With spring practice set to begin on Wednesday, it's about time we wrapped up the Reviewing the Redshirts series. In this (the final edition for this year's class), we take a look at a massive defensive lineman from the Hoosier State.
For a look at past players, click on the links below:
More after the jump.
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN (Bishop Dwenger)
Height: 6'5.5"
Weight: 280
RECRUIT RANKINGS
Rivals: 3 Star (#39 DE, #7 in IN)
ESPN: 3 Star (#43 OT)
Scout: 3 Star (#66 DE)
247: 3 Star (87 Grade)
Need at Position: Moderate to High
Expected Spot on 2012 Depth Chart: Pushing for minutes into the two-deep
Analysis:
The defensive tackle/nose guard position is a mystery behind Louis Nix for the fall. There are three players competing for the remaining snaps in Springmann, Tyler Stockton and Sheldon Day. Of that group, it is likely that only two of the three see anything approaching significant snaps.
The one thing that comes across well in his film is Tony's motor. He doesn't give up on a play and keeps going until the whistle is blown. To me, that is the single most important intangible aspect of an interior defensive lineman's skill set.
Here are Kelly's comments on Springmann from last year's National Signing Day:
Tony Springmann. Tony is out of Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Power guy for us. 6'6", 275. And he's all of that. He's one big young man. We have done very good at Bishop Dwenger High School. To have now our third player in the program from that high school, I think, says a lot about the high school and the type of kid.
He's another young man who will fit in here very well at Notre Dame. But he's a power player for us. Again, gives us great versatility. You can see him here, the end position. Playing the defensive end position. Get off block and he can run.
Again, he's one big, young man. Great size. And I think that's a pretty common theme across the board that we've increased our size immediately on the defensive line. 6'5", 6'6" range for a number of defensive linemen.
Standing up here, plays off the block. Does a nice job here controlling, throwing. And making a play. Left defensive end. Then again at the end position.
Springmann played mostly offensive tackle and defensive end in high school, so taking the 2011 season to develop his skills inside and bulk up are invaluable to his overall development.
I am particularly interested to see where he weighs in for fall camp, as I expect it will be well north of three bills. His overall height may be considered a detriment on the inside, but his reach should allow for him to shed opposing blockers and plug up interior holes.
I expect Springmann to continue to develop this spring, which will go a long way in determining his overall impact in the fall. I think he sees the field at some point, but the overall number of snaps relies heavily on how hard he works in the weight room and translating it to the field.