Openingand Closing

Recently 150 of the best football prospects (as seen by ESPN) of the class of 2013 (a few from 2014) gathered in Oregon at “The Opening” hosted by Nike to showcase their talents.  Many have committed to the program of their choice and those who have not have offers line up as far as the eye can see so they have little if anything to prove.  So what did the players get from the experience and what we learned, at least from the Notre Dame commits. 

Overall there are some themes that all participants should have benefited from.  Obviously going against the best of the best allows players to practice with high level athletes because that is exactly what they will be doing in college.  Now most if not all of these kids are a big fish in little ponds and that will change soon and they need to know how it feels.  It also puts them all in the national spotlight something they hope they will be in.

As close as the Irish Mob 13 have become this is another opportunity for these guys to get to know each other even better.  It also gives Irish targets the opportunity to see what kind of players Notre Dame has commitments from.  Several of Notre Dame’s verbal commits used this as an opportunity to do some recruiting themselves as they got in the ears of some undecided Irish recruits about possibly ending up in South Bend. 

There were several specific things I walked away with from the event.  Wide receiver Cory Robinson, (yes David’s son) who is still learning the game as an elite player had an opportunity to go up against top notch defensive backs.  This was important because he has been able to use his high and physical talent to beat at beat average defenders.

I know offensive lineman Colin McGovern took some heat about his performance at The Opening.  I agree he looked out matched and out muscled but it’s not all doom and gloom.  Strength seemed to be his biggest problem and a couple years with Longo he’ll be ready for action.  I did see potential and during an interview I heard a positive and polished young man that could develop himself into what is needed by a big time program like Notre Dame. 

Just having wide receiver James Onwualo attend after breaking his jaw before the event showed the character, drive and fire in the belly of this young man.   Not only does he end a good message to Notre Dame Program, coaches and fans but to other recruits. 

Of course the best thing to happen for the Irish in Oregon was the verbal commitment of linebacker Alex Anzalone making a total of four linebackers from class of 2013.

Less is more?

After each season players and coaches alike look at those who are college seniors but for one reason or another (usually some sort of redshirt) can come back for one more year.  Many factors can come into play as this decision is being made.  Often it depends on the school and the coaching staff having to make the choice of believing their experience will benefit the team (on and off the field) or is it time to cut bait and go in a younger direction (accepting more letters of intent).  However, it can also be the choice of the player who may decide that it may be time to move on, hopefully to the NFL Draft.  One recent exception is Sean Cwyner, who decided not to return to South Bend (and he would have been more than welcomed back to play), and knowing the NFL would not be calling, he chose to take his degree and enter the workforce.

This season has a good news/bad news theme going with many players who will have a year of eligibility left at the end of the year. We need these players to step up and have the type of seasons that would command attention from NFL teams along with their lure of fortune and fame.

Leading the charge is tight end Tyler Eifert.  With the departure of Michael Floyd and no clear cut quarterback, the receiving game starts out behind the eight ball.  Yes, on the roster Eifert is listed as a tight end, but make no mistake about it, he has and will be splitting out wide.  At 6’6” he will dominate defensive backs, at 250+ lbs., he can mix it up going across the middle and with his speed it will be difficult for linebackers to cover him.  Eifert should finish with honors including All-American (first team) and Mackey Award Finalist (possible winner).  Tyler could have left for the NFL last year and would have likely been drafted earlier than later, but chose to stay.  He may have flown under the radar two years ago, but after last season, he will be bulls eyed by all the defenses the Irish face.  

If Tyler Eifert is #1 on this list Cierre Wood would be #1A.  With a question at quarterback and inexperience and unproven talent at wide receiver, the running game will be counted on especially early.  Factor in the size, experience and talent on the offensive line, lesser talent in the backfield could be a 1000 yard rusher. 

There are other players needing to step up and have career seasons that may also shed some light on their talents and abilities to NFL scouts, but would still have a year of eligibility.  However, they are probably a little more likely to come back in 2013. 

