recruiting update from espn

[nd1]

Irish recruiting update - Notre Dame Football Blog - ESPN

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Regardless, the get of Mahone is huge, as Notre Dame will lose Jonas Gray after this campaign and perhaps even Cierre Wood, depending on his draft stock at season's end.

Cierre is playing good and all...

BUT, really? No way he could leave after this season. He has to play at least one more imo.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

hmm...I remember some smart poster the other day bringing up the possability that Cierre Wood could test the NFL waters this season, if continues to put up numbers that he's been.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

hmm...I remember some smart poster the other day bringing up the possability that Cierre Wood could test the NFL waters this season, if continues to put up numbers that he's been.

Very unlikely. Consider the last several ND players to jump after their junior year-- Rudolph, Clausen, Tate, etc. (and Floyd strongly considered it). Each of those guys started as a freshman and put up strong numbers for three consecutive years.

Cierre didn't play as a freshman, only started 6 games last year, and has only played five this year. He's got less than a single season's starts under this belt thus far. And while he's been playing well, he's not setting the world on fire.

The NFL requires a longer track record than Cierre's to take a gamble on a junior.

 

[PANDFAN]

remember Darius Walker....

 

[anarin]

Very unlikely. Consider the last several ND players to jump after their junior year-- Rudolph, Clausen, Tate, etc. (and Floyd strongly considered it). Each of those guys started as a freshman and put up strong numbers for three consecutive years.

Cierre didn't play as a freshman, only started 6 games last year, and has only played five this year. He's got less than a single season's starts under this belt thus far. And while he's been playing well, he's not setting the world on fire.

The NFL requires a longer track record than Cierre's to take a gamble on a junior.

It seems the transition for runningbacks is easier then other positions.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

It seems the transition for runningbacks is easier then other positions.

Who was the last RB to declare after his junior year? I'd bet he had a lot more than 19 starts.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Very unlikely. Consider the last several ND players to jump after their junior year-- Rudolph, Clausen, Tate, etc. (and Floyd strongly considered it). Each of those guys started as a freshman and put up strong numbers for three consecutive years.

That's not how I remember it:

- Clausen played three full years, but his first year was not strong.
- Rudolph was injured basically his whole third season, leaving him with two strong seasons.
- Tate barely played his freshman year, running mostly GO routes. He put up almost no numbers at all that year.

Each player had two strong years.

I can't see Cierre leaving early, though. He is not a prototypical NFL RB.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Each player had two strong years.

That's fair. My point is that Cierre's body of work will still be limited after this season, and there will be several RBs taken ahead of him if he jumps. I just don't see it happening.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

That's fair. My point is that Cierre's body of work will still be limited after this season, and there will be several RBs taken ahead of him if he jumps. I just don't see it happening.

+1 I think there will be several RBs taken ahead of him next year too, but that's subject to change of course.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

remember Darius Walker....

Don't compare Walker to Wood.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Look I'm not saying he should leave after this year, I'm just saying that it is a possibility if he plays the way he has been playing.

 

[PANDFAN]

Don't compare Walker to Wood.

i was just referencing the last time w/ had a back come out early...that's all...not comparing skills...

 

[irishog77]

Who was the last RB to declare after his junior year? I'd bet he had a lot more than 19 starts.

Well, from just this past draft (and off the top of my head), Darren Evans only played 2 years at Va Tech, Jamie Harper from Clemson only started 1 year (13 games), Dion Lewis only played 2 years at Pitt, Mike Leshoure from Illinois was the starter for really only 1 year, Stevan Ridley from LSU only started 1 year at LSU...

I'm not saying it'd be wise for Wood to leave early (and I hope he doesn't), but RB's are essentially a dime a dozen. And as anarin said, the transition for RB's from the college to the pro game isn't that difficult...usually the easiest of any position out there (well, except punter or kicker).

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Well, from just this past draft (and off the top of my head), Darren Evans only played 2 years at Va Tech, Jamie Harper from Clemson only started 1 year (13 games), Dion Lewis only played 2 years at Pitt, Mike Leshoure from Illinois was the starter for really only 1 year, Stevan Ridley from LSU only started 1 year at LSU...

