One Foot Down - Notre Dame National Signing Day Headquarters 2022A never-ending discussion about Notre Dame and the greater CFB landscapehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52610/ofd_fav.png2022-02-02T16:04:17-05:00http://www.onefootdown.com/rss/stream/226006322022-02-02T16:04:17-05:002022-02-02T16:04:17-05:00National Signing Day: Notre Dame Football scholarship charts for 2022 and 2023
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The numbers</p> <p id="7ZUI1R">It’s National Signing Day and for the <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> — it really is just another day. Notre Dame won’t be adding any new commitments to their 2022 recruiting class, and so we have a clearer picture when it comes to the numbers for this year and beyond.</p>
<p id="VvsYQa">Before we say anything else... Notre Dame could still lose a player or two to the transfer portal over the next couple of months. Recently, the Irish saw JoJo Johnson take off after an injury plagued freshman season — which is the normal type of attrition. On the other side of that, Notre Dame may still grab a WR or DB out of the portal. </p>
<p id="QU6Bfx">The numbers are the numbers, but they are certainly open for change. </p>
<p id="0GaUHl">I fully believe in the 2-cycle theory when it comes to college football recruiting. It’s a pretty easy concept to understand in regards to “one class affects the next,” so here ya go:</p>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2022/2/2/22914934/nartional-signing-day-notre-dame-football-scholarship-charts-for-2022-and-2023-nd-recruiting-newsJoshua Vowles2022-02-02T12:56:18-05:002022-02-02T12:56:18-05:00National Signing Day: Notre Dame Football’s 2022 Commit List
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<figcaption>Instagram @3nuke3</figcaption>
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<p>Running list of the 2022 commitments for the Fighting Irish</p> <p id="wq8Ct9">The 2022 recruiting class for the <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> has been finalized for a long time now. The Irish signed 21 commitments during the early signing period, and won’t add a single player player to close it out. </p>
<p id="pnjxek">Notre Dame suffered 3 decommitments right before the December signing day. Those decommits were; 3-Star WR Amorion Walker (<a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a>), 4-Star WR C.J. Williams (<a href="https://www.conquestchronicles.com">USC Trojans</a>), and 4-Star DB Devin Moore (<a href="https://www.alligatorarmy.com">Florida Gators</a>). In all, the Irish lost out on 5 total decommitments in the 2022 cycle with 3-Star DE Darren Agu (<a href="https://www.anchorofgold.com">Vanderbilt Commodores</a>) and 3-Star TE Jack Nickel (<a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State Spartans</a>) being the other two.</p>
<p id="UvHqZG">The 21 players that signed represent:</p>
<ul>
<li id="pfGp2i">17 different states with no state providing more than 2 commitments.</li>
<li id="u43WDs">12 early enrollees.</li>
<li id="EJbJ43">A #7 ranking in the 247 Composite Team Rankings</li>
<li id="F7LJ4K">A #6 ranking in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings</li>
<li id="zkSdwB">The highest player rating average at Notre Dame since 2013.</li>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2022/2/2/22914560/national-signing-day-notre-dame-footballs-2022-commit-list-early-enroll-news-irish-nd-decommit-cfbJoshua Vowles2022-02-02T00:06:32-05:002022-02-02T00:06:32-05:00OFD Podcast: Notre Dame Football Cuffing Season
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<figcaption>Brendan McAlinden</figcaption>
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<p>Your National Signing Day entertainment</p> <p id="qw5wpO">Joshua, Jude, and Brendan are back again to somewhat - maybe - talk about the <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> football program and National Signing Day. How did it work out? Well, in this episode:</p>
<ul>
<li id="gqsvXg">HELLO!</li>
<li id="6q2Xgw">Snowblowers are meant to be family heirlooms.</li>
<li id="2KWa3I">REVIEWS!</li>
<li id="AuT7WT">Notre Dame has a top 10 recruiting class and we should be pretty happy with that.</li>
<li id="t3b5E6">Which 2022 recruits will be the most beloved?</li>
<li id="DC5kG8">Joshua breaks out another monkey paw and dares the football gods with it.</li>
<li id="PRortL">Notre Dame coaching moves.</li>
<li id="OoEn4N">JoJo Johnson hits the transfer portal.</li>
<li id="tWGPK5">Why <em>The Day After Tomorrow</em> is one of the greatest movies of all time (DISCLAIMER: this is not a shared opinion by all of the OFD Pod hosts).</li>
<li id="FzLKDN">The University of Sooner Cal.</li>
<li id="7F2wDU">We fall down a Jim Harbaugh and <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> rabbit hole and we almost didn’t make it back out alive. </li>
<li id="2eO4QO">Yes... Jude is eating yogurt.</li>
<li id="a3X2hv">Which position groups we have our eye on the most this spring and why.</li>
