Ask Mike Answers: Free Version
The “Ask Staff” threads are some of ISD’s most popular features, and I thought it would be nice to offer that opportunity for all our readers, both free and premium. This is something we do quite often on ISD, and I hope you enjoy this!
Here is the latest installment of “Ask Mike.”
How do you think Miami compares to USC in terms of talent and depth. Do you think ND matches up as well with Miami as it did with USC?
Mike: I think USC clearly has the advantage at QB and running back. I’d say the offensive line and wide receivers are about a wash. Miami might have the advantage at tight end.
As for defense, I think Miami has a slight edge at D-line. I think Miami has the better outside backers, but none as good as Cameron Smith. I’d say Miami has the better secondary.
This Miami team will be a challenge, especially on defense. But, I like Notre Dame’s chances to run right at this front seven. I’m not sure they can take 4 quarters of pounding from this Irish front 5-6.
What are your thoughts on the future of ND football under Brian Kelly. Will BK be able to maintain ND as a program and not have to rebuild every few years? How long could you see BK staying and being successful with these changes?
Mike: I think it depends on how this season unfolds. If ND can get into the playoff, and show strong there, even if it’s a first round loss, that will be a huge plus for Kelly and his program. That is something he can certainly sell moving forwards. ND should have a really good team next year, providing a guy like Jerry Tillery sticks around. The future looks bright.
As for Kelly’s longevity, I’d be surprised if he were here more than five years. He’s in his 60s, and he’ll have a lot of money. My guess is he’s gearing up for one more run and he’ll ride that until he thinks it’s done and move on.
If ND gets to 25 recruits, besides the players who run out of their eligibility, which players would you guess would not be on the roster next year?
Mike: This is a great question, but one that is impossible to answer. I’m not dodging the question, but so much will happen between now and when they decide which 5th years players should stick around. I think coaches look at it like this. “Take as many as we can, figure it out later.”
Nobody knew guys like Corey Holmes, Parker Boudreaux, Tristen Hoge or Spencer Perry would transfer at this time last year. Nobody knew that Tyler Luatua would be declared medically unable to perform, nor that Alohi Gillman would transfer in and get a scholarship. So much will happen between now and then that it’s impossible to try to predict because we don’t know how many will transfer, will go down to medical, or will even want a fifth year. Often times players move on and decide to play elsewhere for their fifth.
Do you expect all our commits to sign in December or can we expect the usual drama?
Mike: Expect and will are two different things. I think ND expects those available to sign will sign. I’m sure they’re having these conversations with the recruits and their parents lately as well. Will they? My guess is the vast majority of them do. ND is obviously on more stable ground right now, so my guess is most will want to sign and be assured a spot on the bus.
Do you think the Wake game showed the wear of a long, tough season? Will the players physical and mental condition adversely affect the last 3 games?
Mike: No, I really don’t. I think the Wake game showed a defensive coordinator doing things he doesn’t normally do, and a defense “letting down” when the game was in command. Notre Dame’s offense also wasn’t overly sharp in the second half. I just think it was a team exhaling after a lot of intense games.
With the commitment of a CB, ND now has all positions covered to a minimum degree. Since elite prospects like to commit at or after the all-star games, do you suspect ND has any "silent commits" waiting for those games.
Mike: I think that depends on who it is. For instance, we know that Amon-ra St. Brown plans to decide at the game. If he were to choose ND, my guess is he will likely let the coaches know before he actually announces it. Same for anyone choosing ND. Now, who is going to choose ND that is undecided and playing in those games? I don’t think we can point to anyone with any amount of certainty at this point.
1)What concerns you the most about 2018?
2)If there are 3 breakout players in 2018, who might they be?
Mike: My biggest concern is finding leaders who will be as strong as the ones leading this team. Guys like Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey have done a real good job. Josh Adams has done a real good job. Jerry Tillery and Drue Tranquill have done a real good job. Hopefully Tillery and Tranquill can be those guys and defense. ND really needs to find the next O-lineman to lead. That is going to be key.
Breakout players? For players emerging now, I’d say Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem. I’d also say Myron Tagovalioa-Amosa. On offense, I’d say Robert Hainesy will take a huge step. I think Dexter and Tony Jones, Jr. will also impress. Kevin Stepherson and Chase Claypool should also make big jumps in their game.
For guys who haven’t played a lot, I’d say CJ Holmes. I’d say Aaron Banks. I’d look out for Cole Kmet, Brock Wright and Michael Young as well on offense. On defense, whichever player wins the Mike job, Jonathan or Jamir Jones, and look out for Jordan Genmark Heath and Jeremiah Koramoah-Owusu.
