Tommy Rees - Offensive Coordinator

[Free Manera]

Pyne being the only offer tells you all you need to know. 40th ranked QB in that class per 247.

Was he ND’s “top target?” Yeah but he wasn’t an actual top target that elite schools wanted.

 

[Irish4life]

Pyne being the only offer tells you all you need to know. 40th ranked QB in that class per 247.

Was he ND’s “top target?” Yeah but he wasn’t an actual top target that elite schools wanted.

Pyne was a top tier QB recruit very early on in the 2020 cycle. ND got him before they got their 2019 QB if I recall correctly lol.

 

[NDPhilly]

Pyne being the only offer tells you all you need to know. 40th ranked QB in that class per 247.

Was he ND’s “top target?” Yeah but he wasn’t an actual top target that elite schools wanted.

Pyne received early offers in 2016-2017 from FSU (when they were recruiting at an elite level), Alabama, Penn State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Miami, Baylor, & South Carolina before ND eventually offered. The kid just stopped growing.

 

[IrishLax]

Pyne received early offers in 2016-2017 from FSU (when they were recruiting at an elite level), Alabama, Penn State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Miami, Baylor, & South Carolina before ND eventually offered. The kid just stopped growing.

Literally this. People projected him to be a lot taller because of the genes in his family and if you extrapolated his accuracy, smarts, moderate athleticism to a 6’2” QB with better arm strength he’s almost surely an NFL caliber player. He ended up sub-6’ with a relatively weak arm. Low ceiling player, just is what it is.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Pyne being the only offer tells you all you need to know. 40th ranked QB in that class per 247.

Was he ND’s “top target?” Yeah but he wasn’t an actual top target that elite schools wanted.

#Google

 

[Free Manera]

#Google

#googlesaidhewas40thrankedqb

None of those teams that offered early would’ve have still taken him when ND did.

 

[ulukinatme]

Pyne being the only offer tells you all you need to know. 40th ranked QB in that class per 247.

Was he ND’s “top target?” Yeah but he wasn’t an actual top target that elite schools wanted.

Where are you seeing that? This is what I'm seeing. Looked like it was higher than 40, even if you don't use the composite. Also had offers from Penn State, A&M, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, LSU, Florida State, etc, although maybe they were early offers like ours?

 

[ThePiombino]

OK, I was wrong -- we DID land a top target at QB since Kiel -- Pyne

LMFAO come on, guys -- maybe we got unlucky with Pyne because he apparently stopped drinking his milk and taking his Flintstones vitamins since we accepted his verbal, but if you think that QB recruiting has been on the mark otherwise, I think maybe we're tracking different teams...

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[Irishjig78]

All of this is kind of crazy to me. Rees in my opinion has done a great job overall recruiting. Yes, the past few cycles we haven't landed a top tier QB but he has done a great job at the other positions. Who knows what kind of handcuffs Kelly applied to the Rees. It also doesn't help when the Head Coach is not involved in a high level QB recruit. Think back to about 2 months ago when Rees didn't take the LSU gig and stayed, you all LOVED him then. Not sure what he has done to deserve this debate since then. I have full confidence the Rees and Freeman will land an elite QB in 2023.

 

[nsisk157]

All of this is kind of crazy to me. Rees in my opinion has done a great job overall recruiting. Yes, the past few cycles we haven't landed a top tier QB but he has done a great job at the other positions. Who knows what kind of handcuffs Kelly applied to the Rees. It also doesn't help when the Head Coach is not involved in a high level QB recruit. Think back to about 2 months ago when Rees didn't take the LSU gig and stayed, you all LOVED him then. Not sure what he has done to deserve this debate since then. I have full confidence the Rees and Freeman will land an elite QB in 2023.

Bingo. Let's give the lad an unfettered opportunity. Freeman is 100% into recruiting, opposite of CBK. Let's see what happens over the next recruiting cycle.

 

[Free Manera]

Where are you seeing that? This is what I'm seeing. Looked like it was higher than 40, even if you don't use the composite. Also had offers from Penn State, A&M, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, LSU, Florida State, etc, although maybe they were early offers like ours?

