‘26 CT OT Charlie Thom (Notre Dame Verbal)

[notredamermotherpray4us]

You aren't excited about Will Black??? C'mon man.

 

[Giddyup]

Will Black is from Canada. Toronto is gonna scratch your eyes out.

 

[stlnd01]

I absolutely agree with the stances on CT HS football. Where I think it’s different and in this case it applies, is that the prep school level of football has grown significantly over the last 10 years. I should probably note that the NE prep school football scene has really taken off in the last 10 or so years. Some of the kids take a post grad or PG year and it really helps their bodies develop. Will Black from last year’s class is an example (I’m pretty sure he did a PG year at Chote last year).

Like another poster said, this could be a good high upside take. He will have talented bodies in front of him and he will have time to develop.

It’s also interesting that PSU is pushing for his commitment. They must be fading for the big OT from DC and a couple other higher ranked OT guys.

I just don't quite get who these kids are practicing/playing against every week.
There are individually talented kids from the New England prep schools - far more of them than there used to be, for sure - but the schools themselves aren't that big and the number of serious football players at any of them aren't that many. So I'd worry about the competition. I can't think of all that many recruits from, say, the NEPSAC schools, who have turned into big-time college football players or been drafted into the NFL. Michigan has pulled a few good ones. That's about it?
But, they are often good academic/cultural fits for us, and if they're willing to put in the time/work for a couple of years to develop, sure, why not.

 

[Giddyup]

Pfft. AA RON Hernandez ring a bell?

 

[Rocketman84]

You aren't ignorant, you're correct. tbf some do work out, but I will never get very excited about a CT recruit (edit- including Will Black).

digging a little, I didn't realize DT John Jenkins was from my dad's hometown/high school

List of all NFL Players Born in Connecticut, USA | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Get the list of the NFL Players Born in Connecticut, USA including their stats on Pro-Football-Reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

Would be great to have a Dwight Freeney on this team or a Jordan Reed at TE....my two favorite players from CT.

 

[Giddyup]

Tarek Saleh was a stud DE for Wisky back in the day. All American

 

[CanadalovesND]

Not just Toronto..

Will Black is from Canada. Toronto is gonna scratch your eyes out.

 

[Rocketman84]

Tarek Saleh was a stud DE for Wisky back in the day. All American

Throwback to the end of their horrible days, he was an undersized stud and as far as college I would have him right behind Freeney. I believe he got moved to FB as a Pro.

 

[CanadalovesND]

There it is.. ND will take both McKeogh & Thom.

 

[Padomer9]

I just don't quite get who these kids are practicing/playing against every week.
There are individually talented kids from the New England prep schools - far more of them than there used to be, for sure - but the schools themselves aren't that big and the number of serious football players at any of them aren't that many. So I'd worry about the competition. I can't think of all that many recruits from, say, the NEPSAC schools, who have turned into big-time college football players or been drafted into the NFL. Michigan has pulled a few good ones. That's about it?
But, they are often good academic/cultural fits for us, and if they're willing to put in the time/work for a couple of years to develop, sure, why not.

Yea I agree that there are individually talented players there but the overall competition isn’t really that good. The NEPSAC schools have different levels of competition. Michigan and Clemson both do a good job of getting players from the NEPSAC. Speaking of beating PSU on the trial, they do a decent job as well. Obviously so does BC and some other B1G teams. This first name of a big time NEPSAC recruit who was really good and had success was Christian Wilkins who went to Clemson.
They are definitely good academic/cultural fits, correct. It will be interesting to see how the prep school recruits in the 25 class pan out.

 

[stlnd01]

Yea I agree that there are individually talented players there but the overall competition isn’t really that good. The NEPSAC schools have different levels of competition. Michigan and Clemson both do a good job of getting players from the NEPSAC. Speaking of beating PSU on the trial, they do a decent job as well. Obviously so does BC and some other B1G teams. This first name of a big time NEPSAC recruit who was really good and had success was Christian Wilkins who went to Clemson.
They are definitely good academic/cultural fits, correct. It will be interesting to see how the prep school recruits in the 25 class pan out.

Yep, Christian Wilkins for sure. Zak Zinter and Kalel Mullings at Michigan. I guess we'll see what Ryan Puglisi does at Georgia, and some of the kids we've pulled the last couple of cycles. Samson Okunlola at Miami? How's Ronan Hanafin doing?
Points is just that while the New England prep schools are sending more guys to P4 programs (particularly certain ones, as you note), not all that many yet ring out as big-time college football players. Ty Chan excepted, of course.

 

[allenm5333]

Yep, Christian Wilkins for sure. Zak Zinter and Kalel Mullings at Michigan. I guess we'll see what Ryan Puglisi does at Georgia, and some of the kids we've pulled the last couple of cycles. Samson Okunlola at Miami? How's Ronan Hanafin doing?
Points is just that while the New England prep schools are sending more guys to P4 programs (particularly certain ones, as you note), not all that many yet ring out as big-time college football players. Ty Chan excepted, of course.

