| 06 January 2010
We need to start paying attention to the roster. Well... more attention. With coaching changes, the roster can be a very fluid entity and with athletes capable of playing two or more positions all over the two-deep- we as Irish fans may be in store for some significant changes. With that in mind, I am starting a new series here at Subway Domer dedicated to the roster movement and the "2 Deep" in general. I use "series" in the loosest regard as I may only do this a few times a year, but it could become fairly regular as well.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when we start evaluating the roster to try and create 2 Deep. First, Notre Dame is switching from a base 4-3 defense to a 3-4. This has been done before by Notre Dame back in 2007, but it was more of a 3-4 personnel than a standard 3-4, and by all accounts the Irish will be more of a standard 3-4. Second, the offense changes as well from a more traditional pro-set to a type of pass-based spread.
This article unwittingly comes off of the heels of a Blue Gray Sky post that is a must read. We better get started...
I have a couple of major pet peeves when it comes to roster discussion.
- Plugging freshman into the 2 Deep- especially as a starter. That's not to say that a freshman won't see the 2 Deep, but assumption based on recruiting stars is buffoonery. Not every freshman is ready, and maybe only one or two are even close.
- Replacing a multi-year starter with a guy that has rode the bench behind him for one or two years or three years is ludicrous also. Of course it could happen, and it does happen, but to say (for example) David Posluszny should start over Brian Smith is just insane and as of right now. What proof can you present that shows the guy below should leapfrog the guy ahead?
So keep that in mind when you are yelling at the computer screen that I am either a moron or a genius. I am neither. What follows is a best guess from my perspective before spring ball.
Offense
As I stated before, Notre Dame will be making a philosophical change in their playcalling with the arrival of Brian Kelly. The Irish will employ more of a pass-oriented spread offense as opposed to a traditional pro style. One of the biggest changes will be at fullback. Kelly doesn't really have one, and if he needs a big back, he will probably reach into the depth chart and grab a bigger back to use in those situations.
Quarterback
- Dayne Crist
- Tommy Rees
Running Back
- Armando Allen
- Robert Hughes
Wide Receiver
- Michael Floyd
- John Goodman
Wide Receiver
- Duval Kamara
- Deion Walker
Slot Receiver
- Shaq Evans
- Roby Toma
Tight End
- Kyle Rudolph
- Mike Ragone
Left Tackle
- Matt Romine
- Lane Clelland
Left Guard
- Chris Stewart
- Andrew Nuss
Center
- Dan Wenger
- Mike Golic
Right Guard
- Trevor Robinson
- Braxton Cave
Right Tackle
- Taylor Dever
- Zach Martin
Right away I had to employ one of my pet peeves with Tommy Rees. Notre Dame is severely lacking at quarterback numbers heading into the spring with only Dayne Crist as a scholarship player. Tommy will be enrolling early- hence the automatic insertion as the number 2 QB.
Other than the QB depth chart, I think we can all pretty much agree that this is a fairly accurate depiction of where the players will be playing. The offensive line can always be moved around- especially with a new staff.
Defense
Now we are heading into some very treacherous waters. Notre Dame will be changing their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Additionally, Notre Dame loses both starters at safety and has more tweeners than a Jonas Brothers concert. Creating a 2 Deep is going to be a little rough. Please keep in mind that all of these placements, on offense and defense, are merely educated guesses. Sure, the education may be a little lacking, but we honestly won't have a firm grasp on the situation until the spring- and even then it will probably change quite a bit in the summer / fall. So don't blast me too hard.
Strongside Defensive End
- Ethan Johnson
- Emeka Nwankwo
Weakside Defensive End
- Kapron Lewis-Moore
- Kerry Neal
Nose Tackle
- Ian Williams
- Sean Cwynar
Sam OLB
- Darius Fleming
- David Posluszny
Will OLB
- Brian Smith
- Dan Fox
Mike ILB
- Manti Te'o
- Carlo Calabrese
Jack ILB
- Steve Filer
- Anthony McDonald
Cornerback
- Darrin Walls
- Jamoris Slaughter
Cornerback
- Robert Blanton
- Gary Gray
Free Safety
- Harrison Smith
- Danny McCarthy
Strong Safety
- Zeke Motta
- Leonard Gordan
Are you ready to tear my face off yet? Obviously, this depth chart is LITTERED with probable mistakes. Aside from the front 3, which I consider to be as accurate as possible, the rest of the defense could be realigned in a variety of directions. Will Harrison Smith play safety or linebacker? Will Harrison Smith even be a starter at either? Will Gordan get a fifth year? Will Brian Smith play inside or out? I don't see a big difference in Gray, Walls, and Blanton- do you? Will someone on the team change positions and end up at safety (i.e. Robert Blanton and / or Cierre Wood)?
Special Teams
The vast improvement of our special teams play is what we are looking for... yes? That would be lovely...
Kick Returner
- Theo Riddick
- Armando Allen
Punt Returner
- Theo Riddick
- Armando Allen
Kicker
- Nick Tausch
- David Ruffer
Punter
- Ben Turk
- Eric Maust ( I think he is eligible for a 5th year)
Long Snapper
- Jordan Cowart
- Braxton Cave
I like speedy, shifty, running backs returning the ball. I would love to see both Allen and Riddick in these duties. Special teams depth charts will be the most volatile in the spring and in the season- so whatever.
Conclusion
Spring football will be as interesting as we have seen it in a while. So much change- so much uncertainty. It's easy (even though it really isn't) to sit down and write up a depth chart with the talent on hand. The Charlie Weis regime brought a lot of star power with recruits to South Bend, but as we have seen over the last two years, the development or the welding of talent was lacking. April will be a huge landmark in the early history of Fighting Irish Football in the new decade. How will Brian Kelly mold the program into a legitimate power again? The answer may lie in the top 22 players and where they play on the field.
Recruiting Update
Since Austin Collinswoth committed to Notre Dame, only one other public and official offer has gone out to a recruit. That recruit is Dallas, Texas native Adrian Lee. Lee is a cornerback prospect, but he probably projects better as a safety in college with his size.
There has been plenty of noise about possible decommitments from Notre Dame, decommitments from other teams to possibly Notre Dame, and there are a few new names popping up in the last month before signing day. It could get wild.
Notre Dame is in the hunt for these committed and uncommitted players:
- Kadron Boone (Texas Tech)
- Seantrel Henderson
- JR Ferguson
- Anthony Barr
- Bruce Gaston
- Corey Cooper
- Josh Shirley
- Christian Jones
- Adrian Lee
There are probably a few more offers that are about to go out, but that list comprises the core of players being recruited by Notre Dame that hold an offer. Also, Notre Dame is desperately holding onto to all of its 18 current commitments as news spreads of committed guys possibly taking visits. Correction, it's already wild.
I will have updated Eligibility Charts loaded sometime today or tomorrow. This will include both the 2010 Eligibility Chart, and the 2011 Eligibility Chart as well. They will be posted once they are ready.
Peace!
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