Depth chart for 2013

[Irish YJ]

Rivals depth chart has him 3rd behind Prince and I.Williams.

Don't know where I've been... LOL...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Yeah, and I can hear it but not find it. You must be with me, in a place where sight and sound . . .

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NzlG28B-R8Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irish YJ]

Way too much going on right now at work and home for me to keep smart about important things like ND's depth chart .

That's just not right to let life interfere with ND...

 

[Cackalacky]

Does anyone have any clue about Okwara? He was one of my favorites and I am hoping he gets a shot to play.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I have heard nothing more about him since January when Kelly mentioned he was one of the solid performers. I think Kelly tried to tell everybody yesterday that he want three-deep ready to play and he will rotate this season.

The two places this came up was specifically when he talked about ILB's and when he talked about teams having really good players across the board, (as opposed to a few stars.)

Please note that there were three places the written transcript released varied from the the tape. On the tape he said "good," and the transcript said "great" which muddled the point. Also, it was kind of funny, when Kelly said Mike Heurman was coming along and talked about his explosiveness, the transcript said "Mike (unintelligible)". Obviously not many people at ND know his name is said Hire-man! It was clear as a bell!

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The first team o-line today was the three starters from last year plus Nick Martin at center and Hanratty at right guard.</p>— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISDUpdate/status/314355536625819649">March 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

interesting!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I like that! I am kind of pulling for Hanratty. That gives Hegarty time to work back into it, and build some competition with Martin to move the center position forward. I guess they have Lombard slated for tackle. I was wrong when I thought they would move him in.

 

[dublinirish]

Thoughts on a second team OL?
Stanley, Heggie, Hegarty, Harrell, Elmer?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Thoughts on a second team OL?
Stanley, Heggie, Hegarty, Harrell, Elmer?

As a whole unit. But this is where things get complicated. NMartin may be 2nd R OG, etc.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

I would think Schwenke would be #2 behind Nix.

I also think Shumate is starting over Baratti

Also isn`t Bivin supposed to be an inside player

 

[Old Man Mike]

Don't put too much into who walks out there first on day one of the spring. Kelly has a policy [more of a matter of honor] of letting the past starters "start" and then filling in the gaps with the most experienced veterans at other positions. Example: Goodman walked out there first at WR last year.

This is just an early organizational thing. It's advantages are that the vets feel properly considered, plus they usually have the best immediate grasp on the systems, so their unit will operate the drill properly with less coaching.

We will need to wait until week two to see the real thinking of the staff in some of these areas. The honest "open competition" will float some folks past others.

 

[dublinirish]

looking at the videos the 1st team D appears to be:

Day, Nix, Springman,
Spond, Werewolf, Calabrese, Shembo
KVR, Farley, Schumate, Wood.

Tuitt, BJax, Foxy, Schwenke not participating of course.

 

[dublinirish]

2nd team D:

Hounshell, Stockton, Jones
Councell, Rabasa,Moore,Ishaq
Brown, Hardy, Collinsworth, #24 (is this Josh?) no idea

 

[dublinirish]

3rd team is not a full 11:
Martinez Little
Utupo, Schmidt, Romeo
Romano, Turner, Badger, Calavaris

Couple of other guys i cant make out

 

[Domina Nostra]

My post-Spring guesses:

QB
Golson
Rees-Hendrix
RB
Bryant
Carlisle
GAIII-McDaniel-Folston
WR
Daniels/Smith/Robinson
Jones/Brown
Prosise/Fuller-Onuwalu
TE
Niklas
Welch/Koyack
LT
Z. Martin
Elmer
LG
Watt
Harrell
C
Nick Martin
Heggarty
RG
Hanratty
RT
Lombard
Stanley
(I'd like to see Stanley start at RT and Lombard shift inside eventually)

DE
Day
Springmann
NT
Nix
Shwenke
Jones
DE
Tuitt
Vanderdoes
CAT
Shembo
Williams
MIKE
Grace
Moore
Randolph
WILL
Carlo
Fox
Deeb
DOG
Spond
Councell/Smith
Nickel
Smith
CB
Jackson
Luke
Atkinson
CB
Russell
Wood
Brown
SS
Shumate
Baratti
Collinsworth
FS
Farley
Redfield/Hardy

