Who's next to commit? How many slots?

[Old Man Mike]

By the way, gentlemen, this might not be true, but it seems to me that once Kelly stocks the warehouse fully, he will be able to handle this "problem" of too many bluechips being interested in ND by taking more risks in terms of offering less scholarships to "good-but-not-great" positional needs, and holding out for more last minute commitments from the elite talent. Leaving a scholarship "empty" occasionally due to not getting your hoped for last minute guy won't seem so terrible if you're already pretty loaded. This class' overall power sets us up for that choosiness not only now but in future, and then, under more control. That is, at least my hope.

 

[IrishinSyria]

By the way, gentlemen, this might not be true, but it seems to me that once Kelly stocks the warehouse fully, he will be able to handle this "problem" of too many bluechips being interested in ND by taking more risks in terms of offering less scholarships to "good-but-not-great" positional needs, and holding out for more last minute commitments from the elite talent. Leaving a scholarship "empty" occasionally due to not getting your hoped for last minute guy won't seem so terrible if you're already pretty loaded. This class' overall power sets us up for that choosiness not only now but in future, and then, under more control. That is, at least my hope.

Obviously, Kelly runs a different system than Weis and has different needs. But still, it's not like the warehouse was empty: ND has a lot of talent stocked up. 100+ scholarship offers (if I understood the article about it in Maple Street Press) seems a little much. Overall though, I think (and hope) you're right. This class will serve as the cornerstone of the program Kelly is trying to build; he can afford to be more selective in the future thanks to the really really strong foundation that is currently being laid.

 

[Legacy]

Here's a great recruiting numbers breakdown article.

One Foot Down | Coach Kelly Plays the Numbers 59+20+9=88

 

[Old Man Mike]

This is very hopeful. But it also seems to indicate to me that Staff Kelly cannot accept ANY commitments from "other" players as long as Lyons, French, Williams, and even Drew, are still "out there". This saddens me a little, since I had an intuition about Shuler and all his freakish speed.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Here's a great recruiting numbers breakdown article.

One Foot Down | Coach Kelly Plays the Numbers 59+20+9=88

That is a great breakdown.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Here's a great recruiting numbers breakdown article.

One Foot Down | Coach Kelly Plays the Numbers 59+20+9=88

That was really a great link. We will have to be really selective at this point. There are still a few on my wish list. Lyons and Williams are the two I hope we can get in the end.

 

[irish4ever]

Joe surely has plenty of cash, so I vote that Montana forfeit his scholarship for the sake of the team! Another Sketcher's commercial should more than cover it!

 

[A Pac]

while i'm happy that kelly is putting together an excellent class, i have to wonder how our offensive line will be next year. he just got exposed by stanford for not having that good of a line and it doesn't look like we are getting much from this year's class. i just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this topic.

 

[TerryTate]

while i'm happy that kelly is putting together an excellent class, i have to wonder how our offensive line will be next year. he just got exposed by stanford for not having that good of a line and it doesn't look like we are getting much from this year's class. i just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this topic.

Freshman: Lombard, Nichols

Recruits: Hegarty (#24 on ESPN), Prestwood, Hanratty, Carrico/Springmann (DE/OL)

Next year there will be a focus on interior linemen

Sophs: Martin, Bullard, Watt

 

[A Pac]

Freshman: Lombard, Nichols

Recruits: Hegarty (#24 on ESPN), Prestwood, Hanratty, Carrico/Springmann (DE/OL)

Next year there will be a focus on interior linemen

Sophs: Martin, Bullard, Watt

ok, i just wanted to know how much help we are getting after this year. thanks.

 

[TerryTate]

ok, i just wanted to know how much help we are getting after this year. thanks.

No Problem

 

[IrishinSyria]

while i'm happy that kelly is putting together an excellent class, i have to wonder how our offensive line will be next year. he just got exposed by stanford for not having that good of a line and it doesn't look like we are getting much from this year's class. i just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this topic.

It's much much better for us to improve the line from within than to have to rely on new recruits. Even a kid as talented as Sam Young would have benefited from a year to battle in practice and spend time in the weight room. Most of our line will be back next year, and even though that might not seem like the most exciting thing after the Stanford game, they should be much better.