<li id="nKb2JH">Another reminder that this IS National Signing Day, and Joshua continues to complain about the new format being less fun.</li>
<li id="pb2NKh">The importance of adding some gray hairs to the young coaching staff.</li>
<li id="e48NxL">Other things that may or may not have to do with Notre Dame football and/or recruiting. </li>
</ul>
<p id="knMM81">And plenty more weaved in and out of the show.</p>
<p id="iB8lAd">Please RATE and REVIEW! All reviews left on Apple Podcasts will be read on the next OFD Podcast.</p>
<p id="1uHOYR">You can listen to the show in the podcast player below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.</p>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2022/2/2/22913801/ofd-podcast-notre-dame-football-cuffing-season-national-signing-day-recruiting-nd-irish-news-commitsJoshua Vowles2021-12-21T05:52:29-05:002021-12-21T05:52:29-05:00OFD Podcast: As we wait for Notre Dame’s bowl game, other things are happening
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<figcaption>Brendan McAlinden</figcaption>
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<p>It’s still Happy Honda Days!</p> <p id="oJcqGR">Brendan and Jude pull tag team duty for the pod machine as we are living in what is essentially a “bye week” for the <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a>. In this episode: </p>
<ul>
<li id="p7Hbe1">The Kedon Slovis situation, and the thought process about his fit at Notre Dame.</li>
<li id="8MZAkX">Is there a real need for a quarterback transfer at Notre Dame. </li>
<li id="K6iAjA">
<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fiesta-bowl">Fiesta Bowl</a> opt outs and transfers, and why the <a href="https://www.cowboysrideforfree.com">Oklahoma State Cowboys</a> don’t really have any.</li>
<li id="2PwGRX">Brendan drags Josh about EMU’s blowout loss to Liberty despite the obvious CIA interference that happened with the officiating. </li>
<li id="twYzf5">The OFD Bowl Challenge pick-em thing is off to a fun start.</li>
<li id="o12GaL">Looking ahead at the orange and black OSU.</li>
<li id="wA2Ac0">Christmas movie staples. How many of the classics do you enjoy?</li>
<li id="0loW18">The WR situation and the transfer portal.</li>
<li id="4eEkVz">National signing day has come and gone, and the biggest take away might be that NIL ruled the day.</li>
<li id="Pm3kk3">Urban Meyer’s future.</li>
</ul>
<p id="Ap9Ns2">And plenty more weaved in and out of the show.</p>
<p id="qPWGvy">Please RATE and REVIEW! All reviews left on Apple Podcasts will be read on the next OFD Podcast.</p>
<p id="n90ipi">You can listen to the show in the podcast player below, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. </p>
<div id="jRGJPN"><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?p=VMP6761297741" width="100%" height="482"></iframe></div>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/12/21/22847921/ofd-podcast-as-we-wait-for-notre-dames-bowl-game-other-things-are-happening-fiesta-recruiting-irishndjrsBrendan McAlinden2021-12-16T16:16:00-05:002021-12-16T16:16:00-05:00Notre Dame’s recruiting classes after a change at head coach usually aren’t good
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<img alt="Notre Dame v Stanford" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-BRD4Rp8gxlxyjGCfE5YnTZWXtU=/0x0:4056x2704/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70283280/1308009376.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David Madison/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>But 2022 is</p> <p id="Y7KSpS">The <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> just signed the #7 recruiting class in the country with an average player ranking that we haven’t seen since the 2013 class. The early period still has a day to go (which won’t move the needle) and another signing day in February which could move the needle — but it doesn’t really matter right now. </p>
<p id="T6DQOK">Notre Dame went through a head coaching change just a couple of weeks ago, and still found success out on the trail. This isn’t a normal thing for Notre Dame. Of course — we are used to seeing a head coaching change at Notre Dame happen due to the guy being fired, but it doesn’t change the end results here.</p>
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<p id="jddbaV">This doesn’t mean a whole bunch, and doesn’t add a couple of receivers to the board, but it should at least make you feel a little better that this massive change at the top didn’t blow everything up. </p>
<p id="hgaxJy">For our purposes here, we are just speaking about the “Rivals recruiting era” which just means we are going back to 2002 — which is when the online recruiting services first began. It won’t have the information available about the transition from Lou Holtz to Bob Davie in 1997. But I mean... how much of that change is relatable today? Who cares if a head coaching hire was made in-house and given to a defensive coordinator that has never been a head coach before? Right?</p>
