Roster Review Spring 2014 / Fall 2015

[Domina Nostra]

This is a review of the ND roster, assuming we get all of our current commits except McKinney. I assume we don't get Jones, ESB, another Safety, etc.

Here is how I think we look:

QB
1A) Everett Golson, RSS
1B) Malik Zaire, Jr. '17
3) Deshone Kizer, So. '18
4) Brandon Wimbush

Spring: A: The only thing better would be a clear number 1 starter
Fall: A+ to B+: Depends if Golson stays. If he stays and emerges, we could be set up. Experience gets interesting if Golson leaves, but the overall depth remains helathy

RB (Likely 4 on roster)
1) Tarean Folston, Jr. '16
2) Greg Bryant, Jr. '17
3) Josh Adams

Spring: B: Excellent quality at the top, but need another body desperately
Fall: B+: Same. If we land another good RB in this class, we'll be an A.

WR-slot ( + 1 recruit)
1) Amir Carlisle, RSS
2) C.J. Prosise, Sr. '15
3) Torii Hunter, Jr. '17
4) CJ Sanders

Spring: A: With or without Carlisle; only thing better would be a 5 star stud
Fall: A: Same

WR-boundary
1) Will Fuller, Jr. '16
2) Corey Robinson, Jr. '16
3) Chris Brown, Sr. '15
4) Corey Holmes, So. ?
5) Jalen Guyton
6) Miles Boykin

Spring: A: Only thing better would be a 5 star stud
Fall: A+ to A: If DD comes back focused, it would be an A+

TE
1) Durham Smythe, Jr. '17
2) Tyler Luatua, So. '17
3) Nic Weishar, So. ?
4) Mike Heuerman, Jr. '17

Spring: B-: Good depth, but no current difference makers at TEU.
Fall: B+ to B-: There is enough talent that someone could emerge

OT (These are the guys that I think are athletic enough to play OT. ND's pattern is to get the 5 bet guys on the field, which often means breaking the most talented guys in at OG and then sliding them out if they are athletic enough when needed. Elmer is on the borderline, so I put him )
1) Ronnie Stanley, Sr. '15
2) Mike McGlinchey, Jr. '17
3) Alex Bars, So. ?
4) Quentin Nelson, So. ? (My guess is that he is starting OG. But we may need him at RT--which I bet he'd prefer)
5) Hunter Biven, So. '17

Spring: A-: Quality is there, but the depth is lacking if Tillery moves to DT and Nelson if counted as a OG.
Fall: A-:

OG
1) Steven Elmer, Jr. '16
3) Nick Martin, RSS
4) Mark Harrell, Sr. '16
5) Colin McGovern, Jr. '17
6) Sam Mustipher, So. ?
7) John Montelus, Jr. '17
8) Jimmy Byrne, So. ?
9) Tristen Hoge
10) Trevor Ruhland

Spring: A+: Excellent depth and quality, especially if QN is a OG.
Fall: A+: Same

Overall offense: A. If we land a 4-star RB, AJ, and ESB, we'll be rolling.

DT
1) Sheldon Day, Sr. '15
2) Jarron Jones, Sr. '16
3) Daniel Cage, So. '17
4) Jacob Matuska, Jr. '17
5) Jonathan Bonner, So. ?
6) Peter Mokwuah, So. ?
7) Jerry Tillery
8) Brandon Tiassum
9) Elijah Taylor
10) Micah Dew-Treadway

Spring: B+: Depth is finally there, especially considering Rochelle can slide inside, but the known quality drops off quickly.
Fall: A- to B+: If Bonner and Cage emerge as real forces, we'll be in good shape.

SDE
1) Isaac Rochell, Fr. '16
2) Grant Blankenship, So. '17
3) Jay Hayes, So. ‘17

Spring: B: Depth is OK and quality is good.
Fall: A- to B+: If we get Willaims back and Scarlett transfers, we'll be in good shape.

WDE
1) Andrew Trumbetti, So. '17
2) Romeo Okwara, Sr. '15
3) Jhonnie Williams, So. ?
4) Kolin Hill, So. '17
5) Bo Wallace

Spring: B: Depth is OK and quality is good, but not great.
Fall: A- to B+: If Williams and Trumbetti emerge, this could be a pretty good unit.

