Who's next to commit? How many slots?

[SoInIrishFan]

I'm thinking they close the deal on the Atkinson boys and be done with it. I think being on campus will seal the deal!

 

[irishmarine]

Hopefully, the father was a baller.

 

[Ben E.]

I'm thinking they close the deal on the Atkinson boys and be done with it. I think being on campus will seal the deal!

we all hope you are right.

 

[IanBr22]

I think kicking the shxt out of Michigan will help seal the deal. Go Irish!

 

[Irish Man3]

Im not exactly sure who will be next but with the few slots remaining for the year I want:

Christian French- Can play both sides of the ball and is a raw freak athlete. With his size and speed, he could really help our secondary or if he is stuck on offense..... our wr core.

George Atkinson- Another athlete that can play both sides of the ball. The two of these guys bring a level of athleticism to the team that we've been lacking of late. Would love to see them both on defense. Locking up the safety positions maybe??

Savon Huggins- Although I love the fact that we have Justice Hayes' verbal, I would love to add another element to our backfield. Huggins brings speed and strength.

DaVaris Daniels- A solid WR that I believe when all is said and done, will end up wearing Blue and Gold!! Good addition to help sure up a WR core that could lose Floyd and will lose Kamara.

Ishaq Williams- I think we are still in the running for quite a few OLB/DE but I think Ishaq is our best chance get. Very athletic and a solid frame. Would look really good along side Lynch and Rabasa in that front seven.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Im not exactly sure who will be next but with the few slots remaining for the year I want:

Christian French- Can play both sides of the ball and is a raw freak athlete. With his size and speed, he could really help our secondary or if he is stuck on offense..... our wr core.

George Atkinson- Another athlete that can play both sides of the ball. The two of these guys bring a level of athleticism to the team that we've been lacking of late. Would love to see them both on defense. Locking up the safety positions maybe??

Savon Huggins- Although I love the fact that we have Justice Hayes' verbal, I would love to add another element to our backfield. Huggins brings speed and strength.

DaVaris Daniels- A solid WR that I believe when all is said and done, will end up wearing Blue and Gold!! Good addition to help sure up a WR core that could lose Floyd and will lose Kamara.

Ishaq Williams- I think we are still in the running for quite a few OLB/DE but I think Ishaq is our best chance get. Very athletic and a solid frame. Would look really good along side Lynch and Rabasa in that front seven.

Cannot disagree with you. All those kids are great players and we would do well to land any of them. However, besides our pressing needs at DB and arguably at WR....we need more big kids on the lines. Kelly and company have reiterated how depth up front is a concern.

Tuitt and Richardson are my first two choices (with a stud S) since we are playing with a short deck. Other DEs like Newberry, Drew, Niklas would be great too...we really need one more.

So DL, OL, S, WR, ATH..something like that

 

[Irish Man3]

I agree with the fact that we need more on both lines but BK has said that we have 10 guys on the offensive line that can play championship ball. Thats deep. I understand we lose some this year but with Tate stepping up along with a few others, we have the opportunity to wait a year. Im not saying that if we have a chance to land Richardson we pass.
As far as Tuitt and Newberry and Drew, we are longshots at best for any of them. Pulling any of the 3 out of the Southeast would be a chore in itself. It will certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out. My predictions are based on who I think we can really pull.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

I think we have a legit shot at a few of those guys. I know they have not raved about ND like Atkinson, or visited on their own dollar like Williams, or have stated they want to commit once they academically qualify like Daniels, and we are probably in French's top two...

Tuitt scheduled his first OV with us (I know that does not always mean anything aka Sean Parker last year) but we are in his top 5 so win games and he will have a tough decision, we are in Niklas's top two and he has visited, and Newberry and Richardson are eyeing officials and I think we get them both on campus for a game. I really believe we get one of these guys with a 9-3 ish season and hopefully Richardson too.

But you are right, the others are more likely but with 5 or 6 spots left, count in another big guy or two.

 

[jonesman]

NO MORE OL commits. We have three good ones already. Plus, it is likely that a couple of our DE commits will become OL when they come to ND. Springman and Carrico come to mind.

We need to spend every last opening we have on top level players at the athletic positions such as DB, WR, LB and maybe Huggins. You have to have game changers. Another Tackle like Richardson is not adding victories. Add a guy like Huggins, Daniels, French, Ishaq or Lyons, those are game changers.

 

[SoInIrishFan]

What about Josh Atkinson? We have a real need there, and the upside on this kid is enormous.

