'23 KS QB Avery Johnson (Kansas State Verbal)

[MacIrish75]

I think we miss McNulty a fair bit. On the plus side, BC's offense is terrible so maybe there'll be an opportunity to bring him back. (As an analyst not OC!)

I'm basically with Ricochet here. I tend to think keeping Rees last season was the right move, mainly for continuity sake. I also think both he and Notre Dame would be best served by him moving on after this year. I hope for all involved that's an amicable parting and I think it probably will be.

And yeah I'd be surprised if our next OC is currently on staff. Freeman needs an experienced hand running that side of the ball.

I have to think that for his own professional growth, Tommy would probably agree that it’s time for him to move on.

 

[Free Manera]

No offense to the guy, but the single most flawed hire of the off-season was Parker, and it isn’t close. And this directly relates to Rees.

Stuckey is not ready or even we don’t know interested in play calling OC type responsibilities. DMC is not a in the booth play caller type IMO. Neither is Hiestand.

So the only offensive staff spot that offers a chance to “check” Rees is the TEs coach. And Freeman hired his friend that I’m still not too sure Rees was too fond of. He doesn’t trust/want him next to him in the booth it seems. The booth is Rees and GAs. Who knows how that extends to prep, other things. McNulty was Rees’ check with me last year in the booth.

Counterpoint Jamie Ueyama on the pod today was just saying he thinks that Parker was an underrated great hire because he thinks all the TEs have improved and block much better this year.

I agree Rees needs help though. A QB coach would be a great start if they can shuffle things around on the staff this off-season (if Rees stays that is)

 

[Dale]

Counterpoint Jamie Ueyama on the pod today was just saying he thinks that Parker was an underrated great hire because he thinks all the TEs have improved and block much better this year.

I agree Rees needs help though. A QB coach would be a great start if they can shuffle things around on the staff this off-season (if Rees stays that is)

ND needs more out of that position the way the staff is constructed than coaching only TEs, ones that are already very talented at that.

 

[Deirishpisser]

ND needs more out of that position the way the staff is constructed than coaching only TEs, ones that are already very talented at that.

how do you know he hasnt given input. Hard to argue he was a bad hire when the TE's have been one of the strongest position groups. Outside of Mayer the blocking has been solid even by the younger ones.

 

[Dale]

how do you know he hasnt given input.

All just my opinion. But if he is contributing to Rees’ playcalling/game plan etc, should that necessarily a point to the positive given most of the feedback on here?

Hard to argue he was a bad hire when the TE's have been one of the strongest position groups. Outside of Mayer the blocking has been solid even by the younger ones.

Du Lac or Koon could have this group looking good. Its Mayer and the staff has always loved Evans, he’s just been hurt.

I don’t think or know enough about Parker in a vacuum, but like others have said for the way the staff is constructed, with regards to Rees, McNulty to Parker was a downgrade IMO.

This is not an argument but a question/talking track. But do you think Hiestand would be good to take more of a role in the designed run play calling? He has a ton of experience in helping with the running plays and our current play calling is so predictable and not creative.

I’d guess he does already, to the extent he wants to, if that makes sense? Like I just assume Harry voices his opinion more than loud enough within his area of expertise

 

[FWIrish4]

Because Rees had a job offer on the table from LSU. It’s not exactly a mystery?

Hindsight is 20/20 but we have no idea where the bottom could have been turnover wise. What if Fisher transferred? Buchner? Logan Diggs? Styles? The 2022 recruiting class? Heck Mayer? People bash Swarbrick for “continuity” considering the staff ended up turning over anyways, but the roster at least didn’t.

This is incredibly overlooked by everyone, especially by loud minority of fans who just want someone fired each week.

Notre Dame is in very dangerous waters if there is a head coaching change in the future. This is why patience with Freeman is also critical, even a year or two down the road. With no transfer barriers heading out the door and extremely limiting barriers getting transfers in, we could legitimately be set back years. If there’s a mass exodus of players in the future, ND can’t reload through the transfer portal to replace those numbers, let alone the talent.

