INSIDE LB Recruiting??

[jonesman]

Folks,
First let me say that I believe Kelly is doing a GREAT job in recruiting. But, I am a bit concerned on our lack of recruitment for an ILB. I know that we have Jarret Grace committed who is listed at ILB, but there is no way that kid plays inside at the college level. He is going to be a DE or OLB at ND. I like the kids skills for tackling and tenacity, but he is NOT fast enough or mobile enough at the inside spot.

In looking at our recruiting in 2010 and 2011, we really only have one ILB who is on the roster. That leaves me a bit concerned. I am hopeful that we go get someone like Perryman in FL.

Do not take this as a slam on Grace because that kid is a player, but he is not going to be a MLB at the college level. He has the frame of a DE or OLB. I know we have Teo and Calabrese for a couple more years, but INJURIES play a big role as we are now experiencing.

 

[Irish Man3]

Kendall Moore and Danny Spond?

Just wondering, what makes you think Grace wont be a solid MLB in the college ranks?

 

[TerryTate]

Folks,
First let me say that I believe Kelly is doing a GREAT job in recruiting. But, I am a bit concerned on our lack of recruitment for an ILB. I know that we have Jarret Grace committed who is listed at ILB, but there is no way that kid plays inside at the college level. He is going to be a DE or OLB at ND. I like the kids skills for tackling and tenacity, but he is NOT fast enough or mobile enough at the inside spot.

In looking at our recruiting in 2010 and 2011, we really only have one ILB who is on the roster. That leaves me a bit concerned. I am hopeful that we go get someone like Perryman in FL.

Do not take this as a slam on Grace because that kid is a player, but he is not going to be a MLB at the college level. He has the frame of a DE or OLB. I know we have Teo and Calabrese for a couple more years, but INJURIES play a big role as we are now experiencing.

I'm not sure you have a clue what you're talking about. There has been talk of Spond, Shembo, Rabasa, and Moore playing inside linebacker. The coaching staff know who will work in their respective positions, and there is a lot of fluidity to the Linebackers. Perryman is not coming here. I think we are stacked at linebacker. This is the least of my worries in the coming years. You're nitpicking

 

[TerryTate]

Not to mention Carlo & Manti are sophomores. Carlo is a redshirt sophomore. McDonald is a junior.

The depth is there. I'm sure we'll go ILB heavy next year.

 

[Irish Man3]

Perryman is Miami bound. I agree with you TT and that's why I asked why he thought Grace couldn't play MLB. If Clay Burton will be our OLB which I believe he will, that leaves Rabasa, Counsell, Spond, Moore, Teo, Calabrese, and McDonald. I think we are loaded at LB and we are not done in this class. I think we will add Ishaq or French or maybe both.

 

[TerryTate]

Shembo would be a beast ILB. He was playing there this spring when McDonald was injured. He could a force to be reckoned with. Spond has also played well there.

 

[DillonHall]

Actually, even better depth...Carlo is a true sophomore, same class as Manti

 

[Irish Man3]

hes redshirted

 

[fitz_bu47]

Carlo has three more years to play, he would be called a red shirt freshman at any other school, but since ND doesn't do that, he will be allowed for a 5th year. Manti played last year, so he is a true soph, but the fact that we will have them both for the next two years, and Carlo for possibly another, along w/ the guys we have already and coming in =====We are fine at linebacker.....The coaches know where we have needs.

 

[Irish Man3]

Recruiting works in cycles. Next year we will hit quarterback, defensive tackle, and linebacker hard. We are fine at LB and this year as a whole, was a down year at that position.

 

[jason_h537]

Everyone pretty much covered it already

Manti is a sophmore
Carlo is a RS Freshman
McDonald is a RS Sophmore
Shembo, Moore and Spond are all possible ILB

Grace is an ILB, i dont see why u think e would be otherwise

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Everyone pretty much covered it already

Manti is a sophmore
Carlo is a RS Freshman
McDonald is a RS Sophmore
Shembo, Moore and Spond are all possible ILB

Grace is an ILB, i dont see why u think e would be otherwise

Agree 100% with what everyone else said and you said Jason. Also, Grace looks like a perfect fit at ILB.