<h3 id="w6LpJN">NEVER MIND WE ARE MOVING ON...</h3>
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<p id="GUnlmF">Back in 2002, Tyrone Willingham was hired to replace George O’Leary who was hired to replace Bob Davie. Willingham helped <a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Season/2002-Football/Commits/">save a class</a> that could have gone completely sideways with the way the coaching search went down. Maurice Stovall, Rhema McKnight, Anthony Fasano, Derek Landri, and 2-Star Mike Richardson were some of the gems of the 2002 class. </p>
<p id="ljGJYZ">Interestingly enough, one of the 18 members of this class was OL Scott Raridon — father of 2022 commit TE Eli Raridon.</p>
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<p id="KJfJrN">Welcome to the<a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Season/2005-Football/Commits/"> lowest-rated recruiting class</a> in Notre Dame history. This class came during the Ty Willingham to Charlie Weis transition. While Weis became a really good recruiter at Notre Dame, there was nothing he could do to save what happened here with its 15 commitments. </p>
<p id="QuYDpN">The class had just two 4-Star recruits, but a couple of the 3-Stars did really well with the Irish in David Bruton and David Grimes.</p>
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<p id="jDuZhB">The transition from Charlie Weis to Brian Kelly seemed like a long process, but during that process, Kelly got a gift from heaven. 4-Star DT Louis Nix III committed to Notre Dame while the Irish didn’t have a head coach in place. It was a very <a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Season/2010-Football/Commits/">mediocre class</a> and the average player rating seemed really accurate.</p>
<p id="UuCKHR">Kelly added a large handful of late names to the class to help fill out Notre Dame’s depleted roster. The top guys in this group that worked out at Notre Dame (up for debate) were Nix, Tommy Rees, TJ Jones, and Bennett Jackson. </p>
<h3 id="c2x3NX">Keep Crootin’</h3>
<p id="PGT8Jw">Look — these things are never easy. Marcus Freeman had just a couple of weeks to keep things together. While the Irish did have a handful of decommitments during that time, they were probably going to decommit even if nothing had happened with Kelly.</p>
<p id="Khrl7l">Freeman is a proven recruiter and has been emphatic about his commitment to working the trail with everything he has. Having the #7 class in the country is really nice, but it’s also a long ways away from the elite classes needed to win a national championship — and Freeman knows it. </p>
<p id="zPrlEQ">Basically... the best is yet to come. </p>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/12/16/22836720/notre-dames-recruiting-classes-after-change-head-coach-arent-good-freeman-willingham-weis-kelly-ndJoshua Vowles2021-12-16T12:28:55-05:002021-12-16T12:28:55-05:00Notre Dame’s 2022 Commitment Videos Are Ambitious, Fun & Engaging
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<figcaption>Bo Savage, art director, created the blend of two-dimensional player pictures and third-dimensional elements to make each Irish Rising video pop. | Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</figcaption>
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<p>The university’s media department hit a homerun with its National Signing Day content this year.</p> <p id="zegGHS"><a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> Media showcased each Class of 2022 commitment with a social media minisode Wednesday that was unparalleled in both its design and execution at this university.</p>
<h3 id="kza4Nc">WE’RE A LONG WAY FROM <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e8vAUX8yDo">DOMER DAN</a>
</h3>
<p id="B5hmea">Previous attempts at capturing the energy of commitment day have ranged from head-scratching to “ok, I suppose.” </p>
<p id="kCeCFt">Notre Dame has produced some sort of Signing Day content since 2012. In those nascent attempts, fans were served <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTThUIoHDc">high school clips</a> and some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbWFx1cyfw">coach interviews</a> during a livestream. Perhaps Jack Nolan would narrate over the highlights (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzVwAGtZF1M">2013</a>) or analysis was solicited from recruiting specialists (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyPsx24NNcQ">2014</a>) or the commitments would pose in front of a static camera and spit out short biographies (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBc2LsGwSs8">2015</a>).</p>
<p id="DdU2XS">Of course, not much can be worse than filming conference calls, which Notre Dame did in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59gHMZ9cKCc">2016</a> (without Facetime!), <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXl4jffFAEg">2017</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87KbRS-EshI&t=1s">2019</a>. How many times would content consumers want to hear a position coach ask a freshly signed athlete if he was going to class today or if his mom was going to make a special meal?</p>