Defensively, linebackers Carlo Calabrese and Dan Fox who may have been overlooked due to the fact they play next to super backer Manti Te’o, have to step up even more.  Calabrese has appeared in 24 games with 8 starts during his sophomore season.  Carlo did not so much lose his starting role as Dan Fox won it and they shared time playing next to Manti Te’o.  Dan Fox, who has played in 26 games, starting all 13 games of his sophomore season, should continue his upward development and really could become something special for the 2013 season.

With an amazing 26 games played and 26 games started, there is little debate that Zack Martin will be an NFL lineman, the question is when. He could make a pro roster now in my opinion.   Linemen take a little while to develop and if he were to have a year like last season he would be a mid-round pick.  A great season, or better yet two more, and he could be one of the highest picked linemen in the draft. 

Chris Watt saw action in 26 games with 13 starts as a junior.  Watt was a very highly touted recruit coming out of high school being named to virtually every All-American list in the country, and has steadily developed and grown his talents as well as his 6’3” 310 lb. guard frame at the collegiate level.

And then there were three.

When 5 star class of 2013 recruit Jaylon Smith committed to the Irish, it put the wheels in motion for other top-rated defensive players to follow suit.  Although the  current collection of upper classmen linebackers in South Bend include the likes of Manti Te’o, Dan Fox, Carlo Calabrese, as well as up and comers like Jarrett Grace, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo and Prince Shembo, big programs like Notre Dame need to reload, not rebuild.  The linebacker class of 2013 started out with a bang and has continued to show promise.

With a 6’5” 225 lb. frame as a junior as well as a sports pedigree of having a father who played college football, a brother who played for Washington State and Uncle Donny Baseball; Danny Mattingly’s commitment to the Irish at the linebacker position firms up the defense for the future.  Most services have him ranked as a 3-star linebacker and many have him ranked higher as a tight end (the position for which Oklahoma offered him a scholarship).  Of course, he is an accomplished baseball player as well.  Overall, Mattingly seems like a good fit for the Irish; athletic talent, well-rounded and good character.

Watching Michael Deeb’s highlight films, you can’t help being impressed with this kid’s head for the ball and apparent love of hitting.  As impressive as Davonte Neal’s highlight films were from an offensive standpoint, Deeb puts you in the same kind of awe on the defensive side of the ball.  It’s no surprise Deeb has offers from Florida State, Penn State, Boise State, Pitt and others.  The more I see of this kid, the more I like what I see.

The final piece of this class’s linebacker recruiting plan is Alex Anzalone.  The Irish are definitely in the hunt for Anzalone’s services.

Note: The 16 verbal commits of the 2013 class come from 13 different states.  The power of national recruiting.

Independence

It’s easy to argue that it may now be time for Notre Dame to join a conference or be left out in the cold.  Let’s cover what we know - no National Championship since 1998, no Heisman Trophy winner since 1987 (Tim Brown), no big bowl victory against a ranked opponent since 1994 (Cotton Bowl over #6 Texas), no NBC television contract past 2015, no back to back double digit win season since 92 and 93, so there is no doubt the echoes are not just sleeping; they may actually be hibernating of perhaps in a coma.

With meetings of conference presidents and Jack Swarbrick discussing payoffs and teams moving from one conference to another, many feel now would be the time for Notre Dame to align itself with one of the power conferences to ensure their future relevance.   It looks like we will be working with a four team playoff slate for at least a few years (hopefully, eventually expanding to eight), so positioning will be everything.

Fans from rival schools in any conference may deny it, but they would all give their right arm (and left, for that matter) to get the Irish.  The Big 10, The Big 12, The ACC, The Pac 12, even the SEC would benefit from what the boys from South Bend would bring to the table - a huge fan base (thank you Catholics, Irish immigrants and subway alumni), national influence (thank you NBC), unmatched tradition and history (thank you Rockne, The Four Horseman and the Gipper), along with a football identity recognized everywhere (thank you Golden Dome and a bookstore that puts a logo on EVERYTHING).  Not to mention great academics.