 

[Rocket89]

If Grace was not as fast and mobile as you say, wouldn't that suggest he does play MLB and not OLB and DE where speed is much more coveted?

 

[jonesman]

guys,
I see all your notes regarding the depth and all I will say is look at the WR position right now. INJURIES!!!

As for those challenging me about Grace, go look at his films. He is soo big that he struggles in shedding blocks on the run and is not overly agile. He is a perfect build for a rush OLB or DE. He brings just the right speed for that.

As for you guys talking about guys on the roster. Yes we have Teo and Calabrese for a couple more years. UNLESS, Teo decided to go NFL after next season.

I will just leave this thread to end, but mark my work that Grace is NOT going to be an ILB> NEVER NO WAY!!! Don't take it as a slam on him because it is not. He is great player, but he is going to play somewhere else in college.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Ben Council anybody? Kid is a stud for a powerhouse in Asheville, AC Reynolds. Haven't lost a game yet (apparently an illegible kid played the first game, a week later they found out and had to forfeit it). I am not worried about Linebacker as of right now.

 

[Irish Man3]

Yes because his sophmore and junior highschool flms surely tell the tale for how his college career will play out. We are loaded at OLB and DE so cancel that idea. Do me a favor and look up Carlo's 40 and Grace's 40. Since he is so slow I figure you'll like what you see. Your complaining about his speed and you want to put him on the outside of the LB crew. Do you know anything about how a 3-4 defense works a far as the LB core?

And yes I mentioned Counsell but he projects as an OLB with 4.4 speed.

 

[rocket31]

I'm not sure you have a clue what you're talking about.

+1

 

[KPENN]

Carlo coming out of high school
Ht:6'2"
Wt:225 lbs
40:4.6 secs

Jerett
Ht:6'4"
Wt:240 lbs
40:4.6 secs
Don't really know what you're getting at

 

[Irish Man3]

Their 40's are exactly the same. He is argueing that Grace is to slow to play MLB. Carlo plays there now and does fine. His arguement about speed is ridiculous all the way around. Faster LB's play on the outside in a 3-4.

 

[mgriff]

I'm most worried about our secondary at this point. Without question it is depleted, and I still want a true safety in this class. With Lyons cooling on ND, it worries me. I have no qualms about our DL, LB, OL, WR, or RB at this point. If we dont' get a QB next year I'll start to worry, but right now, it's all about the secondary for me, and particularly, safety.

 

[KPENN]

Their 40's are exactly the same. He is argueing that Grace is to slow to play MLB. Carlo plays there now and does fine. His arguement about speed is ridiculous all the way around. Faster LB's play on the outside in a 3-4.

I know it is. Just like throwing out the facts. Lol

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Do not take this as a slam on Grace because that kid is a player, but he is not going to be a MLB at the college level. He has the frame of a DE or OLB. I know we have Teo and Calabrese for a couple more years, but INJURIES play a big role as we are now experiencing.

Remember, Toryan Smith? He was timed at a 5.03 sec. forty, for the pro day.

Besides, I don't put much stock in high school 40 times. There are some unbelievable stories out there, (inaccurate).

And, are you suggesting that Council isn't an OLB? Have you seen his films?

And the frame surrounding this conversation, a LB is limited more by the defensive linemen he has up front, than by the body of work that is his highschool performance.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
I am hearing all your crap about 40 times and how Carlo is the same speed. 40 times are not at all what I am looking at. I have watched every single piece of film that is out there. Some of that film is from the last few games. So, I am not looking back at some outdated stuff.

As for not knowing what I am talking about?? I predicted that Carlo Calabrese would be starting this year when he was a freshman. I also said two years ago that the kid was an absolute stud MLB. Watching his film, you could see how he flowed to the ball, shed blockers and read the run so well.