 

[IrishInFl]

What about Josh Atkinson? We have a real need there, and the upside on this kid is enormous.

Josh has the Irish at the top of his list currently.

 

[SoInIrishFan]

Josh has the Irish at the top of his list currently.

Yes sir, I'm well aware of that. The question was pointed at the want list of some of the posters. I was curious if they were looking at need and talent, or just trying to pull the highest recruits off the board.

 

[NDinL.A.]

NO MORE OL commits. We have three good ones already. Plus, it is likely that a couple of our DE commits will become OL when they come to ND. Springman and Carrico come to mind.

We need to spend every last opening we have on top level players at the athletic positions such as DB, WR, LB and maybe Huggins. You have to have game changers. Another Tackle like Richardson is not adding victories. Add a guy like Huggins, Daniels, French, Ishaq or Lyons, those are game changers.

Sorry Jonesman, normally I agree with you, but I completely disagree here. You win in the trenches. O-line and D-line...that's exactly where ND has lost the past decade. We used to be tough and NASTY. We're never going to consistently get the athletes that a Miami gets, but we beat those types of teams with the athletes that we do have, plus some nasty-ass football players that win lose or draw are going to kick your ass for 4 quarters. Where has that been?

Tackles like Richardson, if he's as good as advertised, DO win games. We've had Jimmy, Golden, Brady, Shark, Floyd, Carlson, Stovall, Grant, Walker, etc etc, but it got us nothing but a bunch of bad to mediocre seasons and a couple BCS losses in between. And while we had those studs at the skill spots, we had guys like Sam Young and John Ryan starting at the line positions.

I agree with you on guys like Ishaq and Lyons - we definitely need those game changers on defense, but I'll add an O-linemen like Richardson any day of the week plus Sundays. Those guys get beat up a ton (just look at SC's woes), so the depth at that spot is never a bad thing...

 

[Irish Man3]

We have room for ONE more OL player. You can never be to deep on the line. I think with the three we've got already Richardson would be a great addition. But if not Richardson then I say nobody. Same reason we stopped the recruitment of Cyrus Hobbi. We have a very sufficient three in this years recruiting cycle. Its not like the position has been ignored and we are simply chasing ONLY playmakers. If Richardson steps in then great, but if not we take what we have and add playmakers. We need raw athletes that are versatile. (French, Atkinson, and I. Williams)
As far as Josh, IMHO I think we take him even if it doesnt assure us his brother. He has tremendous upside and we are thin at DB.
Five or six slots is plenty of room and there is plenty of talent still very interested in this university. We have filled most of our holes with the spots we have already used. Now its time to attack and close out with a top 5 class.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I agree with the fact that we need more on both lines but BK has said that we have 10 guys on the offensive line that can play championship ball. Thats deep. I understand we lose some this year but with Tate stepping up along with a few others, we have the opportunity to wait a year. Im not saying that if we have a chance to land Richardson we pass.
As far as Tuitt and Newberry and Drew, we are longshots at best for any of them. Pulling any of the 3 out of the Southeast would be a chore in itself. It will certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out. My predictions are based on who I think we can really pull.

As far as the O-line goes, I posted my thoughts on the post above. You always take a super talented O-linemen.

And as far as Tuitt, I fail to see how a guy who sets us up for his first OV is a 'longshot at best'. How do you figure? A tough get? Sure, but a longshot? The fact that he's coming says that he's not a longshot at best. Same thing with Newberry. He plans on visiting, talks to Lynch and wants to play with him...how does that make him a longshot AT BEST. He might be a longshot, but that's not the best chance we have.

And as for Drew...he's what you recently said about him:

He has said good things ab ND recently via ISD. Thats a great sign and on top of that his teammate (Tuitt) has left the Irish door open.

Since his last update, we went from seeing a great sign from him to being a longshot at best. Sorry dude, not buying your fatalistic attitude towards landing these guys, when at last check you were happy with the way things were going with them.

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't land any three of them, but you're being misleading to those who don't follow recruiting as closely as we do with your post above...

 

[Irish Man3]

As far as the O-line goes, I posted my thoughts on the post above. You always take a super talented O-linemen.

And as far as Tuitt, I fail to see how a guy who sets us up for his first OV is a 'longshot at best'. How do you figure? A tough get? Sure, but a longshot? The fact that he's coming says that he's not a longshot at best. Same thing with Newberry. He plans on visiting, talks to Lynch and wants to play with him...how does that make him a longshot AT BEST. He might be a longshot, but that's not the best chance we have.