How would you compare the defensive lines of North Carolina State and Miami?
Mike: Another good question. I think NC State has the best pass rusher out of both in Chubb, and I think NC State has the better interior defensive linemen and depth. I think Miami is more athletic in some ways, but I think NC State is physically tougher than Miami. I guess we will find out.
While I don't doubt coach Kelly when he says that he only speaks to the team about concentrating on the next game, i can't help but believe that the coaching staff are strategically planning ahead balancing whether to keep the starters in and run up the score vs subbing them out in the 3rd when the game is in hand for rest while risking a tighter margin of victory given they do not have a CCG. What is your sense on how they strike that balance, as ultimately the committee holds final power, in looking ahead at these next 3 opponents they play?
Mike: I hope Brian Kelly learned a lesson Saturday. I think he took his foot off the gas a bit too soon, but I also understand that his two best offensive weapons were banged up and they have a much less chance of winning in the playoff without them.
However, you still have to get to the playoff, and if ND has three more performances like they did against Wake, I question if they will get there.
As I said earlier, I think this was just a team exhaling. I don’t think Elko did his best job of the season, and I think Kelly even said as much. I expect all of that to be fixed this week and they’ll be back to the team we’ve seen the previous eight games.
Do you hear anything positive about any of the new walk ons?. I am particularly interested in Grunhard.
Mike: I just don’t pay any attention to the walk-ons until it’s time to pay attention to them. I don’t mean that in a mean-spirited way. I say this because there is only so much time to watch or research about the team, so I tend to focus my time on those who are playing, or those who are close to playing. Wish I had more for you.
Do you prefer Roses or Sugar?
Mike: I think it depends on who the opponent is. You have to go through two of them, regardless, if you’re going to win it all, but I’d rather play a team like Alabama in the second game versus the first. Saban having that much time to pick apart ND’s flaws wouldn’t be good.
Brandon Wimbush- How do you feel about his long passes? To me, it looks like he is aiming instead of throwing. The ball floats a lot and is short too much. What are your thoughts?
Mike: I think he’s overcompensating. Earlier in the year he was overthrowing them. Now he’s under throwing them. I think he’s trying to guide the ball in instead of just letting it rip. He’s getting better, no question, but he still has a ways to go. I think if his receivers helped him a bit by catching some of these 50/50 balls or simply just catching those that are sure receptions, that would give him the confidence he needs to just let the ball go. I think he just needs to hit a few and he will get over that hump. Hopefully that will happen this weekend!
What has caused EQ's production to drop off significantly from what we originally thought was possible for him this year?
Mike: I think Jamie said it best on Power Hour this week. I think he’s struggling with his confidence right now, and maybe a bit of frustration as well. He’s still blocking very well, the best he ever has, so I don’t think it’s a lack of effort situation. Having said that, he should be able to separate more on his routes, and he’s 6-foot-5. He shouldn’t lose any 50/50 balls and he hasn’t been winning many lately.
I also think Wimbush has just missed him when he’s been open. If you watch Wimbush on replays, he locks into his primary receiver too long and doesn’t look quickly enough to his secondary. Often times the secondary is more open than the primary. But, Wimbush keeps waiting, and then his throw is late as well. He’s learning. This is a maturation process all QBs go through. Some get it quicker than others. Some never get it.
What is your favorite recruiting story (that can be told, publicly)?
Mike: That’s a tough one. There have been so many. I’d have to say breaking the Michael Floyd commitment off the top of my head.
Floyd was not a talker. He rarely picked up the phone, ever. I probably spoke to him maybe 4 times at most before he committed. He just didn’t like to talk or give interviews, which is fine. Because of that, nobody really had a clue where he was leaning, kind of like Amon-ra St. Brown or Nicholas Petit-Frere, although both talk with the media way more than Mike did.
Notre Dame got slaughtered by some team, I think was USC, on his official visit weekend. Every Irish fan felt the program was in shambles at that time…myself included.
When a recruit leaves campus, you have a very short window of when you can reach them if they’re flying home. Basically, from the time after they check in until the time the plane takes off, and they’re rarely in a good mood or wanting to talk to the press.
I simply got lucky. I wasn’t tight with Mike. It wasn’t some great job I did. I just got lucky. I called. He answered. I about fell out of my chair. I asked him how his visit went. He said: “the plane is about to take off, but it went well. I committed.” By this time I had fallen off my chair. I said: “Mike, is it OK if I print that.” He said: “Yes, I committed.” That was it. I’m not sure I spoke with Mike again until he got on campus at ND.