I am not saying any of this as a slam on the kid. I think he is one hell of a ball player, but in my "OPINION" he will play a different position in college. I hope that I am wrong and he is a great MLB, but I see a DE or OLB. At his height and build, he struggles with change of direction and appears to get caught in traffic too much.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Folks, I'd guess it's all about what Kelly and Diaco think about Grace and the other guys, isn't it? Let's see what our Great Coach & Seer does with his last selections, and then we'll be a bit better at guessing what The Man is noticing. [sorry, dshans, about referring to Kelly as "The Man" but I can promise you that he won't hold us down ]

 

[Zibby32]

What exactly does jonesman see in an ILB in this system?

In this scheme, you need a thumper and and athlete. You need someone to fill the gaps, and an athlete that goes sideline to sideline. By describing Grace as big and bulky, a tad slow and unathletic....you are describing the Carlos role in this defense.

Your OLB in this scheme are your pure athletes, guys like councel, Burton, possibly rabasa. You need a combination of speed and size. You have to be able to play in space, against slot receivers and RBs out of the back field. I love Carlo's game, but he is pure thumper, and the coaching staff has openly knocked his pass coverage skills (getting better I might add). Manti is special because I think he could pay both.(inside and out)

 

[Ricochet]

First off the 40 times are hardly up to date on these recruiting databases and other times there just out and out wrong. So don't get caught up in all that.

Numbers only tell half the truth and they can be informative but not many truly know how to understand them and apply them to athletics.

So many get caught up on numbers that they forget that this is game and that this is more than just what numbers are and that toughness, will, IQ, focus etc., etc. and that it's more than just 40 times and height and weight.

Looking to far forward is what has caused many mistakes because too many are looking at the "what if's". I'm not saying don't prepare for the future far from it but looking not to make a mistake because of numbers in athletics comes from potential upside and that's why many get caught up on 40 times, height, weight etc., etc. Instead of if they can play or not and this is happening in all sports and at all levels and then people wonder why these guys come out of nowhere.

So the point I'm getting at is 40 times and these other measurable's can be very overrated as it say's nothing about there football speed and whatnot. There is a big difference in what one can do without pads running on a track and being in pads and having assignments and responsibilities and running from point a to point b.

 

[Ricochet]

Not saying this is what is going to happen but I could also see Rabasa moving inside at some point as he's fast but not quick and those are 2 very different things. Rabasa from sideline to sideline is very fast for the size he could be but he's slow in his initial burst and IMO the OLB in the 3-4 or the DE in 4-3 need that quick burst to change the shape of the of the O-Line by either beating he OT or causing him trouble which will alter the line opening up opportunities for others to get into the backfield.

 

[JKhrome1ND]

jonesman what are you smoking cause we are loaded for the next couple of years at ILB, and im sure we'll pick up even more great HS ILB in the future .......... i would start naming players but it looks like most of you already did.

 

[Irish Man3]

A lot of he moving around your talking about depends on how we finish this class. Names like Niklas, Drew, Ishaq, and French are still out there and some of which are very interested. We have a long way to go in this class so lets not get caught up on who is going to play where. Just because a recruit is not labeled as a MLB coming out of highschool, does not mean he cant man the position. LB is the last thing I am worried about with this defense.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Not saying this is what is going to happen but I could also see Rabasa moving inside at some point as he's fast but not quick and those are 2 very different things. Rabasa from sideline to sideline is very fast for the size he could be but he's slow in his initial burst and IMO the OLB in the 3-4 or the DE in 4-3 need that quick burst to change the shape of the of the O-Line by either beating he OT or causing him trouble which will alter the line opening up opportunities for others to get into the backfield.

I have seen a lot of film on Rasaba, I think he is fast, quick, and he has a wonderful nasty streak!

To the point, what about Ben Councell?

To me he is fast, quick, long and lanky, and an absolute beast.