Player Size Update

[Domina Nostra]

I am of the mindset that you shouldn't put on weight too fast or you risk injury. I aslo think that gaining weight without losing speed is more difficult than people seem to think. So almost everything on that chart looks about right to me.

The only weights that raise any questions for me are Brown's and Hardy's. I bet Brown is going to have to cut a little- he looked too skinny to be running around with 198 lbs on him. Could be wrong. And I hope Hardy can get to 195 comfortably, he may end up a corner (not the end of the world) if he has trouble gaining weight (which is a possibility).

I actually like Troy playing at 250-260. He is going to be fast and can already cover half the feild as an OLB just by stretching out his arms.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I actually like Troy playing at 250-260. He is going to be fast and can already cover half the feild as an OLB just by stretching out his arms.

A 6'7, 270 lb. Cat OLB? Oh my...

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I am of the mindset that you shouldn't put on weight too fast or you risk injury. I aslo think that gaining weight without losing speed is more difficult than people seem to think. So almost everything on that chart looks about right to me.

The only weights that raise any questions for me are Brown's and Hardy's. I bet Brown is going to have to cut a little- he looked too skinny to be running around with 198 lbs on him. Could be wrong. And I hope Hardy can get to 195 comfortably, he may end up a corner (not the end of the world) if he has trouble gaining weight (which is a possibility).

I actually like Troy playing at 250-260. He is going to be fast and can already cover half the feild as an OLB just by stretching out his arms.

Good point.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Where is this media guide at?

I'm wondering if Cwynar's foot surgery caused significant weightloss, or if he got up to 300 like he tweeted his goal was around springtime.

It was handed out today to the media present for the press conference. I believe someone tweeted it would be available to the public sometime next week.

Kelly said earlier this week that Cwynar was able to put on some good weight. He played at 260 last year and was north of 280 now.

 

[Rocket89]

Seeking transcript of presser.

Do help.

 

[Riddickulous]

Seeking transcript of presser.

Do help.

UND.com will have one up later today.

 

[Rocket89]

UND.com will have one up later today.

 

[Irish To The Core]

Do you remember when KLM committed and he weighed 225?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Tuitt stands out for me. 295 over 6'6 He is ready to play.

 

[FWIRISH]

Nice to see Springmann made his target of 280. BK mentioned that he has really impressed. Very athletic big dude. I am actually looking forward to watching our D this year! Been some time since I could honestly say that!!

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Nice to see Springmann made his target of 280. BK mentioned that he has really impressed. Very athletic big dude. I am actually looking forward to watching our D this year! Been some time since I could honestly say that!!

Springman measured in just over 6'5 contrary to the reports he was 6'7

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Rocket89 the transcript is up on ndnation.com. Your wait is over.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Koyack at 253. He is bigger than Eifert already.

This one caught my attention for sure. 253 a month before his frosh yr starts. Good Lord. But it goes right down the line. Grace, Tuitt, Brown, Hanratty, all very impressive.

 

[irishog77]

I agree. In fact, I don't want Lynch to trade any speed for extra weight, so if he maximizes his ability as a QB-seeking missile at 270-275, then so be it. They've got to at least see if he can handle more weight eventually though; if he can still be a pass-rushing monster at 280-290, look out...

Exactly. Sorry- that was what I meant in my original point...that he could be anywhere from 270-300lbs to maximize his ability. If it is 272 pounds instead of 296 pounds, then so be it. Between what he can do on the field and the numerous defensive looks we'll be showcasing anyway, this dude will have no problems getting plenty of PT, regardless of what the scales say.

 

[MNIrish14]

A lot of the hype surround Lynch, but Tuitt is gonna be the real deal. 295 is incredible, when I played I could barely make it over 200 no matter how hard I worked haha

 

[Domina Nostra]

It was handed out today to the media present for the press conference. I believe someone tweeted it would be available to the public sometime next week.

Kelly said earlier this week that Cwynar was able to put on some good weight. He played at 260 last year and was north of 280 now.

When you think about how effective Sean was last year at the 260-270, it really gives you a sense of:

(1) how fricking huge 300 lbs is when it is well developed,
(2) how much difference even a decent rotation makes
(3) how big our DL is getting

 

[Whiskeyjack]

When you think about how effective Sean was last year at the 260-270, it really gives you a sense of:

(1) how fricking huge 300 lbs is when it is well developed,
(2) how much difference even a decent rotation makes
(3) how big our DL is getting

I'm still floored by that revelation; had assumed he was playing at ~280 last season.

No idea how the man was able to be an effective NT at such a light weight. Could be dominant now that he's heavier.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Well, I stand alone as not worshipping at the Temple of Pounds, I guess. That is especially true, in my opinion, on defense. I know that this is an extreme case, but WVUs best D-Lineman is down around 220. And, all the staffs fear him. Western Michigan's best pass rusher was a 218 or so DE. I know that such is pushing it for every down play, but the point is that speed, extension, speed, strength, speed, flexibility, speed and, well, speed point the way to killer defenses.

