Marcus Freeman New DC

[NDdomer2]

Take a Ritalin, man.

so you agree, FREEMAN MUST GO!

thanks for the catch, i edited my post. 2nd best.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I’m not making excuses for him, because there are clearly some frustrating aspects of his coaching. But I am warranting the guy at least a season to sort out the areas he needs to improve on. I think when the dust settles, he will end up rising to the challenge. He’s young and competitive and chose ND.

Not to mention you lose Marist, Shayne Simon, Paul Moala et al to season ending injuries within mere weeks of one another at the start of the szn...these aren't youngsters, these are starters and/or next-man-in at the LB positions. Anyone paying attention knew this was going to be an issue as the season dragged on. Clearly the LBs are wearing down and we are now in the dog days of November.

Then you lose arguably the best defender in the entire country, certainly the best secondary player in the country, and Lucci is right...we aren't comparing apples to apples.

Freeman gets a pass year one for me. I've seen enough upside in a first year system to be excited about what could be in another year of learning the system and sprinkling in some of those elite recruits he's got on the docket.

 

[GoldenAura]

so you agree, FREEMAN MUST GO!

thanks for the catch, i edited my post. 2nd best.

I'd still put Foskey ahead of a healthy Marist.

 

[BeauBenken]

We were also 9th in TOP last year vs 63rd this year. Our defense is on the field for about 4 additional minutes of game time each game and when you are already wearing thin on defense points start to pile up more often.

I do think there are definitely some questionable lapses in our defense, but I am not concerned about next year. We are a decent defense this year that if healthy would be significantly better, I think.

 

[IrishLion]

Don't post anything you'll regret in 2 years because bad takes live forever on Irish Envy.

We still need an "IE Old Takes Exposed" thread... for the laughs

 

[NDBoiler]

We still need an "IE Old Takes Exposed" thread... for the laughs

Koon would dominate that thread.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Koon's comments on Kyren were laughable at the time. Spent days trying to argue that Kyren was closer to 5'7" 180 based upon his eyeballs.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Koon's comments on Kyren were laughable at the time. Spent days trying to argue that Kyren was closer to 5'7" 180 based upon his eyeballs.

I do recall this. I remember the staff believing "We got our guy" in regards to Kyren (boy, were they right) and he laughed at that notion.

Didn't meet his "bod squad" criteria, I suppose. What a joke.

 

[IrishLax]

Koon's comments on Kyren were laughable at the time. Spent days trying to argue that Kyren was closer to 5'7" 180 based upon his eyeballs.

It was so bad... literally said something to the effect of "recruiting players like Kyren is why ND can't win a championship" and that he "sucked" and would "never play."

Every time Kyren does something spectacular -- like what we saw this past weekend -- I instantly think back to that post. It was an absolute all-timer of a terrible take, even by his standards.

 

[GowerND11]

This what happens when you don’t take the opportunities to blow people out when you have them. It gets the younger guys game time and the vets rest. That’s how it’s always been under Kelly though.

Better yet If White is gonna get injured more it’ll be this week because of the involvement of the line backers. They should have already had a back up to play one of the athletic young guys that might not understand the defense 100% but has the ability to correct his mistakes with pure talent.

You can't *take* these opportunities if you just aren't that good this year. Notre Dame is in a rebuild. We all knew we would be in a rebuild. No one expected us to be in the conversation this year. So, save the collapse against FSU, we haven't been in a position to blow teams out this year. That's just the way it is.

Plus, this year has been incredibly unlucky when it comes to defensive injuries. There are, what 3-4 LBs out for the year? That isn't something that the coaching staff can really be faulted on.

 

[Rogue219]

I think this might bode well, yes?

Each Notre Dame LB Commit Named Butkus Award Semifinalists

ByTOM LOY ​

Both on the high school and collegiate level, the Butkus Award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Last year, class of 2021 four-star linebacker and Notre Dame signee Prince Kollie earned the prestigious honor following a senior season where he amassed 109 total tackles on defense, in addition to rushing for 1,562 yards and 26 scores on offense.​

This week, 16 linebackers from the class of 2022 were named semifinalists for the award. No surprise here, but all four Notre Dame linebacker commits were added to the list.

Hilton Head Island (S.C.) high school five-star linebacker ​

Jaylen Sneed​

committed to Notre Dame back on July 12. The 6-2, 210-pounder is ranked as the No. 32 overall prospect nationally per the 247Sports Composite Rankings.​

Traverse City (Mich.) Central four-star linebacker ​

Joshua Burnham​

is a 6-4, 225-pounder ranked as the No. 76 overall player in America per 247Sports. Burnham committed to Notre Dame back on March 17.​

Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany four-star linebacker ​

Niuafe Tuihalamaka​

is ranked as the No. 128 overall prospect in the country per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-2, 235-pounder committed to the Fighting Irish back on June 19.​

Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central four-star linebacker ​

Nolan Ziegler​

has been committed to Notre Dame sine Aug. 22, 2020. The 6-4, 210-pounder is listed as the No. 212 overall recruit this cycle by 247Sports.​

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Yes indeed, I posted this in the 22 Master List thread a couple of days ago……..definitely bodes well!!!

