GREAT summary of where we stand heading into the summer!
Notre Dame Football
After every spring, I tend to take stock of the current state of the program. I assume Irish head coach Brian Kelly and his staff do this too. During the spring, freshmen who haven’t seen much time due to “redshirting” finally get an opportunity to show what they can do, and those all throughout the depth chart get a shot to display how much they have progressed.
The Irish staff probably know at this point what they have for future depth — which players will most likely end up playing, and which might not. In order to prepare for the future, the staff has to sit down and look at the depth, and then decide which areas really need an influx of both numbers and talent as they hit the road recruiting for 2018, 2019 and beyond. That process is probably already happening as we speak.
Where are the Irish strong in future depth, and where might they need to address some weaknesses in their roster? First, let’s take a look at the offense.
It’s important to point out we have to start with a target number. I believe the target number Notre Dame is shooting for, right now, is 22. Yes, I am aware what Brian Kelly said earlier today, but I don’t believe ND plans to stop at 20.
QB: If I were Brian Kelly, Chip Long, and Tom Rees, I would be feeling pretty good about the current situation at quarterback. Brandon Wimbush has three years to play if he so chooses, and the wealth of talent has been on display all spring. The sky is the limit for Wimbush.
Behind him, we have discovered that Notre Dame has a pretty talented, cerebral, and gritty No. 2 in Ian Book. Book just gets the job done, and that’s what you really need in your No. 2. Book has four years of eligibility left, so Notre Dame is in good shape in the future.
Competing with Book will be the incoming freshman, Avery Davis, and 2018 commitment (provided he signs, and all those I mention as ’18 commitments need to be taken with that caveat), Phil Jurkovec.
Jurkovec comes with all the accolades: a big body, strong arm, and good athleticism, but Davis also brings a strong arm, great speed, and a history of winning big in the state of Texas. Having three prospects of this caliber to replace Wimbush and beyond is a nice luxury to have. For 2019, the Irish just need to continue to land quality talent and develop it. JT Daniels would certainly fit in nicely here!
RB: Both Josh Adams and Dexter Williams will have another year of eligibility if they choose to use them after this season. Either of these two, or both, could choose to enter the NFL draft with a good season, but my guess is at least one stays. I like the potential of both players, and they offer a nice mixture of size and power, as well as speed and elusiveness. Having both back for 2018 would be a luxury.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Josh Adams
Tony Jones, Jr. will certainly play and play a lot this year. He will definitely be back for 2018, and potentially beyond. Jones, Jr. can do everything well….run inside, run outside, run with power, catch the football, block. The Irish are clearly loaded with these three.
Deon McIntosh also has four years of eligibility left. I think McIntosh has a lot of potential people don’t realize. He’s very quick in the hole, he has great hands, and he’s got good top end speed. He’s a nice compliment to Jones, Jr. moving forward. He just hasn’t gotten a lot of chances yet due to the depth in front of him and playing receiver last year, but I think he could surprise if given a chance.
CJ Holmes was one of my favorite recruits in the ’17 class. He can play a lot of different positions, and I was excited to see what he could do this spring, but the shoulder injury sidelined him early. He wasn’t likely to get a lot of carries, but I would like to see what he could do in the return game this fall, at least. His potential is vast.
That is five backs with three having 4 years or eligibility heading into the season. Most importantly, you have good size and power in Jones, Jr. with good speed and versatility in McIntosh and Holmes, all with four years of eligibility.
The Irish do have a 2018 commitment in Markese Stepp. Stepp somewhat reminds me of Jones, Jr. in that football is very important to him, even though he’s been banged up much of the past two seasons. He’s fully healthy now, and it will be interesting to see how he has progressed this fall.
The Irish don’t need another back in 2018, but seem interested in taking one if it’s the right guy. The right guy should be one with a lot of speed to to compliment the power and steady play of Stepp.
WR: All seven current wide receivers have at least another year of eligibility after this season. Equanimeous St. Brown, with a great year, could potentially leave after this season for the NFL. While I’d hate to see him go, I hope he has the option because that would mean he had a great 2017 season when the Irish really need him to.
Beyond St Brown, Chris Finke and CJ Sanders both have an extra year and I expect both to be back in 2018.
