'22 GA DE Darren Agu (Vanderbilt Verbal)

[Rockin’Irish]

I guess the timing of the Hero Kanu offer makes a lot more sense now!

 

[Dale]

Sounds like he’ll be with Lea within the week from Loy/Vandy 247. If he gets the bump we expected, Lea’s best snag to date

 

[rtrn2glory]

With our start on the 23 class I'd say go all in on another elite prospect in this class or next year's. No need to reach to fill a spot in a position where we already have pretty good depth.

 

[Luckylucci]

Yea, it sounds like depth chart is a factor. Likely to end up at Vandy or NW for now. Huge bummer because I love his upside and we told Wesolak no for this guy. What a shitty outcome that is.

However, with Gobaira and Keeley in back to back classes it’s hard to be negative on the positions future.

If he does end up at Vandy I’ll always wonder if Lea was doing some neg crootin on ND. Who got in his ear about the depth chart? Was he under the impression PT on a playoff caliber program was easy to come by?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Dang, good luck to the kid.

Does he need to be replaced in the 22 class?

 

[Irishbounty28]

Not sour grapes because I’ve thought this from the beginning of his recruitment. Dude is talented, but will need some development to be a successful D1 prospect. He isn’t a day one plug and play right now. If he’s playing early for Vandy, or anyone, his learning curve will be steep, and there will be a lot of heartache.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

Yea, it sounds like depth chart is a factor. Likely to end up at Vandy or NW for now. Huge bummer because I love his upside and we told Wesolak no for this guy. What a shitty outcome that is.

However, with Gobaira and Keeley in back to back classes it’s hard to be negative on the positions future.

If he does end up at Vandy I’ll always wonder if Lea was doing some neg crootin on ND. Who got in his ear about the depth chart? Was he under the impression PT on a playoff caliber program was easy to come by?

That is possible on Lea negative recruiting. I think it is no more likely then him having conversations with our d staff and expressing those concerns and being shown that opportunity at Vandy.

 

[Irishnuke]

Yea, it sounds like depth chart is a factor. Likely to end up at Vandy or NW for now. Huge bummer because I love his upside and we told Wesolak no for this guy. What a shitty outcome that is.

However, with Gobaira and Keeley in back to back classes it’s hard to be negative on the positions future.

If he does end up at Vandy I’ll always wonder if Lea was doing some neg crootin on ND. Who got in his ear about the depth chart? Was he under the impression PT on a playoff caliber program was easy to come by?

Is that really negative recruiting though? Sounds more negative toward Agu than ND.

 

[BobbyMac]

He committed as a potential #4 DE in the class. It takes a special player to accept the Ade Ogundeji spot in a class. They're still going after Moss, they landed 5* Keeley and they aren't done recruiting other Vypers. I can see how he may have had a change of heart.

 

[NDPhilly]

Would hope recontact Wesolak. He's up to a top 200 player in the 247 composite.

 

[NDIrish88]

Would hope recontact Wesolak. He's up to a top 200 player in the 247 composite.

Agreed.

 

[Rizzophil]

Maybe S Cheeks could play Vyper

 

[BrownerandFry]

I would look forward bot back. Intensify on Lucas,Moss, Kamu and the treasure trove in the '23 class.

 

[T-Boone]

dang.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

This is the behavior I’d expect when stockpiling talented depth. I’d expect there will be more in the portal or with early commits as then next few classes fill out.

 

[NDIrish88]

So is it basically Moss, Lucas, Kanu or bust? What happens if the staff strikes out on all 3? Who is the vyper in this class? Can Aiden play Vyper?

Just trying to see what the board thinks of how some scenarios could play out given who is currently committed.

 

[Irish#1]

Oh the problems of having an elite CFB program.

 

[NDMIA]

Caden Curry took a bunch of June visits and if it was Ohio State recruited over him and then he had nobody major then fine but he’s got options and I don’t think ND can circle back. Ernest Cooper has a final 2 of A&M and Stanford and I don’t think ND’s getting back in. The only maybe you could add to Kanu, Miss, and Lucas would be maybe DJ Wesolak. I think he’s being recruited over for Clemson unfortunately for him cause I think he would go there if he could. He might be too into USC or UF to get him back in the boat after spurning him for Agu but maybe they reach out again. I hope it’s those 4 guys and they don’t reach down for lower level dudes. They’ve got bodies and that’s not an issue. Better to hopefully be picky and grab some difference-makers!