K/P
Brindza
KR
Atkinson
Folston
PR
Folston
Prosise

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm curious, why do so many people have Bryant as starter at RB? Not to slight him, I think he's a terrific talent as is Folston, but the guy hasn't taken a snap in practice even yet and he's going to start on a team that played for the MNC last year? Granted, Theo and Wood are gone and the rest are somewhat unproven, but Bryant going to have to beat out an incredibly athletic Carlisle (provided he remains healthy at fall). Theres also GAIII who put up 360 yards last year at 3rd string, has two years of experience, and a guy Kelly said can be a legitimate starter if he didn't have two seniors ahead of him. I fully expect Bryant to get a few snaps next season, and will most likely see action in Special Teams, but I can't see him starting (at least at the beginning of the season) unless he picks up the offense very quickly.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm curious, why do so many people have Bryant as starter at RB? Not to slight him, I think he's a terrific talent as is Folston, but the guy hasn't taken a snap in practice even yet and he's going to start on a team that played for the MNC last year? Granted, Theo and Wood are gone and the rest are somewhat unproven, but Bryant going to have to beat out an incredibly athletic Carlisle (provided he remains healthy at fall). Theres also GAIII who put up 360 yards last year at 3rd string, has two years of experience, and a guy Kelly said can be a legitimate starter if he didn't have two seniors ahead of him. I fully expect Bryant to get a few snaps next season, and will most likely see action in Special Teams, but I can't see him starting (at least at the beginning of the season) unless he picks up the offense very quickly.

Totally different styles. Carlisle/GA3 vs Bryant.
IMO, starting by game 5 or at least a 1a/b. BK will always use multiple backs.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm curious, why do so many people have Bryant as starter at RB? Not to slight him, I think he's a terrific talent as is Folston, but the guy hasn't taken a snap in practice even yet and he's going to start on a team that played for the MNC last year? Granted, Theo and Wood are gone and the rest are somewhat unproven, but Bryant going to have to beat out an incredibly athletic Carlisle (provided he remains healthy at fall). Theres also GAIII who put up 360 yards last year at 3rd string, has two years of experience, and a guy Kelly said can be a legitimate starter if he didn't have two seniors ahead of him. I fully expect Bryant to get a few snaps next season, and will most likely see action in Special Teams, but I can't see him starting (at least at the beginning of the season) unless he picks up the offense very quickly.

Carlisle, GAIII and McDaniel all have apparent flaws. Bryant, as a unblemished incoming 5 recruit, does not. I don't expect him to start against Temple, but I wouldn't be surprised for him to climb to #1 at some point during the 2013 season.

 

[kmoose]

Carlisle, GAIII and McDaniel all have apparent flaws. Bryant, as a unblemished incoming 5 recruit, does not. I don't expect him to start against Temple, but I wouldn't be surprised for him to climb to #1 at some point during the 2013 season.

The problem is that, as the season progresses, Bryant's flaws will become apparent.

 

[greyhammer90]

The problem is that, as the season progresses, Bryant's flaws will become apparent.

Bingo. If I had to bet I'd say he'll have the ball security issue. BK is a real stickler for that and it's a common problem for freshmen who are looking for the big play all the time.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

My post-Spring guesses:

QB
Golson
Rees-Hendrix
RB
Bryant
Carlisle
GAIII-McDaniel-Folston
WR
Daniels/Smith/Robinson
Jones/Brown
Prosise/Fuller-Onuwalu
TE
Niklas
Welch/Koyack
LT
Z. Martin
Elmer
LG
Watt
Harrell
C
Nick Martin
Heggarty
RG
Hanratty
RT
Lombard
Stanley
(I'd like to see Stanley start at RT and Lombard shift inside eventually)

DE
Day
Springmann
NT
Nix
Shwenke
Jones
DE
Tuitt
Vanderdoes
CAT
Shembo
Williams
MIKE
Grace
Moore
Randolph
WILL
Carlo
Fox
Deeb
DOG
Spond
Councell/Smith
Nickel
Smith
CB
Jackson
Luke
Atkinson
CB
Russell
Wood
Brown
SS
Shumate
Baratti
Collinsworth
FS
Farley
Redfield/Hardy

K/P
Brindza
KR
Atkinson
Folston
PR
Folston
Prosise

Jaylon Smith as a nickel?