The good news is Miles Boykin has two years of eligibility after this season, and he’s been blossoming into quite the player this spring. Chase Claypool, Javon McKinley and KJ Stepherson will also have two years of eligibility after 2017.
If Stepherson is good to go in 2017, that will give the Irish the deep threat they need. He’ll likely have more to prove after 2017, so I expect him back for 2018 as well because he still has some work to do on his physical body.
2017 signees, Jafar Armstrong and Michael Young, both offer good potential, but both will need some coaching and work in the weight room before they’re ready to crack the lineup. Young brings great quickness, a physical toughness despite his size, and good long speed to the table. Armstrong is the bigger body, but also possesses some solid long speed. Both will need time.
For 2018, the Irish do have commitments from 6-5, 195-pound Micah Jones, and speedster Braden Lenzy. That is a nice combination of a big-bodied, sure-handed possession guy, and a deep threat. However, it’s very important ND land two more elite receivers in this class. Notre Dame has a lot of “good” and potentially “very good” receivers on the roster, but I’m not sure they have one who could potentially be elite, other than Stepherson and St. Brown.
I’d love to see ND bring in one more speed guy to compliment Lenzy, and another bigger body with good speed to go with Jones.
TE: Tight end could get interesting after this season. This will be the final year for both Durham Smythe and Tyler Luatua. Nic Weishar does have another year, and so does Alize Mack. With a great 2017 season, and his measurables, it’s possible Mack could be gone after ’17.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Alize' Mack
Freshmen Brock Wright and Cole Kmet are certainly vastly talented players, and I expect both to play a lot of minutes for ND over their careers. Wright is already one of Notre Dame’s better blockers as a true freshman, but he has also stood out as solid receiver with soft hands this spring as well. Kmet is just as impressive physically as Wright is. The future of those two is very bright.
But, with the potential of Mack leaving, it would behoove the Irish staff to sign a tight end in 2018. The Irish have offered a few tight ends with Jeremy Ruckert and George Takacs being the most likely. Either would be a hit for me.
OL: I felt even better about the future O-line than I thought I would after this spring. I knew Notre Dame had a lot of talented young players, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the young players, and that is encouraging.
The Irish will lose Hunter Bivin and Mike McGlinchey after this season, and Quenton Nelson also is likely to leave for the NFL draft with a good 2017 season. It’s possible Sam Mustipher could as well, but offensive centers aren’t usually drafted very high in the NFL, so my guess is he’ll return for his final season next year.
Most likely returning for 2018 will be OC Mustipher (1 year), OG Jimmy Byrne (1 year), OG Alex Bars (1 year), OC/OG Tristen Hoge (2 years), OG Trevor Ruhland ( 2 years) and a host of players who will have at least 3 more years after this season, OC Parker Boudreaux, OG/OT Aaron Banks, OT/OG Robert Hainsey, OT Liam Eichenberg and OT Tommy Kraemer.
I expect Hoge, Kraemer and Eichenberg to get meaningful minutes this season, and I’d guess, as of now, Kraemer will start in 2017 at right tackle. I expect Kraemer, Bars and Mustipher to be the veterans on the 2018 line, with Eichenberg taking over at left tackle for McGlinchey, and either Hoge or number of other contenders taking over for Nelson. What will be interesting is to see if they leave Kraemer next to Bars on the right side in 2018, or potentially move Bars to left guard so they wouldn’t have two inexperienced players on the left side for 2018.
The good news is, I loved what I saw in both freshmen, Robert Hainsey and Aaron Banks. Hainsey showed a real knack for pass protection. He moved his feet well and didn’t get off balance when Irish defenders tried to bull rush him. He needs to add some strength, but he could potentially be a tackle prospect with the way he moves his feet. Banks also has massive size, and is a real load who moves players easily. As I’ve mentioned before, freshmen linemen often look completely lost out there when they first start competing with older, more experienced players. Neither Hainsey or Banks looked lost out there, and actually played with confidence. I think Banks could be a potential right tackle prospect, but may find it easier to play inside early. Same for Hainsey finding playing time early at guard, but he moves well enough to play tackle.
Adding to that mix this fall will be guard, Dillan Gibbons, and tackle, Josh Lugg. Lugg proved he could play with elite talent at the Army all-star game, and Gibbons is flat mean.
Seeing Hainsey and Banks so far advanced means neither Lugg or Gibbons have to be counted on immediately, but it would be nice if they could get added to the mix quickly.