WILL
1) Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16
2) Greer Martini, So. '17
3) Dough Randolph, Jr. '17

Spring: B+: Depth is OK, starter is a beast.
Fall: A-

MIKE
1) Joe Schmidt, RSS
2) Nyles Morgan, So. '17
3) Garrett Grace
4) Michael Deeb, Jr. '17
5)Tevon Coney
Spring: B-: Depth is huge question mark, good talent, but injuries and inconsistencies haunt this position
Fall: A to B-: If light goes on for Morgan, Schmidt and Grance fully recover, this could be a strength. Lots of ifs.

SAM
1) James Onwualu, Jr. '16
2) John Turner, Sr. '16
3) Josh Barajas (I could see him starting at Sam, to get him on the field faster)

Spring: C+: Depth is bad and experience is bad, but the athletes are pretty good
Fall: B to B-: Onwualu could certainly develop into a nice player, Bilal may be better than I expected

SS
1) Max Redfield, Jr. '16
2) Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
3) Matthias Farley
4) Dru Tranquil, So. '17
5) Justin Brent, So. ? (Somebody has to move, and FOR THE SPRING, and we don't have enough CBs to move Butler until the Fall)
6) Ashton White
7) Nicco Fertitta
8) S - Mykelti Williams
9) Asmar Bilal (Supposedly starting here, rather than Sam)

[/I]

Spring: B-: Depth is bad, injuries are substantial, but the athletes are either very experienced or very good
Fall: A- to B: Tranquil will be a huge boost. If we stay healthy, the top 4 looks good. The new kids will all need substanial time, IMO.

CB
1) Cole Luke, Jr. '16
2) Nick Watkins, So. ?
3) Devin Butler, Jr. '16
4) Shaun Crawford
5) Nick Coleman

Spring: A-: Depth is not good, but the athletes are excellent
Fall: A+: If KR, CL, NW, and SC are all good to go, we'll be set and Butler can shift to safety as needed.

Overall defense: B. The depth is shakey and there are a few positions that need improvement.

ST
Scott Daly, Jr. '16
Tyler Newsome
Justin Yoon

Spring: B+: Welcome to the big leagues!
Fall: A-: Two great, if totally inexperienced, prospects.

 

[NDhoosier]

Justin Brent at safety???

I dont see it, They would move Onwualu first.

I also do not see Bilal really playing safety, maybe the old Star position or whatever they called it. I dont see him being good enough in coverage to play safety. He fits more of the LB role.

We will see though. Pretty detailed breakdown, thanks.

 

[OCIrish]

Forgot to add Russell coming back at CB......


Nevermind, I see his initials......my bad!

 

[Cackalacky]

I see Brent at RB before safety as far as spring ball goes but he is athletic enough to take some snaps awwy from those WRs too IMO.

Thanks for posting this..

 

[Fbolt]

What would be great to see would be a young RB who just dominates in the spring-I know I'm in the clouds here, but looking over the RB list the Irish have Folston who is a really good back and Bryant, who I really like and the new recruit Adams. I'd like a young player that BK just cannot keep off the field-I don't believe ND has a RB like that. For example, I was watching the Toledo game a week or so ago and saw the Rockets RB's who just exploded through the holes, using their blockers. It looked good. It looked the way it should be. It looked exactly what the Irish have not had. Could be schemes, could be me not knowing.

Pure speculation.

 

[koonja]

This is a review of the ND roster, assuming we get all of our current commits except McKinney. I assume we don't get Jones, ESB, another Safety, etc.

Here is how I think we look:

QB
1A) Everett Golson, RSS
1B) Malik Zaire, Jr. '17
3) Deshone Kizer, So. '18
4) Brandon Wimbush

Spring: A: The only thing better would be a clear number 1 starter
Fall: A+ to B+: Depends if Golson stays. If he stays and emerges, we could be set up. Experience gets interesting if Golson leaves, but the overall depth remains helathy

RB (Likely 4 on roster)
1) Tarean Folston, Jr. '16
2) Greg Bryant, Jr. '17
3) Josh Adams

Spring: B: Excellent quality at the top, but need another body desperately
Fall: B+: Same. If we land another good RB in this class, we'll be an A.