Here is the link. https://247sports.com/Season/2020-F...?InstitutionGroup=Highschool&PositionGroup=QB

 

[IrishRazor82]

All of this is kind of crazy to me. Rees in my opinion has done a great job overall recruiting. Yes, the past few cycles we haven't landed a top tier QB but he has done a great job at the other positions. Who knows what kind of handcuffs Kelly applied to the Rees. It also doesn't help when the Head Coach is not involved in a high level QB recruit. Think back to about 2 months ago when Rees didn't take the LSU gig and stayed, you all LOVED him then. Not sure what he has done to deserve this debate since then. I have full confidence the Rees and Freeman will land an elite QB in 2023.

I agree with everything you said besides him doing a great job. He's done OK at recruiting but you're perfectly on point that we were all hyped he stayed 2 months ago, and we should be. OL recruits itself here (thank you Harry, I think..). Outside of that our offensive recruiting isn't great. We get a lot of low 4-star guys but not enough high impact guys.

I always compare us to Michigan because they're local but not OSU. They have a 5-star QB, took another QB from us who's better than every QB we have on roster, took AJ Henning and Donovan Mitchel who are both borderline 5-star guys. Took Cornelius Johnson from us who's a mid-4 star WR and would be the best one on our roster at least this past year.

Their offensive recruiting is kicking our ass so I don't think Tommy's doing "great" at recruiting by any means. The floor needs to be Michigan at worst if we're going to be big boys.

 

[NDRock]

All of this is kind of crazy to me. Rees in my opinion has done a great job overall recruiting. Yes, the past few cycles we haven't landed a top tier QB but he has done a great job at the other positions. Who knows what kind of handcuffs Kelly applied to the Rees. It also doesn't help when the Head Coach is not involved in a high level QB recruit. Think back to about 2 months ago when Rees didn't take the LSU gig and stayed, you all LOVED him then. Not sure what he has done to deserve this debate since then. I have full confidence the Rees and Freeman will land an elite QB in 2023.

I think you bring up a good point about other factors contributing to QB recruiting. I'll take Rees out of the equation and just say the last four QBs we signed have been the least impressive 4 year stretch since at least Weis' first year. Other than TB none of them give me much confidence in making ND elite and Buchner is super raw. I'm also a big fan of duel threat guys at the college level and especially at ND where we never have dynamic player all over the field. So guys like Pyne and Angeli don't really excite me as I don't see any elite traits in their games.

The good thing is the QB position is so hard to project that we may actually be in a great spot and don't realize it yet. We've recruited some very talented guys who didn't work out so maybe the opposite will be true.

 

[Dale]

I agree with everything you said besides him doing a great job. He's done OK at recruiting but you're perfectly on point that we were all hyped he stayed 2 months ago, and we should be. OL recruits itself here (thank you Harry, I think..). Outside of that our offensive recruiting isn't great. We get a lot of low 4-star guys but not enough high impact guys.

I always compare us to Michigan because they're local but not OSU. They have a 5-star QB, took another QB from us who's better than every QB we have on roster, took AJ Henning and Donovan Mitchel who are both borderline 5-star guys. Took Cornelius Johnson from us who's a mid-4 star WR and would be the best one on our roster at least this past year.

Their offensive recruiting is kicking our ass so I don't think Tommy's doing "great" at recruiting by any means. The floor needs to be Michigan at worst if we're going to be big boys.

Calling Michigan’s offensive recruiting “kicking our ass” is just blatantly false. Here is skill player talent on the 2021 team, taking out TE to benefit you’re argument:

Michigan

McCarthy - 99
Edwards - 98
Henning - 95
Corum - 94
Johnson - 93

Notre Dame

Buchner - 97
Tyree - 97
Austin - 96
Colzie - 95
Styles - 95

Does offensive recruiting need to be better? Sure. But if you’re baseline is Michigan, you shouldn’t have issue with our recruiting by that logic.

 

[stlnd01]

Calling Michigan’s offensive recruiting “kicking our ass” is just blatantly false. Here is skill player talent on the 2021 team, taking out TE to benefit you’re argument:

Michigan

McCarthy - 99
Edwards - 98
Henning - 95
Corum - 94
Johnson - 93

Notre Dame

Buchner - 97
Tyree - 97
Austin - 96
Colzie - 95
Styles - 95

Does offensive recruiting need to be better? Sure. But if you’re baseline is Michigan, you shouldn’t have issue with our recruiting by that logic.

Would also recall that we chose Buchner over McCarthy, head-to-head. That's certainly how it appeared at the time anyway. Time will tell if we chose wisely but they didn't "beat" us for McCarthy.

