ND Early Signing Period - 2019 Class

[BabyIrish]

I already like Litchfield a lot:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just a kid from the refugee camp in Ghana who grew up in the streets of Baltimore where all of the odds were stacked against me. I wasn’t supposed to attend Episcopal H.S. and sign to attend The University of Notre Dame. Thanks to everyone who supported me through this process.☘️ <a href="https://t.co/jdF3xDFLfW">pic.twitter.com/jdF3xDFLfW</a></p>— LA4️⃣ (@litch_ajavon) <a href="https://twitter.com/litch_ajavon/status/1076155731936714752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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If you haven’t watched his FaceTime with Terry Joseph, go do it. It’s pretty good. You can tell how much it means to him to be at ND.

 

[stlnd01]

I'd argue they successfully developed Prosise, Adams & Armstrong up to now.

I'd argue they didn't develop everyone else up to their potential. They wasted a lot of time with Dex. They couldn't get him to turn the light on. Yeah, that's on him but SOMEONE in CFB would've gotten to him before this year. Plus, sometimes you have to play talented guys who aren't complete players. I think Kelly held on to low level coaching theory too long with his doghouse tactics. When you got a guy like Dex rotting on the bench because his blocking isn't up to par well you are failing. Either teach him how to block on way or the other OR accept it and get him the rock anyways. No one will ever convince me that his shortcomings in blocking would have swung his +/- into the negative. Dude's too electric with the ball in his hand.

*Tarean Folston had a good career. Good production, hampered by some untimely injuries and BK was in his Cam doesn't fumble stage. So he had an acceptable overall career, could have been better, could have been worse.

I'm guessing the bolded Jafar was supposed to be J. Smith right? Armstrong looks like the he'll be the boss for a while.

I meant Jafar. He looked good early this season, for a young guy and converted WR, but hard to know, really, because he’s been banged up the second half. He may be a stud in time, but right now he feels like a step back from what we’ve had the last three years with Adams and Dex. We’ll see.

Agree they developed Adams and Prosise (though with injuries Prosise gave us less than one season of production at RB). Folston was good before he got hurt, but less of a factor after.

Dex has been brilliant but I wish he’d done it sooner.

Everyone else falls into either the serviceable but unspectacular (McDaniel, Tony Jones) or “what might have been” (Bryant, Holmes) category.

 

[BobbyMac]

If you haven’t watched his FaceTime with Terry Joseph, go do it. It’s pretty good. You can tell how much it means to him to be at ND.

Can't believe no one has busted Joseph's chops about what he said in that interview.

Joseph: What finals you got today?

Ajavon: Botany

Joseph: Is that some kinda math?

I meant Jafar. He looked good early this season, for a young guy and converted WR, but hard to know, really, because he’s been banged up the second half. He may be a stud in time, but right now he feels like a step back from what we’ve had the last three years with Adams and Dex. We’ll see.

Ok. So by leaving Smith out are you giving up on him? As far as Jafar, I think he's way ahead of schedule.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Can't believe no one has busted Joseph's chops about what he said in that interview.

Joseph: What finals you got today?

Ajavon: Botany

Joseph: Is that some kinda math?



Ok. So by leaving Smith out are you giving up on him? As far as Jafar, I think he's way ahead of schedule.

Jafar gets no love around here. He is averaging 5.3 per carry to Dex’s 6.6, probably has a higher % success rate on his rushes, and has better receiving stats in much less playing time.

 

[stlnd01]

Ok. So by leaving Smith out are you giving up on him? As far as Jafar, I think he's way ahead of schedule.

Nope, not giving up on Smith. Too early to know what we have in him and Flemister. Jafar is good, may be great, who knows. I’m not knocking him. He’s just young yet.

Mostly I was just struck by how few RBs we’ve had who have put together multiple seasons of plus/better-than-replacement production, which is what you (or at least I) hope for in a starter, and something we achieve regularly in most other position groups.

At RB, the only guy you’d really say has done that since Riddick and Wood graduated is Josh Adams.

 

[Luckylucci]

Nope, not giving up on Smith. Too early to know what we have in him and Flemister. Jafar is good, may be great, who knows. I’m not knocking him. He’s just young yet.

Mostly I was just struck by how few RBs we’ve had who have put together multiple seasons of plus/better-than-replacement production, which is what you (or at least I) hope for in a starter, and something we achieve regularly in most other position groups.

At RB, the only guy you’d really say has done that since Riddick and Wood graduated is Josh Adams.

Well, this is just seems completely arbitrary. If anything, a sign of development is the ability to plug and play quality starters without previous seasons of production. How does CJ Prosise being a first time RB and playing so well that he gets drafted in the 3rd rd say anything negative at all about the position.