Many of the prep schools are recuriting out of the area now too. Keegan QB is from my backyard

 

[NDPhilly]

Kid can move. Great offer with the expanded scholarship limits. Super high upside at tackle.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Kid can move. Great offer with the expanded scholarship limits. Super high upside at tackle.

Or as a massive blocking TE for jumbo sets, a la Harbaugh-era Stanford! (My least favorite team ever, because they were what we should have been during that era.)

 

[stpeteirish]

6-6 275 plays Lacrosse. I'd kinda like to watch some of that.

 

[Jdogg2020]

6-6 275 plays Lacrosse. I'd kinda like to watch some of that.

 

[IA4irish]

With nd taking both mckeogh and thom, I think they are preparing for possible significant turnover in the o line room next year. I think jagusah and Wagner could both potentially turn pro with good seasons. I think there are pretty clearly a couple of o linemen on the roster currently who won’t ever see the field. My guess is they get one more year for classes and to find a landing spot and then are out

 

[NDFAN2008]

With nd taking both mckeogh and thom, I think they are preparing for possible significant turnover in the o line room next year. I think jagusah and Wagner could both potentially turn pro with good seasons. I think there are pretty clearly a couple of o linemen on the roster currently who won’t ever see the field. My guess is they get one more year for classes and to find a landing spot and then are out

Billy could go pro too!!

 

[jprue24]

You aren't excited about Will Black??? C'mon man.

I am not and have watched almost zero of his reps. I don't count guys taking a gap year in CT, as being from CT. imo, you have to play all of your high school football in CT.

Pfft. AA RON Hernandez ring a bell?

I count the pride of Bristol Central HS as being from CT.

Would be great to have a Dwight Freeney on this team or a Jordan Reed at TE....my two favorite players from CT.

Yes, it would have. I guess Davies should have recruited Freeney and I doubt Reed would entertain ND. Both are public school kids and in Freeney's case, his public high school has produced, including Freeney, seven NFL players this century. That's A LOT for a public school in CT and speaks to the level of competition.

 

[BrooklynDomer]

Jagusah has yet to play a single regular season game. He didn’t play his whole freshman season before starting in the bowl game, and he missed his whole sophomore season before starting against Penn St and Ohio State. Dude has played 3 games in 2 years going into his junior year. He could stay healthy and be phenomenal all season, and still would be unlikely to be a high draft pick given his lack of playing experience. I can’t imagine he would go pro.

Wagner will almost certainly go pro. Schrauth, depends on his season.

I think this is more a case that Thom is a long term project with the high upside that is worth taking a flyer on. You let him take his time and grow into his body and learn a new position. Best case scenario, he becomes a starter down the road. Most likely scenario - he offers quality depth as a swing tackle. Worst case scenario, he never plays a down. You’re adding 5 other OL that if the worst case happens, you should be fine…and if best case happens, you’re a better team.

 

[Dale]

Jagusah has yet to play a single regular season game. He didn’t play his whole freshman season before starting in the bowl game, and he missed his whole sophomore season before starting against Penn St and Ohio State. Dude has played 3 games in 2 years going into his junior year. He could stay healthy and be phenomenal all season, and still would be unlikely to be a high draft pick given his lack of playing experience. I can’t imagine he would go pro.

Wagner will almost certainly go pro. Schrauth, depends on his season.

I think this is more a case that Thom is a long term project with the high upside that is worth taking a flyer on. You let him take his time and grow into his body and learn a new position. Best case scenario, he becomes a starter down the road. Most likely scenario - he offers quality depth as a swing tackle. Worst case scenario, he never plays a down. You’re adding 5 other OL that if the worst case happens, you should be fine…and if best case happens, you’re a better team.

I disagree completely tbh. Jagusah is already getting off-season pub as a possible first round pick. He’s a former 5 star. He can absolutely go first round with a phenomenal season. Especially if that season is 13+ games.

I also don’t know it’s a slam dunk Wagner would go pro, as his profile doesn’t scream Day 1 or 2 slam dunk as a tackle. He still has some weight concerns for the NFL level. Take with a grain of salt by ChatGPT says zero NFL starting OTs were sub 300 pounds. He could probably make bank coming back to ND and still be a Round 3 - 5 type pick in 2027.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Jagusah has yet to play a single regular season game. He didn’t play his whole freshman season before starting in the bowl game, and he missed his whole sophomore season before starting against Penn St and Ohio State. Dude has played 3 games in 2 years going into his junior year. He could stay healthy and be phenomenal all season, and still would be unlikely to be a high draft pick given his lack of playing experience. I can’t imagine he would go pro.