<p id="gnG8X3">Spiritually, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnr3wBEBCeU">2018 content</a> is most closely aligned with this year’s offering — narratives that often wax poetic about potential and are prone to hyperbole. But it was still just watching cut-up high school tape for 2 minutes. Any school’s communications department could manage that.</p>
<p id="0JKSt0">Last year, the ongoing COVID restrictions resulted into a series of “day-in-the-life” vlogs of commitments.</p>
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<h3 id="CRNXwR">A HALF-YEAR IN THE MAKING</h3>
<p id="xkAJat">While undertaking 21 commitment videos is undoubtedly a collaborative effort, those I spoke to Wednesday often cited one individual as the mastermind: Cody Baker, a producer, innovator and designer for Fighting Irish Media.</p>
<p id="UDhFqX">Baker started with a proof of concept last spring; some of those efforts were integrated into a teaser trailer released Monday:</p>
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<p id="396cj8">Baker and his team used local residents — many with little or no acting experience — in regular haunts (such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cookspizza/">Cook’s Pizza</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/exclusivestudiosinc/?hl=en">Exclusive Studios</a>, <a href="http://southbendfarmersmarket.com/">South Bend Farmers Market</a>) to weave these William Wallace-esque tall tales around the 21 commitments.</p>
<p id="JXQlBg">The minisodes released Wednesday included a mixture of locals, FIM employees and surprise cameos from celebrities.</p>
<p id="aiJAZ0">To stay within compliance, Notre Dame employees would say the commitment’s name and other identifying information. </p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>Ana Wolfermann, an FTT major and telenovela actress, frequently introduced the newly signed athletes in the Irish Rising videos released Wednesday.</figcaption>
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<p id="qRsJgb">Then viewers would hear tall tales from a mixture of made-up characters...</p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>“Boston Robbie” (Robbie Lightfoot) and “Boston J” (J Aquila), right, helped sell the hype in many Irish Rising videos released Wednesday</figcaption>
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<p id="HovJfG">...and from celebrities, both affiliated with Notre Dame...</p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>Tim Brown, the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner, was one of several Notre Dame football greats to participate in the Irish Rising minisodes.</figcaption>
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<p id="59SGCz">...and with seemingly no university connection.</p>
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<figcaption>Kurt Angle, former Olympic gold medalist and WWE champion, makes several cameos in Irish Rising videos.</figcaption>
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<p id="cfCRya">The commitments’ parents got input on scripts too, which is how you get quips like this:</p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>Former Notre Dame football running back Lee Becton describes offensive lineman Joey Tanona in the commitment’s Irish Rising video.</figcaption>
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<p id="WdY1HE">...and surprising facts such as this:</p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>Sarah Olsen, a Wakarusa actress in many local stage productions, reveals safety Nolan Ziegler’s culinary skills.</figcaption>
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<p id="zFY121">The coda of each piece is an actor asking the camera, “DID WE GET HIM?” and new coach Marcus Freeman assuring us that, yes, the prospective student-athlete has signed his letter of intent.</p>
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<cite>Notre Dame Fighting Irish Media</cite>
<figcaption>Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman, shown here at Doc Pierce’s Restaurant in Mishawaka, at the end of an Irish Rising minisode.</figcaption>
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<h3 id="PfVGc4">APPEARANCES, CAMEOS AND EASTER EGGS</h3>
<p id="3vsjOk">A partial cast and cameo list:</p>
<ul>
<li id="2BJFo2">Barbers were from Exclusive Studios: Julio Rodriguez, Grant De La Paz, Nate, Jay</li>
<li id="Q4Esvf">Boston J (Bruins hat): J Aquila</li>
<li id="xRuezp">Boston Jeff: Jeffrey Meyers, a digital media specialist at Box Out Sports</li>
<li id="nEeFde">Boston Rachel: Rachel Pincus, associate athletics communications director at Notre Dame</li>
<li id="HNWE3X">Boston Robbie: Robbie Lightfoot, director of partnerships at Box Out Sports</li>
<li id="lveToQ">Bowling alley women: Ana Wolfermann and her Notre Dame roommates</li>
<li id="4VCWxE">Chess guy (with tie): Rabbi Kuppel Lindow</li>