Also, i think Ishaq Williams will play more time with the hand on the ground. If you ask me, i would say that Okwara will be the #2 at the Cat behind Shembo.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

I think we all hope Bryant and Folston come out and perform at high levels right away, and they very well could, I would think the RB position may be the easiest to jump into and get early PT. But as others have stated, we have 2 veterans coming back, granted they have yet to be starters, but they've been on the team for the past few seasons, as well as Carlisle. I think picking up blocks and or blocking assignments plus ball security will play a important role on who sees the field the most this season, though the versatility that Bryant and Folston have could help them see the field earlier then expected. I think the backfield will be the interesting topic of discussion this off season as the QB position was last year. I mean what other position are we anticipating more right now?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I have thought about this. I see Ishaq moving to a hand in the dirt position, which is more natural for him, gets Okwara on the field and confuses the hell out of offenses.

Bryant starting as running back. You guys need to talk about the speed of the game, not flaws, or flaws becoming apparent. Kelly doesn't do negatives. Bryant needs time to ramp up. It doesn't matter how good a player is, until he has played at that level. Some take a while, some it is just a minor adjustment. With running backs, especially in zone blocking schemes, it is all about playing assignment correct.

So Bryant, Folston, Jaylon Smith, Eddie Vanderdoes, and MAX Redfield are all in the same boat. Can they adjust to the game quickly? And can they learn their assignments quickly? Other than that these guys (and quite a few others like Elmer, Onwualu, Robinson, etc.), the sky is the limit!

I appreciate you doing a depth chart, and it was brilliant putting Smith in at Nickel, but with all these variables, until everybody hits the field this fall, it is a craps shoot!

 

[ulukinatme]

I have thought about this. I see Ishaq moving to a hand in the dirt position, which is more natural for him, gets Okwara on the field and confuses the hell out of offenses.

Bryant starting as running back. You guys need to talk about the speed of the game, not flaws, or flaws becoming apparent. Kelly doesn't do negatives. Bryant needs time to ramp up. It doesn't matter how good a player is, until he has played at that level. Some take a while, some it is just a minor adjustment. With running backs, especially in zone blocking schemes, it is all about playing assignment correct.

So Bryant, Folston, Jaylon Smith, Eddie Vanderdoes, and MAX Redfield are all in the same boat. Can they adjust to the game quickly? And can they learn their assignments quickly? Other than that these guys (and quite a few others like Elmer, Onwualu, Robinson, etc.), the sky is the limit!

I appreciate you doing a depth chart, and it was brilliant putting Smith in at Nickle, but with all these variables, until everybody hits the field this fall, it is a craps shoot!

Well said, Bogs. I have no doubt that these incomming freshmen will see the field in some capacity this season, and some will see the field sooner than others, but I wouldn't get our hopes up too soon. Gotta remember that Kelly likes execution and knowledge over raw athleticism. How else did Tommy fend off Dayne for most of a season? He had no qualms about putting him in when Golson struggled early too.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I think Jaylon will play Nickel because he can and they are going to want him involved as much as possible in more instinctual situations (like Shumate last year). Maybe that just means Smith playing for one of the other LBs in that situation, but I think he'll be on the field in a lot of obvious passing downs, especially third and long. You can't just sit him and save him for special teams, but Spond and Councell know the position so much better.

I agree that Bryant will have to work his way in, but Cam and GAIII are not Cierra and Riddick.

I am not trying to say, "Wow, Bryant is so good he'll stray over seasoned veterans." As you can see above, I think Smith is by far our best prospect but I have a had time seeing him cracking the two deep. What I am saying that its not clear that GAIII and Cam are seasoned veterans, or even BCS starters at all. No doubt both are talented and have some real upside, but at this point and we may end up deciding that a trial by fire with a true RB will be more beneficial than what we have.

