Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[Carolina Irish]

Thank you for all the info @Merckxe525, it is much appreciated. Go Irish!

 

[NDFAN2008]

Shuler and Stroman are the real deal.

Minich - Will play

Urlacher - Obviously does well when playing in an almost hybrid linebacker position, but he's well suited to roaming the secondary, and coming up when needed. He will also play.

Johnson - Will play, and there's hope he'll make a noticeable jump.

Everyone else is "as needed/if needed"

I thought Minich was transferring

 

[Irish du Nord]

I thought Minich was transferring

I read that and thought Talich, maybe he confused them while typing?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Yeah minich answer seems off

 

[ColinKSU]

No, it's bullshit.

*A large man in Northern Indiana crushes a Mountain Dew can on stream in frustration*

 

[IAIrish]

I read that and thought Talich, maybe he confused them while typing?

Even reading that, I'm still bullish on Talich starting given his play on ST.

 

[NDWarrior]

@Merckxe525 , is Marcus Freeman still looking to fill the recruiting position that was going to be complementary to Mike Martin's GM role? Or, was Kenyatta Watson a unique fit and with him declining to take, is ND going to no longer pursue someone for this role? Thanks

 

[IAIrish]

At minimum, he will be a rotational player this coming season. That's the expectation. My apologies for fumbling names when I was typing that up last night. Siri hates my life.

None needed, fella. We've all fallen victim to the dastardly autocorrect... gotten me into hot water on more than one occasion.

I'm also the resident Luke Talich fan on IE. Love that kids story and have really enjoyed his development. Guys who displayed what he did on ST this past year almost always parlay into bigger things.

Some point to him being a tall white kid from WY and immediately think he's slow. I'm betting he proves doubters wrong.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

KK Smith - Hampered by injuries off, and on. Quick. Shifty. Now knows the offense. Unfortunately, he’s just buried on the depth chart.

Micah Gilbert - Good route runner. Average blocker. After initially struggling, he’s now picked up the offense. He’ll get some situational time early in the season, and may play into a more rotational role, if he continues to present a big target. (CJ has good timing with him)

Cam Williams - Likely still a year away. (But yes, he’s incredibly talented)

Logan Saldate - Very disciplined route runner. Good hands. Presents a solid target. Has picked up the offense well. So, he may see sporadic time this coming year.

SIAP, but what’s the deal with Cam Williams? Highly recruited, and incredibly talented, but still another year away (ie not getting meaningful reps until junior year)… what are the hang ups in having him be game ready?

 

[SDIrishFan]

This is a situation where Cam was essentially never taught to be a receiver. When he came out of high school, he'd been taught nothing about the position other than "get open".

So, Cam has had to be taught from scratch, how to properly play receiver, how to understand a playbook, and how to properly adjust routes on the fly.

If all he was taught was how to "get open", should have have the bold part down? Haha, I kid.

 

[jprue24]

This is a serious comment/question.

So, Cam has had to be taught from scratch, how to properly play receiver, how to understand a playbook, and how to properly adjust routes on the fly.

IIRC, Ty Chan was a complete teardown and rebuild on everything oline (except being big). Did that happen? Or am I misremembering?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Merck if you don't mind this has always been something I've wondered about. What's the difference between a prospect getting "offered" and a prospect actually getting offered to be part of the program? To avoid confusion does the staff actually intend to take any of the kids that are offered like it's first come first serve? How does the staff work their tier on the board to actually accept commitments? With all the TE offers in the 26 class recently I can't imagine they'd accept just any of them, so what's the actual point to offering some of the prospects? I hope that's not too confusing and thanks

PS if anybody who isn't hungover from watching hockey last night knows what I'm trying to say please feel free to translate lol

 

[StPaul_Irish]

This is a serious comment/question.


IIRC, Ty Chan was a complete teardown and rebuild on everything oline (except being big). Did that happen? Or am I misremembering?

How dare you?

Mods I move for a suspension for disparaging The Ty Chan

 

[Katzenboyer]

SIAP, but what’s the deal with Cam Williams? Highly recruited, and incredibly talented, but still another year away (ie not getting meaningful reps until junior year)… what are the hang ups in having him be game ready?

Don't have anything more of substance to add beyond what Merck has already posted, but I will say that I focused on CW during warm ups at the Orange Bowl and he absolutely looks the part of a true #1.

Smooth. Great size/put together. Just a complete dude. I hope he gets the stuff Merck mentioned down because I think he will be a really terrific player if he does.

 

[jprue24]

How dare you?

Mods I move for a suspension for disparaging The Ty Chan

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Don't have anything more of substance to add beyond what Merck has already posted, but I will say that I focused on CW during warm ups at the Orange Bowl and he absolutely looks the part of a true #1.

