D Line Recruits

[irishfan81]

How come where playing the waiting game with Austin, Barksdale and Blackwell? We are in need of DT's. Any info on the recruitment of D Linemen? We have 2 D Linemen right now Trattou and Neal both DE's and slipping with the 3 I mentioned. Weis has to go after these kids.
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toyota corolla

 

[grungejunky]

thinking that the staff is not going after these guys is bad thinking. trattou might move to defensive tackle. they seem to have lost the battle on austin to a more entertaining campus Miami, USC etc. You can't blame the kid. Barksdale seems to be a Michigan lean but they have a shot. I havent heard much on Blackwell but what i have heard on boards is that thatt situation looks good as well. they offered ian williams. you cannot have your cake and eat it too, i hate hearing people whine about DT like they are ignoring the position. they are going after all three guys but they can only sell what they have.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

We're playing the waiting game with them because at the moment, we don't lead for Austin or Barksdale---we might not even be close.

I don't think there's much that we can do but wait for them to make the next move. Hopefully they'll still be thinking about their decision when ND's season kicks off. I think that's the one thing we're hoping can persuade them: if we have a really great season and if we win the national championship, maybe that will change their minds. I don't think you should even begin to hope that ends up being the case with Austin, but with Barksdale, I think it's possible. It's an uphill battle, though.

As for Blackwell, at the moment he's the only DT prospect we're leading for. But I don't think he's been on campus. So forcing the decision on him at this moment would be foolish. I think that those three and McCray are the only elite prospects that we're looking at for DT.

We can't afford to look elsewhere after losing all four prospects, because no one else has the talent to fill our need at DT. We can't just throw out offers to kids that we can expect to develop over a few years and have play as juniors or seniors---there are plenty of those guys. We need someone that can play a little as a freshman and a lot as a sophomore.

 

[irishfan81]

Well said I think Austin isn't gonna be Irish. And there all saying that Trattou is gonna play DT I don't know why. Blackwell has us leading for him ahead of LSU and will be coming into town over the fall so. Barksdale from what I've read is playing the field. These kids have to look at our depth and we have no DT's returning next year. So if Blackwell or Barksdale come they'll see that look they could get playing time and possibly start.
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wholesale vaporizer

 

[luckofirish8]

I'm still holding out hope that they will offer Wade. Something tells me we should offer this kid. I just like his attitude and his video isn't bad either.

 

[scooper]

Wow, relax. The coaches aren't waiting on these guys. If they don't come, it's not for lack of trying.

As for our depth chart, Barksdale is giving OSU a serious look. Believe it or not, their future depth at DT is as bad as ours.

 

[knute]

Not again...

Not again...

How come where playing the waiting game with Austin, Barksdale and Blackwell? We are in need of DT's. Any info on the recruitment of D Linemen? We have 2 D Linemen right now Trattou and Neal both DE's and slipping with the 3 I mentioned. Weis has to go after these kids.

irishfan81, I have to say you ruined NotreDameFans.com with 50 posts like this. I stopped reading that site, and now you're here. I don't understand how you can keep posting the same thing over and over again...

On NotreDameFans.com, you got great answers like the one from scooper above, but it's like you don't read them. It's like every two weeks, you get antsy about the DTs.

Do you imagine that one day, Charlie Weis is going to be on the internet and he's going to read your post and smack his head and say, "That's it, I should stop playing the waiting game with Austin and Barksdale and start recruiting some DTs!"

 

[scooper]

I'm still holding out hope that they will offer Wade. Something tells me we should offer this kid. I just like his attitude and his video isn't bad either.

I don't think his test score is anywhere near offer-able yet.

 

[scooper]

irishfan81, I have to say you ruined NotreDameFans.com with 50 posts like this. I stopped reading that site, and now you're here. I don't understand how you can keep posting the same thing over and over again...

Do you imagine that one day, Charlie Weis is going to be on the internet and he's going to read your post and smack his head and say, "That's it, I should stop playing the waiting game with Austing and Barksdale and start recruiting some DTs!"

Thank you.

 

[knute]

There are two threads on NotreDameFans.com, specifically targeted at you, irishfan81. Here are the titles:

1. Anything BUT DEFENSIVE TACKLE talk here.
2. Defensive tackle talk a little too hysterical

http://www.notredamefans.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=3

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I don't think it's that big a deal, relax.

 

[luckofirish8]

Scooper, that makes more sense. thanks!

 

[knute]

You say that now, just wait. It spreads like a virus. Soon you'll start to see posts like this:

This is shaping up to be one bad D Line class. We are playing the "WAITING" Game with the DT's If I were CW I would be HOUNDING Barksdale, Austin, Blackwell to get them on Campus and Committ. We need help I don't know what our problem is we have to go at these 3 immediately because were slipping with 2 of the three in Austin and Barksdale, Blackwell I can't figure out.

