Ndaccountant
Old Hoss
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Still hard to not to feel disappointed with what happened today, but it does have some major implications for the 2012 season and 2013 class.
1. WR's are again going to be thin. We knew last year Floyd was the beast, but now, we are truly a platoon effort. Neal is still a possibility, but we can't count on him. So, as it looks, we are talking about (going off memory here) Goodman, Jones, Toma, maybe riddick, Daniel Smith, Daniels, Ferg, Brown, Mathias and maybe Russell. We really need Daniel Smith and DD to step up as well as one of the freshman.
2. TE. Tyler coming back sealed our fate at this position from a recruiting standpoint. For the 2012 season, I am willing to wager we see multiple TE sets with Ben K and Welch. This will allow for more running and PA passing, but will also be needed to help with the WR problem. Recruiting for 2013 should call for one stud TE and possibly even two.
3. QB. Homerun with Gunner. Kelly likes his QB's to have at least a year in the system. With the WR situation what it is, the need for a mobile QB just went up with the loss of Greenberry. I look for Golson or Hendrix to get the nod here to help keep defenses honest. We saw late in the year what happens when the offense is predictible with Tommy.
4. OL - The loss of Decker hurt, but was the least troubling loss in this recruiting class. Stanley is a beast and Harrell looks like a project. 2013 becomes a huge recruiting need and we should look to get 4 or 5, depending on how things shape up during the year. This could be our strong point in recruiting for 2013 given the regional talent and their love of ND.
5. RB - Wood could very well be done after this year, so it was a good thing Amir and Mahone are on board. Curious to see what happens with Amir's petition to play in 2012. It would be a big score if we could get him. I would not be surpised to see Russell play in the slot if we don't get Neal. GAIII is a fun question mark at this point. He has some serious talent but I wonder if we gets a look at WR now, especially if Amir is able to play in 2012. Roberson and McDaniels add depth, but their production going forward remains to be seen. For 2013 recruiting, two backs are needed and Ty Isaac would be a mjor coup along with Green. Homeruns are needed for 2013.
6. DL - The addition of Jones and Day would normally be reason to celebrate in past years, but fans are spoiled after the haul of 2011. KLM, Lynch, Tuitt, Nix, Kona, Springman, Chase and others will be vital in 2012. I hope Day and Jones don't have to see the field, or at least one redshirt to help with roster mgt. I think another 2-3 is needed in 2013, especially another NT. Where Niklas ends up will be fun to watch.
7. OLB - The haul last year was downright silly. Romeo this year offers up some serious upside, but he will need a year or two to catch up physically. Shembo needs to have a big year and hopefully we see Ishaq breakout now that he is familiar with the scheme. Guys like Spond and Council are also waiting in the weeds. I would expect 1-2 for 2013, with mr smith being the top target. We can't forget the impact Slaughter has in certain packages either. Perhaps we saw a glimpes into the defensive future during the bowl game and some of the guys mentioned above move inside if guys like Slaughter, Badger or Baratti move down to a OLB position, ala LSU.
8. ILB - Grace has been the only true ILB recruit of the Kelly era, thou Rabassa has been rumored to be slated for that position. Manti returning for 2012 is huge and Kendall Moore is waiting to break out. Carlo and Fox return as well. The position is solid, but improvement in pass coverage is needed. I would expect ILB to be a big focus for 2013's class.
9. CB - The loss of Darby/Wright/Poole/Standifer cannot be overstated. Tee is a beast and could start from Day 1. Numbers at the position aren't awful, but ND needs three players of Jackson, Brown, Atkinson & Lo Wood to breakout. 75% hit rate seems a bit daunting. I will be curious to see what happens with Turner and Hardy. Turned has reportedly run a 4.5 and played some corner this year. He has some decent size as well. Hardy is a wildcard given his injury. I would expect CB to again be a priority in 2013 and I look for ND to go after at least 3.
10. S - Motta and Slaughter return from last years group. McCarthy and Hardy are back as well. The numbers in the class are pretty good, with Schumate, Baratti, CJ, Turner and Badger. FS is a concern in 2013 and with the need of CB, one has to wonder what happens to Turner and Hardy. Baratti could outgrow safety, but either way needs to time as his fundemetals defensively need work. Prossie has huge upside, but has some technique issues that need resolved. ND needs to have Motta turn a corner like Harrison Smith did for 2012. Look for at least one FS, maybe two for 2013 recruiting and 1-2 SS depending on what players are moved around.
In a nut shell, the misses in recruiting at CB and WR, as well as the perception that the Armsteads slipped thru ND's fingers, leave a bitter taste this signing day. No one recruit ever makes or breaks a team, but the misses at CB and WR could hurt ND in 2012.
The real intersting thing will be how the change in OC as well as the WR situation influences the QB situation for next year. Will we see a more running attack in 2012?
On D, the front seven is loaded with young talent. Pressure can hide secondary holes, but the holes could be big if things to progress quickly. Jalen brown is supposed to be a stud in the making. We really need him to be.
The schedule is tough next year with games against USC, OU, Mich, Stanford, Miami and MSU. ND needs to win a few games it shouldn't, particularly the UM game. That game will be needed to generate some positive momentum and recuiting buzz.
A big 2013 recruiting class is now needed. Kelly knows it starts with winning. Another 8-5 year might be problematic for him and the 2013 recruiting class. Needless to say, the 16 man class of 2012 fell short of expectations, but there is no doubt talent there. But the focus won't be on who is there, it will be on who isn't, as the fanbase is beginning to grow impatient with Kelly.