<li id="KWXkR8">Cycler (aka Peloton woman): Kimberly Borza Donaldson, senior director athletics advancement at Notre Dame</li>
<li id="OFHETR">Diner man (left): Tim O’Connor Sr.</li>
<li id="BrBFHa">Diner man (right): Paul Bertha</li>
<li id="Arj1fT">Tattoo artist: Wicho</li>
<li id="J91Tu4">Teacher with glasses: Kristin Baker, theatre arts teacher at Elkhart High School</li>
<li id="sspFtb">Teacher in teal: Michael Henderson, English teacher at Elkhart High School</li>
<li id="DQ3oKh">Notre Dame celebrities: Steve Beuerlein, Jerome Bettis, Miles Boykin, Tim Brown, Jac Collinsworth, Mike Golic, Mike Golic Jr., Bennett Jackson, Indi Jackson, Khalid Kareem, Fr. Pete McCormick, Lyric Medeiros, Mario Morris, Commander Kelechi Ndukwe, Brady Quinn, Jessica Smetana, Hannah Storm, Golden Tate, Joe Theismann, Jerry Tillery, Chris Zorich</li>
<li id="GvSwbS">Celebrities: Bearded Blevins: Jon Blevins, Marco & Matt McClure; Kurt Angle, Tom Rinaldi, Sheamus, Ryan Stewman, “Stock trading guru Des,” Les Stroud</li>
</ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"When using a board without coordinates, the players must remember that they have to have a black square in the bottom left corner. If they have a white square in the bottom left corner, that means the board is sideways. And, of course, that's no good."<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/wJ71esSbWG">pic.twitter.com/wJ71esSbWG</a></p>— Jude (@ndjrs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndjrs/status/1471317835892895744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our red-headed fable-teller has enjoyed his ice cream and it's now time to join Marcus Freeman for a haircut at Exclusive Studios. (Also pretty sure that <a href="https://twitter.com/acornoAk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acornoAk</a> in the other chair!) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDFB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NDFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/AuIJt4a52l">pic.twitter.com/AuIJt4a52l</a></p>— Jude (@ndjrs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndjrs/status/1471513283542888449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tom Rinaldi's fake YouTube video in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishRising?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IrishRising</a> minisodes is helpfully slugged "GRAB TISSUES!" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDFB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NDFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/LDLyFAVn8D">pic.twitter.com/LDLyFAVn8D</a></p>— Jude (@ndjrs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndjrs/status/1471518680949346305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a>
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<h3 id="kOY0gT">MY FAVORITES</h3>
<p id="AhbIwG">Emily Ragan, a NDFIM associate producer, shadowed Marcus Freeman during his first few days. She was <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_dom21/status/1470490539959201804?s=20">present when Freeman flew out to Washington</a> to visit with wide receiver commit Tobias Merriweather and captured a unique coda to his Irish Rising minisode.</p>
<div id="6LcTAi"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J0EJaTZORo4?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="BFYTpt">This story has been told before, but this time it gets a large audience: Eli Raridon’s dad, Scott, was an offensive tackle for Brady Quinn — which leads the FOX analyst to provide a funny quip:</p>
<div id="syJP8l"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i50LKKFOY9s?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="IYCrps">Not to be outdone by Quinn, Joe Theismann has his own moment of levity in the Tyson Ford commitment video:</p>
<div id="AxJqNP"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J1wbZ0LDBqg?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="wWXeup">This Irish Rising content does not come about without collaboration among athletics, FIM, compliance. It also required buy-in from the various small businesses and schools that had to make time for various camera crews between May and December.</p>
<p id="Ce1LQe">It’s proof that Notre Dame can succeed with ambitious ideas, and should always be pushing the envelope in this Name, Image and Likeness era to start helping the student-athlete with his brand. Fans should also love it because it’s colorful and funny, and provides a good primer for knowing each of these players before they take the field.</p>
<p id="rTQU6S">Bravo to all those who worked on this one. I cannot wait to see what you all come up with next year to top this. And thank you to everyone on Twitter who helped me identify names and places. I didn’t get them all, but all of these actors — from the “bowling ball” kids on up — deserve high praise for what they contributed.</p>
<p id="v8twpw"></p>