It seems that Irish fans want to stay independent, which of course makes sense since tradition loves tradition.  On the other hand, most radio sports talk show hosts are convinced that they need to and will join a conference sooner than later.  This is an important time for Jack Swarbrick and Notre Dame President Reverend John Jenkins. The future depends on making the right decision.  Either way, the Notre Dame Football program has to return to greatness, and that lies at the feet of one man - Brian Kelly.

I am my brother’s keeper

Although I am not thrilled with the recruiting class of 2013’s self-imposed Irish Mob title, I do like how they are coming together.  Thanks in part to technology and social media, it is a lot easier for high school recruits to communicate and keep in touch than it was is the past.  These players are building relationships with kids they have never met face to face all over the country.  Many of these elite athletes have run into each other at one camp or another over the past couple of years but probably not made a connection until committing to the Irish.  Even if they have never met or spoken and the fact there are over one million kids playing high school football, with the explosion of the way information is shared, top players know each other by name and how many stars are attached to it. 

Aside from positions and skills, Notre Dame needs kids who are loyal and understand the true concept of team.  Having Read dozens of articles and interviews with the class of 2013, each kid seams to have the South Bend “IT.”  I use the word “kid” a lot because it is important to keep things in perspective.  These are high school juniors – ages 15, 16 and 17, and no age group changes their minds more frequently and easily than teenagers.  The talk is easy, “I just want to help the team,” “We want to bring the program back to prominence,” “We want to win a National Championship,” and so on.  The walk has proven to be a little harder.  I am sure past recruiting classes did not come in saying; “We hope to go 3-9,” We are coming to South Bend to underperform,” “We are hyped but will not live up to expectations,” and so on.

Starting next week, the members of the class of 2012 will be reporting to campus not as visitors but as incoming freshmen.  The time for talk is over and this is where the rubber will hit the road for the first time.  Even though they won’t see pads or get their first college hit for weeks, I am sure Paul Longo’s strength and conditioning program will give them a proper welcome. 

This weekend, South Bend played host to number of Irish Mob 13 members and two prospects who have not given a verbal commitment but both have invitations to next year’s 2013 U.S. Army All American Bowl Game. First, Alex Anzalone (who also has a spot on the 2013 Under Armour Game Roster), a four-star 6’ 2” 220 lb. linebacker from Pennsylvania who de-committed from Ohio State who holds offers from the likes of Alabama, USC, Michigan and Ohio State. Next is 5’11” 175 lb. cornerback MacKensie Alexander from Florida, who has his own list of impressive suitors including Miami, LSU, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.  Both will be on hand to see the how the Irish commits interact with each other.  This may be a better recruiting tool than the campus, coaches and current players put together.   With recruiters like quarterback Malik Zaire (who has an invitation to the Elite 11 Competition), tight end Mike Heuerman, athlete (wide receiver) James Onwualu (who has received an invitation to Nike The Opening), athlete Rashad Kinlaw, offensive lineman Hunter Bivin (who has a spot on the 2013 Under Armour Game Roster), tight end Jacob Matuska and super linebacker / defensive end / running back Jaylon Smith (who holds an invitation to the 2013 U.S. Army All American Bowl Game), the staff in South Bend should have an easy weekend relaying to Anzalone and Alexander what Notre Dame is about.  Guys like Bivin who fit in at Notre Dame should be able to connect with peers like Anzalone and MacKensie Alexander to convey what he and his fellow “Mob” members want in their future teammates and why they committed to the Irish.

There were also a few prospects from the class of 2014 on campus.  Inside Linebacker Clifton Garrett, who received an offer from the Irish on May 30^th, got to visit South Bend in a hurry.  2014 prospect Jimmy Byrne, a 6’4” 285 lb. offensive lineman who played on powerhouse Saint Ignatius’s State Championship team, joined fellow rising junior Garrett on campus.