1. WR's are again going to be thin. We knew last year Floyd was the beast, but now, we are truly a platoon effort. Neal is still a possibility, but we can't count on him. So, as it looks, we are talking about (going off memory here) Goodman, Jones, Toma, maybe riddick, Daniel Smith, Daniels, Ferg, Brown, Mathias and maybe Russell. We really need Daniel Smith and DD to step up as well as one of the freshman.
2. TE. Tyler coming back sealed our fate at this position from a recruiting standpoint. For the 2012 season, I am willing to wager we see multiple TE sets with Ben K and Welch. This will allow for more running and PA passing, but will also be needed to help with the WR problem. Recruiting for 2013 should call for one stud TE and possibly even two.
3. QB. Homerun with Gunner. Kelly likes his QB's to have at least a year in the system. With the WR situation what it is, the need for a mobile QB just went up with the loss of Greenberry. I look for Golson or Hendrix to get the nod here to help keep defenses honest. We saw late in the year what happens when the offense is predictible with Tommy.
4. OL - The loss of Decker hurt, but was the least troubling loss in this recruiting class. Stanley is a beast and Harrell looks like a project. 2013 becomes a huge recruiting need and we should look to get 4 or 5, depending on how things shape up during the year. This could be our strong point in recruiting for 2013 given the regional talent and their love of ND.
5. RB - Wood could very well be done after this year, so it was a good thing Amir and Mahone are on board. Curious to see what happens with Amir's petition to play in 2012. It would be a big score if we could get him. I would not be surpised to see Russell play in the slot if we don't get Neal. GAIII is a fun question mark at this point. He has some serious talent but I wonder if we gets a look at WR now, especially if Amir is able to play in 2012. Roberson and McDaniels add depth, but their production going forward remains to be seen. For 2013 recruiting, two backs are needed and Ty Isaac would be a mjor coup along with Green. Homeruns are needed for 2013.
6. DL - The addition of Jones and Day would normally be reason to celebrate in past years, but fans are spoiled after the haul of 2011. KLM, Lynch, Tuitt, Nix, Kona, Springman, Chase and others will be vital in 2012. I hope Day and Jones don't have to see the field, or at least one redshirt to help with roster mgt. I think another 2-3 is needed in 2013, especially another NT. Where Niklas ends up will be fun to watch.
7. OLB - The haul last year was downright silly. Romeo this year offers up some serious upside, but he will need a year or two to catch up physically. Shembo needs to have a big year and hopefully we see Ishaq breakout now that he is familiar with the scheme. Guys like Spond and Council are also waiting in the weeds. I would expect 1-2 for 2013, with mr smith being the top target. We can't forget the impact Slaughter has in certain packages either. Perhaps we saw a glimpes into the defensive future during the bowl game and some of the guys mentioned above move inside if guys like Slaughter, Badger or Baratti move down to a OLB position, ala LSU.
8. ILB - Grace has been the only true ILB recruit of the Kelly era, thou Rabassa has been rumored to be slated for that position. Manti returning for 2012 is huge and Kendall Moore is waiting to break out. Carlo and Fox return as well. The position is solid, but improvement in pass coverage is needed. I would expect ILB to be a big focus for 2013's class.
9. CB - The loss of Darby/Wright/Poole/Standifer cannot be overstated. Tee is a beast and could start from Day 1. Numbers at the position aren't awful, but ND needs three players of Jackson, Brown, Atkinson & Lo Wood to breakout. 75% hit rate seems a bit daunting. I will be curious to see what happens with Turner and Hardy. Turned has reportedly run a 4.5 and played some corner this year. He has some decent size as well. Hardy is a wildcard given his injury. I would expect CB to again be a priority in 2013 and I look for ND to go after at least 3.
10. S - Motta and Slaughter return from last years group. McCarthy and Hardy are back as well. The numbers in the class are pretty good, with Schumate, Baratti, CJ, Turner and Badger. FS is a concern in 2013 and with the need of CB, one has to wonder what happens to Turner and Hardy. Baratti could outgrow safety, but either way needs to time as his fundemetals defensively need work. Prossie has huge upside, but has some technique issues that need resolved. ND needs to have Motta turn a corner like Harrison Smith did for 2012. Look for at least one FS, maybe two for 2013 recruiting and 1-2 SS depending on what players are moved around.
In a nut shell, the misses in recruiting at CB and WR, as well as the perception that the Armsteads slipped thru ND's fingers, leave a bitter taste this signing day. No one recruit ever makes or breaks a team, but the misses at CB and WR could hurt ND in 2012.
The real intersting thing will be how the change in OC as well as the WR situation influences the QB situation for next year. Will we see a more running attack in 2012?
On D, the front seven is loaded with young talent. Pressure can hide secondary holes, but the holes could be big if things to progress quickly. Jalen brown is supposed to be a stud in the making. We really need him to be.
The schedule is tough next year with games against USC, OU, Mich, Stanford, Miami and MSU. ND needs to win a few games it shouldn't, particularly the UM game. That game will be needed to generate some positive momentum and recuiting buzz.
A big 2013 recruiting class is now needed. Kelly knows it starts with winning. Another 8-5 year might be problematic for him and the 2013 recruiting class. Needless to say, the 16 man class of 2012 fell short of expectations, but there is no doubt talent there. But the focus won't be on who is there, it will be on who isn't, as the fanbase is beginning to grow impatient with Kelly.
guys without much experience, and ironically, the most experienced of that group (Wood) is probably the least likely to start given his lack of athleticism.
