ND's Talking Heads ... The good, bad & ugly

[GrangerIrish24]

He’s not the 8th best defender in college football

Is he even the 8th best defender on the team?

 

[IrishInOntario]

If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.

 

[IAIrish]

If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.

It's definitely a fun debate to have and a worthy offseason discussion, IIO.

I have to put Shuler and Gray in the 6/7 slot, interchangeably. I think those two are victims of simply having so much tape, there are bound to be some warts due to sheer volume of reps they've had and the nature of the positions they play. What isn't debatable is that both have made plays in massive games at critical punctures. Who can forget Gray's sliding int in the semi's against psu?

BY2 is fascinating. He could literally shoot to #1 on this list given his talent. Or it could be a carbon copy of last year. If it's the former, this team becomes an easy favorite.

I'm Missouri when it comes to Brewu and McKinney. They gotta show up and show out when the lights shine the brightest. Can't wait to watch them compete when Miami shivers into town in November.

Ultimately, I'm with you in that it's an embarrassment of riches when you go down the list. We could go to 20 and still be giddy looking at the talent. They're engineered for a 16 game run.

 

[IrishInOntario]

It's definitely a fun debate to have and a worthy offseason discussion, IIO.

I have to put Shuler and Gray in the 6/7 slot, interchangeably. I think those two are victims of simply having so much tape, there are bound to be some warts due to sheer volume of reps they've had and the nature of the positions they play. What isn't debatable is that both have made plays in massive games at critical punctures. Who can forget Gray's sliding int in the semi's against psu?

BY2 is fascinating. He could literally shoot to #1 on this list given his talent. Or it could be a carbon copy of last year. If it's the former, this team becomes an easy favorite.

Yeah, I have no real pushback against any of your points. I could look at the list all day and convince myself to move players all around
I'm Missouri when it comes to Brewu and McKinney. They gotta show up and show out when the lights shine the brightest. Can't wait to watch them compete when Miami shivers into town in November.

Ultimately, I'm with you in that it's an embarrassment of riches when you go down the list. We could go to 20 and still be giddy looking at the talent. They're engineered for a 16 game run.

Yeah, I have no real pushback against any of your points. I could look at the list all day and convince myself to move players all around. The defense is absolutely loaded.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

If I was ranking the 12 projected starters on the defense based on the impact that they'll have on the college game next year, rather than their future NFL upside... I'd go:

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Kingston Viliamu-Asa** (if healthy)
4. Brauntae Johnson
5. Drayk Bowen
6. Bryce Young
7. Francis Brewu
8. Adon Shuler
9. DJ Mckinney
10. Christian Gray
11. Jayson Onye or Elijah Hughes

Crazy depth of talent among the starters. Listing somebody like Adon Shuler #8 of 11 starters feels wrong... Yet I genuinely think he's right in that range.

1. Leonard Moore
2. Boubacar Traore
3. Brauntae Johnson
4. Kingston Viliamu-Asa
5. Adon Shuler
6. Francis Brewu
7. Drayk Bowen
8. DJ Mckinney
9. Bryce Young
10. Christian Gray/Dallas Golden
11. Jason Onye
12. Rodney Dunham (with a lot of potential to move up)
13. Elijah Hughes
14. Madden Faraimo
15. Tionne Gray
16. Jaylen Sneed
17. Armel Mukam
18. Luke Talich
19. Jaiden Ausberry
20. Keon Keeley

This list includes only 1 freshman and we have 3-4 who could make an impact this fall. I want to see what JOB, K. Adams, Pouncey and Smith can do after a little more weight room/recovery. Where could Ewatade be after a few games of experience? With the 5 for 5 rule, most of these guys will be given snaps, especially in the first 4-6 games.

This doesn't account for Jayden Sanders, Cole Mullins, Sevillano, Elijah Golden, Chris Burgess, Ethan Long and whoever may be close to emerging. I'm glad we have a busy summer because it'll help me enjoy my time while waiting for the beginning of a fun season.

 

[BigOunce]

 

[dublinirish]

II Podcast were talking about their Mount Rushmore of ND players of various eras to interview. Funny they mentioned Tillery and Hartman as the "Opposite of Mount Rushmore". Prister in particular has no time for Tillery lol

 

[IrishSpartan]

Wow this finally happened?