Darren Evans didn't make the jump his junior year. Dion Lewis spent his freshman year in JUCO, and followed that with two very productive years as a starter. Mike LeShoure got some carries as a freshman, was a productive #2 as a sophomore, and started as a junior. Same story with Stevan Ridley.

My point isn't that you need X amount of starts to get drafted, but that it's very rare for a RB with only 1.5 seasons of Division I playing time under his belt make the jump to the NFL.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Darren Evans didn't make the jump his junior year. Dion Lewis spent his freshman year in JUCO, and followed that with two very productive years as a starter. Mike LeShoure got some carries as a freshman, was a productive #2 as a sophomore, and started as a junior. Same story with Stevan Ridley.

My point isn't that you need X amount of starts to get drafted, but that it's very rare for a RB with only 1.5 seasons of Division I playing time under his belt make the jump to the NFL.

My point is that it's a possibility, not likely though, that he could jump to the NFL after this season. As experts have also stated this could be a possibility..

 

[irishog77]

Darren Evans didn't make the jump his junior year. Dion Lewis spent his freshman year in JUCO, and followed that with two very productive years as a starter. Mike LeShoure got some carries as a freshman, was a productive #2 as a sophomore, and started as a junior. Same story with Stevan Ridley.

My point isn't that you need X amount of starts to get drafted, but that it's very rare for a RB with only 1.5 seasons of Division I playing time under his belt make the jump to the NFL.

Evans redshirted as a freshman, played his sophomore year, then missed the entire next year with injury, then played the next (so eligibility wise, he was a junior...at most). Lewis did a year of prep school (which is a far cry from juco, let alone big time college football), then played only 2 years of any college football. Look I'm not trying to get into an argument here, but you're original claim of, "Who was the last RB to declare after his junior year? I'd bet he had a lot more than 19 starts," doesn't hold a lot of water. Check this out real quick if you don't believe me:

DraftHistory.com

Whether it's underclassmen, transfers, juco route, small school route, seniors, or 5th years, there are a lot RB's getting drafted into the league who were one year wonders, back ups, and/or splitting carries. Recent guys from Cal, Arkansas, Clemson, OU, Texas, Oregon, USC, Miami, Auburn, etc. don't necessarily have many "starts" to their credit because they were in loaded backfields with tons of talent ahead of them when they got there...and then behind them whenever they decided to leave. The transfer of skills at RB from college to pro is often small, and teams are willing to draft and sign guys without many starts on their resume...regardless of if they're a junior or senior. Add in the fact that the talent and skill level of most back up and non-elite RB's is slim, so teams aren't married to the idea of holding onto a guy for several years and trying to develop him. Plus, it's always a bonus when guys are younger and have absorbed fewer hits. GM's and the Mel Kiper's of the world talk about it frequently. RB's shelf lives (even elite ones) are short, so why not go after some junior who has 4.5 speed, weighs 225, and only has about 250 career carries?

I don't think Wood will go early (and as I said earlier, I hope he doesn't), but it'd be tough not to consider for him when he's entering a profession where most guys at his position don't get a 2nd contract and you're widely considered over-the-hill by 27-28 years old.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Look I'm not trying to get into an argument here, but you're original claim of, "Who was the last RB to declare after his junior year? I'd bet he had a lot more than 19 starts," doesn't hold a lot of water.

I conceded that my focus on starts wasn't helpful.

I don't think Wood will go early (and as I said earlier, I hope he doesn't), but it'd be tough not to consider for him when he's entering a profession where most guys at his position don't get a 2nd contract and you're widely considered over-the-hill by 27-28 years old.

I certainly wouldn't fault him if he jumped early, but I'm with you in thinking he'll come back.

 

[Rhode Irish]

All of this is conjecture as far as I know, as I haven't heard Cierre or anyone close to him suggest he would consider leaving school after this year. But as long as we are speculating, I would advise Cierre to speak with Darius Walker before he declares himself eligible for the draft.

