Post regular season thoughts

[IA4irish]

Thought I would start this as this may be the last time we see some of these guys play for the Irish

- BK left this team with some huge holes. QB and WR are obvious ones. I think he knew this team wasn't championship caliber and bolted when he was offered the money
- Not getting a QB in the transfer portal was a mistake. I put most of that on Rees. Even when Buchner played you could tell he hadn't developed as a passer. Pyne is what he is. Works hard, good teammate, but man he is so limited in some aspects. Kind of like a former QB who now coaches on staff...
- Rees was a conundrum all season long. For me, he gets too cute. All of the pre-snap movement just seems to confuse our younger guys. Don't get me started on Mitchapalooza... Irish Illustrated seemed to think midseason that he wouldn't be back next year. It'll be interesting to see what happened
- Al Golden was "meh" for me. Dialed up pressure that rarely worked. I thought the defense took a step back. They are losing some key pieces for next year as well
- Michael Mayer is the best tight end I have seen play for Notre Dame which dates to late 80s. The dude was an alpha from the first time he stepped on the field as a freshman. Going to miss him.
- 8-4 is pretty good considering where this team was after Marshall and the first half of Cal. I was there for Cal. That is the worst offensive half I had ever seen. It was subsequently topped by Navy.
- For whatever reason, this was not my favorite ND team to watch. Just seemed like there were so many limitations on both sides of the ball.
- Huge off season for Marcus Freeman. He has to hit the transfer portal, recruit like crazy, and figure out what he wants to do with his staff. I have faith in him. He grew a lot throughout the year. Excited to see what the future holds.

Last, thanks to all of the seniors. They battled and never quit.

 

[NDPhilly]

While we don’t play a lot of bad teams next year, the season effectively comes down to our performance against USC, Clemson, and OSU. 10 regular season wins should be the target.

 

[mick2]

I think (hope?) Freeman has changed the level of recruiting at ND, give him a couple years to get the talent level up and I think we reap the benefits of these growing pains.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

I predicted this team would go 8-5 and yet I'm still disappointed. We were inconsistent as hell and I don't know what our identity is. We are losing some key players and I don't know what we are going to build on for next year. Maybe if we hold our recruiting class together and some of those guys look good in spring I will feel better, but even holding the class together seems unlikely right now. It really just kind of feels like this program is a bit listless right now.

 

[IA4irish]

I predicted this team would go 8-5 and yet I'm still disappointed. We were inconsistent as hell and I don't know what our identity is. We are losing some key players and I don't know what we are going to build on for next year. Maybe if we hold our recruiting class together and some of those guys look good in spring I will feel better, but even holding the class together seems unlikely right now. It really just kind of feels like this program is a bit listless right now.

I agree. Next year could be a weird transition. Seems a bit off considering how excited we were for Freeman last December. I think they will again rely heavily on the offensive line and running backs. Qb play and wide receivers have to get better. I worry about the d-line and linebackers for next year. Do we really think Golden will not play Bertrand and Kiser?

 

[NDMatt91]

I agree. Next year could be a weird transition. Seems a bit off considering how excited we were for Freeman last December. I think they will again rely heavily on the offensive line and running backs. Qb play and wide receivers have to get better. I worry about the d-line and linebackers for next year. Do we really think Golden will not play Bertrand and Kiser?

2 of Bertrand, Kiser, and Marist need to hit the portal. They will all have their degrees so it's not like you're processing anyone like SEC schools do.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think the most encouraging thing about this year is that the team never threw in the towel, not after Marshall, not after Stanford. Shows me they're committed to what Freeman is trying to build here.

 

[Irish4life]

Thought I would start this as this may be the last time we see some of these guys play for the Irish

- BK left this team with some huge holes. QB and WR are obvious ones. I think he knew this team wasn't championship caliber and bolted when he was offered the money
- Not getting a QB in the transfer portal was a mistake. I put most of that on Rees. Even when Buchner played you could tell he hadn't developed as a passer. Pyne is what he is. Works hard, good teammate, but man he is so limited in some aspects. Kind of like a former QB who now coaches on staff...
- Rees was a conundrum all season long. For me, he gets too cute. All of the pre-snap movement just seems to confuse our younger guys. Don't get me started on Mitchapalooza... Irish Illustrated seemed to think midseason that he wouldn't be back next year. It'll be interesting to see what happened
- Al Golden was "meh" for me. Dialed up pressure that rarely worked. I thought the defense took a step back. They are losing some key pieces for next year as well
- Michael Mayer is the best tight end I have seen play for Notre Dame which dates to late 80s. The dude was an alpha from the first time he stepped on the field as a freshman. Going to miss him.
- 8-4 is pretty good considering where this team was after Marshall and the first half of Cal. I was there for Cal. That is the worst offensive half I had ever seen. It was subsequently topped by Navy.
- For whatever reason, this was not my favorite ND team to watch. Just seemed like there were so many limitations on both sides of the ball.
- Huge off season for Marcus Freeman. He has to hit the transfer portal, recruit like crazy, and figure out what he wants to do with his staff. I have faith in him. He grew a lot throughout the year. Excited to see what the future holds.

