would like.

 

[NorthDakota]

ND basketball brought in a transfer, Julian Roper, from NW who was 2 years out of HS when he hit the portal. So if basketball can bring in undergrad transfers who are more than 1 year out of HS then football should be able to as well. Is it because Roper came from an elite academic institution? Brandon Joseph didn't have his degree when he transferred, and he was also from NW, so that might be the reason. If that is the case, then ND should be able to bring in any undergrad transfer from an elite academic institution (Stanford, Northwestern, Duke, Vanderbilt). ND admissions need to be consistent.

If Freeman is able to call that out and ND can take any undergrad from one of those elite institutions that are on par with or superior to ND, then Bowden or someone else needs to immediately start tampering with the good undergrad players at those schools. Pretty much every school does it. That's why crystal ball predictions come in for the transfer destination when players immediately hit the portal, their new school was talking to them before they were even in the portal. Time to get on David Bailey and Elic Ayomanor from Stanford. ND is a better football program and can probably offer more money, I mean, provide more NIL opportunities, than Stanford can.

Isn't some of that about whether credits transfer? I imagine Northwestern credits would transfer to ND better than most schools

 

[IAIrish]

I also believe Fisher needs another year and likely, a kick inside so he can maul. I wanted him to be the LT next year but he loses too many times from the right to feel confident. I think he could be absolutely nasty as a guard. I think he should give it a go to prove his utility and his draft stock.

Trying to be a realist, where do you think he'd be selected? My money is on the 5th round if he had phenomenal workouts/pro day. Otherwise, probably a 6th rd. Is that too pessimistic?

Agreed, but does he have the mental side to be open to it? And with that, it feels like a lot of bodies inside.

I'd guess 4th/5th round. Scouts will see a lot of potential/ some good tape.

 

[dublinirish]

Driskell thinks if Fisher goes pro he will be undrafted

 

[irish4ever]

I saw a listing where Alt was considered #2 OT (PSU dude no. 1) and Blake was 12th or so. I'd guess in that 5th round area.

 

[#1rish]

Seriously? (i'll admit I haven't followed his specific production this year). With how much NFL teams covet OTs you'd think he'd be a late 5th-6th round. Wasn't he projected to be a 2nd-3rd rounder?

 

[SDIrishFan]

Perhaps he doesn't project to Tackle in the NFL? Certainly not LT. Guards being less coveted, wouldn't shock me if he got a Return to School grade.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I mean, its possible. His play was average this year. Average players don't get drafted unless they have some amazing physical traits and athleticism.

 

[NDPhilly]

Blake Fisher Draft Profile 2024 | NFL Mock Draft Database

He's gone from 2-3rd round to 4-5 generally. Would be very dumb to not come back.

 

[NDMatt91]

Blake Fisher Draft Profile 2024 | NFL Mock Draft Database

He's gone from 2-3rd round to 4-5 generally. Would be very dumb to not come back.

He might just be done with school. Incredibly stupid either way.

 

[Henges24]

Seems like a kid that would come back pretty easy. Wouldn’t be Ronald Stanley shocking.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Roster spots are precious in the NFL. A non-QB viewed as being a year or two away from contributing is going to see his value suffer greatly.

 

[Lberry]

He's going pro, per several comments on today's II podcast

 

[irish4ever]

He's going pro, per several comments on today's II podcast

Next up then!?! I liked Blake, but I thought that he underwhelmed this past year ... no progression from last year really overall.

 

[Lberry]

Next up then!?! I liked Blake, but I thought that he underwhelmed this past year ... no progression from last year really overall.

They said ND absolutely needs a transfer OT.

 

[T-Boone]

He is impetuous

 

[stlnd01]

He's going pro, per several comments on today's II podcast

Dumb. Has he graduated, at least?

 

[Old Man Mike]

If Fisher gets drafted, then in my amateur opinion it will be due to one or more of the following:
1. The NFL club absolutely believes that he's a guard (and has no thoughts of him as a tackle); how anyone can see him at NFL tackle, when he cannot change direction on a speed rush to come even close to staying square on the inside spin move flummoxes me;
2. Some NFL club sees some speculative "potential" here WAY above what has actually been shown; and is desperate;
3. Some NFL club is stupid and has been listening to the longterm hype about Fisher (which persisted forever here on IE.)

I can imagine Fisher someday being an NFL player. (at guard). I don't see it now ... not even close at tackle.
I CAN see a player living in an unhelpful fantasy about himself though.

 

[ColinKSU]

Trying to go pro now would be an incredibly silly decision on his part, but kids make incredibly silly decisions every season.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

He’s not coming back

 

[Reaper97]

Read my posts from 2 years ago when Freeman made certain comments at his hiring speech.
Read my posts last season, midway through the season.
Read my posts earlier this season.

