Freshman Contributors

[johnnykillz]

That was pretty cool.

There will be a lot of room on his bandwagon at about week three this year and I'll be at the head leading the charge.

And I, the ear on your head...

err, nevermind.

 

[Rocket89]

And I, the ear on your head...

err, nevermind.

I....I don't know what to say!

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

That is some serious CORE workout. There is a big push for CORE training, alot of players are using the core program below by Mark Verstegen.
Core Performance | Powered by Athletes' Performance

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Eilar Hardy could be something very special by the time he is done at ND.. I expect to see him get spot time at Safety this year in blowouts and our Nickel/Dime situations. He has elite skill and has the attitude of a safety.

With all the talent of Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq/Ga3....I would not be surprised if Hardy and Councell were the best of the class when its all said and done over the next 10-12years of their careers

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Eilar Hardy could be something very special by the time he is done at ND.. I expect to see him get spot time at Safety this year in blowouts and our Nickel/Dime situations. He has elite skill and has the attitude of a safety.

With all the talent of Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq/Ga3....I would not be surprised if Hardy and Councell were the best of the class when its all said and done over the next 10-12years of their careers

Very bold prediction.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I'm confused: How is Cierre Wood not a burner?

Doesn't his measurables meet close enough to have him less than 5 yards from George Atkinson in a 100 yard dash? Now figure in his strength, etc.

We were angry twins seperated at birth, Johnny.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Golson redshirts, as he doesn't have the physique to survive on the field yet. Hendrix gets the red-zone package.

A) Everett's physique must be underappreciated.
B) It is hard to hit something that is not there, or you cannot see; there may be no greater a fast-twitch player in the last decade at ND.
C) Everett presents a unique problem for defenses, he is mobile and he can throw accurately and long. (He can do it while moving.) With a special package, for limited minutes he will crucify defenses we play against, if Kelly decides to go that way. Later in the season you will see defenses look sloppier and disorganized against us, because they have to spend time preparing for him as part of a multi-look offense.
D) Where is Everett going to line up on the field on a given play? He may be the best combination of “quicks” with mobility and moves on the team. And he has a great arm. Who says he lines up as qb?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I also have a slightly-crazy dream where giant Ishaq plays opposite Manti at ILB and flies around the field making tackles and picking off passes. He has the speed to do it and could run with most any TE better than probably any LBs currently on our team. Then next year switch him to OLB where Fleming will have graduated.

I believe Ishaq has good enough speed to play/cover wide receivers, now. He is one of the players that will truly benefit from Paul Longo's program. Athletically, (raw physical ability) he is beyond peers.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

* Farley is EXTREMELY raw. . . .
* I think Cam McDaniel . . .

* Councell - . . .

This was so good that I repped you seriously. The only thing is you can see Kelly's wheels turning when he talks about Farley, (maybe Kelly will work him in anyways) and Daniels needed quite a bit of work on learning to use his body when I saw him in the AA game.

PS. I am back.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Eilar Hardy could be something very special by the time he is done at ND.. I expect to see him get spot time at Safety this year in blowouts and our Nickel/Dime situations. He has elite skill and has the attitude of a safety.

With all the talent of Lynch/Tuitt/Ishaq/Ga3....I would not be surprised if Hardy and Councell were the best of the class when its all said and done over the next 10-12years of their careers

WTF! We got TheTurningPoint on IE! Nice!

Welcome bro!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Two final points:

The bandwagon has already started rolling; durring the spring Charlie Molnar stated he had never seen a running back play as fast as CW, (or as Rocket calls him - The Mist).

This is the best thread that I have seen in a while. Possibly because there is so much to talk about. Freshman class, much to say, hmmm . . .

It is not just the talent. What makes this class different is the attitudes!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

A) Everett's physique must be underappreciated.
B) It is hard to hit something that is not there, or you cannot see; there may be no greater a fast-twitch player in the last decade at ND.
C) Everett presents a unique problem for defenses, he is mobile and he can throw accurately and long. (He can do it while moving.) With a special package, for limited minutes he will crucify defenses we play against, if Kelly decides to go that way. Later in the season you will see defenses look sloppier and disorganized against us, because they have to spend time preparing for him as part of a multi-look offense.
D) Where is Everett going to line up on the field on a given play? He may be the best combination of “quicks” with mobility and moves on the team. And he has a great arm. Who says he lines up as qb?

I'm the last person who will short-change Golson's unique skill set and potential. My explanation that he "doesn't have the physique yet" is simply one of many reasons I think he should sit this year: gain weight/ mature physically, learn the offense, spread out QB eligibility, etc.

Here's the real reason I think Hendrix ends up as the change-of-pace QB. I'm imagining Meyer's use of Tebow during his freshman year; as a red zone battering ram. It's the only multi-QB system that I can recall working well.