Last, thanks to all of the seniors. They battled and never quit.

Portal QB is also on Freeman. Cannot only blame Rees because you don't like him.

 

[NDMatt91]

Portal QB is also on Freeman. Cannot only blame Rees because you don't like him.

Yep. Hopefully Freeman doesn't make the same mistake twice.

 

[IA4irish]

Portal QB is also on Freeman. Cannot only blame Rees because you don't like him

Agreed. I mostly blame Rees because Freeman had never done anything with the offense in his career. I’m sure he relied heavily on Rees for this decision. That’s where Freeman should learn after this year

 

[yankeehater]

In this day and age, QB's have to be mobile too. Those escapes that Williams pulled off were back breaking. Even Stetson Bennett can move. ND needs a QB with better arm strength and mobility then get some receivers that can be difference makers.

 

[CanadalovesND]

2 of Bertrand, Kiser, and Marist need to hit the portal. They will all have their degrees so it's not like you're processing anyone like SEC schools do.

Why would they though?

They are all starting linebackers. The younger guys behind them played some, but no where near close to the same amount of snaps. I don’t think anyone of them as in serious danger of losing their starting jobs:

Maybe one or two decide they want to finish off their career playing close to home, then there may be a transfer.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I agree. Next year could be a weird transition. Seems a bit off considering how excited we were for Freeman last December. I think they will again rely heavily on the offensive line and running backs. Qb play and wide receivers have to get better. I worry about the d-line and linebackers for next year. Do we really think Golden will not play Bertrand and Kiser?

I think the weird “next year is going to be our year” only to have next year not be our year really is the dick tease that was Brian Kelly era recruiting. The team always has a few studs with a good supporting cast around them that allow us to be just under the elite echelon of teams (uga, bama, osu, and maybe 2-3 others). Each year we recruit a couple studs that make us optimistic about the future. However because there was not enough of them being recruited, and the classes always had position groups that were not recruited well, we always loose just enough talent via the draft or graduation to allow the new studs to be good enough to keep us right where we have been..we trade one strength for another, one weakness for another, but never enough all at the same time.
Having big question marks at numerous positions going into next year is uncomfortable, especially because this year we are going to end the year with some of the same questions we started with.
Hopefully the uptick on recruiting and stacking good and complete classes on top of each other will alleviate these small windows of opportunity and put us in a position where any year can be our year if it comes together in any given year. Losing some like Foskey is always going to hurt, but we should never be in the position of having no real idea who’s next.
I expect the team to be better next year. A lot of young guys got meaningful experience this year. The oline will again be solid, the WRs and RBs will continue to improve, QB play who knows, but the defense could in some ways resemble this years offense if a lot of those young bucks take over starting roles. There will be growing pains.
I like what MF is building, and the team is bought in. The next couple years will undoubtedly have some ups and downs but the foundation os being built in a more sustainable way, and in a way that offers more legitimate championship potential than anything BK ever established here.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Why would they though?

They are all starting linebackers. The younger guys behind them played some, but no where near close to the same amount of snaps. I don’t think anyone of them as in serious danger of losing their starting jobs:

Maybe one or two decide they want to finish off their career playing close to home, then there may be a transfer.

I think MF will prove to not be afraid to play the best players whether they be veterans, returning starters or whatever, much like they did with the CB position this year where they sort of phases out a multi year returning starter.

 

[phillyirish]

I mean 8-4 is solid considering how we started, but still a step back from the previous 5-6 seasons.

USC and Michigan to the playoffs, and Caleb Williams winning the Heisman. Pretty awful year.

 

[notredomer23]

8-4 is obviously a disappointment, but given how it played out I can’t be that mad. Freeman displayed a ton of growth the second half of the year and I expect that’ll only continue this off-season.

2023 feels like a transition year given what ND is losing on defense, but I think the offense can actually be really good with Hudson Card/Transfer X. Styles is good but lost all confidence this year. Sophomore slump, he will bounce back. We like what we’ve seen from Jayden Thomas, and Colzie finds ways to get open and has a huge catch radius. Throw in mature Merriweather and the freshman. Alt, Correll, and Fisher are back. Losing Mayer hurts, but if a transfer is starting at QB, he won’t even know what that security blanket is like.

I’ll be happy if they win the games they’re supposed to next year, and win at least 1 of OSU, Clemson, and USC to go 10-2+.

 

[Grahambo]

8-4 is a disappointment prior to the season starting but isn’t awful post Marshall.

A ton of growth from a ton of key players who will be returning.

MF and the staff took a little while to gel but when they did, they did well.

I would not be upset if TR returns nor will I be upset if he leaves.

Pyne, Bertrand, Marist, and Kiser should not be starting next season. ND needs to stop recruiting the Bertrand type old school LBs. That type is so limited and end up being a liability.

If we had this exact same season with BK at the helm, I’d be a lot more worried and a lot more disappointed. I think MF is on the right track and for a 1st time head coach at ND, I think the season was more of a success then a disappointment.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

A real off-season for Freeman (and bowl season) should pay dividends. The chaos of post Kelly then freeman's coaches getting poached was something that set ND back more than a lot realized it seems.