Smooth. Great size/put together. Just a complete dude. I hope he gets the stuff Merck mentioned down because I think he will be a really terrific player if he does.

Follow-up question/observation: if this is true, I’d imagine there’s a realistic chance we only get one true year of him (his junior year), assuming he has the traits and produces in 2026. I’d imagine scouts would be high on his talent profile and he’d shoot up draft boards despite limited overall production.

If so, a bit of unfortunate ROI. Hopefully he puts it together toward the middle of this year and/or sticks around 4 years. Been dreaming of a WR like this for a while and it would suck seeing it for only one year, though hopefully it would help get us some looks at similar profile WRs for recruiting.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Appreciate the response Merck

 

[Irish#1]

@Merckxe525
What subject matter is being discussed in the Gug that no one is reporting on or being discussed on the different boards?

 

[Irishdawg]

- Spring game format changes going forward

- Dedicated sports science department focal points

- Enhanced player contracts with program associated sponsors

- Improved sound system

- Further locker room updates

- Player specific lounge areas

- Final concepts for how dedicated nutrition will be administered

Good Stuff… appreciate your Info.

 

[Kingbish01]

- Spring game format changes going forward

- Dedicated sports science department focal points

- Enhanced player contracts with program associated sponsors

- Improved sound system

- Further locker room updates

- Player specific lounge areas

- Final concepts for how dedicated nutrition will be administered

Merck...speaking on lounges and locker rooms. I've never been behind the scenes at ND, and I'm sure you've never been behind the scenes at say Oregon. But where does ND really rank in the wow factor? From a 1 - 5 if Oregon is a 5...where does ND rank? I'm just wondering if recruits are visiting OSU and UGA and then coming to ND...and behind the scenes it all pales in comparison.

 

[Kingbish01]

Today - 3.5 compared to Oregon, as it applies to “wow”

In 2 years - 4.5

Nice, and thanks! I was worried we weren't even at a 3.5 so that's encouraging.

 

[Kingbish01]

I've been behind the scenes in some of these high schools in North Atlanta. Gainesville, Milton, and Buford to name a few...and they have incredible facilities....I always wondered if they get use to the wow factor from a young age...and want more going forward, not the same or less.

 

[Kingbish01]

Notre Dame always does everything well, they’re just not particularly flashy.

Very true, and I could be wrong... but my assumption to why ND social media game and videos were so awesome this year....is they saw what Prime was doing out west. Mainly because he came in guns blazing on social, and then all the sudden ND did too a year or so after. The young kids notice it too, I've heard them say how ND has the best social posts. My point is they seem to be getting a little more flashy as the times are changing.

 

[Kak7304]

- Spring game format changes going forward

- Dedicated sports science department focal points

- Enhanced player contracts with program associated sponsors

- Improved sound system

- Further locker room updates

- Player specific lounge areas

- Final concepts for how dedicated nutrition will be administered

Happy to hear this. Ours isn’t very loud and occasionally sounds distorted. I wish we had speakers all around the field.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Follow-up question/observation: if this is true, I’d imagine there’s a realistic chance we only get one true year of him (his junior year), assuming he has the traits and produces in 2026. I’d imagine scouts would be high on his talent profile and he’d shoot up draft boards despite limited overall production.

If so, a bit of unfortunate ROI. Hopefully he puts it together toward the middle of this year and/or sticks around 4 years. Been dreaming of a WR like this for a while and it would suck seeing it for only one year, though hopefully it would help get us some looks at similar profile WRs for recruiting.

I think if we get a year of production out of Cam Williams to the point where he's an early declarant for the NFL draft, the ROI would be worth it. That means his season production is good enough that the NFL becomes an option.

I do think we'll see him next year, though. He looks ready.

 

[Irishcop]

I've been behind the scenes in some of these high schools in North Atlanta. Gainesville, Milton, and Buford to name a few...and they have incredible facilities....I always wondered if they get use to the wow factor from a young age...and want more going forward, not the same or less.

Buford's weight room looks more like a college than a high school, and the new football stadium they are building is incredible.

 

[Irish#1]

- Spring game format changes going forward

- Dedicated sports science department focal points

- Enhanced player contracts with program associated sponsors

- Improved sound system

- Further locker room updates

- Player specific lounge areas

- Final concepts for how dedicated nutrition will be administered

Thanks

 

[Irish5Saint]

@Merckxe525 if you can share: what would you say is Freeman’s biggest weakness?

 

[rikkitikki08]

@Merckxe525 if you can share: what would you say is Freeman’s biggest weakness?

I can answer this one, he cares too much and loves too hard

 

[calvegas04]

@Merckxe525 if you can share: what would you say is Freeman’s biggest weakness?

The Mac