For the 2018 recruiting class, the Irish already have two potential offensive tackles committed in John Dirksen and Cole Mabry. Both are a legit 6-5, and both are pretty athletic for their size. Mabry will need to add weight, but he has a long time to do that. He moves very well for his size already.
What the Irish really need is two more elite offensive linemen in this class, however, there simply aren't a lot of elite offensive linemen in the 2018 class. It would be ideal if both were offensive tackle prospects, but I’m not sure they will land two elite tackles based on the current situation.
The key recruit right now is Nicholas Petit-Frere. I think he has tremendous upside as a potential left tackle, and he would be the most important player left on the board at offensive line, in my opinion. If they can land Petit-Frere early, that will allow them to focus on another elite guard or tackle the rest of the way.
If you’re keeping score at home, after this long-winded piece about the future, I can sum it quickly for you.
The future at QB looks great right now, as long as Jurkovec signs, and I fully expect him to.
The future at running back is outstanding in the now, looks promising in the near future, and they’ve addressed the future with Stepp. The main need is a speed back, if anyone.
At wide receiver, the Irish should be looking for another deep threat and another big body who is also an elite receiver.
At tight end, they don’t “need” an elite prospect, but landing at tight end would be important, especially if Mack leaves early for the NFL. Either Ruckert or Takacs would be a great fit.
At offensive line, Petit-Frere is the key recruit. They must land him as their options aren’t very good right now for other elite players.
Needs:
Speed back.
Deep threat who can stretch the field, and big body who can run at WR.
One of Ruckert or Takacs at TE.
Petit-Frere at OL.
Total of 5 with a potential 6th being another offensive lineman if something were to open up. It’s possible ND could take a 4th lineman instead of a 4th receiver or a 2nd back, but my guess is ND would like to take just 5 more offensive players at this point.
Tomorrow we will look at the defensive side of the ball.
NOTE: If you enjoyed this article, please take the to share it with other Notre Dame friends and family. You can click the share buttons at the top of this article for Facebook or Twitter and it will share this story on your Facebook or Twitter feed, or you can't simply copy the URL and send via e-mail, text or whatever you'd like. We'd greatly appreciate you taking the time to share it with others. Thanks!
State of the Union: Recruiting Offense
After every spring, I tend to take stock of the current state of the program. I assume Irish head coach Brian Kelly and his staff do this too. During the spring, freshmen who haven’t seen much time due to “redshirting” finally get an opportunity to show what they can do, and those all throughout the depth chart get a shot to display how much they have progressed.
The Irish staff probably know at this point what they have for future depth — which players will most likely end up playing, and which might not. In order to prepare for the future, the staff has to sit down and look at the depth, and then decide which areas really need an influx of both numbers and talent as they hit the road recruiting for 2018, 2019 and beyond. That process is probably already happening as we speak.
Where are the Irish strong in future depth, and where might they need to address some weaknesses in their roster? First, let’s take a look at the offense.
It’s important to point out we have to start with a target number. I believe the target number Notre Dame is shooting for, right now, is 22. Yes, I am aware what Brian Kelly said earlier today, but I don’t believe ND plans to stop at 20.
QB: If I were Brian Kelly, Chip Long, and Tom Rees, I would be feeling pretty good about the current situation at quarterback. Brandon Wimbush has three years to play if he so chooses, and the wealth of talent has been on display all spring. The sky is the limit for Wimbush.
Behind him, we have discovered that Notre Dame has a pretty talented, cerebral, and gritty No. 2 in Ian Book. Book just gets the job done, and that’s what you really need in your No. 2. Book has four years of eligibility left, so Notre Dame is in good shape in the future.
Competing with Book will be the incoming freshman, Avery Davis, and 2018 commitment (provided he signs, and all those I mention as ’18 commitments need to be taken with that caveat), Phil Jurkovec.
Jurkovec comes with all the accolades: a big body, strong arm, and good athleticism, but Davis also brings a strong arm, great speed, and a history of winning big in the state of Texas. Having three prospects of this caliber to replace Wimbush and beyond is a nice luxury to have. For 2019, the Irish just need to continue to land quality talent and develop it. JT Daniels would certainly fit in nicely here!