Assuming that the staff get players who fit the character and mold to South Bend, and admissions ensures that the academic standards stay at a high level, there are certain positions and skills the Irish need to fill with this recruiting class.  Of course, the M.O. of Brian Jelly and his staff is to get great athletes and football players and the right position will work itself out.  With the exception of another running back for insurance purposes, the offensive side of the ball is in pretty good shape.  With the recent commitments of Jaylon Smith and Isaac Rochell,  momentum is building for defensive prospects, talent wants to play with talent.  With only three verbal commits listed as defensive players, the numbers tell the story of need. 

Big Fish

Brain Kelly and his crew have reeled in their biggest prospect commit for the class of 2013 in Jaylon Smith.  As Notre Dame’s lucky 13 verbal commit for the class of 2013, Smith, a 6’3” 220 lb. outside linebacker (also has played defensive end and cornerback) with 51 tackles (18 for a loss) and eight sacks, who also rushed for over 1300 yards and had 25 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball during his junior year, is rated as a five-star recruit.  Jaylon, who is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has a 4.44 40 time and is ranked the #4 overall recruit for 2013 by rivals.com. Jaylon has already made it pretty clear he will be a recruiting recruit, hopefully luring other talented players to South Bend.  Names being circulated as those Smith may attract include CB Vernon Hargreaves III, LB Alex Anzalone, and LB Michael Hutchings.  All are very important as this class is already pretty set on the offensive side of the ball.  I feel comfortable with his commitment to Notre Dame and we will see him suited up for the Irish in the fall of 2013.  Smith cites his comfort level at the school and the family atmosphere for his decision.  Smith was high on the coaching staff as he told ESPN, "Every (Notre Dame) coach has the same stand character wise," Smith said. "Other coaches tell you what you want to hear, and I saw that with my brother" (his brother attends OSU).  I may think that the self-imposed nickname the 2013 recruiting class has - “IrishMob13” is not up to South Bend Class, but I do like the team spirit this group has with each other.

Back for a Fifth Year

When the Irish begin the 2012 season, seven players will be graduates after being asked back for a fifth year.  Having this kind of experience and maturity in the locker room and on the practice field can be a real asset.  As far as being able to contribute and translating that maturity and experience into production and wins, that may be a little more of a gray area.  If the high talent level was there, they most likely would have moved on to the next level by now.  Coaches have to balance slots of incoming freshmen potential and returning fifth year experience.  This year’s crop of fifth years will not only contribute, but several will compete for starting roles.

Thanks to an injury his freshman year where he saw very little and short lived action as a long snapper, Braxton Cave is coming back to retake his starting role at center.  Cave has played in 35 games in his career with 22 starts.  Braxton brings experience, leadership and strength to the middle of the offensive line. 

Mike Golic Jr. played the backup role at center for two and half years and stepped in for Braxton Cave when he went down last year with an injury.  Golic will either back up Cave again or compete for time at guard.  Mike is a talented lineman who would be starting on almost any other program’s line and the Irish are fortunate to have him in the ranks.

John Goodman needs the 2012 season to prove he is as talented as people have been saying since he came to South Bend.  John never seemed to live up to his supposed potential and after last year’s problems receiving punts, I was a little surprised to see him back.  With his speed, hands, experience and size along with the team’s need for a leader at wide receiver, 2012 could the season in which John could shine. 

Notre Dame Fans couldn’t be happier to have a 6’4” 305 lb. defensive end who has played in 32 games with 29 starts returning to the lineup.  Kapron Lewis-Moore was another lineman whose season was cut short last year due to injury and will be looking to finish off a solid career in South Bend is dominating fashion.

Dan McCarthy’s experience and leadership will be needed desperately in the defensive backfield this season, although most of McCarthy’s play (appearances in 24 games) has been on special teams and as a back up

Along with Braxton Cave, Jamoris Slaughter may the best and most important fifth year the Irish have.  With 16 starts and 36 games played, Jamoris may be the most experienced defensive back the Irish have.

Normally a 6’7” 300+lb. 5^th year offensive lineman would be a probable starter, or at least in the rotation.   This is not the case for four year walk-on Dennis Mahoney who saw his first ever game action last year against Air Force.  I not sure how or why he’s coming back for another year, but after reading his story I have some idea.