Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[ThePiombino]

Anyone who thinks Rees has done enough with recruiting the QB position is probably also fine with 10-3/11-2 seasons from now until eternity. And that's fine. There is something to be said for always "being in the conversation". There are literally dozens of programs that would kill to be in ND's position.

However, for the rest of us who want to see another National Championship before we die, he needs to do better. Yes, he's a fine developer and I happen to like his play calling (for the most part). But he simply needs to do better with recruiting. No, we're not Bama, OSU, or Clemson. We're Notre MFing Dame. Absolutely no reason we shouldn't be able to attract top-100 talent to the program year after year.

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[NDRock]

What’s the current list of qb targets. Who is our best option
at this point?

 

[ND88]

Anyone who thinks Rees has done enough with recruiting the QB position is probably also fine with 10-3/11-2 seasons from now until eternity. And that's fine. There is something to be said for always "being in the conversation". There are literally dozens of programs that would kill to be in ND's position.

However, for the rest of us who want to see another National Championship before we die, he needs to do better. Yes, he's a fine developer and I happen to like his play calling (for the most part). But he simply needs to do better with recruiting. No, we're not Bama, OSU, or Clemson. We're Notre MFing Dame. Absolutely no reason we shouldn't be able to attract top-100 talent to the program year after year.

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But here’s the problem. While I don’t disagree with the spirit of your argument, this notion that ND is a big boy in college is inflated in one key aspect: it’s Notre Dame. It’s unique nature doesn’t always appeal to big recruits. It has perks to sell that most programs can’t, but it leans on its history when it comes to titles and Heismans. And we are still dealing with teens who are ultimately looking for the quick path to success. ND is sold as the 40 year. That’s pretty fu*king boring when compared to the come here and win a title then get drafted on a 1-2 year collegiate trajectory for big cash. And QBs have been the worst at ND for a long damn time. No one can deny that. Outside of ND fans, no one gives a damn about Brady Quinn, Jimmy Clausen, Ian Book, etc. It’s a sick joke. I think most ND fans have sobered up to the reality that yea, we’re ND and that means the messaging is pretty vanilla when it comes to big fame players in those big spots.

In other words, Rees will have to do something monumental at the QB position: develop talent in TB AND get a top 100 QB. It would be difficult for any coach to do at ND and Rees’ resume should be judged on whether or not he can do it. But I think the jury is rightfully still out because he needs more time. I mean Freeman is already realizing that the 40 year golden standard doesn’t sell itself as easily as he may have hoped with all these bigger recruits looking around.

 

[Irishnuke]

How many 3 stars has Rees recruited? One. Just one. Since taking the QB Coach job in 2017 Tommy has brought in Brandon Clark, who was supposed to be insurance if 5 star Philure went down or didn't pan out. The rest have been 4 stars, a few rather high. This is why I can't take some of ya'll seriously, you act like we've got nothing but Rudys in the QB room.

Other than Buchner he’s signed Clark, Pyne, and now Angeli.
Not exactly the ‘27 Yankees of college QBs. That’s not taking into account who he struck out on. It’s early but it looks like ‘23 might be another disappointing cycle for QB recruiting.

 

[ND88]

I’m gonna laugh when Pyne is named the starter. It would be such an ND move. Destroy this perception and then maybe we have a chance to get these big QB recruits to knock on our door and not the other way around.

 

[Dale]

I’m gonna laugh when Pyne is named the starter. It would be such an ND move. Destroy this perception and then maybe we have a chance to get these big QB recruits to knock on our door and not the other way around.

People said this all last year. Then it didn’t happen. Then people actually wanted Pyne to start and that again didn’t happen. There are even some thoughts that they want a transfer QB because they are worried not about Buchner, but about him getting hurt and having to go to Pyne. Rees has really never shown any desire to start Drew Pyne even if people say it’d be a “ND move” to do so.

 

[ND88]

People said this all last year. Then it didn’t happen. Then people actually wanted Pyne to start and that again didn’t happen. There are even some thoughts that they want a transfer QB because they are worried not about Buchner, but about him getting hurt and having to go to Pyne. Rees has really never shown any desire to start Drew Pyne even if people say it’d be a “ND move” to do so.

I’m not saying it’s going to happen. My point is that people wouldn’t worry if the perception wasn’t there. Rees has to put this to rest and last year wasn’t the year to do it. It’s unfair considering what we know about TB’s inexperience, but it was what it was, and it’s the reason I argue Rees needs time to prove himself on this front. (And yes, the staff needs to be proactive that way. It’s a good sign.)

 

[stlnd01]

What’s the current list of qb targets. Who is our best option
at this point?

I haven't followed '23 recruiting all that closely but why is everyone so down on our chances with Dante Moore? Is it just the proximity to Michigan?

 

[IrishLax]

Not sure if this is belong here specifically, but it sure is something:
[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1485009380776939521?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[NDFAN2008]

People on here bitching about Tommy need to calm down. A lot of these is out of his control. ND landed Buchner the year before last and he was considered one of the top QB’s in highschool. Until ND starts dabbing in the NIL money like these other schools they won’t land a top 5 QB coming out of highschool we will have to settle for the low 4 star kids. That or start hitting the transfer portal for guys leaving Georgia, USC, ECT.

 

[GATTACA!]

People on here bitching about Tommy need to calm down.

 

[fightingirish26]

Not sure if this is belong here specifically, but it sure is something:
[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1485009380776939521?s=20[/TWEET]

Sooooo...thanks to Wisconsin for developing him?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Sooooo...thanks to Wisconsin for developing him?

Apparently, whatever he was at Wisconsin is worse than Mertz.

 

[ThePiombino]

Sooooo...thanks to Wisconsin for developing him?