 

[Dale]

In just under 10 months:

Tyson Ford - .94
Aiden Gobaira - .91
Jaden Mickey - .91
Joshua Burnham - .95
Donovan Hinish - .88
JR - .95
Keon Keeley - .95
Brenan Vernon - .99
Jayden Bellamy .88
Devin Moore - .89
Jaylen Sneed - .98
Ben Morrison - .90
Adon Shuler - .92
Drayk Bowen - .99

 

[BeauBenken]

In just under 10 months:

Tyson Ford - .94
Aiden Gobaira - .91
Jaden Mickey - .91
Joshua Burnham - .95
Donovan Hinish - .88
JR - .95
Keon Keeley - .95
Brenan Vernon - .99
Jayden Bellamy .88
Devin Moore - .89
Jaylen Sneed - .98
Ben Morrison - .90
Adon Shuler - .92
Drayk Bowen - .99

With a couple likely to get a bump.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

In just under 10 months:

Tyson Ford - .94
Aiden Gobaira - .91
Jaden Mickey - .91
Joshua Burnham - .95
Donovan Hinish - .88
JR - .95
Keon Keeley - .95
Brenan Vernon - .99
Jayden Bellamy .88
Devin Moore - .89
Jaylen Sneed - .98
Ben Morrison - .90
Adon Shuler - .92
Drayk Bowen - .99

Filthy.

 

[Free Manera]

This is why he was hired. His first defensive class will have 3 or more 5 stars if no one de-commits. I believe that is tied with all of Kelly's previous defensive classes combined.

 

[IrishLion]

This is why he was hired. His first defensive class will have 3 or more 5 stars if no one de-commits. I believe that is tied with all of Kelly's previous defensive classes combined.

You're forgetting that ND's classes generally equalize, aka a few of the 3-star guys will get a bump upon reevaluation for being committed to ND, while the current 5-star guys will likely drop a bit in favor of uncommitted players (who probably have SEC schools as finalists heading into AA Bowl season).

 

[Rogue219]

Maybe they give Freeman another year or two. I don't know. See how it pans out.

Meh. I'm probably daydreaming.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Maybe they give Freeman another year or two. I don't know. See how it pans out.

Meh. I'm probably daydreaming.

I'm quite sure you said this in jest, but given the few posters on here who seem to really be down on Marcus Freeman, I still think it's wayyyyyy more likely he leaves ND for a promotion/HC gig than him getting canned.

I just don't think you can put all of what is happening defensively on him. It's hard enough to learn a new system, let alone with you're playing with a skeleton crew when it comes to the depth you originally had this fall.

It's not Freeman's fault that some of our fans' expectations were unreasonably high coming into the 2021 campaign and didn't adjust accordingly when a slew of injuries hit that side of the ball during fall camp, and then add KH of all people on top of it.

 

[Free Manera]

I'm quite sure you said this in jest, but given the few posters on here who seem to really be down on Marcus Freeman, I still think it's wayyyyyy more likely he leaves ND for a promotion/HC gig than him getting canned.

I just don't think you can put all of what is happening defensively on him. It's hard enough to learn a new system, let alone with you're playing with a skeleton crew when it comes to the depth you originally had this fall.

It's not Freeman's fault that some of our fans' expectations were unreasonably high coming into the 2021 campaign and didn't adjust accordingly when a slew of injuries hit that side of the ball during fall camp, and then add KH of all people on top of it.

Something that really hurt Freeman is losing Marist. Marist would have changed the look of this defense. Besides Hamilton, he was the one guy they couldn't afford to lose. There is no player currently on the roster with Marist's particular skill set and athleticism. According to the II guys he was the best blitzer on the team.

So Freeman kind of got handcuffed from the jump. The other thing is, Kelly brought Freeman in to cause havoc and take the ball away; not to play bend but dont break. Kelly doesn't want that anymore. So I think Freeman is trying to make it work, because that is his MO and the head coach's directive. Unfortunately, it seems like a square peg round hole with the current roster, especially in the second level.

 

[Rogue219]

I'm quite sure you said this in jest, but given the few posters on here who seem to really be down on Marcus Freeman, I still think it's wayyyyyy more likely he leaves ND for a promotion/HC gig than him getting canned.

I just don't think you can put all of what is happening defensively on him. It's hard enough to learn a new system, let alone with you're playing with a skeleton crew when it comes to the depth you originally had this fall.

It's not Freeman's fault that some of our fans' expectations were unreasonably high coming into the 2021 campaign and didn't adjust accordingly when a slew of injuries hit that side of the ball during fall camp, and then add KH of all people on top of it.

I think he, like his buddy Fickell, is going to be very selective about what job he takes next. Either he was very lucky and dodged a bullet with LSU or he did his due diligence and knew what a complete shit show he would have been walking into down there this season.

 

[ND88]

I know it was Navy, but that was a damn good performance by the D.

Freeman haters come forth please with complaints, lol.

 

[GoldenAura]

Nice bounce back for Freeman's D. Next week against Virginia is gonna be tough though.

 

[AvesEvo]

Much better tackling.

 

[Luckylucci]

Very good performance from the D. But, I’m unsure how that Navy team scored against Cincy. They have nothing that threatens a defense like they have in years past.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

I hope he can find some creative ways to get Botelho and X Watts involved at least a little for the remainder of the season. They both have some special athletic traits and figure to be potential starters or major contributors next year.

 

[GoldenAura]

I hope he can find some creative ways to get Botelho and X Watts involved at least a little for the remainder of the season. They both have some special athletic traits and figure to be potential starters or major contributors next year.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Watts go back to offense if Avery Davis is done for the year.

 

[Luckylucci]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Watts go back to offense if Avery Davis is done for the year.

I’d be pretty surprised by this. My guess would be he’s being groomed for a starting role next year. Somebody had to be and they chose him. I think it’s far more likely Lenzy, Styles, or Tyree cross train

 

[arrowryan]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Watts go back to offense if Avery Davis is done for the year.

With the emergence of Diggs, my bet would be Tyree moving to slot.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I'll give credit where it's due here. Only a few missed assignments on the D, and we didn't know how Freeman would attack Navy. Good day for him and the defense, albeit a really poor Navy squad.