 

[Big23Head]

Also 3 first year starters and first year in the system. Next year the line should be very solid.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Might mention too that Kelly said that Nichols and Lombard looked physically mature enough to go this year if he needed them--he expressed surprise at their maturity. Freshman O-linemen have a tough row-to-hoe but a few can do it. Hegarty's "feet" are supposedly out-of-this-world and perhaps he could step in as well. I believe that Kelly is hoping to keep both Nuss and Romine, as they would give him a basically intact two-deep once either Watt or Lombard moved up to replace Stewart---but if all the young supermen want to commit, I would not be surprised to see him let someone go [like Romine] and roll the dice on Nichols, Hegarty, and Prestwood.[Remember that this would be a relatively low risk move, as it would involve only a second string position in a veteran, and reasonably flexible, line]. There are a lot of other variables. As far as Montana's scholarship is concerned: I believe that anyone is way off base pressuring him to release it, OTHER THAN HIMSELF. He earned it, and God bless him.

 

[Irish Man3]

If we are looking at about three more spots, we have the opportunity to close this class out and assure ourselves a top 10 class. Obviously, Ishaq and Wayne Lyons look to be the unanimous favorites of most posters, but who would you like to see as the third? In my opinion a guy like Christian French would be ideal for that last spot. Great athlete that could play a variety of different positions. With the signing of George Atkinson and Davaris Daniels, the safe bet would be OLB or safety. He has great size and ideal speed for either position. I would like to see him play the safety position especially if the Ishaq rumors are true. With Rabasa, Counsell, Burton, and the possibility of Ishaq, the OLB position should be pretty secured. But with Wayne Lyons as more of a cover safety, I think Christian French could serve more as a hard hitting run supporter.

Ray Drew
Miles Shuler
Savon Huggins
Troy Niklas

These are some other names out there that we seem to still be in the mix for. I just think that Savon Huggins and Miles Shuler are a package deal to the scarlet knights. Savon has not come out and said anything but many sources say he is a heavy Rutgers lean. Ray Drew claims to have no favorite and plans a visit to South Bend so who knows. The only things that scares me about Drew is there are a lot of SEC schools still in the mix.

Thoughts??

 

[IrishinSyria]

In my opinion a guy like Christian French would be ideal for that last spot.

I agree. He's doesn't necessarily fill any needs, but he could really develop into something special. He could play as an OLB, WR, or even an Urlacher in college style safety if his 40 time is legit.

 

[Irish Man3]

He runs a 4.4 forty. Its legit. Dude is an athlete through and through. Would love to see this kid in blue and gold but Iowa is a big player in his recruiting decision.

 

[Rack Em]

Ray Drew
Miles Shuler
Savon Huggins
Troy Niklas

Thoughts??

With Lynch, Tuitt, Springmann, and Carrico all set to join the DLine (though Springmann or Carrico may move to the OLine) I just don't see us having room for Niklas. 3 months ago we would have welcomed him with open arms, but sadly his position is basically filled up.

Personally I would love to have Shuler's speed in this recruiting class. But our need at WR is essentially filled with Atkinson and Daniels. If we land zero or one of the following prospects (Lyons, IShaq, French, Drew) then we would have room. However depth at WR (like DLine) is never a bad thing with the style of offense Kelly runs.

I think Huggins is in the same situation as Shuler. If one or none of the 4 recruits mentioned above commit to ND, then Huggins is money. We already filled a need with Justice Hayes though.

I think Ray Drew is the wild card of these 4. We still have a spot left at OLB. However French and IShaq have expressed more immediate interest than Drew and have also taken visits. Not that Kelly hasn't pulled several players out of SEC territory in this class, but it's hard to bring player up north and out of the SEC cult. Our best chance with most recruits from the south is to get them on campus during the summer and an early OV when the weather is decent. He'll be a tough get, but nothing is impossible when a recruit has 2 feet on campus.

