Harrell is Lucky Number Seven

One third of the way there including 2 OLmen and 3 DBs. Harrell fills an inside OL need, as you pointed out, Eric.

I would love to land one of the Cal OL – Magnuson or Tuerk- or Joshua Garnett from Wash and then, go for an elite OT like Banner or Peat. If we could only take five….

Way too many offensive linemen, sir!!

GAIII’s move to RB makes me nervous too. Our WR depth is thin, we only took 2 WRs in 2011, and now we’re switching one to RB!? BKs spread is so dependent on WRs, and we really need GAIII’s speed at the X.

My guess is this move is temporary and that he’ll move back to WR at some point. I just hope he doesn’t endure the same stuttered development that Riddick did.

Riddick should have redshirted, IMO. Damn Allen and his injuries.

I expect the contract for the series with Stanford was held up awaiting the Pac 12 exemption on out of conference games. The attraction with Stanford is that they provide balance to the unique USC arrangement – Oct in S.B., late Nov in LA. Stanford is willing to play opposite their schedule, which gives us games in California annually. USC has less recruiting impact in northern Cal. The Irish recently have gotten Taylor Dever and, the Atkinsons plus Tee Shepard’s verbal from NoCal. Offers out to Deontay Greenberry (Fresno), Byron Marshall (San Jose), and Shaq Thompson (Sacramento).

What if we could get commitments from those three?

I would love for them to commit!

good summation of recent developments — agreed on almost all fronts . . .

You know me to be a supporter of the Stanford series. Left Coast Bias aside, that opinion hinges on the fact that even if Stanford regresses to mediocrity, you still have all those commonalities and recruiting advantages to justify a match-up. So even if the programs go in a different direction, you still need winnable games against BCS opponents.

If Stanford can stay nationally relevant, it’s just a bonus. On top of that, the lack of enthusiasm of Stanfordites, though kinda sad, translates to a stadium atmosphere that is either neutral or pro-Irish. So a road-win with a supportive crowd is a bonus in the Cardinal’s down years. Plus, they allow readmission at Stanford Stadium, which is huge if you wanna squeeze in some halftime tailgating.

I’m somewhat ambivalent about the GAIII move, but I think I like it. Though I have long been hopeful that Jonas Gray is about to turn a corner, and believe that Cam McDaniel could be a sleeper for several reasons — that’s still a pretty thin depth chart for such a physical position.

Moreover, I expect John Goodman to step up in a big way this year. Though they may not be world-beaters, I expect reliable production and consistently impressive moments from TJ Jones and Roby Toma. Floyd and Riddick are clearly badass in their respective positions. I realize Goodman is speculative, but that’s 5 receivers one can count on in my estimation. Moreover, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the a fire finally lit under Deion Walker’s ass in his senior year, who we know has the talent. Then you’ve got Daniel Smith, who may or may not be ready to break out as well. Not that I’m saying the WR depth is great, but it’s not all that bad.

Lastly, the coaching staff has let on that we could see a lot more two and three TE sets this year to utilize the talent at that position and minimize the need for 3 wide-outs on every down.

pablo,

Not to stir the pot too much, but I think the recruiting impact of playing at Stanford isn’t really that great. Especially since we’ve been doing it for 20 years now.

I think we can expect big things for Toma this year. 30 receptions or more shouldn’t really shock anyone.

TJ Jones is a curious case. I was super high on him last year, but a few things bother me right now. One, I always assumed he’d be a slot receiver. I don’t like him outside, I don’t think he’s big enough or has the type of game that will flourish there. Second, if he stays outside, how long until Daniels overtakes him? Three, does Jones have the speed to even start anywhere on the field?

I know he had an injury last year that slowed him down, but I’ve seen him as a very quick receiver with great hands (screaming slot receiver, hello!) but does he get many reps with Riddick locking that down and Toma seemingly the backup?

Just some thoughts there.