WR-slot ( + 1 recruit)
1) Amir Carlisle, RSS
2) C.J. Prosise, Sr. '15
3) Torii Hunter, Jr. '17
4) CJ Sanders

Spring: A: With or without Carlisle; only thing better would be a 5 star stud
Fall: A: Same

WR-boundary
1) Will Fuller, Jr. '16
2) Corey Robinson, Jr. '16
3) Chris Brown, Sr. '15
4) Corey Holmes, So. ?
5) Jalen Guyton
6) Miles Boykin

Spring: A: Only thing better would be a 5 star stud
Fall: A+ to A: If DD comes back focused, it would be an A+

TE
1) Durham Smythe, Jr. '17
2) Tyler Luatua, So. '17
3) Nic Weishar, So. ?
4) Mike Heuerman, Jr. '17

Spring: B-: Good depth, but no current difference makers at TEU.
Fall: B+ to B-: There is enough talent that someone could emerge

OT (These are the guys that I think are athletic enough to play OT. ND's pattern is to get the 5 bet guys on the field, which often means breaking the most talented guys in at OG and then sliding them out if they are athletic enough when needed. Elmer is on the borderline, so I put him )
1) Ronnie Stanley, Sr. '15
2) Mike McGlinchey, Jr. '17
3) Alex Bars, So. ?
4) Quentin Nelson, So. ? (My guess is that he is starting OG. But we may need him at RT--which I bet he'd prefer)
5) Hunter Biven, So. '17

Spring: A-: Quality is there, but the depth is lacking if Tillery moves to DT and Nelson if counted as a OG.
Fall: A-:

OG
1) Steven Elmer, Jr. '16
3) Nick Martin, RSS
4) Mark Harrell, Sr. '16
5) Colin McGovern, Jr. '17
6) Sam Mustipher, So. ?
7) John Montelus, Jr. '17
8) Jimmy Byrne, So. ?
9) Tristen Hoge
10) Trevor Ruhland

Spring: A+: Excellent depth and quality, especially if QN is a OG.
Fall: A+: Same

Overall offense: A. If we land a 4-star RB, AJ, and ESB, we'll be rolling.

DT
1) Sheldon Day, Sr. '15
2) Jarron Jones, Sr. '16
3) Daniel Cage, So. '17
4) Jacob Matuska, Jr. '17
5) Jonathan Bonner, So. ?
6) Peter Mokwuah, So. ?
7) Jerry Tillery
8) Brandon Tiassum
9) Elijah Taylor
10) Micah Dew-Treadway

Spring: B+: Depth is finally there, especially considering Rochelle can slide inside, but the known quality drops off quickly.
Fall: A- to B+: If Bonner and Cage emerge as real forces, we'll be in good shape.

SDE
1) Isaac Rochell, Fr. '16
2) Grant Blankenship, So. '17
3) Jay Hayes, So. ‘17

Spring: B: Depth is OK and quality is good.
Fall: A- to B+: If we get Willaims back and Scarlett transfers, we'll be in good shape.

WDE
1) Andrew Trumbetti, So. '17
2) Romeo Okwara, Sr. '15
3) Jhonnie Williams, So. ?
4) Kolin Hill, So. '17
5) Bo Wallace

Spring: B: Depth is OK and quality is good, but not great.
Fall: A- to B+: If Williams and Trumbetti emerge, this could be a pretty good unit.

WILL
1) Jaylon Smith, Jr. '16
2) Greer Martini, So. '17
3) Dough Randolph, Jr. '17

Spring: B+: Depth is OK, starter is a beast.
Fall: A-

MIKE
1) Joe Schmidt, RSS
2) Nyles Morgan, So. '17
3) Garrett Grace
4) Michael Deeb, Jr. '17
5)Tevon Coney
Spring: B-: Depth is huge question mark, good talent, but injuries and inconsistencies haunt this position
Fall: A to B-: If light goes on for Morgan, Schmidt and Grance fully recover, this could be a strength. Lots of ifs.

SAM
1) James Onwualu, Jr. '16
2) John Turner, Sr. '16
3) Josh Barajas (I could see him starting at Sam, to get him on the field faster)

Spring: C+: Depth is bad and experience is bad, but the athletes are pretty good
Fall: B to B-: Onwualu could certainly develop into a nice player, Bilal may be better than I expected

SS
1) Max Redfield, Jr. '16
2) Elijah Shumate, Sr. '15
3) Matthias Farley
4) Dru Tranquil, So. '17
5) Justin Brent, So. ? (Somebody has to move, and FOR THE SPRING, and we don't have enough CBs to move Butler until the Fall)
6) Ashton White
7) Nicco Fertitta
8) S - Mykelti Williams
9) Asmar Bilal (Supposedly starting here, rather than Sam)

[/I]

Spring: B-: Depth is bad, injuries are substantial, but the athletes are either very experienced or very good
Fall: A- to B: Tranquil will be a huge boost. If we stay healthy, the top 4 looks good. The new kids will all need substanial time, IMO.