https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/12/16/22839344/notre-dame-2022-football-commitment-videos-are-ambitious-fun-engaging-national-signing-day-earlyndjrs2021-12-15T15:03:40-05:002021-12-15T15:03:40-05:00Marcus Freeman, Mike Elston, and Tommy Rees talk Notre Dame recruiting on Signing Day
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<p>“We wanted all of our guys to sign right now.”</p> <p id="PDJQy1">The <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> received 21 signatures during college football’s early period for National Signing Day. It’s been kind of a wild ride over the last couple of weeks, and it’s days like this that help solidify the future of the program.</p>
<p id="caZcOh">Notre Dame took some losses since they won the the final game of the regular season. Defensive back Devin Moore decommitted more than a week ago, and then after the Irish got back in the mix, Moore chose the <a href="https://www.alligatorarmy.com">Florida Gators</a>. Wide receiver Amorion Walker had been a flaky commitment for months as he took visits elsewhere and developed a really cozy relationship with the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> — before finally flipping to those Wolverines at a signing day announcement ceremony.</p>
<div id="Y7IBQl"><div data-anthem-component="productcard:10899047"></div></div>
<p id="QABq2b">And yet... Notre Dame still has the #7 recruiting class in the country, and has the highest average player ranking for an Irish class since 2013. </p>
<p id="iToapu">One of the bigger issues of the day is all of the name, image, and likeness stuff happening all over the country. It’s a fuzzy gray line at some schools — but <a href="https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/LongFormArticle/Everything-Marcus-Freeman-Said-on-Notre-Dame-Signing-Day-178436024/#178436024_3">Freeman talks</a> about it as a black and white situation.</p>
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<p id="O6KIQn">“You got to show them that you have a plan. But there are certain roles within the NCAA that you can’t do. And we can’t say we’re providing this name, image and likeness deal for you and things of that nature. And so, we know it’s real. And they know we have a plan to try to help promote it. But we can’t break the rules. And we won’t break the rules. But we know it’s a part of recruiting in the future and recruiting in the present.”</p>
<p id="GvF1Ld">“We do things Notre Dame way. And I’ve told this staff that we’re going to do everything we do with integrity and do it the right way. And we’re going to win by outworking people. And that’s going to be our mindset in football, it’s going to be on mindset in recruiting. We’re going to outwork our opponents. So, I don’t want to do anything that has to do with breaking the rules.”</p>
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<p id="2HgmUE">Freeman spoke about a number of different things, but perhaps the big question of the day certainly involves the wide receiver position. Notre Dame signed just one WR for the 2022 class, and now the conversations about “what’s next” need to begin.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="ypqLwR">“Well, I know the minute we got done with the press conference, obviously, we had to go see Tobias (Merriweather). That’s the first place we got to go. We stopped and we saw Billy (Schrauth) first on our way to go see Tobias. And so, to get him a part of this class is huge. It’s huge. We were in his house in I think 9:30 West Coast time at night. So, it was almost midnight here or after midnight. And so, that was a very important gift for us. </p>
<p id="xTP1Zm">“And so, we will go back after the season and we’ll address and will look and say, ‘Hey, where are we at with the guys that can possibly come back for another year versus are those guys leaving?’ What numbers-wise do we need to address in the wide receivers room? If we need to go and look at the transfer portal, we will. If we need to start recruiting more high school kids for the following ‘23 class, we will. And so, those are still something that’s an ongoing process in terms of our current roster, in terms of guys leaving, and then, ‘Hey, is it a transfer portal situation or is it a high school recruit situation?”</p>
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<p id="WzOMMK">After Freeman spoke with the media, recruiting coordinator Mike Elston and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees were next up on the podium to answer the questions of the day. </p>
<p id="4PpZmH">You can watch the full press conference for all three coaches in the player below.</p>
<div id="FN2tM9"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JfsbnSAdL14?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture;"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/12/15/22838193/notre-dame-football-recruiting-marcus-freeman-tommy-rees-mike-elston-address-the-media-signing-dayJoshua Vowles2021-12-15T13:38:44-05:002021-12-15T13:38:44-05:00Which Notre Dame signees could see immediate playing time as freshmen?