We'll have a 1,000 yard, lead back, in each of the last 4 seasons. Not much else needs to be said.

 

[Irish YJ]

Foskey = 2:15 p.m. Wednesday on ESPNU

 

[dad4aa]

So who are we really expecting/hoping to sign tomorrow?

 

[Luckylucci]

So who are we really expecting/hoping to sign tomorrow?

Only Isaiah Foskey.

 

[Meatloaf]

So who are we really expecting/hoping to sign tomorrow?

Pretty much just Foskey. Turner is going to UW and the rest of our class signed early.

 

[dublinirish]

ND football facebook posted a photo on their page of Coach Long's daughter in a recruiting meeting. They had a list of recruits "to visit" on a whiteboard (QB/RB/WR) for the 2020 class. They just took the photo down and replaced it with a photoshopped blank whiteboard.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

ND football facebook posted a photo on their page of Coach Long's daughter in a recruiting meeting. They had a list of recruits "to visit" on a whiteboard (QB/RB/WR) for the 2020 class. They just took the photo down and replaced it with a photoshopped blank whiteboard.

Post-season bowl ban, here we come. - no italics

 

[stpeteirish]

Foskey = 2:15 p.m. Wednesday on ESPNU

EST?

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Post-season bowl ban, here we come. - no italics

What time is the Jenkins/Swarbrick press conference accepting whatever penalties we get?

 

[IrishLax]

ND football facebook posted a photo on their page of Coach Long's daughter in a recruiting meeting. They had a list of recruits "to visit" on a whiteboard (QB/RB/WR) for the 2020 class. They just took the photo down and replaced it with a photoshopped blank whiteboard.

Anyone smart enough to screen shot it?

 

[daytonirish]

Here you go lax https://www.facebook.com/155703994459155/posts/2480263425336522/

 

[OhioIrish31]

I wanted to see a screenshot of the white board BEFORE it was photo-shopped. maybe I'm missing something here.

 

[dublinirish]

I wanted to see a screenshot of the white board BEFORE it was photo-shopped. maybe I'm missing something here.

i saw it on my phone but when zoomed in it was hard to read.
Went i went to check on my laptop a few mins later they had already taken it down

 

[Irish YJ]

EST?

Didn't say in the article I read, but I'm guessing EST since the NSD program on ESPN is from 2-3:30pm EST.

 

[Luckylucci]

Some NSD content from ND football.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our state of the art indoor facility is on schedule for completion this July.<br><br>Our team and future recruits will be impressed with this new addition to the program.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> <a href="https://t.co/NFIYsjeH2o">pic.twitter.com/NFIYsjeH2o</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1093188822710538245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10 members of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> have already begun their careers at Notre Dame.<br><br>Hear what the group has to say about their first couple of weeks on campus in the next few days.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> <a href="https://t.co/M0aTofjftt">pic.twitter.com/M0aTofjftt</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1093181262431481856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2013 no. 7 overall recruit hailing from right here in Indiana,<a href="https://twitter.com/thejaylonsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thejaylonsmith</a>, walks us through his choice to attend Notre Dame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> <a href="https://t.co/P83Wx9I6Iw">pic.twitter.com/P83Wx9I6Iw</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1093195415007252482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish YJ]

This was a great watch. Love the benefit of not having to share. And let's them split the team more either by O and D, or by position group. Should be big for STs.

Some NSD content from ND football.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our state of the art indoor facility is on schedule for completion this July.<br><br>Our team and future recruits will be impressed with this new addition to the program.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> <a href="https://t.co/NFIYsjeH2o">pic.twitter.com/NFIYsjeH2o</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1093188822710538245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[dublinirish]

i'd be more hype about the indoor facility if it wasn't the same as SCUM's

 

[Irish YJ]

i'd be more hype about the indoor facility if it wasn't the same as SCUM's

I think they said it was 18ft taller than scUM

 

[mgriff]

I think they said it was 18ft taller than scUM

28 feet taller you say?

 

[Irish YJ]

BK says they are farther along with future recruiting than ever before (when talking about the impact of ESP)

<iframe width="630" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MHeWyxXBUII" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

ESP has been incredible for me. Since finding a pamphlet that taught me the basics, I've been able to meet beautiful women, gain promotions at work and become wealthy beyond my wildest dreams.

I can reprint the pamphlet and send each of you one for $19.99.

Since I've committed the pamphlet to memory, I'm going to destroy it so act now!

*these claims can not be verified, consult your physician, I cannot be held liable

 

[Irish YJ]

https://irish.nbcsports.com/

Adding a fifth defensive lineman in this class needed to be a priority for Notre Dame. Before bringing in this grouping — three of which have already enrolled — the Irish had just two defensive tackles at each interior position, spots where going three-deep is often a forced necessity, and only two defensive ends in the previous two classes combined.

