The incredibly too early thoughts on next season thread!!!!!

[Rudy89]

What sort of season will 2021 bring? Let’s discuss it here! I brought up elsewhere that I fear we have a drop off next year. In 2006 and 2015 we had good season but ended both of them with two major loses. In 2007 and 2016 well we had awful years. I fear we are due for another one of those awful years especially with having a new QB coming. Hopefully not and hopefully we can get another 10 win season. I don’t think this team is capable of a National title next year but if superstition and our past don’t get in the way I hope we can keep the home undefeated streak going. What do y’all think?

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I think ND needs to go get a stud QB on the transfer market

 

[Wingman Ray]

I think ND needs to go get a stud QB on the transfer market

This. We cant be very competitive with a freshman QB and WRs that arent even going to be UFA. BK put the eggs in one basket and it will hurt next year.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I think ND needs to go get a stud QB on the transfer market

Yeah just dial that up real quick.

 

[T-Boone]

We could try to bring Ian Book back (I dont think it is too late) and hope Lenzy, Austin, Johnson etc develop.

Boring, but it would ensure another pretty good season.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I don't get the notion that we've essentially given up on Clark and Pyne, considering they're nothing more than bench fodder.

Seriously, where did this come from?

Pyne and Clark are more talented players than Book.

Also, while losing Von and Skow suck, getting Austin back and having Johnson and Watts in an actual offseason probably yields a stronger receiving group.

Not to mention, the '21 schedule looks very manageable.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I think ND needs to go get a stud QB on the transfer market

Doesn’t even have to be a “stud” just someone who is decent at reading defenses, tall, and a big arm with some mobility.

Also, the defensive coordinator hire is going to be just as important as the QB search

 

[Rudy89]

I don't get the notion that we've essentially given up on Clark and Pyne, considering they're nothing more than bench fodder.

Seriously, where did this come from?

Pyne and Clark are more talented players than Book.

Also, while losing Von and Skow suck, getting Austin back and having Johnson and Watts in an actual offseason probably yields a stronger receiving group.

Not to mention, the '21 schedule looks very manageable.

So did 2016

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I don't get the notion that we've essentially given up on Clark and Pyne, considering they're nothing more than bench fodder.

Seriously, where did this come from?

Pyne and Clark are more talented players than Book.

Also, while losing Von and Skow suck, getting Austin back and having Johnson and Watts in an actual offseason probably yields a stronger receiving group.

Not to mention, the '21 schedule looks very manageable.

Doesn’t Clark have a potential career ending injury? Id rather have a QB with experience IMO. Also, spring practice with the COVID stuff will be a big deal too

 

[tommyIRISH23]

So did 2016

Unless we’re bringing back Van Gorder...2016 will remain a distant memory. The BVG effect can’t be ignored lol.

 

[#1rish]

Doesn’t Clark have a potential career ending injury? Id rather have a QB with experience IMO. Also, spring practice with the COVID stuff will be a big deal too

I wouldn’t be surprised if Clark ended up taking a medical hardship. Apparently his knee is giving him issues.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Quarterback - need a competent passer to transfer in, or roll the dice with Buchner.

Runningback - Notre Dame is in great shape.

Wide Receivers - Can Jordan Johnson get on the field? Can freshman step up? Can anyone step up?

Tight End - Notre Dame is in great shape.

Offensive Line - Does Banks stay? If he does, this should be a reload. If he doesn't, this will be a rebuild. Do they bump Banks to tackle and Patterson to guard just to get the best five on the field? Is a guy like Baker going to jump some people on the depth chart?

QB: Buchner
RB: Williams & Tyree
WR: Johnson
WR: Lenzy
WR: Davis
TE: Mayer & Tremble

LT: Banks
LG: Lugg
C: Correll
RG: Patterson
RT: Carroll

Defensively it'll all depend on the new DC and it'll be tough to guess anything before that. Assuming it's a four-front I wouldn't be surprised if Mills turns heads and starts.

Long story short let's hope there are spring practices and covid doesn't cost us that.

 

[KPENN]

So did 2016

The 2016’s team’s problems ran deep.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Why doesn’t ND go more
Tempo ever on offense

 

[notredomer23]

Give me Dustin Crum or Desmond Ritter for a year. If you strike out, ND is built for a freshman QB to come in and play given what should be a good offensive line and good running game.

 

[KPENN]

Give me Dustin Crum or Desmond Ritter for a year. If you strike out, ND is built for a freshman QB to come in and play given what should be a good offensive line and good running game.

