WRs: 2012 Frosh

[Irish YJ]

Hearing bits from my friends back in Indy and SB that the 3 2012 WRs are looking very, very good. Now I see an article on Rival$ saying the same thing. Heard that Brown especially looks CFB ready. I buy the speed, but thought he'd need a year with Longo.

So, anyone else hearing the same buzz...? Anyone have some intel out of practice?

 

[IrishInFl]

Just from watching the tape you can tell that Neal is going to be special.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Ferguson looks college ready... kids solid...

 

[Irish YJ]

Yep, thinking Neal is in the mix from day 1. Rock star by mid season. I just hope he gets to play in the return game too. I'd love to see Brown and Ferguson come on strong. I'm just not impressed with what I'm hearing about the rest of the WRs.

 

[Irish YJ]

From what I heard, FWIW, Brown looks most polished, Neal is electric, and Ferguson is the most physical. All 3 athletic as hell, in different ways. I LIKE

 

[Rhode Irish]

Anyone hearing anything on Davaris Daniels? I've been a TJ Jones fan, too. I think he could surprise some people this season. If DD could come on and then you have these three potential studs behind them, I really think it could be an underrated group.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm with you RI, DD and TJ need to do it this year. I think they will simply for the fact Eifert, and perhaps Neal and Herc will open up the field for them.

 

[PraetorianND]

Anyone hearing anything on Davaris Daniels? I've been a TJ Jones fan, too. I think he could surprise some people this season. If DD could come on and then you have these three potential studs behind them, I really think it could be an underrated group.

I'm rooting for TJ, seems like a good kid. We had a class near the same time or something because we always crossed paths on campus. He always said what's up. He's taller than listed.

 

[RuntheBall]

Tj has had alot on his plate the past two seasons. I think he will step it up this year.

But the freshmen really are studs. Everyone knows Neal because of the stars he had, and although he is probably the best the others are studss as well. I've always loves brown's athleticism wouldn't be surprised to see him get a shot at returns. Haven't seen as much from Ferguson but he is big and agile as well. Great class.

 

[NDdomer2]

This DD's first year getting big time reps too, so I think the future at WR is just fine. I am not that concerned with this group, especially after you include the slot guys like Theo, Toma and Eifert.

 

[ryno 24]

I think the three freshmen are electric all in different aspects. But having three freshman play significant minutes is kind of scary. Davonte neal could legitimately start. Brown could be that deep threat that we are missing. Ferguson could be a player like Floyd but he is not as developed yet. He will be great in a year to two years. We need TJ and DD to really step up.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Brown got an instant reputation for being too skinny for D1 based on his picture, injury, and three stars. If you watch his film he is totally electric.

I feel like DD has the most talent but he actually seems like he has butterflies. I think he'll need to get a few catches under his belt and then he'll take off.

 

[EifertPower]

If these 3 freshman are studs like you all say then there was no need for anyone to care about losing Deontay Greenberry on national signing day. In fact, losing Greenberry probably was a blessing if these 3 are studs.

We'll be fine at WR this year if either Davarius Daniels or TJ exceeds expectations. We are so stacked at TE and our running backs like Riddick virtually is a wide receiver anyway so we can get buy without having to have 4 stud receivers.

 

[koonja]

I hate myself for this, but just imagine if Deontay had been here with the other 3.

 

[ACamp1900]

If everything I have read and seen on Neal is true then I would expect a real impact from him almost from day one... aside from that anything else from the forsh WR's would be a pleasant suprise for me.

 

[koonja]

I'll say it right now. If Neal is back with GAIII for the first kick return in Dublin, I will be sporting a boner powered completely by my man-crush for speed.

 

[Naptown]

I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Brown made his way on to the field quite a bit this year.

Wasn't he one of the S. Carolina's top track stars and high jumpers.

He's a super fade threat already.

 

[Zbi]

In my opinion Ferg has the best chance to make an immediate impact at the WR position. He just has better physical tools at the moment. Neal is electric, but I am not sure how big of an impact he will have in the slot with the current group that ND has. I think Brown will be an excellent WR after he becomes more physical.

 

[Kanye West]

I think Brown is the most likely to red shirt. Once he's 6'2 190+ look out.
Davonte will start slot and will be VERY good.
Ferguson might redshirt next year or he could be a good wideout depth behind Goodman and Daniels. Kid will be a very good wideout based on his tools. I loved his tape and size.

 

[Irish YJ]

I'm normally not a negative Nancy, but WR depth without one or two of the freshmen is pretty ugly. I think I've heard the following

Goodman-Smith
Jones-Daniels
Toma-Jones

Seeing Jones twice speaks enough about depth...