What's your gut tell you about this Miami team, the match-up and how it plays out?
Mike: This is a game Notre Dame can and should win if they’re truly on their way back and headed in the right direction. Notre Dame has the more physical team on both sides of the football, I believe, and that should trump Miami’s advantage in athleticism. That will only be true if ND protects the football, doesn’t beat themselves with bad mistakes, and plays like they have in the first eight games. If they can do that, they should win.
I have not seen reports lately on how our verbal recruits are doing (probably just missed them) how are they doing this year in high school. I believe everyone knows what Jurcovic is doing - how about the rest.
Mike: We do a featured called “Commit Roundup.” We cover that in this particular feature. Dean, our intern who writes it, had a death in the family last week so could not write it. But, he will be back doing it this week.
Wimbush is showing some obvious improvement throwing the ball. Will he be able to continue evolving this week against Miami or will their secondary cause one of those step-back games? The first couple of drives seem to determine what kind of day he has throwing the ball. B/c if he gets uncomfortable early or doesn't see success in those plays designed to get him in rhythm, it seems downhill from there.
Mike: I really have no way of answering this because nobody has given me the game plan yet! Damn! In all seriousness, I agree. He tends to play well when he gets off to a good start. ND needs to develop him to where he can shake off a bad start and keep playing. Again, it’s all a natural maturation. Hopefully he will continue to develop. He has made a lot of strides these past few weeks.
Your thoughts on this staff recruiting strategy for state of Texas ? Maybe it's just me but it seem in years past there were more impact players from Texas that ND landed .....Louisiana as well to a lesser degree
With Texas, the Aggies and LSU being somewhat down are you surprised there is not more focus in that region? And maybe there is and I just haven't realized it yet.
Mike: I agree that Notre Dame used to be more involved with players in Texas, so I’m a bit surprised they didn’t get much of a look there. I hope they focus a bit more on that in the future. There are a lot of great players down there. I think with Texas having a new coach, and A&M likely to get one, plus OU having a new coach, as with Baylor, plus with TCU still playing strong, it’s tough to get kids out of Texas. A lot of people are working the state hard. But, ND should have more success than they’ve had at least getting kids to visit. I don’t think ND did a good job of recruiting the state this year.
On Louisiana, it’s never been a big state for ND. ND usually has one recruit, tops, who visits from Louisiana. Last year they got Michael Young. This year they could get Lawrence Keys. It’s another great state to focus on, but Crazy Ed seems hell bent on locking that state down. I wouldn’t expect a lot of talent to leak out of there unless things really go sideways at LSU.
What are your thoughts on Cade Mays, and what are the chances of getting him to commit to ND?
Mike: I’d say it’s probably a long shot. He’s been to Clemson, I think 4 times. He’s been to Georgia twice. I think ND would really have to hit it out of the park on the banquet weekend. I do think the one thing ND has going for them is he’s not a guy who gets all wrapped up on the pageantry of things. He’s going to fit in really well with a lot of ND’s players. I wish Nelson was still around as I think he’s a lot like Quenton Nelson in personality and attitude. He’s a dominating player. I’d love to see ND sign him, but it’s going to be tough. I think whomever Tennessee hires will also play a large factor in it if Butch Jones is fired.
I have the impression that ND is attracting more talented football players who value the academic opportunities, the Christian culture, and football tradition, and first rate athletic facilities than in previous years . That goes for their families interest also . We have always recruited that way, but our national reputation seems to well known among high school players . How else could a 4-8 team recruit a top 10 team the following year ? What is your opinion on current recruiting success?
Mike: Win. The ND staff has put in a lot of effort to recruit the class they have, and they’ve done a good job of it. But, if ND were 4-5 right now, my guess is a lot of them would be looking to jump ship. Win and they will come. Not all will come, but enough who value what ND has to offer. It’s very, very important to beat Stanford this year. Not just beat Stanford, but pound them like they have Michigan State and USC. Stanford has taken far too many “ND kids” lately because of their success on the field and the academics opportunities they offer. ND needs to win on the field to level that out and start landing some of those players they should be landing. ND has been losing too many academic-minded kids to Stanford. Hopefully that will end soon once ND consistently starts beating Stanford. It all starts in a couple of weeks.
How is Darnell Ewell adjusting to ND? Is he going to be a contributor down the road?