 

[Dizzyphil]

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184" class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">1. Trent Richardson | 5'11, 220 pounds | RB | Alabama<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 1"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">2. David Wilson 5'10, 205 pounds | RB | Virginia Tech <o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 2"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">3. Cyrus Gray | 5'10, 196 pounds | RB | Texas A&M<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 3"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">4. Isaiah Pead | 5'10, 200 pounds | RB | Cincinnati<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 4"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">5. LaMichael James | 5'9, 185 pounds | RB | Oregon<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 5"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">6. Doug Martin | 5'9, 201 pounds | RB | Boise State<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 6"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">7. Jonathan Franklin | 5'10, 195 pounds | RB | UCLA<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 7"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">8. Brandon Bolden | 5'11, 215 pounds | RB | Mississippi<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 8"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">9. Kenjon Barner | 5'11, 180 pounds | RB | Oregon<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 9"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">10. Chris Polk | 5'11, 222 pounds | RB | Washington<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 10"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">11. Andre Ellington | 5'10, 190 pounds | RB | Clemson<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 11"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">12. Bernard Pierce | 6'0, 218 pounds | RB | Temple<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 12"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">13. Edwin Baker | 5'9, 210 pounds | RB | Michigan State<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 13"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">14. Vick Ballard | 5'11, 220 pounds | RB | Mississippi State<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 14"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">15. Montel Harris | 5'10, 200 pounds | RB | Boston College<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 15"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">16. Tauren Poole | 5'11, 213 pounds | RB | Tennessee<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 16"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">17. Jeff Demps | 5'8, 180 pounds | RB | Florida<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 17"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">18. Ryan Houston | 6'2, 245 pounds | RB | North Carolina<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 18"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">19. Victor Anderson | 5'9, 188 pounds | RB | Louisville<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 19"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">20. Dan Herron | 5'10, 205 pounds | RB | Ohio State<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 20"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">21. Montee Ball | 5'11, 236 pounds | RB | Wisconsin<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 21"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">22. Davin Meggett | 5'8, 215 pounds | RB | Maryland<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 22"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND: #e1e1e1; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">23. Bobby Rainey | 5'7, 205 pounds | RB | Western Kentucky<o></o>
</TD></TR><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 23; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #f0f0f0; BORDER-LEFT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #f0f0f0; BORDER-RIGHT: #f0f0f0; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt">24. Marc Tyler | 5'11, 228 pounds | RB | Southern California<o></o>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Top 24 prospects for the 2012 draft. Wood will be running TDs for the Irish in 2012.

Diz

 

[NDinFL]

I don't think Cierre leaves, but if he did he'd belong in the top 15 in that group.

David Wilson isn't better than him... With all due respect.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I almost always agree with FL's comments, but David Wilson---yow! I've watched him a lot [since he plays for my brother's old team,] and just Wow.

 

[ToledoGoIrish]

Cierre is playing good and all...

BUT, really? No way he could leave after this season. He has to play at least one more imo.

...ahem , Darius Walker?

 

[BGIF]

I don't think Cierre leaves, but if he did he'd belong in the top 15 in that group.

...

I don't think he should. But there's 7 games to go and only two teams that could hold his production down.

 

[BGIF]

...ahem , Darius Walker?

Darius Walker came off a good year and went to the draft fully aware that ND was about to fall into the abyss losing a 1000 QB, WR, RB, among others. It was his best shot.

 

[ToledoGoIrish]

I mean more along the lines of Darius wasnt NFL ready when he left. That would hold true for Cierre too, but it hasnt stop a ND rb from doing it before. thats all i was trying to convey in my comparison.

 

[jason_h537]

He is not a prototypical NFL RB.

Why?

He has the size and speed. What is he lacking?

 

[BeatSC]

I think Jonas Grey has a better pro career than Cierre. IF he continues to blend some power with his speed I think he has the prototype pro style to succeed at the next level just like Dayne might.

 

[irishff1014]

Dayne will probably have to sign undrafted of maybe a 7th round pick

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I think Jonas Grey has a better pro career than Cierre. IF he continues to blend some power with his speed I think he has the prototype pro style to succeed at the next level just like Dayne might.

I tend to agree... I can see him having a Ryan Grant type of success.