Auburn doesn’t give a shit about canning Harsin because 1) he didn’t recruit well anyway and 2) the next coach can just turn the roster over through the portal without much limitation. Auburn and other schools can have quick turnarounds if they get the right coach (a la USC/Lincoln Riley tamper model).

 

[NDMatt91]

This is incredibly overlooked by everyone, especially by loud minority of fans who just want someone fired each week.

Notre Dame is in very dangerous waters if there is a head coaching change in the future. This is why patience with Freeman is also critical, even a year or two down the road. With no transfer barriers heading out the door and extremely limiting barriers getting transfers in, we could legitimately be set back years. If there’s a mass exodus of players in the future, ND can’t reload through the transfer portal to replace those numbers, let alone the talent.

Auburn doesn’t give a shit about canning Harsin because 1) he didn’t recruit well anyway and 2) the next coach can just turn the roster over through the portal without much limitation. Auburn and other schools can have quick turnarounds if they get the right coach (a la USC/Lincoln Riley tamper model).

My issue is that the HC should be the one hiring his OC. It's not like Rees was viewed as one of the top OC's/QB whisperers in the country or anything.

 

[Dale]

My issue is that the HC should be the one hiring his OC. It's not like Rees was viewed as one of the top OC's/QB whisperers in the country or anything.

The checks LSU and Miami were willing to write say differently.

 

[NDMatt91]

The checks LSU and Miami were willing to write say differently.

LSU was because of nepotism and Miami hasn't really done a whole lot right over the last decade or so.

 

[Dale]

LSU was because of nepotism and Miami hasn't really done a whole lot right over the last decade or so.

You can’t say he wasn’t viewed as one of the top OCs when multiple programs wanted to drop a fat check to make him a top OC. For right or wrong, the market said he had value.

 

[NDMatt91]

You can’t say he wasn’t viewed as one of the top OCs when multiple programs wanted to drop a fat check to make him a top OC. For right or wrong, the market said he had value.

The market can also be a result of lazy and/or foolish people. The fact that Tyler Van Dyke has been ruined and that they wanted Rees should greatly concern Miami fans about Cristobal's evaluation of offensive coaches with respect to the talent he inherited. Regarding LSU, Kelly is the same guy who apparently didn't have an incredibly thorough search for a OC after 2019 and lazily promoted from within. Hello, nepotism.

 

[Dale]

The market can also be a result of lazy and/or foolish people.

You brought up his outside perception:

It's not like Rees was viewed as one of the top OC's/QB whisperers in the country or anything.

So which is it? Can’t take both sides.

 

[Sea Turtle]

The market can also be a result of lazy and/or foolish people. The fact that Tyler Van Dyke has been ruined and that they wanted Rees should greatly concern Miami fans about Cristobal's evaluation of offensive coaches with respect to the talent he inherited. Regarding LSU, Kelly is the same guy who apparently didn't have an incredibly thorough search for a OC after 2019 and lazily promoted from within. Hello, nepotism.

Hey, the market said Mel Tucker was worth a ton!

 

[Nostradumbass]

he liked a happy birthday tweet that was posted as ☘️. I’d say chances are now 1/1000.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

LSU was because of nepotism and Miami hasn't really done a whole lot right over the last decade or so.

You could say the same about his 2nd choice, Denbrock; yet now BK is trending on Twitter for gaining a commitment of an elite QB for the 2024 class.

 

[NDpendent]

 

[Panda]

Because Rees had a job offer on the table from LSU. It’s not exactly a mystery?

Hindsight is 20/20 but we have no idea where the bottom could have been turnover wise. What if Fisher transferred? Buchner? Logan Diggs? Styles? The 2022 recruiting class? Heck Mayer? People bash Swarbrick for “continuity” considering the staff ended up turning over anyways, but the roster at least didn’t.

I think the Clemson win has reduced the need for "soul searching" on how this staff came to be. I think its pretty obvious that Swarbrick likely had Freeman as #1 candidate but viewed him as "Green" so he took it upon himself to do some of the hiring to compile the initial team. Perhaps, also, it was an F U to Brian Kelly - meaning your not going to take your OC with you too.