Mike: That’s a good question. I think, socially and team-wise, he’s doing fine. I haven’t heard anything to suggest otherwise. I know a lot of people had high hopes that Ewell would walk in and play early, but all one had to do was look at the competition and how he plays to know he’d need a lot of work. Ewell’s high school competition was not good, and he was simply bigger than everyone and overpowered everyone. He had no technique developed. He really was a guy who would need considerable coaching. However, there is a lot of good quality clay to work with. He did show a good motor on film, and when we watched him in fall, he tried and moved with effort and purpose. But, he just didn’t have the level of coaching or competition that will put him into an early playing time opportunity. Next spring and fall will be very important in his development.
You said on the message Board there are still things you think Kelly needs to change to fix/perfect the ND football program. What are those things?
Mike: Again, this is just my opinion, but I think they can improve in a few more areas. I think in regards to recruiting, there are some areas regionally they could do a better job. In years past, ND got a lot of "tough guys" from the Northeast. I'd like to see more players from that area. Texas is another area they didn't have much success this year. I also think they could get in on kids earlier than they have, although that continues to improve, but it could also still be better. I think a few more hires here could really help this process along. As far as lack of success in regions, maybe more accountability for some?
I think the head coach could be more involved in recruiting. I don’t think he is as involved as some of the other top head coaches are—calling players often, communicating, etc., but I do think he’s improved here, but it was a low standard he set to begin with, in my opinion. However, in his defense, he’s had a lot of other things to focus on as well. It will be interesting to see how this goes moving forward.
ND has made some strides in their social media and the like, but I think they can do better here as well. Social media is how kids interact today, and how they get their news. You have to be be able to present your program in the best light in that regard. They’re improving, but I think they could still get better.
The downfield blocking by receivers and ends has been fabulous this year. Any color on how that changed so quickly and well from previous years?
Mike: I think it’s maturity. I think the receivers blocked really well for the past 4-5 years other than last year. Last year I think it was just a lot of young players playing who had never played before. This season, they weren’t blocking as well early, but they’ve really improved these past 4-5 games. I think it’s maturity, reps, and the changing of the mindset of the entire team that has really helped in this regard.
What is the story on Donte Vaughan? Is he not developing like the rest of the CB’s?
Mike: I think what Vaughn is capable of as a corner is limited. He doesn’t have the top end speed to run with a lot of the best receivers in the country, and he doesn’t have the fluid hips to turn and cover a lot of space. He’s probably best suited to playing the boundary corner position where he’d be responsible for less space.
In my mind, he’s probably be a better safety—see Nick Coleman. But, ND needs corners, so he’s in a backup role at corner.
Who do you think the Irish have a realistic shot of getting yet in the 2018 class?
Mike: That’s a good question. I think ND has a good shot at most of the players left on the board.
At wide receiver, I’d say ND has a realistic shot at all three, Amon-ra St. Brown, Chase Cota and Lawrence Keys, but I’d say Keys would be the only player I felt strongly ND actually leads for. I really don’t know where Amon-ra or Chase Cota are leaning at this point.
At offensive line, I think they have legit shot at Nicholas Petit-Frere. He’s been quiet about who leads, but I think ND feels they have a good shot here. On Cade Mays, I think that’s more of a long shot, but ND will still have a shot. They would have to knock it out of the park on his official in December to have a shot.
I think ND has a legit shot at Tommy Tremble, but the longer he waits, the less likely he will have a spot.
I don’t think ND has much of a shot at Joseph Ossai or Jayson Oweh. I’d say Oweh is a long shot. No realistic shot at Ossai.
ND has a solid shot at Mike backer, Solomon Tuliaupupu. I think ND needs to keep on winning, and hopefully USC will drop another game, but that doesn’t look likely. This one will come down to distance, I believe. A lot more cards left to be played here.
I don’t know what to think on LB Payton Wilson as he has’’t visited yet.
It’s funny as ND couldn’t find a defensive back earlier who was interested and now they have all kinds of options.
Noah Boykin could flip from Maryland to ND, but if he wants a spot, he better do it quickly.
Tariq Bracy is also in the same situation. I’m not sure he’s fully qualified for ND yet, however.
Kyler Gordon is still very high on ND’s wish list as one of the top corners on their board. ND still has a great shot at him. Some believe ND leads here.
Houston Griffith has come back into the mix recently. He’s another who would be very high on ND’s wish list. My guess is if something were to happen here, it would probably happen fairly soon.
I love Alontae Taylor as a corner, and so does ND, but I think Taylor wants to play offense, and that’s why he likely won’t choose ND. But, who knows. He seemed to really like his visit to ND.
Avon Crim and Julius Irvin are two more safety prospects left on the board. Crim may have a hard time finding a spot as ND really doesn’t need another safety and I’m not sure he’s fully qualified for ND. Irvin would still have a spot because he can play both corner and safety, but some feel he’s trending towards USC.