Remembering Andre Jones

Former Irish Linebacker and Father of current Notre Dame Wide Receiver T.J. Jones passed away earlier this week.  Jones died suddenly after suffering a brain aneurysm at the age of 42 in Atlanta Georgia.   Jones left behind his wife Michele and five children including T.J. Jones.

From the beginning you knew Andre Jones was something special.  He was a USA Today Second Team All American out of DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.  In south Bend Jones was a four-time monogram winner who played for Lou Holtz on the 1988 National Championship team.   In 1990 he was second on the team in tackles with 58, ending his career with 147.  He became a seventh round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He then played for the Detroit Lions and then for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

In addition to graduating from ND with a major in government, Jones earned a master's degree in business from Georgetown. He served as CEO of APR Sports Management, an athletic representation business based in Atlanta.

Remembering Andre Jones

Former Irish Linebacker and Father of current Notre Dame Wide Receiver T.J. Jones passed away earlier this week.  Jones died suddenly after suffering a brain aneurysm at the age of 42 in Atlanta Georgia.   Jones left behind his wife Michele and five children including T.J. Jones.

From the beginning you knew Andre Jones was something special.  He was a USA Today Second Team All American out of DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.  In south Bend Jones was a four-time monogram winner who played for Lou Holtz on the 1988 National Championship team.   In 1990 he was second on the team in tackles with 58, ending his career with 147.  He became a seventh round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He then played for the Detroit Lions and then for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

In addition to graduating from ND with a major in government, Jones earned a master's degree in business from Georgetown. He served as CEO of APR Sports Management, an athletic representation business based in Atlanta.

Class of 2013, who is on the Irish Radar?

Although the classes of 2013 are finishing up their sophomore years some cream has already risen to the top.  As you will see by some of their numbers there are good reasons why big name schools including the Irish are interested already.

At 6’6 and 297lbs Steven Elmer from Midland High School would be big for college senior linemen.  Maxpreps list his stats at a bench of 275lbs. squat of 515lbs, and a dead lift of 700lbs, when he gets into a serious strength program he could be dangerous.  On a pre-ACT he scored equivalent to a 31, he is involved in student council and his church (Catholic) making him a potential perfect fit in South Bend.  Watching video on this kid you can see he is a man-child on the field.

Adam Breneman is a 6’5” 220lb Tight End prospect from Camp Hill PA with offers on the table form Alabama, Virginia, Boston College, Michigan and Notre Dame to name a few many more should be coming so the Irish better put their best foot forward.  During his sophomore campaign Adam had 59 receptions for 863 yards and 8 touchdowns.  With two years to add some weight to his tall frame he could fit in very nicely to a Brian Kelly offense. 

From Yulee High School in Florida Derrick Henry at 6’3, 225lbs and a 40 time of 4.5 as a sophomore this recruit is high on talent now and his upside could be off the charts.  And if you think his size is impressive for a sophomore wait until you see his game numbers.  Freshman year Derrick ran for 2,475 yards and with 26 touchdowns, moving onto sophomore season he ran for 2,788 yards (one service listed 2,689 and an average of 8.9 yards a carry) and 39 TD’s (and I have to believe defenses were looking to key in on him and stop the run).  Getting talent out of the state of Florida is going to be no easy task for any out of state college.

A kid by the name of Poet Tomas from Beverly Hills MI who was a blip on the screen with not on a lot information on recruiting sites really impressed me when I watched film of him.  http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2013-recruiting-profiles/60804-13-mi-dt-poet-thomas.html  Besides being a big guy at 6’6” 295lbs this defensive tackle seems to hustle, shed double teams and pursues down field. 

Also on the defensive side of the ball is Taco Charlton a 6’6” 235lb inside linebacker out of Pinkerton Ohio.  Beside having a great sports name Taco he has a bench max of 315 and a squat of 345 as a sophomore.  In addition to the Irish he has drawn attention form Ohio State, LSU, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.  The Irish have an in since they have Central High teammate Eilar Hardy coming to play football this fall.  Taco also can play defensive end and wide receiver.  Great another athlete that can play multiple positions for Brian Kelly.