 

[IrishRazor82]

Calling Michigan’s offensive recruiting “kicking our ass” is just blatantly false. Here is skill player talent on the 2021 team, taking out TE to benefit you’re argument:

Michigan

McCarthy - 99
Edwards - 98
Henning - 95
Corum - 94
Johnson - 93

Notre Dame

Buchner - 97
Tyree - 97
Austin - 96
Colzie - 95
Styles - 95

Does offensive recruiting need to be better? Sure. But if you’re baseline is Michigan, you shouldn’t have issue with our recruiting by that logic.

Michigan beat us head to head for every offensive recruit listed besides Corum. Donovon Edwards, AJ Henning, Cornelius Johnson, and Cade Mcnamara all had ND in their final 3 and Michigan swept us. If that's not kicking our butt head to head on offense, IDK what is.

 

[IrishRazor82]

Would also recall that we chose Buchner over McCarthy, head-to-head. That's certainly how it appeared at the time anyway. Time will tell if we chose wisely but they didn't "beat" us for McCarthy.

If true (I doubt McCarthy was coming here), that's likely a mistake.

 

[Free Manera]

If true (I doubt McCarthy was coming here), that's likely a mistake.

I think it's true. I'm pretty sure I've seen it reported on 247 before. Whether it's a mistake is TBD. McCarthy was clearly more college ready but that wasn't really Buchner's fault due to his high school circumstances.

 

[IrishLax]

If true (I doubt McCarthy was coming here), that's likely a mistake.

In this case, not an "if true." McCarthy was 100% coming here, and Notre Dame 100% passed on him after stringing him along as a contingency for Buchner. One of his coaches used to post on this board which is how we know first hand. He was extremely pissed at Kelly with how it all went down. ND selected Buchner as their #1 QB after having both Buchner and McCarthy throw in person for them.

To recap the order of events:
-Notre Dame evaluated both McCarthy and Buchner in person after having them both at the top of their board.
-After seeing both throw in person, they had the opinion that Buchner was the best prospect.
-They kept McCarthy on the line while pushing for Buchner to shit or get off the pot. Buchner wrapped his visits and then committed to ND.
-McCarthy was pissed (and his coach even used the term "felt lied to" because ND had told him all kinds of great things while getting him to hold off on committing). Basically, ND whispered sweet nothings that he was "#1 guy on their board" while also pushing for Buchner.
-McCarthy then commits to Michigan.

Since that throwing session, Buchner then had his senior season of football cancelled and had his mechanics tinkered with to "shorten" his throwing motion by a QB guru. Time will tell if ND made the correct choice, but McCarthy was clearly more developed as a passer this season. Buchner needs to be developed from the bottom up as a pocket passer whereas McCarthy had years of experience playing high level football.

 

[Dale]

It sucks for who it happens to, in that case McCarthy, but that’s exactly how ND needs to handle it tbh. We had two elite QBs heavily interested and kept the contingency warm for the time needed. Not a pretty game but that’s actually played correctly on our side, recruiting wise. Like others have said, just matters if they decided on the right guy now.

 

[Free Manera]

It sucks for who it happens to, in that case McCarthy, but that’s exactly how ND needs to handle it tbh. We had two elite QBs heavily interested and kept the contingency warm for the time needed. Not a pretty game but that’s actually played correctly on our side, recruiting wise. Like others have said, just matters if they decided on the right guy now.

Yep. ND probably should be handling Johnson like this currently. If they miss on the big three which as of now looks likely (can definitely change still, hopefully it does), at least they have a top 10ish QB in the fold. He is a project (accuracy was barely above 50% in high school, not ideal) but he is high upside for sure.

 

[IrishRazor82]

In this case, not an "if true." McCarthy was 100% coming here, and Notre Dame 100% passed on him after stringing him along as a contingency for Buchner. One of his coaches used to post on this board which is how we know first hand. He was extremely pissed at Kelly with how it all went down. ND selected Buchner as their #1 QB after having both Buchner and McCarthy throw in person for them.

To recap the order of events:
-Notre Dame evaluated both McCarthy and Buchner in person after having them both at the top of their board.
-After seeing both throw in person, they had the opinion that Buchner was the best prospect.
-They kept McCarthy on the line while pushing for Buchner to shit or get off the pot. Buchner wrapped his visits and then committed to ND.
-McCarthy was pissed (and his coach even used the term "felt lied to" because ND had told him all kinds of great things while getting him to hold off on committing). Basically, ND whispered sweet nothings that he was "#1 guy on their board" while also pushing for Buchner.
-McCarthy then commits to Michigan.