And as for Drew...he's what you recently said about him:



Since his last update, we went from seeing a great sign from him to being a longshot at best. Sorry dude, not buying your fatalistic attitude towards landing these guys, when at last check you were happy with the way things were going with them.


I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't land any three of them, but you're being misleading to those who don't follow recruiting as closely as we do with your post above...

My post about Drew was before he excluded us from his updated list. To me that shows that he has either lost contact or lost interest. My change didnt come out of thin air.
As far as Tuitt and Newberry, they are longshots. I didnt say it was a no chance scenario. Longshot leaves the door open and thats what they are IMO. I consider Kasen Williams a longshot as well tomorrow. We're in his top five and I consider him a longshot due to the fact that his parents are Washington alumns, he lives in Washington, and his close friend just committed there last week. So I dont retract my statement and if thats misleading than maybe they should do their own research and decide for themselves and express their OPINIONS as I did mine. I didnt slam the door in anyones face, I didnt post false info, I posted an opinion.

 

[NDinL.A.]

My post about Drew was before he excluded us from his updated list. To me that shows that he has either lost contact or lost interest. My change didnt come out of thin air.
As far as Tuitt and Newberry, they are longshots. I didnt say it was a no chance scenario. Longshot leaves the door open and thats what they are IMO. I consider Kasen Williams a longshot as well tomorrow. We're in his top five and I consider him a longshot due to the fact that his parents are Washington alumns, he lives in Washington, and his close friend just committed there last week. So I dont retract my statement and if thats misleading than maybe they should do their own research and decide for themselves and express their OPINIONS as I did mine. I didnt slam the door in anyones face, I didnt post false info, I posted an opinion.

I'm not sure how long you've followed ND recruiting. But if you've followed it for any amount of time, you know that when you get a kid on campus, ND's chances go way up. If a kid has decided on his own that he wants to check out ND as one if his OV's, especially when it's the first one he's scheduled, I don't see how he's a longshot at best. If he comes out of the visit with lukewarm thoughts, then yes, he's a longshot at best. But the dude sets his visit to ND, and a week later you're calling him a longshot at best. It just doesn't jive with the way recruiting works.

If they talk great about ND, but waver about a visit and you never hear them commit to the visit (like Josh Shirley last year), then yes, they are a longshot. If they talk great things about ND and set a visit, they might be a hard get but I no longer see them as a 'longshot at best'. At best, we have a decent shot with a good visit. At worst, they are a long shot.

Perfect ex: Everyone thought Te'o was a longshot. Then he set his visit. I no longer considered him a long shot at best. Tough get for sure, but longshot at best? Nope. You know the rest of the story (snowstorm, snowballs, kid from Hawaii = SC lock)...he ended up Irish. When you get them on campus, you're chances go up exponentially. It's like what Joe Theisman, who wanted to go to Duke and was all set to go there, told his dad when he got back from his visit to ND, "Dad, I'm going to Notre Dame. I don't know why, but I know I just have to be there."

It's a magical place for many people...

 

[BGIF]

How many slots?

How many slots?

To be determined.

From Coach Kelly's 8/26/10 Press Conference:

Utupo has been certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse and is on scholarship.

Banks is enrolled but NOT on scholarship. He is being given the opportunity to regain one - in the classroom and on the field. He is paying his own way so he can practice as a walkon. Kelly's quotes on Banks is in the Banks thread.

 

[johnsben]

I think it may make sense to approach the remaining players in tiers based on talent level.

Elite (showed some ND interest, ND should pursue the hardest)
George Atkinson III
Giorgio Newberry
Ishaq Williams
Christian French
Stephon Tuitt
Ray Drew
Antonio Richardson
Wayne Lyons
Savon Huggins

Exceptional Talent (ND still needs to fill these positions and they are dang good, pursue very very very hard)
DaVaris Daniels
Kasen Williams
Miles Shuler
Josh Atkinson

Others (still a lot of talent but maybe not the game changers like above)
Quincy Aldridge
Hakeem Flowers

The way I see it is that we absolutely need one more corner (idealy J. Atkinson).

We would ideally have one more WR (idealy Daniels or Williams) and one more Safety (idealy Lyons)

The only spot we hold is the corner spot and if the other spots fill up with the elite talent its first come first serve. What I mean by that is that if there is one spot left and Huggins wants to commit we're not going to say no because we're holding a spot for I. Williams and vice versa. I think this goes for WR and Safety also because we have some flexiblity if we get the corner (Hardy back to safety and Hayes or French could play WR).

