Leaders in 2017

[stlnd01]

Since we've got like six threads devoted to picking apart every aspect of our coaching staff, thought I'd start one about the other huge problem we had this year - lack of on-field leadership - and how it might improve next season.

Looking back, it's hard to fathom how many accomplished veterans we lost after 2015. Not just big names like Jaylon and Sheldon Day, but even less-heralded players like Chris Brown and Matthias Farley who'd been around a long time and knew how to win games. And all the guys who jumped to the draft early who - for the first time I can recall - BK didn't even put up a fight to keep (maybe that should have been the first sign of trouble...). We would have been a lot better off this year even just with with KVR and CJ Prosise in the locker room and on the field.

Then, for whatever reasons, this year's seniors just didn't have it. Most of the captains seem like fine young men but, aside from maybe McGlinchey, they're just not elite football players. Other seniors like Luke and Folston weren't exactly carrying the team on their back either. About the only one you might point to as a real leader in terms of both personality and performance was Jarron Jones, and he only really showed up in the second half of the year.

This has to change. It's not just the coaching staff that has to improve the culture of this program but the players too.

So I'm wondering who people see stepping up and becoming captains and leaders next season.

McGlinchey's an obvious one, assuming he comes back.
Kizer, too, if he returns.
Beyond that: Morgan? Josh Adams? (played his ass off on Saturday). Drue Tranquil, I suppose. Alize Jones was certainly vocal on social media, but it's got to be hard from afar. Are there younger players who took a leadership role this year? It's hard to tell on TV.

I'm curious what names people who are close to the program hear as the sort of high-character guys who can lead this team for the next few years. Because we really really need that, almost as bad as a new defensive coordinator.

 

[IrishLax]

Like you said, McGlinchey if he returns. I also expect great things from Wimbush from a leadership perspective. And I think Alize Jones and Adams couldve great "lead by example" guys.

Defense is trickier, but I think Tranquill and Morgan will be de facto leaders. Crawford likely won't be healthy but when he was he had great leadership traits. I think Love has a lot of the competitive traits you look for too. Who steps up on the DL? That position is a bit scary. Tillery? Seems questionable. No doubt the defensive side of the ball is the hardest to project.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I do agree there was little to none on field leadership from the upperclassman. The team needed the veterans to take charge and they seemed to have not done that.

I am not close to the program, but here are a few names I thought of:

Nyles Morgan
Martini
Drue T
Julian Love (younger player, but he can ball, plays hard and seems like he could be a leader)
Sadly I see no one at this point in time on the defensive line.
Big Mike (he needs to get his act together and cut the mental mistakes!)
Q Nelson
Tori Hunter (If he returns)
Kizer or Wimbush
Maybe Josh Adams (not sure if he is vocal enough)
Maybe Smythe (veteran player, but don't know enough about his personality)


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[Sherm Sticky]

Like you said, McGlinchey if he returns. I also expect great things from Wimbush from a leadership perspective. And I think Alize Jones and Adams couldve great "lead by example" guys.

Defense is trickier, but I think Tranquill and Morgan will be de facto leaders. Crawford likely won't be healthy but when he was he had great leadership traits. I think Love has a lot of the competitive traits you look for too. Who steps up on the DL? That position is a bit scary. Tillery? Seems questionable. No doubt the defensive side of the ball is the hardest to project.

We are pretty much on the same page here.

I think with Martini's experience he will become a leader.

The defensive line is so scary.

Looks like we are on the same page with Love.

Another name that just popped into my head and he is a dark horse candidate is Jamir Jones. I just don't know if he will get enough reps on the defensive side of the ball. He can definitely be a special teams leader. Unlike his brother he plays hard and has a mean streak.

Another name is Fertitta. Similar as Jamir Jones.


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[NDinBoston]

Offense - Wimbush. Adams. Dex. McG. Nelson. Alize. Who at WR?
Defense - Love. Morgan. Drue. Fertitta, Crawford (if he plays). Who at DL?

I think a number of other young players might emerge with the confidence from the combination of this year's experience and next year's success. If they can get some energy from newcomers like Kraemer/Eichenberg/Jones Jr. and 2nd year guys like Stepherson...

There has been soooo much talk about coaching. I just think this season to me looks like a players' lost season. Max. Butler. Tillery. Lack of senior leadership. They missed Fuller, Prosise, Brown, Jaylon, Sheldon, Nick Martin, Stanley.

Not a great senior class next year but I am still optimistic about next year's players overall.

 

[stlnd01]

Like you said, McGlinchey if he returns. I also expect great things from Wimbush from a leadership perspective. And I think Alize Jones and Adams couldve great "lead by example" guys.

Defense is trickier, but I think Tranquill and Morgan will be de facto leaders. Crawford likely won't be healthy but when he was he had great leadership traits. I think Love has a lot of the competitive traits you look for too. Who steps up on the DL? That position is a bit scary. Tillery? Seems questionable. No doubt the defensive side of the ball is the hardest to project.

Forgot about Crawford. Yes. How badly is he hurt? Out next year kind of hurt?
And on the DL, Tillery - big talent and personality - is exactly the sort of guy who could become a real leader if he could just get his head on straight. Could maybe say the same about Jay Hayes. Unfortunately at this point neither have really shown any evidence of that.