 

[ab2cmiller]

Is that really negative recruiting though? Sounds more negative toward Agu than ND.

I agree. Pointing out a team's depth chart isn't what comes to my mind when I think about negative recruiting.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Dang, good luck to the kid.

Does he need to be replaced in the 22 class?

What do I know but I dont think so. Between who we landed this class and whats shaping up for 23 and the current DEs... I dont see him pushing for PT anytime soon.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

What do I know but I dont think so. Between who we landed this class and whats shaping up for 23 and the current DEs... I dont see him pushing for PT anytime soon.

Given the quality of the 2023 DEs (and everything else being equal) I would love to see his vacated spot go to a DT. So I find Kanu particularly intriguing.

And even if he's not a better overall prospect than Agu, his higher rating with the services does have some value in selling ND as an elite program.

 

[NDdomer2]

We have some real quality in 2023 but bird in the hand and all that. Long time until those guys even sign LOI's let alone enroll. If the staff has someone they ID they can get in this class why not?

 

[Luckylucci]

For now, I'm not getting too hung up on Vyper, Weak side DE, or even SDE. Similarly to Lea and Elston, Freeman and Elston are recruiting guys that can play multiple roles.

Myjai Sanders was 6'5 258 this last season at UC. He mostly played hand down WDE in Freeman's 3 down front. And, would stand up occasionally. I think Gobaira and Keeley fit that mold perfectly. Both probably profile to that right now. Both have experience playing stand up ROLB roles and now Gobaira has more experience playing hand down DE. Maybe Keeley will in time as well.

Could Gobaira get up to 270-275 and end up at SDE or Big End? He certainly could, but that isn't happening until 2024+ and by that time we probably have brought in other guys to the depth chart.

All in all, not concerned in the slightest with the depth chart at Vyper. We have plenty of edge rushers and Freeman/Elston will get the best ones on the field and put them where they fit best.

 

[irishandy]

Shocked to see him decommit, but I understand why.

I see him ending up at Vandy.

 

[Blazers46]

I have a relative (wont say his name) who is a 3 star HS Offensive lineman. He has a bunch of MAC type offers but then received an offer from a Power 5 school. Admits he probably would not see playing time until JR/SR year and would jump at the chance if not for the transfer rules. Says he would rather play at a MAC school FR/SO year and then look to transfer out to potentially a Power 5. He hinted that seemed to be the direction of a lot of lower level recruits. They didn't just want to fill a depth chart for a few years but wanted to play and then move. Thought that was interesting and this reminded me of that. Guy has a ton of great offers but just wants to play.

 

[BrownerandFry]

I have a relative (wont say his name) who is a 3 star HS Offensive lineman. He has a bunch of MAC type offers but then received an offer from a Power 5 school. Admits he probably would not see playing time until JR/SR year and would jump at the chance if not for the transfer rules. Says he would rather play at a MAC school FR/SO year and then look to transfer out to potentially a Power 5. He hinted that seemed to be the direction of a lot of lower level recruits. They didn't just want to fill a depth chart for a few years but wanted to play and then move. Thought that was interesting and this reminded me of that. Guy has a ton of great offers but just wants to play.

Hereinafter the Cain Madden plan

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Singer said that Burnham could be a Vyper apparently.

 

[dublinirish]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/Coach_Lea/status/1414633907551678468?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[Dale]

What is weird to me is I don’t know if the ND staff necessarily agrees with his own assessment of PT chances. I mean they clearly viewed him as above 2 other well recruited guys (Tafiti and Wesolak). He’s also at a position where it’s actually relatively easy to get early PT, if you can get to the passer you can get on the field. I’m sure NDs response would be yeah you gotta fight for PT but that by no means is saying he won’t get it. He likely needs development to play for Vandy early too. Not going to be fun going against NFL OTs in the SEC every week if you’re not somewhat developed before stepping on the field.

 

[Luckylucci]

Singer said that Burnham could be a Vyper apparently.

I actually came here to say that I think Sneed is another guy that will provide pass rush. In the early stags of his recruitment he talked about how Freeman's pitch was using him to get into the backfield, pass rush, etc. In general, I just don't think we need to view things as Vyper depth chart only.