I hope Goodman steps up, we need the size on the outside. Who knows what Daniel Smith is going to bring, wish he could have practiced during the spring.

We should see double tight end sets quite often early on I would think.

pot not stirred — this is why we converse, right?

I gather you and Psychedelic Lennon know a thing or two about the recruiting game and I know precious little. despite the handful of guys Michael’s pointed out that the Irish have recently pulled from the immediate area, I’ve never been under the impression that NorCal is a hotbed of football talent. De La Salle’s a perennial powerhouse due to brilliant coaching and near-perfect execution, but i can’t think of too many big-time players from there outside of Aaron Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew).

still, i’m kinda speculating that when a West Coast kid (especially a Southern Californian) can’t make it out to South Bend for an official visit, he may be able to take a late-November trip up to Palo Alto . . . upon which, I’d imagine he would be at least a little compelled by the Irish takeover of an opposing team’s stadium and tailgate lot. and either a great game or an Irish blowout wouldn’t do much to hurt that impression. though I must admit that I have neither facts nor anecdotes upon which to base this supposition.

i agree with every aspect of your assessment of TJ Jones. he is far from ideal as an outside receiver. but if Goodman or Smith prove reliable and consistent enough to take his starting spot, then we’ve got a good, prototypical guy there. if injuries or developmental disappointment takes them out of the picture, then we’re still left with a guy who, at the very least, can move the chains and occasionally make some big plays with route-running and ball skills. a guy like that could do some damage with defenses focusing on Floyd and Riddick.

so throw in the possibility of the Floyd-tutored Daniels being a factor, and I know it’s not a perfect WR depth chart, but it’s not exactly going to keep me up at night either. a three-scholarship RB depth chart would, however.

Oh I definitely think playing at Stanford helps a little bit, the example you gave is just one of the scenarios which can work out in Notre Dame’s favor. What I would like to see is how not playing at Stanford affects California recruiting…if it does at all. I’d be interested to see that, but of course it’s not happening any time soon!

I don’t think we have to worry about the receiver depth chart per se, but there is more of a “who is the future?” type feeling there, probably more so than at running back (even though the numbers are low).

We know we have Cierre Wood for three more years if he doesn’t leave early, and that is very reassuring. At receiver, it’s nice to have Riddick for two more years, but a lot of complaints right now center around us not having any heir apparent to Floyd on the outside, or really any big threats on the outside to begin with.

Now, Davaris Daniels might ease those concerns by about the 2nd quarter against USF, but in this offense it is a little unsettling that we only brought in one receiver for 2011 (if we assume Atkinson is playing running back).

I don’t think it’s a major concern at the moment, but we’ve only seen one Kelly recruit (Jones) make an impact so far at receiver, and with so much emphasis put on throwing the ball, we are a little anxious to see what this offense will look like when Kelly truly gets “his guys” to start catching balls for the Irish.

That’s why I’d grab at least three or four receivers this cycle to go along with two or three running backs…Kelly needs to make his imprint on the offensive skill positions and mold them the way he wants to. Plus, obviously filling the depth concerns there too.

First, I agree with the assessment on Harrell — likely moves inside to G or (gasp) C depending on who can pick up the position. That continues to be a big concern in my book, and based on talent available via recruiting, it looks like someone will have to be developed for the position.

Second. Eric—I completely agree with your assessment about Jones on the outside. He doesn’t seem comfortable there, and is undersized compared to others. He will have to step his game up big time or risk being passed over in the depth chart. He may have been a better option for moving to CB over Bennett Jackson, but I digress. The ball is in his court and what he does in camp will go a long way in determining how much he sees the field in the fall.

GAIII moving to RB wouldn’t surprise me or upset me. If he is more comfortable there, then give him a shot there. As I have mentioned a few times, there is a great deal of WR talent available in this class, and ND has a good chance to land 3 top receivers. I will take that with GAIII moving (or staying) in the backfield.