 

[allenm5333]

II Podcast were talking about their Mount Rushmore of ND players of various eras to interview. Funny they mentioned Tillery and Hartman as the "Opposite of Mount Rushmore". Prister in particular has no time for Tillery lol

The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone

 

[zelezo vlk]

The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone

I think the Fight Down and killing SC in revenge for the '22 game helped a lot

 

[BigOunce]

I think the Fight Down and killing SC in revenge for the '22 game helped a lot

Agreed. This is the first thing in my head when I think about Sam Hartman and it always makes me smile.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

The love Hartman gets is wild. I get the OC and WRs did him no help. But it was an unremarkable stint and backed out of the bowl. I don't get the love!

And the Tillery comments were a bit jarring. Prister said Tillery acted like he was better than everyone

When Tillery was at ND, it seemed like there were commonly tidbits leaking out about him being a very unique (aka odd) dude. Wouldn’t surprise me if he would come off as aloof which can often be viewed as Prister described.

 

[Fbolt]

Ironic, considering how much Prister craps on people/fans. If only we were as smart or as knowledgeable as him.

 

[allenm5333]

Rivals made some profile updates. You can now see the full rankings and click to the other services. An actual good thing

 

[ColinKSU]

Rivals made some profile updates. You can now see the full rankings and click to the other services. An actual good thing

That's good to see. I *hated* every change they made to the Rivals profiles. Just absolutely awful design.

 

[allenm5333]

That's good to see. I *hated* every change they made to the Rivals profiles. Just absolutely awful design.

Much improved. I thought something seemed new. Singer confirmed it

 

[Huntr]

A million tweets and stories breathlessly relaying from Destin that Sankey said this or a coach said that, the SEC ADs released a statement, blah, blah, blah.

The only info of substance is that, literally, nothing happened.




Sports reporting is so trash.

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

A million tweets and stories breathlessly relaying from Destin that Sankey said this or a coach said that, the SEC ADs released a statement, blah, blah, blah.

The only info of substance is that, literally, nothing happened.




Sports reporting is so trash.

Can't let work get in the way of a golf trip.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

A million tweets and stories breathlessly relaying from Destin that Sankey said this or a coach said that, the SEC ADs released a statement, blah, blah, blah.

The only info of substance is that, literally, nothing happened.




Sports reporting is so trash.

But Sankey claims adamantly that SEC is the best b/c of…metrics. Metrics for which he never presents. I remember when the SEC could just point to nattys

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Agreed. This is the first thing in my head when I think about Sam Hartman and it always makes me smile.View attachment 3063442

This has been my twitter ("X" but I refuse to call it that) background since I first set eyes on this photo lol. So good.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

But Sankey claims adamantly that SEC is the best b/c of…metrics. Metrics for which he never presents. I remember when the SEC could just point to nattys

Lane Kiffin said something to the equivalent of "a 4-8 team in our conference is not the same as losing teams in other conferences."

It's like they actually think the Kentucky's, MSSTs or Vanderbilts would go into another conference and win it.

Lot of taking points for a conference who hasn't even participated in the past three National Title games.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I get so tired of the SEC bloviating.

Did they have the best team or top two teams in the country for a decade? Yes

Were they able to do this cuz they were cheating? Also yes

Were they also able to do this b/c of the rankings circle jerk and inbred schedules of the SEC propping up bad teams? You betcha

Did NIL and the Transfer Portal end their reign and level the playing field? Absolutely.


The longer we can go with the SEC not winning the natty, the better it is for college football.

 

[jprue24]

A million tweets and stories breathlessly relaying from Destin that Sankey said this or a coach said that, the SEC ADs released a statement, blah, blah, blah.

The only info of substance is that, literally, nothing happened.




Sports reporting is so trash.

 

[Irish#1]

Lane Kiffin said something to the equivalent of "a 4-8 team in our conference is not the same as losing teams in other conferences."

It's like they actually think the Kentucky's, MSSTs or Vanderbilts would go into another conference and win it.

Lot of taking points for a conference who hasn't even participated in the past three National Title games.

Notice no one is pumping the sunshine except for the SEC? They see their armor is tarnished and falling apart, so they keep pumping the SEC SEC narrative trying to keep their best conference image alive.

 

[Irish du Nord]

I get so tired of the SEC bloviating.

Did they have the best team or top two teams in the country for a decade? Yes

Were they able to do this cuz they were cheating? Also yes

Were they also able to do this b/c of the rankings circle jerk and inbred schedules of the SEC propping up bad teams? You betcha

Did NIL and the Transfer Portal end their reign and level the playing field? Absolutely.


The longer we can go with the SEC not winning the natty, the better it is for college football.

I agree with everything you’re saying, but an SEC fan would rightly point out that the bolded now equally applies to the Big 10

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

The longer we can go with the SEC any conference not winning the natty, the better it is for college football.

FIFY