Wagner will almost certainly go pro. Schrauth, depends on his season.

I think this is more a case that Thom is a long term project with the high upside that is worth taking a flyer on. You let him take his time and grow into his body and learn a new position. Best case scenario, he becomes a starter down the road. Most likely scenario - he offers quality depth as a swing tackle. Worst case scenario, he never plays a down. You’re adding 5 other OL that if the worst case happens, you should be fine…and if best case happens, you’re a better team.

Agree Thom is a guy who probally doesn’t see the field till year 3

 

[BrooklynDomer]

I disagree completely tbh. Jagusah is already getting off-season pub as a possible first round pick. He’s a former 5 star. He can absolutely go first round with a phenomenal season. Especially if that season is 13+ games.

I also don’t know it’s a slam dunk Wagner would go pro, as his profile doesn’t scream Day 1 or 2 slam dunk as a tackle. He still has some weight concerns for the NFL level. He could probably make bank coming back to ND and still be a Round 2 - 4 type pick in 2027.

You’re welcome to disagree. But what OL has gone 1st round as a true junior who didn’t even start a regular season game until that junior year? Can you name one? Jagusah has plenty of potential as shown by this years CFB. Some team could take a chance on him based purely on that potential, but at this point, he’s played 3 games in 2 seasons, and played 2 different positions in those 3 games no less. Let’s see him make it though a full season before we anoint him a 1st round early entry pick.

Meanwhile Wagner was the highest rated ND OL and has been rated as one of the top 5 OT heading into 2025. He’s far more likely to go pro after 2025 than Jagusah.

Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner named top-five returning OT in college football

Here's where PFF ranked Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner among all returning offensive tackles in college football.

www.on3.com

 

[Dale]

You’re welcome to disagree. But what OL has gone 1st round as a true junior who didn’t even start a regular season game until that junior year? Can you name one? Jagusah has plenty of potential as shown by this years CFB. Some team could take a chance on him based purely on that potential, but at this point, he’s played 3 games in 2 seasons, and played 2 different positions in those 3 games no less. Let’s see him make it though a full season before we anoint him a 1st round early entry pick.

Meanwhile Wagner was the highest rated ND OL and has been rated as one of the top 5 OT heading into 2025. He’s far more likely to go pro after 2025 than Jagusah.

Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner named top-five returning OT in college football

Here's where PFF ranked Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner among all returning offensive tackles in college football.

www.on3.com

I’m sure there is one. Alabama would cycle through guys that waited their turn annually. But the rub here is we aren’t in the same world anymore with games played. If he plays 18.5 games, a decent portion of which are against top opponents, you think the NFL would care it’s not 24 games? It’s (potentially) not 12 versus 24 anymore.

 

[stlnd01]

I just want to enjoy watching our best players play a few games in the blue and gold before we pencil them in as first day draft picks, is all.

 

[fightingirish26]

6-6 275 plays Lacrosse. I'd kinda like to watch some of that.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I suddenly get Dean Portman enforcer vibes

 

[Fortheloveofthesport]

You’re welcome to disagree. But what OL has gone 1st round as a true junior who didn’t even start a regular season game until that junior year? Can you name one? Jagusah has plenty of potential as shown by this years CFB. Some team could take a chance on him based purely on that potential, but at this point, he’s played 3 games in 2 seasons, and played 2 different positions in those 3 games no less. Let’s see him make it though a full season before we anoint him a 1st round early entry pick.

Meanwhile Wagner was the highest rated ND OL and has been rated as one of the top 5 OT heading into 2025. He’s far more likely to go pro after 2025 than Jagusah.

Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner named top-five returning OT in college football

Here's where PFF ranked Notre Dame RT Aamil Wagner among all returning offensive tackles in college football.

www.on3.com

You’re essentially describing Broderick Jones. Believe he only had a couple spot starts before he was a full time starter as a junior.

Amarius Mims is also pretty similar. Believe he started less than 10 games total and mostly got drafted based on his physical traits and his tape as a sophomore against Ohio State in the playoffs.

 

[ShroudedInMystery]

Many of the prep schools are recuriting out of the area now too. Keegan QB is from my backyard

This. These schools have a lot of money and many of them have invested a lot in football. I went to an ISL school and it's a totally different, much more professionalized landscape from twenty years ago. Tabor Academy (Marcus Almada) is a great example, they've made a humongous leap over the past five years and they're stacked with college-caliber players.

 

[Rocketman84]

They certainly had a few who didn't start til JR year and go top 10 as a SR

I’m sure there is one. Alabama would cycle through guys that waited their turn annually. But the rub here is we aren’t in the same world anymore with games played. If he plays 18.5 games, a decent portion of which are against top opponents, you think the NFL would care it’s not 24 games? It’s (potentially) not 12 versus 24 anymore.