'25 OH DL Gordy Sulfsted (Notre Dame Signee)

[PutuporShutup]

Surprised by all the criticism on this pickup. There are definitely much bigger reaches in the past couple classes then this one. If he can put some weight on he has the potential to be a pretty good pickup.

I agree, he isn't as big of a reach as others, but it's pretty much all washington is landing. To me it's just overall disappointment in the position as DL is the most important position group on the D and it's our weakest from recruiting.

Maybe (hopefully) we find out that washington is this amazing diamond in the rough DL recruiter but I doubt that's the case. Traore has a chance to make an impact but I see an absolute massive drop off in the interior of our DL moving forward once Elston's recruits leave after 24.

Now, he has gotten 2 good ones in the portal, so i hope that trend continues for 25 for our interior dline.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

 

[MrNimbus]

Surprised by all the criticism on this pickup. There are definitely much bigger reaches in the past couple classes then this one. If he can put some weight on he has the potential to be a pretty good pickup.

This. Also, it's not like we're beating 5 star d linemen away with a stick.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I don't recall the exact points made on ISD and II recently about the topic of DT and OT, but there was discussion about the portal and how slim pickings it is at these two positions for elite level players --> elite prospect + NIL + academics....it's just not something ND can rely on. So naturally you'd assume that these positions should become a priority with recruiting. We'll see what happens, but if ND isn't joining the pay-for-play mantra, then it's unlikely for top 100 high school prospects to line up at ND's doors as well. As Greg would say, "this is something to monitor." ND is going to have to figure out how to get high level talent (and in numbers) across the OL and DL consistently, one way or the other. Until then, the staff seems perfectly fine with profiling, projecting, and developing their guys. Until it becomes an obvious problem on the field, perhaps they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I don't recall the exact points made on ISD and II recently about the topic of DT and OT, but there was discussion about the portal and how slim pickings it is at these two positions for elite level players --> elite prospect + NIL + academics....it's just not something ND can rely on. So naturally you'd assume that these positions should become a priority with recruiting. We'll see what happens, but if ND isn't joining the pay-for-play mantra, then it's unlikely for top 100 high school prospects to line up at ND's doors as well. As Greg would say, "this is something to monitor." ND is going to have to figure out how to get high level talent (and in numbers) across the OL and DL consistently, one way or the other. Until then, the staff seems perfectly fine with profiling, projecting, and developing their guys. Until it becomes an obvious problem on the field, perhaps they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

I mean haven't we been recruiting farley high level guys at OL?

 

[BobbyMac]

I don't recall the exact points made on ISD and II recently about the topic of DT and OT, but there was discussion about the portal and how slim pickings it is at these two positions for elite level players --> elite prospect + NIL + academics....it's just not something ND can rely on. So naturally you'd assume that these positions should become a priority with recruiting. We'll see what happens, but if ND isn't joining the pay-for-play mantra, then it's unlikely for top 100 high school prospects to line up at ND's doors as well. As Greg would say, "this is something to monitor." ND is going to have to figure out how to get high level talent (and in numbers) across the OL and DL consistently, one way or the other. Until then, the staff seems perfectly fine with profiling, projecting, and developing their guys. Until it becomes an obvious problem on the field, perhaps they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

They do deserve that benefit. They proved at Cincy they know how to profile and develop playoff talent. That said, Washington has to clean house in ‘26. ND is trending Bigly with a group of prospects that would be the best class since 2016.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Catholic HS in Ohio.....and still.

 

[NDMD]

I mean haven't we been recruiting farley high level guys at OL?

Yes, I think the takeaway is that given how hard it is to land impact transfers in the trenches (vs skill positions) it makes more sense to take numbers and work to develop guys there than swing for the fences.

With the era of the transfer portal these kind of players are less likely to bail if they don't get immediate PT, and conversely, you continue to over recruit the position & let those who get passed up transfer.

 

[T-Boone]

Maybe he turns into a Howard cross level player on the field. It may take him a few years, isn’t cross’ dad an NFL guy as well.

 

[Rizzophil]

Great first name

 

[Ndaccountant]

Yes, I think the takeaway is that given how hard it is to land impact transfers in the trenches (vs skill positions) it makes more sense to take numbers and work to develop guys there than swing for the fences.

With the era of the transfer portal these kind of players are less likely to bail if they don't get immediate PT, and conversely, you continue to over recruit the position & let those who get passed up transfer.

This is even more the case when you consider that to win a championship, you will play 16 games. Depth will be incredibly important. With the portal, it will be unlikely you can stack DL top talent. Teams will need to have players that can contribute at a high level if and when injuries occur.