I think that ND does not pursue another OL after Richardson. I also think that if ND wins and Tuitt commits (big if) our chances go way up for Drew.

 

[jonesman]

Guys,
I am sorry, but I will not agree with taking another OL commit. It is not an emotional decision, but rather fact based. We need other positions MUCH worse. Plus, ND will never struggle to get OL players. They tend to be your more intelligent players who qualify easier and can be found everywhere. Your ATHLETES are tougher to attract and the pool is smaller.

Let's look at the OL depth in 2013. You can't just look one or two years out. In 2013, we would have 5 OT's in Lombard, Martin, Nichols, Prestwood, Heggarty. We would have 3 OG/C's in Bullard, Watt, Hanratty. That is 8 guys who would be atleast Juniors without the likely addition of Carrico or Springman being moved to OL.

Now, look at some skill positions. How about S or CB. We would have ONE player who is currently on the roster if Banks and Badger do not return to the team. We need every player we can get here. This position needs depth!!!

At DE, not a single player on the current roster who will be here in 2013 can be considered a Dominator at DE. Schwenke might be, but that is a long shot.

At WR, we need to add a tall playmaker and game changer. We do not have anyone commited right now.

Sorry guys, but I am very hopeful we spend every last pick we have left on ATHLETES.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Your explanation of our crisis at DB and DE is spot on...that is why we absolutely need guys there with the 5/6 spots left (I would love two for each like Tuitt with Drew/Niklas/Newberry and J. Atkinson with Lyons).

If the above senario happened, then your right, the last spot (if we only have 5 to give) would go to a playmaker at WR like Daniels/G. Atkinson/Williams because we do not even have one kid at that position committed...and we are losing a couple guys there after this year. Then a guy like Carrico would move over giving us 4 DL and 4 OL

BUT, if we had SIX spots left, or we cannot get two DEs or two DBs (but we actually must get two here, expect more offers if not) then I strongly feel we need another OL like Richardson or Kouandjio rather than an ATH or another RB and I love Huggins

Couple reasons: we HAVE to win in the trenches, we needed more then two last year, and our depth will take a serious hit after next year when Nuss, Romine, Dever leave if they stay for their 5th years, and Robinson graduates.

We could list available players and eligibility, but in my opinion just load up front then it will not matter if we have Adrian Peterson, Savon Huggins, or Justice Hayes back there. All a capable, talented back needs is a line to become elite. We should take 4 guys every year to develop a three deep. So I disagree but if we are really talking about an enviable problem teams would die for....hmmm, who to take? Huggins, Richardson, French...

 

[Ben E.]

Guys,
I am sorry, but I will not agree with taking another OL commit. It is not an emotional decision, but rather fact based. We need other positions MUCH worse. Plus, ND will never struggle to get OL players. They tend to be your more intelligent players who qualify easier and can be found everywhere. Your ATHLETES are tougher to attract and the pool is smaller.

Let's look at the OL depth in 2013. You can't just look one or two years out. In 2013, we would have 5 OT's in Lombard, Martin, Nichols, Prestwood, Heggarty. We would have 3 OG/C's in Bullard, Watt, Hanratty. That is 8 guys who would be atleast Juniors without the likely addition of Carrico or Springman being moved to OL.

Now, look at some skill positions. How about S or CB. We would have ONE player who is currently on the roster if Banks and Badger do not return to the team. We need every player we can get here. This position needs depth!!!

At DE, not a single player on the current roster who will be here in 2013 can be considered a Dominator at DE. Schwenke might be, but that is a long shot.

At WR, we need to add a tall playmaker and game changer. We do not have anyone commited right now.

Sorry guys, but I am very hopeful we spend every last pick we have left on ATHLETES.

there is absolutely zero chance that they tell Richardson thanks but no thanks! like it or not he is the exception to your valid points.

 

[JDAtlanta]

I concur

I concur

there is absolutely zero chance that they tell Richardson thanks but no thanks! like it or not he is the exception to your valid points.

I think the final number will depend on the individual that commits. I would not want to be a fifth year senior next year. This year is their shot. I have a feeling Kelly would grab "his" guy and let one of Charlie's recruit go. Now if that fifth year senior has a great season this year, that would make his chances better. I think the number will end up being closer to 25, than most have posted.

 

[Ben E.]

I think the number will end up being closer to 25, than most have posted.

i think you re right about that!