Jones and Daniels are the only two I feel can step up. Maybe Smith, but haven't heard a lot of great things there either. Goodman, I just don't feel it. Toma could do something, but thinking he is overacheiving already.

I hope I'm wrong, but thinking these 3 freshmen may get more ops than they thought.

 

[NDinFL]

I'm normally not a negative Nancy, but WR depth without one or two of the freshmen is pretty ugly. I think I've heard the following

Goodman-Smith
Jones-Daniels
Toma-Jones

Seeing Jones twice speaks enough about depth...

Jones and Daniels are the only two I feel can step up. Maybe Smith, but haven't heard a lot of great things there either. Goodman, I just don't feel it. Toma could do something, but thinking he is overacheiving already.

I hope I'm wrong, but thinking these 3 freshmen may get more ops than they thought.

Agreed.

I think it's a great thing though.

Get the young guys some good in-game reps early (if possible) vs teams like Purdue and Navy, and try to get their confidence and game speed ready for the tougher parts of our schedule.

 

[Irish YJ]

Amen. I'm not concerned about saving years. I'd rather ease them in early. Hell, same with GK. I'd love to see them start Golson, and work GK in.

 

[NDinFL]

Well, I'd temper that a little bit.

I think QB is much more difficult to learn than WR.

I also think that young, talented recruits, at multiple positions, see BK giving/playing young guys all over the field, and probably most get that thought of, "hey why not me too?"

Edit: essentially I'm saying it works two-fold: get the younger, talented freshmen/RS freshmen on the field
And at the same time attract recruiting prospects with the chance of potential early playing time.

 

[NDhoosier]

In my opinion Ferg has the best chance to make an immediate impact at the WR position. He just has better physical tools at the moment. Neal is electric, but I am not sure how big of an impact he will have in the slot with the current group that ND has. I think Brown will be an excellent WR after he becomes more physical.

I actually agree, I think Ferg is the most college ready out of the 3, but Neal is simply so explosive that he will see the field early... But Ferg is definitely the one that stands out as most college ready in my opinion. Definitely more of a physical WR.

 

[NDdomer2]

If we run the ball as much as I expect us to this year the WR the can block will get best chance at PT.

 

[ChiRish]

It's funny how concerned we were going into this year how we would replace the production of Michael Floyd. Well, we have arguably one of the more talented groups of WRs that have been on this team in quite some time.

We all know the big names, from the freshmen of Neal, Ferguson, and Brown. We all know the highly talented returnees, such as TJ Jones and Davaris (if you want to call him a returnee considering he redshirted). But that doesn't include talented players like Robby Toma, who's been very productive for ND, or John Goodman, who had a great spring and is looking to prove something in his senior season, and for me, Daniel Smith. Smith has been one of those guys with great size and athleticism that has battled through injuries. I would love to see what he can contribute.

Bottom line - when you look at our offense, from WRs, to OL, to RB... the talent is scary. Have a consistent QB back there who can produce and the sky is the limit. And for once, it's not ND homerism to say that.

Edit: I can't believe I would even leave out TEs. Good lord this offense is stacked.

 

[NDPhilly]

2014 offense could be scary good. Golson a RS Junior ; carlisle and atkinson seniors ; Chris Brown, Ferg, and Neal are Juniors; Daniels a RS junior; Koyack and Niklas Seniors. And of course the OL should be at the the very least solid. Jesus that gets me excited for the future.

 

[EifertPower]

Yeah, I'm not too worried about our offense. I think everything will hinge on the QB play, and although I'm not sure any of them will be great this season i do feel that having a 4-man competition will make one emerge as the best.

I hate to be cruel but i think the skepticism at WR largely revolves around the fact that Goodman is listed as a starter on most depth charts and when I think of John Goodman for the past 4 years I mainly think of someone capable only of doing fair catches. I'd love to see him break out and be like the Shark this year, but until the season starts i cant shed the "Fair Catch" image for him.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I'm really happy to hear that our three frosh receivers are looking good. Hope we can get them some quality reps early in the year. I think this trio can be something special in another year or two.

 

[Irish YJ]

Well, I'd temper that a little bit.

I think QB is much more difficult to learn than WR.

I also think that young, talented recruits, at multiple positions, see BK giving/playing young guys all over the field, and probably most get that thought of, "hey why not me too?"

Edit: essentially I'm saying it works two-fold: get the younger, talented freshmen/RS freshmen on the field
And at the same time attract recruiting prospects with the chance of potential early playing time.

Agree 100%. I'm not saying full on frosh attack. Key WRs early against easier opponents. QB-GK in mop up once we can afford reps (happy with EG's play). The QB statement is for a whole different reason though. I simply don't think EG and GK will stay unless both are involved. If Kelly is going to split reps, I'd prefer he split reps with the future.