Since that throwing session, Buchner then had his senior season of football cancelled and had his mechanics tinkered with to "shorten" his throwing motion by a QB guru. Time will tell if ND made the correct choice, but McCarthy was clearly more developed as a passer this season. Buchner needs to be developed from the bottom up as a pocket passer whereas McCarthy had years of experience playing high level football.

Good info. I'm really low on Buchner due to his awkward throwing plus the fact that he couldn't beat out Coan. But glad they appear to have had their choice and hopefully they were right..

 

[lcaps20]

Good info. I'm really low on Buchner due to his awkward throwing plus the fact that he couldn't beat out Coan. But glad they appear to have had their choice and hopefully they were right..

You're low on him because he couldn't beat out a Senior QB who had previously led his team to the Rose Bowl? And that also just put up the highest graded season of any ND QB since PFF started grading? Got it.

 

[IrishRazor82]

You're low on him because he couldn't beat out a Senior QB who had previously led his team to the Rose Bowl? And that also just put up the highest graded season of any ND QB since PFF started grading? Got it.

No. Because Coan sucked and Tyler was getting game action early in the year and couldn't take over. The Badgers were laughing at us all year wondering how ND's QB situation is so bad that Coan got to play. "Coan was better in the 2nd half" is a direct result of playing crappy defenses. And once OSU figured their stuff out in the bowl game, we couldn't even get a first down.

It is not a good sign that neither Buchner or Pyne could take over from Coan when everyone in the world was suggesting it should happen. And also low because when he throws it looks like a full back pass.

 

[Dale]

No. Because Coan sucked and Tyler was getting game action early in the year and couldn't take over. The Badgers were laughing at us all year wondering how ND's QB situation is so bad that Coan got to play. "Coan was better in the 2nd half" is a direct result of playing crappy defenses. And once OSU figured their stuff out in the bowl game, we couldn't even get a first down.

It is not a good sign that neither Buchner or Pyne could take over from Coan when everyone in the world was suggesting it should happen. And also low because when he throws it looks like a full back pass.

How is what Wisconsin fans think of our QB situation validation of anything? Wisconsin likely beats us and PSU with Coan.

 

[Free Manera]

You're low on him because he couldn't beat out a Senior QB who had previously led his team to the Rose Bowl? And that also just put up the highest graded season of any ND QB since PFF started grading? Got it.

The PFF thing is being blown out of proportion. They started grading college players in 2014. ND's quarterbacks during that time were Zaire, Kizer, Golson, Wimbush, and Book.

 

[GowerND11]

No. Because Coan sucked and Tyler was getting game action early in the year and couldn't take over. The Badgers were laughing at us all year wondering how ND's QB situation is so bad that Coan got to play. "Coan was better in the 2nd half" is a direct result of playing crappy defenses. And once OSU figured their stuff out in the bowl game, we couldn't even get a first down.

It is not a good sign that neither Buchner or Pyne could take over from Coan when everyone in the world was suggesting it should happen. And also low because when he throws it looks like a full back pass.

The Badgers were laughing at us while Mertz was one of the 40 worst QBs in the nation? Dude, just stop...

 

[ab2cmiller]

Razor is entering trolling territory.

 

[lcaps20]

The PFF thing is being blown out of proportion. They started grading college players in 2014. ND's quarterbacks during that time were Zaire, Kizer, Golson, Wimbush, and Book.

I agree that it’s not the end all be all, but you did just name a second round draft pick and the all time winningest QB in ND history

 

[Irish4life]

No. Because Coan sucked and Tyler was getting game action early in the year and couldn't take over. The Badgers were laughing at us all year wondering how ND's QB situation is so bad that Coan got to play. "Coan was better in the 2nd half" is a direct result of playing crappy defenses. And once OSU figured their stuff out in the bowl game, we couldn't even get a first down.

It is not a good sign that neither Buchner or Pyne could take over from Coan when everyone in the world was suggesting it should happen. And also low because when he throws it looks like a full back pass.

Jack Coan threw for 500 yards and 5 TDs against the best defense ND faced the entire season. He was the best option at QB. Also, still hilarious to me how many people are down on Buchner.