To be fair, I think this Rees deserves credit. Not only for his coaching, but his schematic adjustments. Even if they did come a few games later than we would have liked.

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[ulukinatme]

But here’s the problem. While I don’t disagree with the spirit of your argument, this notion that ND is a big boy in college is inflated in one key aspect: it’s Notre Dame. It’s unique nature doesn’t always appeal to big recruits. It has perks to sell that most programs can’t, but it leans on its history when it comes to titles and Heismans. And we are still dealing with teens who are ultimately looking for the quick path to success. ND is sold as the 40 year. That’s pretty fu*king boring when compared to the come here and win a title then get drafted on a 1-2 year collegiate trajectory for big cash. And QBs have been the worst at ND for a long damn time. No one can deny that. Outside of ND fans, no one gives a damn about Brady Quinn, Jimmy Clausen, Ian Book, etc. It’s a sick joke. I think most ND fans have sobered up to the reality that yea, we’re ND and that means the messaging is pretty vanilla when it comes to big fame players in those big spots.

In other words, Rees will have to do something monumental at the QB position: develop talent in TB AND get a top 100 QB. It would be difficult for any coach to do at ND and Rees’ resume should be judged on whether or not he can do it. But I think the jury is rightfully still out because he needs more time. I mean Freeman is already realizing that the 40 year golden standard doesn’t sell itself as easily as he may have hoped with all these bigger recruits looking around.

This man gets it. Lets not forget a little more than a month ago the best coach we've had in 25 years up and left for another program because he felt he hit the ceiling of what can be done at ND. He went to a school where there aren't restrictions in recruiting and the good athletes are lined up at the door. We're in a completely different ball club compared to the top football factories. Expecting the best QB prospects is asking a lot. We might get lucky every now and then, but it's a hard sell in 2022.

 

[ulukinatme]

I'd be surprised if Wisconsin seriously thought Mertz was head and shoulders above Coan. My take was they went conservative and stuck with Mertz for continuity. They probably saw both as close enough in ability that Mertz was the safe pick. Coan definitely outperformed Mertz this year though. As the numbers above showed, Coan was the highest rated ND QB since PFF started grading QBs in 2014. No idea how they grade though.

 

[NDdomer2]

To be fair, I think this Rees deserves credit. Not only for his coaching, but his schematic adjustments. Even if they did come a few games later than we would have liked.

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Ive not heard otherwise but I interpreted all the talk about post bye week more like Rees convinced Kelly the change was needed more than the entire staff made some realization on their own.

 

[ThePiombino]

Ive not heard otherwise but I interpreted all the talk about post bye week more like Rees convinced Kelly the change was needed more than the entire staff made some realization on their own.

Very encouraging if so. Would love to think Rees knew what needed to be done all along...

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[Irish4life]

Very encouraging if so. Would love to think Rees knew what needed to be done all along...

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Kelly is an offensive coach, he has a hand in his offenses, whether or not he was the play caller.

 

[Irish4life]

This man gets it. Lets not forget a little more than a month ago the best coach we've had in 25 years up and left for another program because he felt he hit the ceiling of what can be done at ND. He went to a school where there aren't restrictions in recruiting and the good athletes are lined up at the door. We're in a completely different ball club compared to the top football factories. Expecting the best QB prospects is asking a lot. We might get lucky every now and then, but it's a hard sell in 2022.

Well we had no problems landing our top QB targets up until 2022 lol. Really I think the biggest thing that'll help NDs QB recruiting in general is Buchner being good next season.

 

[317Irish]

Well we had no problems landing our top QB targets up until 2022 lol. Really I think the biggest thing that'll help NDs QB recruiting in general is Buchner being good next season.

I’m not sure that I understand. You’re saying that we landed all of our top targets prior to 2022?

 

[Irish4life]

I’m not sure that I understand. You’re saying that we landed all of our top targets prior to 2022?

Generally, yes. ND landed it's top targets at QB.

 

[ThePiombino]

Generally, yes. ND landed it's top targets at QB.

Buchner was probably the only top target ND landed at QB since Gunner Kiel.

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[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Buchner was probably the only top target ND landed at QB since Gunner Kiel.

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Was Pyne the only offer in 2020? He committed a full 26 months before he arrived on campus.

 

[Irish4life]

Buchner was probably the only top target ND landed at QB since Gunner Kiel.

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Jurkovec? Wimbush? Zaire? Pyne?

 

[Irish4life]

Was Pyne the only offer in 2020? He committed a full 26 months before he arrived on campus.

Yes

 

[317Irish]

Jurkovec? Wimbush? Zaire? Pyne?

I’m pretty sure Wimbush was a product of the Blake Barnett decommitment. Doubt that he was our top target. Don’t recall where Zaire was on our board, but there’s no way Pyne could have been

 

[Irish4life]

I’m pretty sure Wimbush was a product of the Blake Barnett decommitment. Doubt that he was our top target. Don’t recall where Zaire was on our board, but there’s no way Pyne could have been

You're right, Wimbush was our QB commit for that class after Barnett decommitted, my mistake. Was still a top 50 overall recruit. Pyne was the only QB we offered in 2020.

 

[NDPhilly]

Early in the cycle Pyne looked to be a top 100 if not 50 recruit. He had great offers as a sophomore / junior and the services later soured on him the more they saw him. Honestly a really similar story to Angeli.

 

[317Irish]

You're right, Wimbush was our QB commit for that class after Barnett decommitted, my mistake. Was still a top 50 overall recruit. Pyne was the only QB we offered in 2020.

Also pretty sure Avery Davis and Brendon Clark weren’t our top offers. Even with Jurkovec idk if we offered Kyle Allen ahead of him