Yup.

 

[NDisme]

If we take a 1 year grad transfer that means 2022 will be the first start for a new QB barring injury or otherwise in 2021 in the horseshoe. That sounds fun

 

[irishff1014]

Why doesn’t ND go more
Tempo ever on offense

That’s what Kelly was at Cincy. Then he got here and forgot how to build a QB.

 

[KPENN]

If we take a 1 year grad transfer that means 2022 will be the first start for a new QB barring injury or otherwise in 2021 in the horseshoe. That sounds fun

Giddy up

 

[phork]

A wasted season for Williams and Mayer.

 

[Irishize]

Pyne deserves a shot.

Clark looks questionable at best with knee issues.

I hate to say it, but we can’t assume Austin and Lenzy will ever stay healthy.

Thank goodness Buchner is an early enrollee. Let’s hope they get a Spring to see what he has b/c it’s been over a year since he’s seen live action.

Hopefully, BK and staff give all the freshmen a true shot at being starters b/c ND needs game changers at WR and QB on offense as well as DB and LB on defense.

 

[tussin]

I don't get the notion that we've essentially given up on Clark and Pyne, considering they're nothing more than bench fodder.

Seriously, where did this come from?

Pyne and Clark are more talented players than Book.

Also, while losing Von and Skow suck, getting Austin back and having Johnson and Watts in an actual offseason probably yields a stronger receiving group.

Not to mention, the '21 schedule looks very manageable.

We are a borderline playoff / NY6 minimum program now. Clark and Pyne might be serviceable but the next step for this program is to win in the playoffs. They almost certainly aren’t the QBs to do that with. Either Buchner is the next Trevor Lawrence or BK needs to go big game hunting in the transfer portal. That’s what all the programs we are competing against would do.

 

[T-Boone]

Pyne deserves a shot.

Why does Pyne deserve a shot?
He didn't push Book for a starting spot or anything.
He deserves the right to compete against all comers.

 

[T-Boone]

I'd think about where the best position is for Hamilton.
Is it rover?

We need a DB coach.

 

[NDMatt91]

I'd think about where the best position is for Hamilton.
Is it rover?

We need a DB coach.

Or, at the very least, one that can actually recruit.

 

[NorthDakota]

If we take a 1 year grad transfer that means 2022 will be the first start for a new QB barring injury or otherwise in 2021 in the horseshoe. That sounds fun

I'd roll with Buchner unless he isn't remotely ready.

 

[Irishize]

Why does Pyne deserve a shot?
He didn't push Book for a starting spot or anything.
He deserves the right to compete against all comers.

That’s what I meant. A shot to compete vs being dismissed altogether based on his measurables and him handing off in garbage time. My main complaint of BK is not putting away inferior opponents early enough as to develop backups with meaningful reps. Otherwise ND will always be relying on the health of their starters. Bama, Clemson & OSU can overcome key losses. ND cannot when the backups have no experience.

 

[T-Boone]

Or, at the very least, one that can actually recruit.

Yep. Goolsby said it. Its the biggest position group, there is something like 15 DBs and there is nobody else apart from Crawford at S and a transferee and a freshman at CB. The recruiting and development has been bad.
Goolsby really does not rate Drew White. Said he has no stones. Haha.

 

[IrishLax]

I think you’re going to see ND go all in on a rebuilding year for offense. I think you will see about 7-8 new starters on offense, and they will be young. If Buchner can’t win the starting job because he is a bust or isn’t ready then ND football might be kind of fucked. I’d love for them to look into some QB transfers but I’m not holding my breath.

I think on defense you will see continuity (assuming they go with an internal hire) and a lot more of the same faces. Prior will probably be the ROVER, or Liufau. McCloud’s spot and Crawford’s spot are the biggest question marks... not a ton of answers on the roster for either of those. Houston Griffith has yet to put it all together but he or Brown would be the logical player to start next to Hamilton if no fresh face steps up. CB is by far the biggest question make on that side of the ball.

 

[T-Boone]

That’s what I meant. A shot to compete vs being dismissed altogether based on his measurables and him handing off in garbage time. My main complaint of BK is not putting away inferior opponents early enough as to develop backups with meaningful reps. Otherwise ND will always be relying on the health of their starters. Bama, Clemson & OSU can overcome key losses. ND cannot when the backups have no experience.

ah, I see. Agreed.