At this point - especially with Clemson win - this is Freeman's team and we will play through the season and see what happens in the offseason. For sure Freeman is HC and I would think all future hires will and should go through him. What has happened is now definitely in the rear view mirror.

 

[Irish4life]

I think the Clemson win has reduced the need for "soul searching" on how this staff came to be. I think its pretty obvious that Swarbrick likely had Freeman as #1 candidate but viewed him as "Green" so he took it upon himself to do some of the hiring to compile the initial team. Perhaps, also, it was an F U to Brian Kelly - meaning your not going to take your OC with you too.

At this point - especially with Clemson win - this is Freeman's team and we will play through the season and see what happens in the offseason. For sure Freeman is HC and I would think all future hires will and should go through him. What has happened is now definitely in the rear view mirror.

Freeman wanted Rees retained.

 

[ColinKSU]

 

[ab2cmiller]

Freeman wanted Rees retained.

I'm guessing this is true. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe anyone knows what really happened. Doesn't stop people from shouting that Freeman had no say in the matter ... blah blah blah. That Jack screwed up etc etc etc.

I think it's all bullshit.

 

[Irish4life]

I'm guessing this is true. I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe anyone knows what really happened. Doesn't stop people from shouting that Freeman had no say in the matter ... blah blah blah. That Jack screwed up etc etc etc.

I think it's all bullshit.

Irish Illustrated has reported several times that Freeman wanted Rees retained.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Kids gonna be a stud staff dropped them ball on this one

 

[NDMatt91]

Looks like Avery is out per ISD

"We removed Kansas State quarterback commit Avery Johnson‍ from the list.
We’d always noted Johnson was listed as a way to represent all of the unknown quarterbacks the Irish are pursuing behind the scenes.
We still don’t know how things will shake out at the position for Notre Dame this cycle, but at this point, it looks like we need a new placeholder for the spot."

ISD Intel | Behind The Scenes Of Notre Dame Recruiting

The latest on all of the Irish's remaining targets in the Class of 2023 as well as the commits Notre Dame is looking to hang on to.

irishsportsdaily.com

Surprised it took this long. There was a better chance of pigs flying than Avery being our QB in this class.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Sounds like it’s Transfer Portal or bust

 

[ColinKSU]

Sounds like it’s Transfer Portal or bust

I have no idea why ND recruiting people are still saying they’re going to get a HS QB in 2023. They’ve been wrong at *literally every single turn* about QB recruiting this year, so why would this be any different?

 

[IrishLax]

I have no idea why ND recruiting people are still saying they’re going to get a HS QB in 2023. They’ve been wrong at *literally every single turn* about QB recruiting this year, so why would this be any different?

Hey we got a lacrosse player who plays option QB. That counts, right?

 

[Free Manera]

If they don't get a '23 QB they need to take two transfers. Ideally they would get an underclassmen (clutching pearls, "but what if he didn't take 9 years of Latin in high school!!!?") and a graduate.

Pyne can't be a starter, that's obvious. Buchner may be injury prone. Angeli is a total question mark. The QB room just needs some bodies (ideally tall ones).

 

[NDFAN2008]

If they don't get a '23 QB they need to take two transfers. Ideally they would get an underclassmen (clutching pearls, "but what if he didn't take 9 years of Latin in high school!!!?") and a graduate.

Pyne can't be a starter, that's obvious. Buchner may be injury prone. Angeli is a total question mark. The QB room just needs some bodies (ideally tall ones).

One transfer is plenty now if one of Buchner, Pyne or Angeli leave then you need two

 

[Free Manera]

One transfer is plenty now if one of Buchner, Pyne or Angeli leave then you need two

If the underclassmen is ready to start in '23 then that would be fine. But a graduate doesn't replace a commit in 23' because they are one and done.

And Tyler "Taysom Hill" Buchner will need to split his time with the running backs and receivers a little too.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If the underclassmen is ready to start in '23 then that would be fine. But a graduate doesn't replace a commit in 23' because they are one and done.

And Tyler "Taysom Hill" Buchner will need to split his time with the running backs and receivers a little too.

There’s no one in the 2023 class that wants to come here that will start and once one grad transfer gets beaten out he isn’t sticking around