RB: Both Josh Adams and Dexter Williams will have another year of eligibility if they choose to use them after this season. Either of these two, or both, could choose to enter the NFL draft with a good season, but my guess is at least one stays. I like the potential of both players, and they offer a nice mixture of size and power, as well as speed and elusiveness. Having both back for 2018 would be a luxury.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Josh Adams
Deon McIntosh also has four years of eligibility left. I think McIntosh has a lot of potential people don’t realize. He’s very quick in the hole, he has great hands, and he’s got good top end speed. He’s a nice compliment to Jones, Jr. moving forward. He just hasn’t gotten a lot of chances yet due to the depth in front of him and playing receiver last year, but I think he could surprise if given a chance.
CJ Holmes was one of my favorite recruits in the ’17 class. He can play a lot of different positions, and I was excited to see what he could do this spring, but the shoulder injury sidelined him early. He wasn’t likely to get a lot of carries, but I would like to see what he could do in the return game this fall, at least. His potential is vast.
That is five backs with three having 4 years or eligibility heading into the season. Most importantly, you have good size and power in Jones, Jr. with good speed and versatility in McIntosh and Holmes, all with four years of eligibility.
The Irish do have a 2018 commitment in Markese Stepp. Stepp somewhat reminds me of Jones, Jr. in that football is very important to him, even though he’s been banged up much of the past two seasons. He’s fully healthy now, and it will be interesting to see how he has progressed this fall.
The Irish don’t need another back in 2018, but seem interested in taking one if it’s the right guy. The right guy should be one with a lot of speed to to compliment the power and steady play of Stepp.
WR: All seven current wide receivers have at least another year of eligibility after this season. Equanimeous St. Brown, with a great year, could potentially leave after this season for the NFL. While I’d hate to see him go, I hope he has the option because that would mean he had a great 2017 season when the Irish really need him to.
Beyond St Brown, Chris Finke and CJ Sanders both have an extra year and I expect both to be back in 2018.
The good news is Miles Boykin has two years of eligibility after this season, and he’s been blossoming into quite the player this spring. Chase Claypool, Javon McKinley and KJ Stepherson will also have two years of eligibility after 2017.
If Stepherson is good to go in 2017, that will give the Irish the deep threat they need. He’ll likely have more to prove after 2017, so I expect him back for 2018 as well because he still has some work to do on his physical body.
2017 signees, Jafar Armstrong and Michael Young, both offer good potential, but both will need some coaching and work in the weight room before they’re ready to crack the lineup. Young brings great quickness, a physical toughness despite his size, and good long speed to the table. Armstrong is the bigger body, but also possesses some solid long speed. Both will need time.
For 2018, the Irish do have commitments from 6-5, 195-pound Micah Jones, and speedster Braden Lenzy. That is a nice combination of a big-bodied, sure-handed possession guy, and a deep threat. However, it’s very important ND land two more elite receivers in this class. Notre Dame has a lot of “good” and potentially “very good” receivers on the roster, but I’m not sure they have one who could potentially be elite, other than Stepherson and St. Brown.
I’d love to see ND bring in one more speed guy to compliment Lenzy, and another bigger body with good speed to go with Jones.
TE: Tight end could get interesting after this season. This will be the final year for both Durham Smythe and Tyler Luatua. Nic Weishar does have another year, and so does Alize Mack. With a great 2017 season, and his measurables, it’s possible Mack could be gone after ’17.
Rick Kimball/ISD
Alize' Mack
Freshmen Brock Wright and Cole Kmet are certainly vastly talented players, and I expect both to play a lot of minutes for ND over their careers. Wright is already one of Notre Dame’s better blockers as a true freshman, but he has also stood out as solid receiver with soft hands this spring as well. Kmet is just as impressive physically as Wright is. The future of those two is very bright.
But, with the potential of Mack leaving, it would behoove the Irish staff to sign a tight end in 2018. The Irish have offered a few tight ends with Jeremy Ruckert and George Takacs being the most likely. Either would be a hit for me.
OL: I felt even better about the future O-line than I thought I would after this spring. I knew Notre Dame had a lot of talented young players, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the young players, and that is encouraging.
The Irish will lose Hunter Bivin and Mike McGlinchey after this season, and Quenton Nelson also is likely to leave for the NFL draft with a good 2017 season. It’s possible Sam Mustipher could as well, but offensive centers aren’t usually drafted very high in the NFL, so my guess is he’ll return for his final season next year.