I don't want to gush about any of our guys becoming candidates for professional Sumo if they can't explode off the ball, and close gaps in space. I know that this is sort of coherent with what most posters actually believe, but, fellas, it is predictable on this board to see discussions time after time go to how much a guy weighs as if that's obvious the main issue with him.

As a personal example, my brother who played defensive tackle for East Carolina, and was essentially unblockable, all-conference, and asked out by the fledgling professional USFL, played at 270. His secret for eliteness?: he was stronger and faster than everyone else. Quarterbacks did not escape and had their heads on a swivel. He told me that being 300 would have ruined him.

By the way, and I shouldn't name any name, but since it stands out so much: I am VERY concerned that Conor Hanratty might be "going Sumo" too much in a very unhelpful way. He's massive, yes. Can he explode off the ball? Can he run ahead of the RB a little way a least? I really hope my intuition is wrong here as he seems like a very likable kid and I root for all ND players to be All-Americans.

 

[crzychris]

I agree, but he shouldn't be in too much of a rush to get to 300. That should happen gradually over the next 3-4 years. If he is going to be used mainly in pass rush situations earlier in his career and become an every-down 3-4 End over time, then he can afford to put that weight on gradually. I get a little nervous about guys putting on an extreme amount of weight in a short period of time.

+1 I could not agree more. I don't wanna see Lynch out for a year because of a training/overexertion injury. I say spot play him this year and work him in as he gains weight/strength over the next couple of years.

 

[ryno 24]

The weight is important because we need to get bigger but we bring in fast players to begin with

 

[irish1958]

Navy killed us and we outweighed them by a zillion pounds.

 

[FWIRISH]

Springman measured in just over 6'5 contrary to the reports he was 6'7

That is puzzling to me! I am 6'5" and last time I spoke to him he was looking down at me.

 

[irishfan]

“Nix did a very good job of maturing and understanding that if he wants to play more plays he’s got to be able to stay physically fit to do that,” Kelly said. “You want to be 350 [pounds]? Fine, you can waddle around at 350, but you’re going to get about 15 reps, maybe 12 because you can’t go longer than that.”

This implies to me that Nix will get more than just 20 or so snaps a game like people said in the spring. If he would have been getting close to 15 at 350 pounds, he should be able to be out there close to half the time at 325 pounds.

 

[rikkitikki08]

So 2 300lb ends with Tuitt and Lynch behind them and throw in Nix to clog the middle? Good luck.

My thoughts exactly.....teams better be prepared to run lots of sweeps. Because lets be realistic, they dont have a chance up the gut

 

[BeauBenken]

My thoughts exactly.....teams better be prepared to run lots of sweeps. Because lets be realistic, they dont have a chance up the gut

They don't have a chance at sweeps either.

 

[military_irish]

Navy killed us and we outweighed them by a zillion pounds.

That's alot of pounds.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Well, I stand alone as not worshipping at the Temple of Pounds, I guess. That is especially true, in my opinion, on defense. I know that this is an extreme case, but WVUs best D-Lineman is down around 220. And, all the staffs fear him. Western Michigan's best pass rusher was a 218 or so DE. I know that such is pushing it for every down play, but the point is that speed, extension, speed, strength, speed, flexibility, speed and, well, speed point the way to killer defenses.

I don't want to gush about any of our guys becoming candidates for professional Sumo if they can't explode off the ball, and close gaps in space. I know that this is sort of coherent with what most posters actually believe, but, fellas, it is predictable on this board to see discussions time after time go to how much a guy weighs as if that's obvious the main issue with him.

As a personal example, my brother who played defensive tackle for East Carolina, and was essentially unblockable, all-conference, and asked out by the fledgling professional USFL, played at 270. His secret for eliteness?: he was stronger and faster than everyone else. Quarterbacks did not escape and had their heads on a swivel. He told me that being 300 would have ruined him.

By the way, and I shouldn't name any name, but since it stands out so much: I am VERY concerned that Conor Hanratty might be "going Sumo" too much in a very unhelpful way. He's massive, yes. Can he explode off the ball? Can he run ahead of the RB a little way a least? I really hope my intuition is wrong here as he seems like a very likable kid and I root for all ND players to be All-Americans.

I tend to stand with you on the subject. I have heard a bunch here say that we need the speed all these other defenses have, and then I see folks gloating about the weight the kids are all of a sudden carrying. I can handle the weight if they have the quickness and may lose some of the speed. If they can carry the weight and keep the quick response, it will help make up for some speed loss. I guess this is all estimation until we see our 'new and improved' defense in action huh? I'm excited to see and would love to proven wrong but I see your point about the weight gains. Unless it is all muscle and we have 6 or 7 Arnolds out there beating offenses down!!!! LOL

Diz