CB
1) Cole Luke, Jr. '16
2) Nick Watkins, So. ?
3) Devin Butler, Jr. '16
4) Shaun Crawford
5) Nick Coleman

Spring: A-: Depth is not good, but the athletes are excellent
Fall: A+: If KR, CL, NW, and SC are all good to go, we'll be set and Butler can shift to safety as needed.

Overall defense: B. The depth is shakey and there are a few positions that need improvement.

ST
Scott Daly, Jr. '16
Tyler Newsome
Justin Yoon

Spring: B+: Welcome to the big leagues!
Fall: A-: Two great, if totally inexperienced, prospects.

I think you're really over rating out slot, wr, and TE, and safety a little bit.

Without Fuller, our wrs would be a C, IMO. And he's not talented enough to bump them to an A (I think ND fans overrate Fuller because of his production). If Daniels comes back, I'd buy the A.

Amir does nothing for me in the slot, and Proisise is a really good athlete, but doesn't light defenders up with great routes, nor does he have hands. The slot is a B, IMO. Actually, depth is really good there so I'd say B+.

We don't have a TE that was either a blue chip recruit or have legit experience. Our current TEs are C's IMO.

Shummate I like, but Redfield hasn't played like a 5-star yet. And the depth behind them is so bad. I think your C+ for spring is accurate, but IDK that it gets much better by fall. B-, IMO.

Other than that I agree with your list.

 

[NDohio]

I think you're really over rating out slot, wr, and TE, and safety a little bit.

Without Fuller, our wrs would be a C, IMO. And he's not talented enough to bump them to an A (I think ND fans overrate Fuller because of his production). If Daniels comes back, I'd buy the A.

Amir does nothing for me in the slot, and Proisise is a really good athlete, but doesn't light defenders up with great routes, nor does he have hands. The slot is a B, IMO. Actually, depth is really good there so I'd say B+.

We don't have a TE that was either a blue chip recruit or have legit experience. Our current TEs are C's IMO.

Shummate I like, but Redfield hasn't played like a 5-star yet. And the depth behind them is so bad. I think your C+ for spring is accurate, but IDK that it gets much better by fall. B-, IMO.

Other than that I agree with your list.

I do think C Brown starting coming around at the end of the season. It was like the light finally came on for him. Hopefully that continues into next year giving our WR a bit of a bump. I do agree the WR corp is a little over-inflated here though.

 

[koonja]

I do think C Brown starting coming around at the end of the season. It was like the light finally came on for him. Hopefully that continues into next year giving our WR a bit of a bump. I do agree the WR corp is a little over-inflated here though.

C. Brown started coming around because teams probably forgot he was on the field because he was invisible all year, lol. I'm being sarcastic, but he's not going to do anything spectacular IMO. We heard the same things last year and how he was set to break out after spring/fall ball. IMO, he's a track guy playing football, and it's not like he's burning guys down the field either.

He runs soft, has good speed, average hands and size, and I don't think he's as tough as Fuller/Proisise/Robinson.

I hope he spends this year focusing on a push to get himself in the NFL and proves me wrong. I just don't think any defense that's paying attention to him will have any problem stopping him.

 

[NDohio]

C. Brown started coming around because teams probably forgot he was on the field because he was invisible all year, lol. I'm being sarcastic, but he's not going to do anything spectacular IMO. We heard the same things last year and how he was set to break out after spring/fall ball. IMO, he's a track guy playing football, and it's not like he's burning guys down the field either.

He runs soft, has good speed, average hands and size, and I don't think he's as tough as Fuller/Proisise/Robinson.

That's Longo's fault!


I'm on the CBreezy bandwagon - don't try and knock me off of it.

Oh, and I hate taking Brent out of the receiving corp. He seems to have the best opportunity of being the superstar out of the group.

 

[koonja]

That's Longo's fault!


I'm on the CBreezy bandwagon - don't try and knock me off of it.

Oh, and I hate taking Brent out of the receiving corp. He seems to have the best opportunity of being the superstar out of the group.

Lol, I'm on the opposite bandwagon for Brown. He is disappointing to me. Which isn't fair because really he was a 3-star recruit so it's not like we should have expected big things out of him, but on paper he always had the physical tools.

 

[Domina Nostra]

That's Longo's fault!


I'm on the CBreezy bandwagon - don't try and knock me off of it.