A lot to iron out now

 

[Grahambo]

 

[IA4irish]

8-4 is a disappointment prior to the season starting but isn’t awful post Marshall.

A ton of growth from a ton of key players who will be returning.

MF and the staff took a little while to gel but when they did, they did well.

I would not be upset if TR returns nor will I be upset if he leaves.

Pyne, Bertrand, Marist, and Kiser should not be starting next season. ND needs to stop recruiting the Bertrand type old school LBs. That type is so limited and end up being a liability.

If we had this exact same season with BK at the helm, I’d be a lot more worried and a lot more disappointed. I think MF is on the right track and for a 1st time head coach at ND, I think the season was more of a success then a disappointment.

I agree on the linebackers, but do we really think 3 starters will not return and start? Marist I think would be better served as a vyper. We know the staff loves Bertrand despite his limitations. Kiser I think we only be in packages.

 

[Grahambo]

I agree on the linebackers, but do we really think 3 starters will not return and start? Marist I think would be better served as a vyper. We know the staff loves Bertrand despite his limitations. Kiser I think we only be in packages.

It would be massively disappointing if Snead/Kollie can’t overtake Bertrand and Liafu.

 

[irishff1014]

It would be massively disappointing if Snead/Kollie can’t overtake Bertrand and Liafu.

Now is the time with 15 bowl practices and all off season.

 

[Grahambo]

Now is the time with 15 bowl practices and all off season.

The coaching staff has got to make those guys (and others) a priority during bowl prep.

 

[stlnd01]

I agree on the linebackers, but do we really think 3 starters will not return and start? Marist I think would be better served as a vyper. We know the staff loves Bertrand despite his limitations. Kiser I think we only be in packages.

That’s an interesting idea. Maybe instead of running into guards every play he could run around tackles. Is he big enough to play Vyper?

 

[Valpodoc85]

This will be an interesting off season. Who do we lose to the coaching carousel and transfer portal? Can MF close on the 23 class? Do we pick up anybody in the portal? With all that in mind winning a bowl game is really important. It will set the tone for next year

 

[Blazers46]

I love offseason stuff. Some night I would stay up late playing NCAA 2014 and Madden just to tinker around with recruiting and free agency... now college football has both. Hoping ND plays the game and can get bodies in to replace those leaving.

 

[luckofirish8]

Based on preseason expectation for the team, I would say the year was overall pretty disappointing. However, after starting 0-2, I like what I saw from Freeman and his ability to get the guys up for games. He made plenty of first-year mistakes, but he definitely got the train back on the tracks after that rough start. 8-4 is probably about right on the whole of the year if I'm being honest to myself.

Recruiting is Freeman's calling card and this incoming class looks to be as highly rated as the Irish have had in while. Keep that up and the Irish could be pretty dangerous in those 2024 or 2025 seasons based on the future schedules. I'm not giving up on 2023, but the schedule is quite odd really. 1 neutral site game followed by 5 consecutive home, then 5 consecutive away and closing out with a home game. Craziest layout of a schedule I have seen.

There will be holes fill, but there is also a next wave of talent to be extremely excited about. Estime, Colzie, Alt and Fisher give the offense a great base to build off of. Morrison, Sneed, Collie have the chance to be difference makers on the defensive side of the ball. Guys like Diggs, Price, Thomas, Merriweather, Styles along with a stable of OL and TEs give the offense depth and breakout potential as well. The defense feels like more of a question heading into 2023, but that side of the ball has some interesting names as well...Botelho, Mills, Gobaira could all take a big jump. The LB unit needs the likes of Sneed/Collie to force the staff out of the safe bets. Truthfully, outside of Morrison, I'm a bit worried about the secondary. Bowen is a massive recruitment and I hate to be forced to rely so heavily on a true freshman. Maybe Mickey figures something out that will allow him to get some swagger back, but he never looked like the guy that everyone raved about to start the year.

The single biggest takeaway from 2022 was just affirmation of something we already knew...college football is QB dominant. Freeman/Rees rolled the dice and it backfired. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson. QB needs to be the toughest competition on the team every year.

Go Irish!

 

[Sea Turtle]

This will be an interesting off season. Who do we lose to the coaching carousel and transfer portal? Can MF close on the 23 class? Do we pick up anybody in the portal? With all that in mind winning a bowl game is really important. It will set the tone for next year

We could probably add a grad transfer or two.

If we lose a coordinator, I'd like to hire one from the SEC if we could. Someone used to scheming and recruiting against the best. It sure worked with a certain OL coach from Tennessee.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Needs from Transfer Portal.
QB- 1
WR 1-2
OG- if he’s an immediate starter yes
DE- 1-2
DT- 1
S- 1

 

[NDRock]

We could probably add a grad transfer or two.

If we lose a coordinator, I'd like to hire one from the SEC if we could. Someone used to scheming and recruiting against the best. It sure worked with a certain OL coach from Tennessee.

Yeah, I’m sure Harry’s success was due to his two years at UT under Dooley.