There are a number of dudes from the old regime who aren’t fans of Freeman.

I’m not going over it again.
But starting off your regime by pretty much saying the guys sitting in front of you (who averaged 11 wins a season, had 2 CFPs & another NY6 Bowl), weren’t good enough, your number one priority was to recruit better, probably didn’t sit well with some of them.
Then you go out & look confused. Then lose more games than they ever did.

Some of those dudes are over this regime.
I said it 2 years ago (that some were pissed).
I said it last season.
I said it earlier this season.

 

[indianamouse]

Read my posts from 2 years ago when Freeman made certain comments at his hiring speech.
Read my posts last season, midway through the season.
Read my posts earlier this season.

There are a number of dudes from the old regime who aren’t fans of Freeman.

I’m not going over it again.
But starting off your regime by pretty much saying the guys sitting in front of you (who averaged 11 wins a season, had 2 CFPs & another NY6 Bowl), weren’t good enough, your number one priority was to recruit better, probably didn’t sit well with some of them.
Then you go out & look confused. Then lose more games than they ever did.

Some of those dudes are over this regime.
I said it 2 years ago (that some were pissed).
I said it last season.
I said it earlier this season.

1, I don't care what the guys say, MF has a point. Great to get to 11 wins, but what did they do when it mattered?
2. We all said that we needed better players. MF just said it as head coach

 

[IrishLion]

Read my posts from 2 years ago when Freeman made certain comments at his hiring speech.
Read my posts last season, midway through the season.
Read my posts earlier this season.

There are a number of dudes from the old regime who aren’t fans of Freeman.

I’m not going over it again.
But starting off your regime by pretty much saying the guys sitting in front of you (who averaged 11 wins a season, had 2 CFPs & another NY6 Bowl), weren’t good enough, your number one priority was to recruit better, probably didn’t sit well with some of them.
Then you go out & look confused. Then lose more games than they ever did.

Some of those dudes are over this regime.
I said it 2 years ago (that some were pissed).
I said it last season.
I said it earlier this season.

If dudes were upset about Freeman saying the team needs to recruit better, they’re soft as fuck.

“I average 11 wins per season and have been to the playoffs twice, and this guy thinks I’m not good enough?!?”

He’s a coach known for recruiting, and he knows this team fell flat in the playoffs TWICE because it lacked elite talent.

MFMF didn’t tell any lies. He just made the BK “my guys” mistake in a less-offensive way.

Now, his execution as a coach thus far? Plenty of room for debate and criticism, obviously.

But if guys are transferring now because he hurt their feelings two years ago… bye!

 

[DillonHall]

1, I don't care what the guys say, MF has a point. Great to get to 11 wins, but what did they do when it mattered?
2. We all said that we needed better players. MF just said it as head coach

What else is a coach supposed to say at an introductory press conference? Pretty sure every new coach at a good program says they want to recruit better and win the national championship

 

[stlnd01]

Read my posts from 2 years ago when Freeman made certain comments at his hiring speech.
Read my posts last season, midway through the season.
Read my posts earlier this season.

There are a number of dudes from the old regime who aren’t fans of Freeman.

I’m not going over it again.
But starting off your regime by pretty much saying the guys sitting in front of you (who averaged 11 wins a season, had 2 CFPs & another NY6 Bowl), weren’t good enough, your number one priority was to recruit better, probably didn’t sit well with some of them.
Then you go out & look confused. Then lose more games than they ever did.

Some of those dudes are over this regime.
I said it 2 years ago (that some were pissed).
I said it last season.
I said it earlier this season.

The “old regime” is the same players who loudly advocated for Freeman to be made head coach after Kelly bailed on them. Maybe not 100 percent of them. But he wouldn’t be the coach today if the players didn’t back him.

And how many have left since? Really? We had very few portal departures last season, of significant players, and no one who jumped to the league prematurely.

Freeman has made some mistakes, for certain, and I’m sure the OLs are a proud bunch. But Blake Fisher short-circuiting his career because of something Freeman said two years ago - something nearly every new coach says - doesn’t pass the smell test.

 

[Irishokie]

MF was comin’ back then

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Perhaps he doesn't project to Tackle in the NFL? Certainly not LT. Guards being less coveted, wouldn't shock me if he got a Return to School grade.

He would definitely get a Return to School grade but it’s been a foregone conclusion for some time that he is declaring come hell or high water. I believe it was Prister who stated that he will get rag-dolled his first two years & by that time may not be healthy enough to develop into an NFL OL and be cut. It was also speculated that after Alt leapfrogged him at LT & got all the NFL hype, he got tired of hearing about it and is ready to leave & carve a niche for himself. Not saying he has an animosity towards Alt but the fact that his success overshadowed him. Pure speculation though

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Kevin Austin 2.0