Golson is many things, but a battering ram he's not. Hendrix, as we saw from the B&G game, will be well-suited to that role in 2011.

Maybe Kelly has something completely different in mind, but until I hear otherwise, that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I agree in large part with the OP (except for the CW comment). My guesses:

Definite:
- Aaron Lynch - He will get more and more time as the season progresses. Will definitely see time in pass rushing situations.
- George Atkinson - I see him being used as a non-traditional RB, ala Golden Tate 2009 and a GO WR ala Tate 2007. I also see him returning kick offs.
- Cam McDaniels- 3rd or 4th RB, punt-returns.
- DaVaris Daniels - Lots of time at WR.
- Kyle Brindza - Punter and kickoffs.
- Stephon Tuitt - Will likely get in the rotation.
- Ishaq Williams - Will get in the rotation and back up Darius Fleming.

Good Chance
- Anthony Rabasa - Special teams duty and maybe some rotational reps.
- Ben Councell- Special teams duty and maybe some rotational reps.
- Ben Koyack - Hope he does not play but he will if any of the top 3 are injured.

Maybe
- Jarrett Grace- If McDonald does not come back and Carlo gets injured again
- Jalen Brown- If there are injuries, either Brown or Atkinson will play .
- Josh Atkinson - bump
- Eilar Hardy - I hope we don't need him.
- Everett Golson - I hope Crist and Rees play well enough to not justify burning the redshirt. Coach will stick with Hendrix if it is just about changing things up, unless Golson proves that he can't be kept off the field.
- Matthias Farley - Special teams or redshirt. Is he that fast?
- Chase Hounshell- might get used if there is an injury

Unlikely
- The other lineman

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I agree in large part with the OP (except for the CW comment). My guesses:

Were you talking about my point? I am just quoting Molner and that means something to me. He has been around a few good running backs in his day.

 

[johnnykillz]

We were angry twins seperated at birth, Johnny.

Aye.

I'm still pissed.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Aye.

I'm still pissed.

Got-damenspreichen! There you go again -

Mom always loved you more!

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Also just something to think about....

Many have wondered why ND hasn't had an exciting return game on KR/PR. I think that adding kids like Niklas/Hounshell/Councell/Grace/Koyack/Rabasa that are considered in Kellys "Big Athlete" catagory will boost the return games. You can fill these guys in there instead of having a Andrew Nuss type back there who has a little trouble with getting to certain spots. These kids are natural at 1. Being physical. 2. Being athletes. 3. Making plays. You throw them in at spots on KR and we starting getting to areas of the field 1/2 second quicker to actually make a block, instead of attempt to make a block. I think we will see a better return game. Just my opinion but something to ponder.

Also.

To the poster who said I made a bold prediction on the Eilar Hardy/Ben Councell statement.....

I have seen Eilar play about 5xs live...the kid is that good. He just has that natural flow to the ball. He is a very aggressive player, but plays with it controlled to explode into his movements/decisions. He has great hips, and like I said he just has the explosion when coming out of breaks. He had some poor techniques in high school like all kids do, but as long as he doesn't stay flat on his feet he will be more than fine. I look for him to make an impact this year similiar to Bennett Jackson did on Sp Teams.

Ben Councell has the size and speed that cant be taught. Every national scout said his weakest point was pass coverage, yet in the after that South carolina all star game, it was something that was being raved about. Now, south carolina isnt exactly a Texas/Florida/Cali/Ohio all star game, but from what I saw there were some pretty good athletes he was up against. Give him some coaching and try stopping that kid.

Right now Eilar/Ben need to add about 10-15lbs each but with them not being counted on as a every down player they will have plenty of time with Longo.

With that said I wasn't discounting Lynch/Tuitt/GA3/Ishaq. Ishaq looked a little sore at the spring game, but he was still making a ton of plays.

The best thing about this class unlike Clausen/Crists classes...they wont be called upon to start from Day 1. They actually have time to get acclimated to college ball as well as college life. Even Lynch/Tuitt/GA3 aren't going to be hard pressed to get immediate PT....unless something terribly wrong happens lol. Cierre, Jonas are very suitable backs. Flemming/Filer have experience and looked great in the spring. And I dont even have to say anything about EJ/KAP and co.

 

[tankjeep]

i'd be guessing if i made a list of contributing freshmen. but after seeing lynch & ishaq in the b&g game....they'd be the two i'd pick.

based on what i've read up on tuitt, he could see some pt as well. but that's all i can contribute to this thread.

i know....kind of lame huh?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

And I dont even have to say anything about EJ/KAP and co.

Oh, but please do. It sounds so good when it comes from you; you have a way with words and a clear perspective.

About EJ & KLM, I stood next to them the day of the spring game and boy, have they both filled out! Muscle not fat; legs and chests as well as arms, too.