Finally as a teaser remember the name Sony Michel.  Sonny was a freshman this past season for Fort Lauderdale Florida who already has offers from Florida State the University of Miami and Notre Dame.  He is listed at 5’11”, 195lbs and a 40 time of listed between 4.3 to 4.5. Wow and only 15 years old.   As a freshman he rushed for 1730 yards (averaging almost 7.6 yards per carry) and 22 touchdowns.  Just so you know as a freshman defenses did key on him since her ran for over 1800 yards and 18 touchdowns in the 8^th grade on varsity.  He finds and gets to the hole quick, then he can cut on a dime break it outside and run up field for the big gains.  http://www.gridironstuds.com/detail.php?id=637&ret=1 In track he runs a 10.71 100 meters, in the class room a 4.1 G.P.A, oh yeah he also returns kick offs (2 last season for touchdowns).

BIG Time Recruiting

Kerry Cooks, the Irish Cornerbacks Coach, has a tall order as Notre Dames recruiter of 6’7’ 305lb (listed at 280lbs on some sites) offensive tackle Andrus Peat from Tempe, Arizona.  The word on Peat is that along with his long arms and good feet, he has a nasty streak, playing with good intensity (in a positive way), and will continue to grow into his large frame.  With a 5.1 40 time, blocking down field could be a challenge, as his need for more strength.  I keep reading about his attitude and passion for playing offensive line and protecting the quarterback, and I like it.  It is unusual to see a five-star recruit from a 1 and 10 team, especially playing alongside another Division I recruit Todd Peat (his brother) who signed with Nebraska in the last recruiting cycle.  Andrus’s father – with whom he has a very close bond and with whom he dissects 10 hours of film per week – played seven years in the NFL with the Cardinals and Raiders.  Phrases like “student of the game” and “cerebral player” are often used to describe him.  What’s interesting to me in watching his highlight film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROKRfvSEXyQ  is that he has the build and many scouting services have him touted to be a better pass blocker, but he seems to be more of a dominate run blocker.  He looks good on pass protection, but man, he abuses and humiliates defensive players on run plays.  Even though Andrus starred on a state semi-final basketball team as a junior, he is not playing next season so he can concentrate on football.

Going, going, gone... Matt Romine

Matt Romine is transferring from the Golden Domer's to be a member of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes.  Why is he transferring?  I have not heard any definitive reasons for the transfer, however, he is from Tulsa where he played high school football for new Golden Hurricanes Coach Bill Blankenship.

When Matt Romine arrived in South Bend from Tulsa, Oklahoma as a freshman, the potential was there for a solid career.  Coming out of high school, Matt was selected to the U.S. Army All American Bowl and was ranked as the 10^th best offensive tackle in the country by Tom Lemming.

For the past three years, Romine has seen increased time each season, but never really broke out into a consistent role or starting.  I am not sure he would have won a starting job, but with three years of experience (playing in a total of 15 games), and at 6’5’ and 290 lbs., Matt would have likely seen more time and been a key reserve for the Irish. 

With last year’s great performance, Junior Zack Martin has one tackle position secured for sure.  Look for 5^th year senior Taylor Dever to be in the mix after making 10 starts last year.  I am looking forward to seeing 6’5” 300 lb. sophomore Christian Lombard work his way into the rotation.  He spent his freshman year working on strength and conditioning.  Lombard came into Notre Dame with an outstanding high school pedigree - USA Today first-team prep and All-American offensive lineman; EA Sports first-team All-American; named to Parade Magazine’s All-American team for 2009 as one of 18 offensive and defensive linemen; MaxPrep’s #30 national prospect and second-team All-American; and played in 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.