 

[jonesman]

New England Guy,
I agree we must win in the trenches. But, we are pretty set in those trenches right now. You mention about the players gone after next season. Only Robinson is a true loss. Your likely 2012 starters are already committed or on the roster.
LT - Nichols, Martin
LG - Watt
C - Cave
LG - Bullard, Hanratty
LT - Lombard
I would say that is winning in the trenches. Now, tell me who is starting at S or CB in 2012??? That is the scary question.

Shucks, I can even give you 2013 starting OL candidates. We have enough players for almost two deep before we add the 2012 or 2013 class. The kids below are all highly regarded. So, why add an OL unless we cannot fill every slot with S, CB, WR, LB or a stud RB like Huggins.

LT - Nichols, Prestwood
LG - Martin, Carrico
C - Watt
RG - Bullard, Hanratty
RT - Lombard, Heggarty

 

[IrishInFl]

I'd argue that Nichols was not highly regarded, but boy he seems to have a ton of potential. Our 2013 line may be scary good.

 

[aaronb]

Guys,

At WR, we need to add a tall playmaker and game changer. We do not have anyone commited right now.

The problem with WR is that we've got so many already on the roster.

Personally I'd rather go heavy on CB then S. Even if it means forgoing a WR in this recruiting cycle.

 

[Irish Man3]

Jonesman I agree with you when you say that we are not hurting at the OL as far as depth but you simply cannot turn away a player with the upside that Richardson has on the line. You can never be to deep on the line bc with 300+ lb players, thats where most of your injuries occur. If we have 5-6 spots left than thats ample space for both ONE more OL and a few solid athletes. Like I said earlier, if not Richardson than I say nobody. But its highly unlikely that we tell a 4* top ten athlete at his position to take a walk. If Richardson wanted to commit in November and we told him thanks but no thanks, and then BK didnt finish out the class with six 4* athletes, fans would be irrate.
Not to mention that out of the 6-8 athletes with high remaining interest, its likely that maybe we land 3-4. We have room for one more ELITE athlete on the line. Then we would still have room for our athletes in the secondary.

As far as getting prospects onto campus, I agree with the fact that the attraction of South Bend appeals to alot of athletes and could change anyones mind that hasn't been there. I HOPE that you are right N.D and I hope that when Tuitt and Newberry step foot on the campus that have a "Rabasa" like reaction. In this case nothing would make me happier than being wrong. I would love if we landed one of the 3. (Drew, Tuitt, Newberry) Im pouring all my hope into our product on the field and hoping that all ACC and SEC schools run into the same sanction problems that UNC is facing. But I do agree with you.

 

[jonesman]

Aaron,
I do agree that we have many WR's on the roster, but here are some things to consider. First, we lose Kamara and Floyd after this season. I know Floyd is not a senior, but he is NFL bound and don't give me any business that he is not. Second, rumors are beginnning to swirl again about Shaq thinking about leaving. That means one of our supposed future playmakers could be gone. Third, all signs are saying that Deion Walker is a bust. As a third year player and two coaching staffs, yet he remains buried in the depth chart. Plus, all the media I spoke with say he is just not good. So, after 2010 you really are missing any big playmakers at WR. We NEED atleast one, maybe two WR's in this class.

To all those supporting Richardson as an OL commit, please don't take that I am not a Richardson fan. He appears to be a stud, but I just feel we must fill other needs. We cannot afford to miss any of the athletes who would like to get on board this year. The 2010 class has some players who could sub at OL, Heggie. But, we only have one DB from that class left on campus, Wood. Who knows what happens with Badger.

 

[Irish Man3]

I just think that we'll have room to do both. I dont think we will run out of room and short ourselves of athletes. We still dont know for sure how many slots will be open come NSD but if it does land around 6 then we are in ok shape. Taking Richardson would leave us around 5 slots for what remains.
Christian French
George Atkinson
Josh Atkinson
Wayne Lyons
Ray Drew
Stephon Tuitt
Giorgio Newberry
DaVaris Daniels
Kason Williams
Miles Shuler
Quincy Aldridge
Ishaq Williams
Savon Huggins

Plenty of athletes left on the board with some form of interest. But of the athletes listed above, how many do you really feel like we have a sure thing with? None outside of maybe Daniels. I would gladly take any 5 of the athletes above and that would just about guarentee us a top 10 slot in this class. This is the first time in awhile that we've run into this problem. Not enough slots for ultra talented players. We have the room and we have lots of interest.