I'm worried sick to this what does it take to get into CW's head to say that "LOOK COACH WE NEED STUD, TOP-NOTCH, 4 AND 5 STAR DT'S". We are struggling Austin needs off field stuff like strippers and stuff like that. Barksdale seems like OSU and scUM are in a battle for him and Blackwell likes us and LSU. Good lord. We haven't offered Wade who says wants to give us a visit. WE ARE STRUGGLING TO GET D LINEMEN except for 1 Trattou we need like 10 more. Does anybody have inside info about Austin, Barksdale, Blackwell to give me a pain killer here. I'm sweating to death because we need DEFENSE. And USC is landing QB's galore and 2 running backs looks like thunder and lightning are back and Defense and CW needs to go out and RECRUIT LIKE CRAZY TO GET STUD EVERYTHING ESSPECIALY DEFENSE.

Sorry I'm so worked up, but I was just starting to enjoy the thoughtful conversation around here. Such a pity...

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

lol, are you suggesting he's Ty Willingham in disguise?

 

[scooper]

knute, thanks for the warning.

 

[Indydomer]

I looked at that site a few times when nothing was going on here and I noticed those posts as well. Haven't been back. Thats all it was, was people going crazy about the DT's. Charlie has to have some kind of plan, we just need to be patient. There has to be a method to the madness.

 

[scooper]

The biggest need last year was O-line by a wide margin. We didn't get a commitment there until August. And there really weren't many offers out there. Look how that turned out. Try to find a better Oline class from last season.

I'm nowhere near worried. It's June.

 

[jiggafini19]

I'm not exactly sure what more can be done.

Austin, Barksdale, Blackwell and Andre Jones have all been offered. Jones is going to Texas.

I seriously doubt there is any lack of effort by this staff.

 

[grungejunky]

i was going to mention something about notredamefans.com in my initial response. i felt so beat over the head by the defensive tackle comments it was frustrating. i wanted to remain cordial in my response but there has been nothing insightful about irishfan81's comments that ive seen. just whining. and he won't even move on to our secondary, its all defensive tackle.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I think the easiest approach would be just to expect Blackwell to be Irish and no one else. We can wait for next year.. we're sure to have better luck. And think about it, defensive tackle prospects will have witnessed two great ND football seasons. That'll give them a lot to consider. That will certainly be true of other positions as well.

 

[knute]

I think the easiest approach would be just to expect Blackwell to be Irish and no one else. We can wait for next year.. we're sure to have better luck. And think about it, defensive tackle prospects will have witnessed two great ND football seasons. That'll give them a lot to consider. That will certainly be true of other positions as well.

I believe that we're seeing a blend of strategies here:
1) Land one or two guys that could become DTs in a pinch (Trattou & Nuss).
2) Land one or two 4 star DTs (Blackwell and ??)
3) Keep the door open with as many 5 star DTs as possible, invite them to some games in the fall, have a dominant season and pull them in.
4) Solidify all of the other positions with 5 star talent and go hard after the 5 star DTs for 2008.

 

[jiggafini19]

Great thread here. Those last few posts by all of you bring up some very good points. Well done.

Defensive tackle needs are about as obvious as the sky being blue. We all know the situation. We also know that the first O lineman to verbal last year was Bartley Webb...in August. So just don't worry about no DT verbals at the end of June, star rankings and what is going to happen.

Will Blackwell appears to be the best lean of anyone offered to this point. After that, it gets hazy. This position is a hot commodity. You need guys with O Line size but faster. They're tough to come by. Elite guys also typically hold out until Signing Day to make an announcement.

Another issue: Notre Dame hasn't exactly been churning out defensive players into All Americans or NFL draftees lately. Elite kids look at this, whether we think it's right or wrong. They look at it. The 2006 defense will need to showcase itself to a lot of people, recruits being one of those groups. For some reason, I look at a guy like Rick Minter and don't see how a 17-18 year old kid could get excited to play for him. Weis knew what he was doing when he went after a younger, lively option in Al Golden.

These are all just theories. This is only Weis' second full run in recruiting, however.

Now, with this said we know that they are in good standing with Blackwell. There is plenty of time until Signing Day. There are also some good projects out there ND can scoop up should these other players decide to go elsewhere. I don't know the odds of getting any of the D'Angelo McCray, Torrey Davis or Ian Williams types.

All I know is they have time to try and make it happen.

 

[scooper]

Great post. Remember, at this time last year, Sam Young was a pipe dream as far as we fans knew.