 

[stlnd01]

I mean, considering that DL has been a consistent strength of our program - mostly with guys who were not elite recruits - since about 2017, I feel like we’re doing OK and am willing to give the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Also, yeah, it’s a position where players benefit from multi years of development and S&C, and where depth matters more than most, so you might want kids who are less likely to transfer if they’re not starting by sophomore year. Gordy here seems like he’d fit that profile.

 

[Rocketman84]

How many reaches can we take?

Sulfsted and Reiff?? 🤔

 

[Rocketman84]

ND missed on it's top interior DL targets so they've moved down their board

Offer board was 4 guys who weren't reaches and 12 3* guys

 

[dublinirish]

Not big enough for DT, too slow for DE pipeline continues

 

[ndfanatic78]

Not big enough for DT, too slow for DE pipeline continues

WTF, Dudes 6'5" and 240 pounds as a junior in high school. He can easily be 300+ by his Sophomore year in college. I wouldn't say that is too small for DT/NT.

 

[SWirishfan]

WTF, Dudes 6'5" and 240 pounds as a junior in high school. He can easily be 300+ by his Sophomore year in college. I wouldn't say that is too small for DT/NT.

Well, might be too tall for NT

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Well, might be too tall for NT

Watch his highlights and make note of his knee bend for a guy as tall as he is.

Also in the highlights, are his hands not violent enough? Looked pretty good to me based on what was there. I can't watch every down but with the highlights what you see is what you get. It doesn't look at all terrible.

He's a St. X kid so he's playing at a high level against high competition. Whatever, though. Pant piss away.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Not big enough for DT, too slow for DE pipeline continues

The highlights are 4:45. I don't know how you come away with "too slow" if you have watched them.

 

[PutuporShutup]

WTF, Dudes 6'5" and 240 pounds as a junior in high school. He can easily be 300+ by his Sophomore year in college. I wouldn't say that is too small for DT/NT.

He doesn't look like someone that could carry another 60 lbs, but hey crazier things have happened.

I think the point is it's much easier to be a DT/NT when you are that big, vs have to become that big. If he becomes that big naturally awesome, but it's not that common, and keep up your athleticism.

For every joe alt, there's thousands that don't get there.

 

[Luckylucci]

Solid developmental prospect. I have zero issues with the take and offer.

Just don't tell me it's anything different than before. Only difference is we had a better coach, developing the prospects at that time.

Washington remains overrated.

 

[ColinKSU]

Solid developmental prospect. I have zero issues with the take and offer.

Just don't tell me it's anything different than before. Only difference is we had a better coach, developing the prospects at that time.

Washington remains overrated.

Like with safety, the positions that Freeman’s operation excels at in recruiting only make the ones it doesn’t stand out that much more.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Washington remains overrated.

I'm inclined to think that if this is just going to remain a thing, there really isn't much he'd be able to do to change anyone's mind about it.

 

[ndfanatic78]

Solid developmental prospect. I have zero issues with the take and offer.

Just don't tell me it's anything different than before. Only difference is we had a better coach, developing the prospects at that time.

Washington remains overrated.

If you think Freeman is bringing in the same talent as Kelly thats fine we will see what happens in the next couple years. I dont give a shit about the star rankings. I care how they perform on the field. From what I have seen Freeman has increased the athleticism at every position with the possible exception of WR which I think he has improved but that has yet to be seen on the field. I believe from what I have seen that although the star rankings might be similar between the 2 Freeman's team of talent evaluators is finding better athletes. Again I will admit this is all speculation and opinion as he needs to prove it on the field.

 

[Domina Nostra]

If you want to criticize the recruiting, it’s that this is the kind of kid who should be a depth piece, not a building block.

But he has the tools to devop, for sure. He’s big and fast and has pedigree.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Not big enough for DT, too slow for DE pipeline continues

When Joe Alt was a junior in HS he weighed 260.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm inclined to think that if this is just going to remain a thing, there really isn't much he'd be able to do to change anyone's mind about it.

I can only speak for myself but he most certainly could. Up to this point, he just isn't doing a very good job of it.

 

[NDpendent]

He doesn't look like someone that could carry another 60 lbs, but hey crazier things have happened.

I think the point is it's much easier to be a DT/NT when you are that big, vs have to become that big. If he becomes that big naturally awesome, but it's not that common, and keep up your athleticism.

For every joe alt, there's thousands that don't get there.

What??? He looks like he could easily add the weight

 

[PutuporShutup]

When Joe Alt was a junior in HS he weighed 260.

He weighed 300 lbs when he stepped on campus. Again, for every joe alt there's countless people that don't get the size or keep the athleticism. Look at Wagner.

I don't think Gordy is a bad prospect, it just seems bad when you combine him with the two other reaches we have this class on the DL.

 

[PutuporShutup]

What??? He looks like he could easily add the weight

60 lbs? He does NOT look like Rylie Mills in HS. He looks more like Brenan Vernon who is now 270.