It's more like starting Russell over Atkinson and Brown... Or maybe even over Lo Wood (if he had stayed healthy).

I thin Williams will play Cat but will play it more like a DE.

 

[koonja]

Personally, I think Jaylon and EV are going to play a lot more and a lot sooner than most of you think. RB is hard to predict because as mentioned, it has more of a learning curve.

 

[irishog77]

I think Jaylon will play Nickel because he can and they are going to want him involved as much as possible in more instinctual situations (like Shumate last year). You can't just sit him and save him for special teams, but Spond and Councell know the position so much better.

I agree that Bryant will have to work his way in, but Cam and GAIII are not Cierra and Riddick.

I am not trying to say, "Wow, Bryant is so good he'll stray over seasoned veterans." As you can see above, I think Smith is by far our best prospect but I have a had time seeing him cracking the two deep. What I am saying that its not clear that GAIII and Cam are seasoned veterans, or even BCS starters at all. No doubt both are talented and have some real upside, but at this point and we may end up deciding that a trial by fire with a true RB will be more beneficial than what we have.

It's more like starting Russell over Atkinson and Brown... Or maybe even over Lo Wood (if he had stayed healthy).

They're also bigger and stronger. Which could lead credence to your claim of him playing Nickel. I don't think he'll actually be the nickel back, but yeah, I could definitely see him playing in nickel packages. Size and strength will probably be the biggest barriers to Jaylon's PT this year.

I actually think Diaco will implement him on some "exotic" looks next year...working him in slowly while giving the opposing team a confusing scenario.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Personally, I think Jaylon and EV are going to play a lot more and a lot sooner than most of you think. RB is hard to predict because as mentioned, it has more of a learning curve.

Disagree. Jaylon doesnt need to rushed into anything. ND doesnt have to play him unless he is that good, and to beat out a starter last year, and probably the most improved LB on the squad isnt going to be easy. ND isnt where they were 2 years ago, much less 5 years ago, where freshman have to play. There isnt a need to rush anyone on the field. If Jayon can beat them out thats a GREAT thing, but at the sametime if he cant, its not a bad thing at all. It means Diaco is doing his job and developing talent.

Id say GB/Folston/Redfield/Fuller/Elmer/Deeb will have a chance to see the field (not counting sp teams) . I am intrigued about Butler/Luke. If Baratti/Hardy/Redfield are good enough to play Safety, will they move Shumate down to Nickel, or play Luke/Butler if they are ready to get experience. Randolph could also sneak in there, but Id love to see him take a year and move inside. The player that possibly intrigues me the most though, is Kinlaw. With the way the CBs have come along, could he be the answer ND is looking for at the slot? Kid has serious talent but he needs to keep that injury bug away. I highly doubt EV sees the field this year, and Rochell could use a year to develop physically. Your starting punter could be a freshman walkon, heard nothing but GREAT things about Antognoli.


As far as the returning guys....I dont see any freshman starting day game 1 UNLESS its at RB just bc they are that good, but thats a tall tall task. So it all depends on guys getting work in this summer. WRs are pretty much set. TJ/Davaris/Prosise/Smith/Chris Brown. QB is set. Oline is pretty much set. Id have to believe itd take someone getting hurt to not have starting line we saw in the spring. Elmer moving to LT and Stanley to RT does show that Stanley is progressing so he will be able to push Lombard, and if Hanratty struggles, Lombard to RG and Stanley to RT1 is a possibility and you still save Elmers year. Stanley showed his flexibility by stepping in at LG in the spring game as well. The LBs should be very solid. Starting Dline i doubt theres a better unit in the country with Day, Nix, and Tuitt. Safety will need to answer some questions but there is plenty of talent to be able to cater to situational play at a min.

ND is in great shape going into the summer. Competition will be everywhere, but the experience of the team is at positions you need it to be. The freshman just need to need to put their time in and prepare for 2014 bc there will be openings at a lot of positions.