Speaking of Al Golden, I was reading a preview mag last night and it was rehashing all the new coaching hires. Only once did his defenses finish in the top half of the ACC. I did not realize that. I think all the hype around him was linked to his recruiting ability. He has developed some good players, but it never translated well on the field.

The jury is obviously still out on Minter, but I don't think we did any worse than we would have done with Golden.

Minter had some very strong defenses in Cincinnati. Though he was not DC.

 

[KMac151993]

Great post. Remember, at this time last year, Sam Young was a pipe dream as far as we fans knew.

Speaking of Al Golden, I was reading a preview mag last night and it was rehashing all the new coaching hires. Only once did his defenses finish in the top half of the ACC. I did not realize that. I think all the hype around him was linked to his recruiting ability. He has developed some good players, but it never translated well on the field.

The jury is obviously still out on Minter, but I don't think we did any worse than we would have done with Golden.

Minter had some very strong defenses in Cincinnati. Though he was not DC.

The '93 defense he coached at ND was one of the best in college football.

 

[jiggafini19]

The '93 defense he coached at ND was one of the best in college football.

Minus the last regular season game of the year. And the program hasn't been the same since for some reason 13 years later.

Golden was CW's first choice. I put him into high regard based on that. I think in terms of personality, opposed to age, you might be right Scooper. It was a choice based on recruiting, amongst other things. He was also DC under another former NFL guy in Al Groh. Weis had to have seen that.

Interesting how the numbers crunch down. UVA has always seemingly underachieved. Not only was I surprised Golden turned Weis down, I was stunned he took the Temple job. He'll never win there.

You have to be excited to play in your system and for your defensive coordinator. A lot of them are fresher, young, outgoing guys. Minter seems a little bland to me. If you're Chris Galippo or Marvin Austin, do you look at Minter and say "Wow, I can't wait to play for him."

 

[scooper]

Yes, Temple's a dead end. Then again, look at their schedule in recent years. They had the Big East with Miami, VT and BC still in it. They were not going to compete. Then, as an independent, they had no choice but to play a tough schedule. Last year's was brutal.

Now they join the MAC, which has earned a lot of respect, but is still a big step down in competition from who they were playing.

The goal is no longer to recruit with and compete with Big East level schools. Now they only need to recruit to compete with the MAC. Market-wise, they have some advantages over many of the other MAC schools, most of which are in rural settings. Not to mention, thanks to basketball, they have a stronger brand.

Success for Temple has now been re-defined and possibly achievable.

 

[BigIrish]

great post, scoop.

 

[St.Kittsnd]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for not posting for so long. My father-in-law passed away on Fathers Day and I have been taking care of the kids and my wife.

That being said, lets talk DT's. I don't see the panic situation that alot of ND fans see. With Hand and Kuntz already in the fold and Paddy Mullen showing up this year, with the potential for Eric Olsen to be a good DT, we should need 2 quality DT's and 1 or 2 guys for depth. I think that this is quite achievable.

We are in line to have quite a haul at DE and LB over the next couple of years. We have Wade and Ryan at DE this year. We have Trattau and look good for Martin and possibly Griffen. At LB, we got Smith and Richardson(I can't wait to see this guy play)last year, Neal and Nagel this year with Wilson and Donald as strong possibilities. And look at next year, Nagel's little brother and Steve Filer looking great.

With the defensive guys we have and the guys that are potentially coming in, I think we are in really good shape defensively. I would not sell Charlie and his staff short. Bill Lewis and Rick Minter are very experienced and great recruiters and along with Charlie should bring in a top notch defensive class.

Don't give up on Austin just yet. I think with Benn in the fold and another quality DT, potentially Blackwell, verballed and a great haul at LB and DE, he would find it very difficult to say no to Notre Dame. He will verbal late in the game. Let's have some patience and remember the quality class we brought in last year. I have observed one thing with Charlie Weis and that is, he is constantly learning and not afraid to correct mistakes he realizes he has made. He is working hard on DT's for this class and will get several quality players for this position. Don't forget Nuss, he is an awesome DT! Our class will be amazing, just give it time.

 

[scooper]

Hey St, prayers and sympathy for your family. I hope all are doing well.

I'm with you. I'm far from hitting the panic button. I still think it is a crucial need, but there is a long time to go and there are quite a few good prospects out there.

 

[rontdtarchala]

I also have to agree, no matter what though gentlemen there are always going to be those that just simply can't survive unless they are in the panick mode...that being said I have complete confidence that we will come out sweet as far as the DT position is concerned...dont' forget people...WE ARE ND!! Now let's move on to more important things...like---I am going nuts waiting for the season to start!!!! I hope you all are suffering as much as I am...hahahahaha