Most likely returning for 2018 will be OC Mustipher (1 year), OG Jimmy Byrne (1 year), OG Alex Bars (1 year), OC/OG Tristen Hoge (2 years), OG Trevor Ruhland ( 2 years) and a host of players who will have at least 3 more years after this season, OC Parker Boudreaux, OG/OT Aaron Banks, OT/OG Robert Hainsey, OT Liam Eichenberg and OT Tommy Kraemer.
I expect Hoge, Kraemer and Eichenberg to get meaningful minutes this season, and I’d guess, as of now, Kraemer will start in 2017 at right tackle. I expect Kraemer, Bars and Mustipher to be the veterans on the 2018 line, with Eichenberg taking over at left tackle for McGlinchey, and either Hoge or number of other contenders taking over for Nelson. What will be interesting is to see if they leave Kraemer next to Bars on the right side in 2018, or potentially move Bars to left guard so they wouldn’t have two inexperienced players on the left side for 2018.
The good news is, I loved what I saw in both freshmen, Robert Hainsey and Aaron Banks. Hainsey showed a real knack for pass protection. He moved his feet well and didn’t get off balance when Irish defenders tried to bull rush him. He needs to add some strength, but he could potentially be a tackle prospect with the way he moves his feet. Banks also has massive size, and is a real load who moves players easily. As I’ve mentioned before, freshmen linemen often look completely lost out there when they first start competing with older, more experienced players. Neither Hainsey or Banks looked lost out there, and actually played with confidence. I think Banks could be a potential right tackle prospect, but may find it easier to play inside early. Same for Hainsey finding playing time early at guard, but he moves well enough to play tackle.
Adding to that mix this fall will be guard, Dillan Gibbons, and tackle, Josh Lugg. Lugg proved he could play with elite talent at the Army all-star game, and Gibbons is flat mean.
Seeing Hainsey and Banks so far advanced means neither Lugg or Gibbons have to be counted on immediately, but it would be nice if they could get added to the mix quickly.
For the 2018 recruiting class, the Irish already have two potential offensive tackles committed in John Dirksen and Cole Mabry. Both are a legit 6-5, and both are pretty athletic for their size. Mabry will need to add weight, but he has a long time to do that. He moves very well for his size already.
What the Irish really need is two more elite offensive linemen in this class, however, there simply aren't a lot of elite offensive linemen in the 2018 class. It would be ideal if both were offensive tackle prospects, but I’m not sure they will land two elite tackles based on the current situation.
The key recruit right now is Nicholas Petit-Frere. I think he has tremendous upside as a potential left tackle, and he would be the most important player left on the board at offensive line, in my opinion. If they can land Petit-Frere early, that will allow them to focus on another elite guard or tackle the rest of the way.
If you’re keeping score at home, after this long-winded piece about the future, I can sum it quickly for you.
The future at QB looks great right now, as long as Jurkovec signs, and I fully expect him to.
The future at running back is outstanding in the now, looks promising in the near future, and they’ve addressed the future with Stepp. The main need is a speed back, if anyone.
At wide receiver, the Irish should be looking for another deep threat and another big body who is also an elite receiver.
At tight end, they don’t “need” an elite prospect, but landing at tight end would be important, especially if Mack leaves early for the NFL. Either Ruckert or Takacs would be a great fit.
At offensive line, Petit-Frere is the key recruit. They must land him as their options aren’t very good right now for other elite players.
Needs:
Speed back.
Deep threat who can stretch the field, and big body who can run at WR.
One of Ruckert or Takacs at TE.
Petit-Frere at OL.
Total of 5 with a potential 6th being another offensive lineman if something were to open up. It’s possible ND could take a 4th lineman instead of a 4th receiver or a 2nd back, but my guess is ND would like to take just 5 more offensive players at this point.
Tomorrow we will look at the defensive side of the ball.
NOTE: If you enjoyed this article, please take the to share it with other Notre Dame friends and family. You can click the share buttons at the top of this article for Facebook or Twitter and it will share this story on your Facebook or Twitter feed, or you can't simply copy the URL and send via e-mail, text or whatever you'd like. We'd greatly appreciate you taking the time to share it with others. Thanks!
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