Notre Dame was without depth for the immediate future and reinforcements for years to come.

Enter consensus four-star tackles Jacob Lacey and Hunter Spears, both early enrollees. Enter consensus four-star ends NaNa Osafo-Mensah (early-enrolled) and Howard Cross. Enter the Wednesday addition of consensus four-star end Isaiah Foskey.

“We were looking for a pass rusher,” Irish head coach Brian Kelly said in an in-house video discussing Foskey’s signing, the only availability provided on this reduced Signing Day. “Certainly any time that you finish up your recruiting, you want to finish with somebody we think can make an impact. Isaiah comes from a great program, De La Salle (in Concord, Calif.). It’s a great fit, strong student, but more importantly, I think we needed that guy that can make a presence in our defense.”

Following the December signing period, this space pointed out how rare it is for Notre Dame to sign a quartet of four-stars on either side of the line in one year. That emphasis still stands …

“Sticking with rivals.com rankings for the sake of consistency and the Brian Kelly era for the sake of comparison, the Irish have landed four 4-stars on either side of the line only in 2014 (four offensive linemen, including five-star Quenton Nelson and current center and captain Sam Mustipher) and 2011 (four defensive linemen, including five-stars Stephon Tuitt and Ishaq Williams). The combined high in Kelly’s nine previous recruiting cycles was six 4-star linemen, seen twice (2016, 2011). It is no coincidence five of the six brought in 2016 have helped push the Irish to a Playoff berth to cap this 22-3 stretch: ends Daelin Hayes, Khalid Kareem and Julian Okwara the defensive representatives; left tackle Liam Eichenberg and right guard Tommy Kraemer the remaining offensive linemen.”

With Foskey, Notre Dame has five defensive linemen in this class fitting those parameters. With Hayes, Kareem and Okwara around, it may be difficult for Foskey, Osafo-Mensah or Cross to break through in 2019, but their time will come. Meanwhile, Lacey and Spears could be relied upon for rotational snaps this fall, making their early enrollments all that much more important.

They stand out when Kelly vaguely splits the class into three groupings.

“There will be some developmental guys, guys that are going to take some time,” Kelly said. “There are going to be some guys that are going to push for some time, and then there are some guys that I think could start for us. Every class has those guys in it. You recruit that way. Not all these guys are ready to play.”

Lacey and Spears will almost certainly see some playing time, and one injury to any of the four other defensive tackles could immediately force one or both of them into extended action.

Safeties Kyle Hamilton and Litchfield Ajavon may not start right away given the safety duo already in that role — rising seniors Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott — but they should push for time somewhere on the field from the outset, filling that one of Kelly’s groupings.

On the other end of the spectrum, given how rarely freshman offensive linemen play for the Irish, that quartet of four-stars may fit the developmental description proffered by Kelly, though it is not hard to imagine Zeke Correll earning the nod at center if fifth-year Trevor Ruhland struggles in the role, one he is expected to step into this spring. Of note: All four offensive lineman signees enrolled early.

For all 22 newcomers, Kelly continues to see the four-game allotment before losing a year of eligibility as a motivational tool, particularly for the 12-14 somewhere between buried on the depth chart and desperately needed immediately.

“It helps guys stay engaged a little bit, but you know who can play and can’t play, and who is going to get redshirted and who is not going to get redshirted,” Kelly said. “I just think it’s a nice carrot for the guys that they know they can get a couple of games in, and then you can kind of figure out there are maybe one or two guys that can help you later in the season.”

Foskey, Osafo-Mensah and Cross are very obvious candidates for that last designation, staying at or under the four-game limit but still playing some valuable, depth-providing minutes late in the season, especially with Notre Dame’s 2019 ending with three physical matchups against Navy, Boston College and Stanford.

ON THE SECOND SIGNING DAY
The February date used to be a 7 a.m. headline-producer, a day filled with assistant coach interviews, an afternoon piqued with dramatic decisions.

No longer.

Even Kelly sees this as an auxiliary date now, with the December signing period the real moment of notice.

“What we found is that early signing date is de facto the signing date, and I think we’ve learned that in year two,” Kelly said. “All it means is everything has kind of sped up by a few months.”

It squeezes recruitment decisions into the same timeline as NFL draft announcements, Playoff preparations and early roster churn, but it also eliminates the six weeks of useless speculation between Christmas and Signing Day, when no football can properly distract from recruiting noise. For that, sacrificing a day of February availability is a small price to pay.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBrianKelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBrianKelly</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a>, as the Irish complete the 2019 recruiting cycle.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FightClub19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FightClub19</a> <a href="https://t.co/1z6MZg3mow">pic.twitter.com/1z6MZg3mow</a></p>— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball/status/1093255511640702981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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