That said, I think Ray Drew has the highest probability of a scholly being held for him. It'll be a 3 horse race for that last OLB spot unless the coaching staff agrees to move French to safety or something. Shuler and Huggins would both be welcomed additions, but most likely if we don't land Lyons, French, or IShaq. Don't get me wrong, I like them all, but since we have an ethical coaching staff (paging Nick Saban...you cheating piece of ****) we won't take them all.

 

[Irish Man3]

Springmann and or Carrico are likely to move to the offensive line. I agree that Niklas is most likely left out with the additions of Tuitt and Lynch. I understand that he can also play TE but with Ben Koyack and Alex Welch as the next group, I think we are ok there as well. It will be interesting to see how this class ends up. Not to be a downer but I still think Lyons stays in state and Drew ends up at LSU. I think our best shots are Christian French and Ishaq Williams. Just my opinion.

 

[Rack Em]

Not to be a downer but I still think Lyons stays in state and Drew ends up at LSU. I think our best shots are Christian French and Ishaq Williams. Just my opinion.

I think you're spot on.

 

[IrishInFl]

Springmann and or Carrico are likely to move to the offensive line. I agree that Niklas is most likely left out with the additions of Tuitt and Lynch. I understand that he can also play TE but with Ben Koyack and Alex Welch as the next group, I think we are ok there as well. It will be interesting to see how this class ends up. Not to be a downer but I still think Lyons stays in state and Drew ends up at LSU. I think our best shots are Christian French and Ishaq Williams. Just my opinion.

Were there indications of this? He lives in Thomasville, while borders Tallahassee. I would think FSU would be the favorite.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Would love to have Drew.., but I just dont see us getting him. I think we get either Williams/Lyons (hopefully both), and French is a good possibility. I think it is safe to say we won't land Suggins or shuler at this point either. Would love to have all these kids, but outside of Williams and Lyons, I like French.

 

[Irish Man3]

I was simply throwing out my opinion. ESPN and rivals have stated that LSU seems to be the favorite. Its where his first OV is taking place this weekend when they play Tennessee. Location is not always the ultimate factor in highly sough after recruits choosing schools. LSU is in the SEC and has a pretty stout defense. It should be a good race that we seem to be in the mix for but, I guess we'll see in February.

 

[IrishInFl]

I was simply throwing out my opinion. ESPN and rivals have stated that LSU seems to be the favorite. Its where his first OV is taking place this weekend when they play Tennessee. Location is not always the ultimate factor in highly sough after recruits choosing schools. LSU is in the SEC and has a pretty stout defense. It should be a good race that we seem to be in the mix for but, I guess we'll see in February.

So is UF, so what's your point? FSU is the team closest to him and needs defensive linemen badly.

 

[Irish Man3]

I was brining out why LSU may be his favorite over FSU. You asked me a question and I answered you. That was my point. For the third time, I was stating an opinion based on rumors and rumblings. LSU being his first scheduled visit helps that case. FSU being the closest team and having defensive line needs does not automatically put them as the front runner. Is not that hard to believe. Maybe Florida is not his choice based on the fact that they brought in one of the best defensive line classes last year and they have plenty of depth. FSU is overrated and their defense is the most overrated aspect of their team. Maybe he's not buying into Jimbos master plan.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Polish put up a good article about it in Drew's profile. Bottom line: nobody knows where that kid's going to end up. He has a top 50 at this point. Georgia has got to be the front-runner, but only if it looks like Richt is going to keep his job. Which is uncertain at best right now.

 

[IrishLax]

Do you think it helps us that every night Ray Drew prays on where to go?

 

[Irish Man3]

lol it should help us more than it helps any one else hes interested in. We certainly have the edge in that category.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Do you think it helps us that every night Ray Drew prays on where to go?[/QUOTE]

Nope. I think in the end we wont have a chance. I think it's SEC country whever he ends up. Somewhat close to home.., (not necessairly FSU) but somewhere down south.

 

[IrishLax]

Do you think it helps us that every night Ray Drew prays on where to go?

Nope. I think in the end we wont have a chance. I think it's SEC country whever he ends up. Somewhat close to home.., (not necessairly FSU) but somewhere down south.

Considering he's from Georgia and FSU is in the ACC..... I'm pretty confused.