Wind Yer Neck In

In the article I wrote last week dealing with the systematic grouping top college programs use to organize their recruiting process, I was attempting to show that's it's not only the level of talent that's the determining factor, but also where the potential athlete fits in the depth chart and how he will potentially develop in the system that the coaching staff runs. No other position is of more importance than QB, so that's where we will start.

Brandon Wimbush. We've all been waiting for this one. Have been hearing wispers of his amazing abilities now for two years. The focus here is not to breakdown his mechanics or 40 time, but look at what and why he was recruited in the first place. Sure, his talent was worth a scholarship on its own merit, but you have to look a little deeper to see what maybe the coaches had in mind when getting him.

If you remember he was a commitment to Penn State before flipping to ND.  The main reason for this was a great deal of depth PSU was gathering in its freshman classes and Wimbush saw a better numbers game at ND. This kid being a 4 star athlete made him desirable, but in looking at the more detailed rating system many colleges employ, this was a A2 type kid in the eyes of ND. Amazing talent, needed to polish some mechanical issues, but most importantly he fit in ND's depth flow chart and had a skill set that matched Kelly's design for his offense. A kid who was a solid passer but dynamic making plays with his feet when things broke down.

It also signaled a trend Kelly was putting in by signing one QB per class. One that was a so call "athletic" passing QB. This shows that Kelly has been transitioning to the offense we've been seeing the last few years. Even when Kelly had to scale back his offense when starting a younger QB like Golson, his QB still possessed that skill. And it was a shift from his first group of QB's he signed that were not as elusive or definitely not designed for the zone read concept. It was not an accident. It was figuring out which QB on the board that ranked the highest based on the 3 levels within the A,B,C tiers. Wimbush, Kizer, Zaire and Kiel all were what would be in that "A" group. None were A1( which in the QB position is possible to achieve but rarely dominates as quickly as other positions) but fell in the A2-A3 levels which meant the talent was there and whatever deficiency be it throwing technique or mentality ( I.e. Kiel) could be coached up. All recruited to be able to step in after a year or two of developing behind the upperclassmen. An ideal way to keep a conveyor belt of seasoned QB's ready to step in when there time comes.

This is interesting for more than a few reasons. Most schools now are recruiting more athletic guys at QB. Alabama this year specifically went away from what they have been recruiting and went out to sign Hurts mainly because Saban used this leveled style of recruiting as he definitely wasn't sure about Blake Barnett and felt he would be starting a True Freshman at tackle. He needed a level headed nimble QB so he went and got one. FSU is doing the same thing.

What is the most interesting thing about this is where ND has gone the last 2 years. Notre Dame got Ian Book, definitely a mid-B level guy who can make plays with his feet when he has to and is a competent passer. But notice he can make plays with his feet when "he has too", this does not fit in the mold of Kelly's design. Book has been described as a "gamer", a guy who really shows up when the lights come on. But I don't see him as the guy who fits into what Kelly wants his system to be and is even more clear when we remember why he was signed...when Barnett was not included in the class. Now you throw in Avery Davis, a kid who is a A-3 type prospect who has amazing abilities but technique wise needs improving, but he has such amazing talent it overrides a lot of those mistakes and cancels them out. This, however, drives coaches insane as you can't predict when that will occur or that quality not show up enough when it matters the most. In the end Davis's recruitment does signal a continued approach to the type of offense Kelly has been running and might be a reason for the coaching visitors Kelly has entertained lately.

Mike has often said when trying to figure out a recruits true intention is to watch what he does, not what he says. Same is true for coaches. Look at who they recruit, especially the QB position to get a good idea of where their philosophy will bed itself. That's the benefit of the multi-tiered system. Kelly has had both Al Borges and Kendal Briles meet with him in the last week or so.  Two guys with totally different approaches to offensive styles. Which raises the question of what he may be inquiring about to these coaches.

Borges is your traditional two back/ pro style coach. Briles from the school of a quick one read philosophy. So let's follow Mike's advice and look at how he has recruited to try and see where Kelly is going: He's still recruiting for a specific type of QB to implement the threat of the read-option and escape pressure. That's a hint your going to still see a QB driven offense. The meetings with Briles and Borges suggest a more simplified progression in reads on the routes and a different direction in the type of run game to compliment the QB's ability.

It's a very small piece of the puzzle to try and scout what's coming. My gut tells me this will be a Kelly/Quinn offense this coming year and a singular identity will be a huge step in improvement from this past year. An identity that matches what ND has recruited and their abilities to match. Next week we'll look at the O-Line recruiting and skill set to analyze what may be in the cards to better complete the picture for 2017. But in any regard, your QB will lead the pack and dictate what your team will become. Hopefully the pieces of the puzzle will fit.