'23 CAN/MD DL Devan Houstan (Notre Dame Signee)

WildMan1

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I’m not sure that many of those game wrecker SEC defensive tackles that you want are a program fit for Notre Dame.

At some point, you can only get so creative in recruiting and development at that position.
By program fit I assume you mean academic eligibility & desire to attend classes etc

And I don’t disagree with that.. but we have to do better than an average positional ranking of 45 for DL over the past 5 years including whats coming in for 2025..

AFTER we lose Mills & Cross.. It’s 55th ranked Joseph Reiff at 245 lbs, 63rd ranked Gordy Sulfstead at 240 lbs & 105th ranked Davion Dixon at 290 lbs coming in to shore up the depth.

We’re not competing in the playoffs with that.. We at the very least need to be grabbing the equivalent of one Stephon Tuitt per class.. at the very least.
 

ColinKSU

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By program fit I assume you mean academic eligibility & desire to attend classes etc

And I don’t disagree with that.. but we have to do better than an average positional ranking of 45 for DL over the past 5 years including whats coming in for 2025..

AFTER we lose Mills & Cross.. It’s 55th ranked Joseph Reiff at 245 lbs, 63rd ranked Gordy Sulfstead at 240 lbs & 105th ranked Davion Dixon at 290 lbs coming in to shore up the depth.

We’re not competing in the playoffs with that.. We at the very least need to be grabbing the equivalent of one Stephon Tuitt per class.. at the very least.
Oh I’m not saying the DT recruiting isn’t awful. I’m just saying you remember Stephon Tuitt because of how unbelievably unusual it was that they signed Stephon Tuitt. Alabama has had 50 Stephon Tuitts since Notre Dame signed Stephon Tuitt and that isn’t a coincidence.
 

Rocketman84

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I’m not sure that many of those game wrecker SEC defensive tackles that you want are a program fit for Notre Dame.

At some point, you can only get so creative in recruiting and development at that position.
Yea, Georgia is busy nabbing 3 of the top 10 DTs every year, O$U grabs a couple and then you have 'Bama. It's the same thing year after year.
 

InKellyWeTrust

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I'd worry less about the lines and more about the fast twitch skill positions. It's no coincidence NDs defense is as good as its ever been with below average Dline and elite secondary. Conversely, we are all aware of the struggles at WR for the offense. Yes, you gotta have some dudes on the line. But I'd argue it's more important to have speed at LB and secondary.
 

TheProspector

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We’ve honestly been atrocious in defensive tackle recruiting.
This is not a new development. Remember Daniel Cage having to play big minutes as a frosh in 2014? Or Kurt Hinish and MTA as frosh being the two backup DTs in 2017?

It’s a very difficult position for ND to recruit.
 

NDFAN2008

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Yeah the staff has been atrocious at recruiting DT something needs to change
 

Bluto

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I'd worry less about the lines and more about the fast twitch skill positions. It's no coincidence NDs defense is as good as its ever been with below average Dline and elite secondary. Conversely, we are all aware of the struggles at WR for the offense. Yes, you gotta have some dudes on the line. But I'd argue it's more important to have speed at LB and secondary.
Ehhhh…how’s this approach working for Lincoln Riley?

The receivers this year are fine to good. It’s the QB that’s the problem.
 

InKellyWeTrust

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Ehhhh…how’s this approach working for Lincoln Riley?

The receivers this year are fine to good. It’s the QB that’s the problem.
You ignored the rest of my post. Also,
I dont care what Lincoln Riley is doing. WRs are not average to good for CFP contenders.
 

Katzenboyer

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By program fit I assume you mean academic eligibility & desire to attend classes etc

And I don’t disagree with that.. but we have to do better than an average positional ranking of 45 for DL over the past 5 years including whats coming in for 2025..

AFTER we lose Mills & Cross.. It’s 55th ranked Joseph Reiff at 245 lbs, 63rd ranked Gordy Sulfstead at 240 lbs & 105th ranked Davion Dixon at 290 lbs coming in to shore up the depth.

We’re not competing in the playoffs with that.. We at the very least need to be grabbing the equivalent of one Stephon Tuitt per class.. at the very least.

I believe Onye and Rubio can come back for another season. Houstan, Mukam, Sevillano, and Hinish will also be back.

I'm not disagreeing with your general position that we need to be better in the middle, but we do have guys coming back that can play there and I expect ND to target at least 2 in the Portal when the season ends.
 

Rizzophil

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Iowa and Illinois recruit wrestlers and always become productive. It can be done without getting 5*
 

NDPhilly

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So he’s a bust, nice.

He does have a nice frame for an interior lineman fwiw
 

CanadalovesND

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He was a pretty decent OT in high school. A little late likely for him to do much with the rest of his career, but who knows, he could be on the second-team by the time he graduates. You couldn't give the same sentiment towards his future outlook at DT.

I must say, I'm a little disappointed in how his career has played out, but for different reasons - it's somewhat personal. I grew up in the same hometown as Devan (Mississauga, 20 or so minutes from Toronto). His previous high school before moving down to Maryland, St. Marcellinus, we used to play every season.

He and I walked the same neighbourhoods and played on the same fields, just a decade or so apart.
 

Domina Nostra

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If you aren't athletic enough for the DL and want to try OG, maybe getting a Spring under your belt with ND coaching while there is a depleted OL so plenty of available practice time is a good strategy before transferring... or becoming a long snapper.
 
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