Oh, and I hate taking Brent out of the receiving corp. He seems to have the best opportunity of being the superstar out of the group.

LOL! He has all the physical tools except bone structure. Not everyone can get to a comfortable 225, not everyone can get to a comfortable 205, and not everyone can even get to a comfortable 195!

We act like just because 200 is not a lot compared to 225, everyone can at least get there. But the fact is that Fuller and Brown are skinny as heck. Fast, but skinny.

Still, Fuller ain't skeered, but Breezy is. Wonder what Longo is doing differnt with those two!

 

[Me2SouthBend]

That's 82 names, plus KVR, Ishaq and DD so any talk of adding an ESB, Aliz'e Jones, another running back, safety or transfer in (Scarlett) is irrelevant to the discussion with the depth as constituted in the OP. I realize not all the names will be back and we aren't sure which ones won't (as 5ys).

Based on the position groups as shown, I'm actually concerned about Offensive Tackle depth. I think we have some real talent waiting in the wings, but if there is an injury or 2 the reach over to the guard pool has to happen pretty quickly. Elmer should be able to reestablish himself there if push came to shove. If Hunter Bivin is indeed injured and possibly not available as has been rumored on this site, that group gets about 300 lbs. lighter.

The depth at safety is frightening to me. Talk of Bilal being back there as a true Freshman is a scary proposition (if there for need). Another area of concern is the health of Jarron Jones. The injury he suffered could take a full 12 months to get right. If this is the case, he's out for most of the year.

Overall nice job w the recap, reps to you. I wish you had been a teacher of mine in school though as I would have had some better grades.

 

[koonja]

I feel like this is as an appropriate thread as any to say... I've been a member since 2011 and I get Domina Nostra and Me2SouthBend confused to this day. I have a feel for most poster's style if they've been around long enough... And for some reason I cannot differentiate you two. IIRC, one of you doesn't care for me, but I can't remember which, lol. Stand forth, I will not be mad.

 

[Domina Nostra]

That's 82 names, plus KVR, Ishaq and DD so any talk of adding an ESB, Aliz'e Jones, another running back, safety or transfer in (Scarlett) is irrelevant to the discussion with the depth as constituted in the OP. I realize not all the names will be back and we aren't sure which ones won't (as 5ys).

Based on the position groups as shown, I'm actually concerned about Offensive Tackle depth. I think we have some real talent waiting in the wings, but if there is an injury or 2 the reach over to the guard pool has to happen pretty quickly. Elmer should be able to reestablish himself there if push came to shove. If Hunter Bivin is indeed injured and possibly not available as has been rumored on this site, that group gets about 300 lbs. lighter.

The depth at safety is frightening to me. Talk of Bilal being back there as a true Freshman is a scary proposition (if there for need). Another area of concern is the health of Jarron Jones. The injury he suffered could take a full 12 months to get right. If this is the case, he's out for most of the year.

Overall nice job w the recap, reps to you. I wish you had been a teacher of mine in school though as I would have had some better grades.

Thanks! I actually taught high school for a year. That was a trip.

OT is a little concerning, going forward. Why they decide to skip some classed is beside me? But we are fine, especially in the short term.

Safety is a total mess. I wonder if the Bilal stuff is for real? I have my doubts, but that is what people are saying. SO I put him down there. If you move him to SAM, the LB depth chart looks a lot better.

I am hearing contradictory stuff on Jones, but I think Rochelle can be very effective, and I think we won't miss him too much at DE.

I feel like this is as an appropriate thread as any to say... I've been a member since 2011 and I get Domina Nostra and Me2SouthBend confused to this day. I have a feel for most poster's style if they've been around long enough... And for some reason I cannot differentiate you two. IIRC, one of you doesn't care for me, but I can't remember which, lol. Stand forth, I will not be mad.

It not me. While the progressive crowd on the politics site think I am a regressive idiot, I don't have a problem with anyone (except a temporary beef with whoever has naked Kate Upton giving us the bird, that needs to get taken down).

 

[Me2SouthBend]

I feel like this is as an appropriate thread as any to say... I've been a member since 2011 and I get Domina Nostra and Me2SouthBend confused to this day. I have a feel for most poster's style if they've been around long enough... And for some reason I cannot differentiate you two. IIRC, one of you doesn't care for me, but I can't remember which, lol. Stand forth, I will not be mad.

I'm the one that's been a bit critical of you. Honestly, not really sure why other than perhaps varying views of prospects. Nothing that I and clearly you will lose any sleep over. Carry on.