 

[koonja]

Disagree. Jaylon doesnt need to rushed into anything. ND doesnt have to play him unless he is that good, and to beat out a starter last year, and probably the most improved LB on the squad isnt going to be easy. ND isnt where they were 2 years ago, much less 5 years ago, where freshman have to play. There isnt a need to rush anyone on the field. If Jayon can beat them out thats a GREAT thing, but at the sametime if he cant, its not a bad thing at all. It means Diaco is doing his job and developing talent.

Id say GB/Folston/Redfield/Fuller/Elmer/Deeb will have a chance to see the field (not counting sp teams) . I am intrigued about Butler/Luke. If Baratti/Hardy/Redfield are good enough to play Safety, will they move Shumate down to Nickel, or play Luke/Butler if they are ready to get experience. Randolph could also sneak in there, but Id love to see him take a year and move inside. The player that possibly intrigues me the most though, is Kinlaw. With the way the CBs have come along, could he be the answer ND is looking for at the slot? Kid has serious talent but he needs to keep that injury bug away. I highly doubt EV sees the field this year, and Rochell could use a year to develop physically. Your starting punter could be a freshman walkon, heard nothing but GREAT things about Antognoli.


As far as the returning guys....I dont see any freshman starting day game 1 UNLESS its at RB just bc they are that good, but thats a tall tall task. So it all depends on guys getting work in this summer. WRs are pretty much set. TJ/Davaris/Prosise/Smith/Chris Brown. QB is set. Oline is pretty much set. Id have to believe itd take someone getting hurt to not have starting line we saw in the spring. Elmer moving to LT and Stanley to RT does show that Stanley is progressing so he will be able to push Lombard, and if Hanratty struggles, Lombard to RG and Stanley to RT1 is a possibility and you still save Elmers year. Stanley showed his flexibility by stepping in at LG in the spring game as well. The LBs should be very solid. Starting Dline i doubt theres a better unit in the country with Day, Nix, and Tuitt. Safety will need to answer some questions but there is plenty of talent to be able to cater to situational play at a min.

ND is in great shape going into the summer. Competition will be everywhere, but the experience of the team is at positions you need it to be. The freshman just need to need to put their time in and prepare for 2014 bc there will be openings at a lot of positions.

I never said he's going to start, much less game one. Only that him and EV will play a lot more than some people expect.

Are you kidding?? He's not a 5th year kind of guy, he's a 3/4 years and done. He will absolutely play this year. Barring injury, I'll bet 1,000,000 vbucks to your one that he plays this year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I think Jaylon will play Nickel because he can and they are going to want him involved as much as possible in more instinctual situations (like Shumate last year). Maybe that just means Smith playing for one of the other LBs in that situation, but I think he'll be on the field in a lot of obvious passing downs, especially third and long. You can't just sit him and save him for special teams, but Spond and Councell know the position so much better.

This above is what I meant when I said brilliant. This is a way to work a freshman onto the field. I never thought about it, but since you came up with it, why not dime too? We didn't even have one of those last year; not really!

I agree that Bryant will have to work his way in, but Cam and GAIII are not Cierra and Riddick.

GA III is still a home run threat so they will get him in space. And Cam can do things when he gets the ball in his hands that we have not seen yet. Also with Cam think counter-trap to the quick pitch. No one in the program rides their blocks better than the Cam-meister!

I am not trying to say, "Wow, Bryant is so good he'll stray over seasoned veterans." As you can see above, I think Smith is by far our best prospect but I have a had time seeing him cracking the two deep. What I am saying that its not clear that GAIII and Cam are seasoned veterans, or even BCS starters at all. No doubt both are talented and have some real upside, but at this point and we may end up deciding that a trial by fire with a true RB will be more beneficial than what we have.

I think our offense will be more different that most people think this year. In fact, I am sure of it!

It's more like starting Russell over Atkinson and Brown... Or maybe even over Lo Wood (if he had stayed healthy).

I thin Williams will play Cat but will play it more like a DE.

I am begining to see us gravitate to a four man front more often. I can see us even play with six db's occasionally!

I am going to add my conversational responses in a different color within your quote, so that way you can at least see that I am off color in my response.

And also, remember, EV's trainer (who was Suh's) now says he is "similar to Suh and as a freshman more fundamentally sound." This changes the defensive end - line dynamic for the next three years if true.