Army Bowl Breakdown Texas Style
We asked our good friend from InsideTexas, Eric Nahlin, to keep an eye on the Notre Dame commits and targets at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and give us his thoughts.
As always, he came through.
OL Josh Lugg, North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) - NOTRE DAME COMMIT
Irish Sports Daily
My facial recognition software doesn't extend to Pennsylvania players, so Lugg caught my eye before I even knew he was one of my assignments from Christian. He walked by me a couple of times and I was immediately impressed with his size. I had an 'Oh, that guy' moment when I realized who he was.
He appears at least 6-foot-6, 295 pounds with a good distribution. I think, long-term, he's more of a mauling right tackle (where he's been playing this week) or possibly guard than dancing left tackle due to lack of elite foot quickness and tight hips.
I outsourced his film to a coaching friend of mine who coaches one of the better o-lines in Texas to get confirmation on some concerns. Said the coach, "He looks to have real tight hips. Knee bend is okay, but hips look super tight. He has no triple-extension. He finishes guys by leaning on them, not powering through them with his hips. He's a big leaner in pass pro, which further makes my point. I bet his power clean form is poor. I think he's fine overall, but he's going to have to get those hips loosened up to be a player at Notre Dame. You can't lean on college defensive ends and win.”
I still think Lugg has a good chance at being a player for Notre Dame because of his size, ability to bend and his attitude, but he's going to look better in man-blocking or inside-zone than on the move or in outside zone where fluidity matters more.
Synopsis: Some real good baseline traits, but still some
mechanical fixes are in order that will require a good strength and
conditioning plan.
TE Cole Kmet, St. Viator (Arlington Heights, IL) - NOTRE DAME COMMIT
Irish Sports Daily
I realize 'Kmet' is probably like 'Smith' in your part of the country, but I first thought he was advertising a radio station on the back of his jersey. KMET JAMZ.
Another player who caught my eye before I knew who he was, this time he was rumbling down the middle of the field. My thought cloud read, "These guys are getting him AND Brock Wright????" Nice tight end monopoly you guys have.
He's been pretty athletic in the air on contested passes, which isn't the most common thing for a big tight end. He's not going to Gronk people and get separation with his speed, but he runs well for his size. Rather than some of the freakier tight ends who move like small forwards, he's a still athletic power forward. Nothing wrong with that, especially when you want the duality of blocking as Kelly so often does.
He could be a bit more fluid as a runner, but again, he's
not just some spread offense flex tight end who's really a glorified big
receiver, he's the real deal at the position. Because fluidity isn't as
important at tight end, as say, wide receiver, it's not a big concern and he
still turns and reacts well when the ball is in the air.
Synopsis: Prototype Golden Domer tight end to pair with your other prototype
Golden Domer tight end.
WR Jamire Calvin, Cathedral (Los Angeles, CA) NOTRE DAME TARGET
Irish Sports Daily
Christian will have a good handle on his recruitment, but from what I've seen these last few days, the new Texas staff was smart to extend an offer and at least try and get him to use his last official on a trip to Austin. As far as football deciding factors go, Calvin should care most about fit. In fact, he should care almost entirely about fit. Whether or not he becomes a success in college will come down to two factors in my view: usage in the offense and his own toughness.
He's a little guy and 5-foot-9, 175 pounds looks a bit
generous (that could be because he's standing in a forest of athletes out
here). The smaller you are, the more explosive you better be and he's a
match-up nightmare. He's creating separation with ease not just with speed, but
with the ability to change direction and explode out of cuts. Find a way to get
this guy in space, and he'll create more of it after the catch. Obviously, he
should factor in as a punt returner no matter where he lands.
Synopsis: Explosive player, but these guys can sometimes disappear in college
if they're not utilized correctly. I resisted the urge to make a Calvinism
joke. Props to me.
WR Oliver Martin, West Senior (Iowa City, IA) NOTRE DAME TARGET
Irish Sports Daily
[Tom Rinaldi and his solemn piano] Gritty. Guile. Coach on
the field. Gym rat. Moxie. From his mother's womb until now, and days forever
more, Oliver Martin has been labeled these things...[camera pans to dystopian
black and white Iowa farmland panorama....But wait! Camera work emerges to
re-pan to a colorful sunrise over an October harvest morn]
Rinaldi cracks me up even though 99% of his stories do not.
Back to Martin; when you're quicker than fast and run precise routes, you're going to be categorized and stereotyped but Martin is an athletic guy, just not overly explosive. Other than having reliable hands, quickness is the most important trait for any receiver who doesn't make his living being 6-foot-5 and fast. For Martin, that quickness translates as he gets into his routes quickly and puts defensive backs on their heels. He sells his double-moves and routes very well. Getting separation is the name of the game and that's what he does.
Again, fit is going to be important -- I don't think he
would be maximized in a spread that relies on truly explosive athleticism, but
rather an offense where the receivers are running real routes. I do think with
his ability to go up and get the ball and create separation with double-moves
that he has a good chance to be both an inside and outside guy. This gives you
the ability to do much more from a formational standpoint. I also think he
could be extremely reliable in a heavy RPO-based offense as he gets open quick
and is immediately hit with the ball.
Synopsis: I think he lacks some twitch but he is very natural and provides good versatility.