 

[Irish#1]

Whomever it is, they have to be starters. No matter how hard they work or how dedicated, hard for guys to follow someone who isn't starting.

If McGlinchey comes back (which we believe he will), I think he gets a lot of instant credibility for returning when he could have left. That sends a loud message on his dedication to the team.

 

[JohnnyJasper]

Unfortunately, I think we have a pretty limited selection of Captain quality guys on this team, as we have in recent memory (Jaylon,Sheldon, etc). I definitely think McGlinchey will be named one,in addition to Morgan. After that it could really be anyone. Tranquill definitely makes sense. I really don't see Kizer coming back, so I'm not even considering him. After the antics seen from Tillery this season, I don't see how you could name him a Captain. It'll be interesting to see what happens.


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[ulukinatme]

Yup, can't make Tillery a captain, no way. He's screwed up one too many times already. Maybe his senior year if he has a respectable Junior season without screw ups.

Tranquil would get my vote. I think he's got the right attitude and energy.

McGlinchey if he came back, of course.

Maybe Morgan, he seems more reserved though.

I'm hoping Kizer moves on. I'd like to see some fresh air at QB, and I think Wimbush would work. Seemed like he tried to bring his class together a bit like Zaire did during recruiting. Wimbush wouldn't be ready as a captain yet, but could be a leader at QB.

I could see a guy like Fertitta being a leader, but he has to see the field more. I think he's got the energy we need.

 

[BobbyMac]

Yup, can't make Tillery a captain, no way. He's screwed up one too many times already. Maybe his senior year if he has a respectable Junior season without screw ups.

Tranquil would get my vote. I think he's got the right attitude and energy.

McGlinchey if he came back, of course.

Maybe Morgan, he seems more reserved though.

I'm hoping Kizer moves on. I'd like to see some fresh air at QB, and I think Wimbush would work. Seemed like he tried to bring his class together a bit like Zaire did during recruiting. Wimbush wouldn't be ready as a captain yet, but could be a leader at QB.

I could see a guy like Fertitta being a leader, but he has to see the field more. I think he's got the energy we need.

Being a captain shouldn't be about playing time or performance. It's about weight.

If Fertitta has that weight already, then make him a captain. I've been in locker rooms where the leaders are the guy scoring the most points or where they were at the end of the bench. Former ND sideline reporter, Alex Flanagan's husband Kevin was the captain of a mid 90's Arizona team that went to the Final Four. He averaged 2 points.

 

[irishandy]

I think Tranquil and Morgan would be great leaders. Morgan had a pretty good season and I'd like to see him be more vocal. Tranquil has a great attitude.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I doubt Crawford misses any time, barring any setbacks (knock on wood). His injury happened really early in the season, so my guess is that he'll be limited contact in spring, full go for summer and full go for fall practice.

ND is in a really awkward spot. Seems like the best producers haven't really established themselves as leaders, either because they're quiet or young. And the guys who are leadership quality have production issues. McGlinchey and Tranquill for example are textbook leaders from an attitude perspective, but both struggled on the field. Can't have that from a leader. McGlinchey needs to get his crap together, and as for Tranquill...I don't know. He just doesn't seem to have it at Safety. He doesn't have that free-range agility that you need to play in space.

I'd say Q definitely, and McGlinchey if he can get his head sorted out on offense.

On defense, I'd say Morgan is the man in charge up front. Tranquill if he can improve his coverage skills. Possibly Jay Hayes if he can nab the SDE spot. I just don't know with him. He's a complete enigma. He seems like he's made huge strides, but I barely remember him being out there.

 

[BobbyMac]

I doubt Crawford misses any time, barring any setbacks (knock on wood). His injury happened really early in the season, so my guess is that he'll be limited contact in spring, full go for summer and full go for fall practice.

ND is in a really awkward spot. Seems like the best producers haven't really established themselves as leaders, either because they're quiet or young. And the guys who are leadership quality have production issues. McGlinchey and Tranquill for example are textbook leaders from an attitude perspective, but both struggled on the field. Can't have that from a leader. McGlinchey needs to get his crap together, and as for Tranquill...I don't know. He just doesn't seem to have it at Safety. He doesn't have that free-range agility that you need to play in space.

I'd say Q definitely, and McGlinchey if he can get his head sorted out on offense.

On defense, I'd say Morgan is the man in charge up front. Tranquill if he can improve his coverage skills. Possibly Jay Hayes if he can nab the SDE spot. I just don't know with him. He's a complete enigma. He seems like he's made huge strides, but I barely remember him being out there.

Once again, this is untrue.

 

[EddytoNow]

We are pretty much on the same page here.

I think with Martini's experience he will become a leader.

The defensive line is so scary.

Looks like we are on the same page with Love.

Another name that just popped into my head and he is a dark horse candidate is Jamir Jones. I just don't know if he will get enough reps on the defensive side of the ball. He can definitely be a special teams leader. Unlike his brother he plays hard and has a mean streak.

Another name is Fertitta. Similar as Jamir Jones.


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Fertitta is the most natural leader. If somehow his drive and intensity could be instilled into the rest of the team, the team might show some life. Unfortunately, he is not likely to be a starter and as others have said the team leaders need to be someone that is on the field a lot. It's hard to lead from the sideline.

 

[NDinBoston]

Farley was a captain based mainly on ST role right? Fertitta could possibly fulfill that same role.