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<figcaption>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/T2Cold7/status/1470191042712543236?s=20" target="_blank">@T2Cold7</a>)</figcaption>
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<p>Some of these guys are talented enough to immediately push for time. Some will be needed just to provide depth at certain positions. Some, both.</p> <p id="o9yjRc">Heading into the 2021 season, most people probably weren’t expecting to see a lot of true freshmen make an impact. The prevailing and at least somewhat incorrect talking point tossed around was that Brian Kelly’s program rarely got freshmen on the field fast enough, and even though the Irish lost a ton of talent from the 2020 team, depth was considered the best it’d been in years as veterans looked to step into starting roles almost across the board.</p>
<p id="OTQ9oy">Thus, it was pretty exciting and surprising to see how many class of 2021 guys ended up playing SUBSTANTIAL roles in this current <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fiesta-bowl">Fiesta Bowl</a> season for the Irish. LT Joe Alt is a freshman All-American who replaced injured true freshman Blake Fisher, who had won the job outright before the season. QB Tyler Buchner earned a role as the change-of-pace QB who could provide a running threat and a jolt of new energy, finishing 2nd on the team in rushing (336 yards) while also getting to sling it around just a bit. </p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UZu2Bm_bwD50CqdtLsNkNzxzLRo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23097838/usa_today_17271231.jpg">
<cite>Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="dJqCl9">Logan Diggs more or less finished the year as the #2 running back, with fellow frosh Audric Estime flashing some serious promise as well. Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Deion Colzie both saw solid amounts of playing time while combining for 20 receptions and 275 yards. TE Mitch Evans played a lot, even if mostly as a blocker. And defensively, there weren’t a ton of snaps to go around with so many talented veterans, but guys like Prince Kollie and Kahanu Kia still managed to make themselves noticed in blowouts and on special teams.</p>
<p id="IovFTd">So, now that head coach Marcus Freeman has signed today what could end up ranked as a top 10 class, who are the guys in that group best positioned and best able to see the field right away in their 2022 debut season? </p>
<p id="FsSsHT">Let’s discuss.</p>
<h2 id="C3y1nB">Tobias Merriweather: 4-star WR from Camas, WA</h2>
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<cite>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/mattfreemanISD" target="_blank">@mattfreemanISD</a>)</cite>
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<p id="2WjgFE">I cannot imagine this comes as a surprise to anyone who’s even remotely followed the Fighting Irish the past couple years. The depth chart at wide receiver has gotten scary recently, as transfers, poor recruiting efforts (1 WR in the 2019 class!!!!), position switches (the one 2019 WR, Cam Hart, and the only remaining 2020 WR, Xavier Watts, moving to defense), and injuries decimated the Irish to the point where by the end of the 2021 regular season, the Irish had 5 available scholarship wideouts, with three of them being the 2021 freshmen (Lorenzo Styles Jr., Deion Colzie, Jayden Thomas).</p>
<p id="QDLz9r">Heading into 2022, there are all sorts of question marks about who’s going to return. Styles and Colzie and Thomas should all be back (barring the temptation of the transfer portal becoming too much), and all the seniors technically have eligibility remaining. But will Avery Davis want to play a 6th season after tearing his ACL? Will Joe Wilkins want to finish his career as a likely reserve? Are Kevin Austin Jr. and Braden Lenzy interested in playing another college season, let alone another for the Irish?</p>
<p id="9xNs2D">It’s really all up in the air, and if some of those guys decide they want to move on, ND will be looking at a serious dearth of capable wideouts. Of course, Marcus Freeman, Tommy Rees, etc. could attempt to bring in a couple guys from the transfer portal or some unsigned diamonds in the rough prior to February to help bolster the numbers. But considering CJ Williams’s decommitment this week and Amorion Walker flipping to Michigan on Early Signing Day, Merriweather may be the sole true freshman wide receiver in 2022, meaning he may have to step into the rotation by default.</p>
<p id="YdG2m3">Luckily, Merriweather is also an awesome prospect. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">commited. ☘️ <a href="https://t.co/ZAIknq1RxP">pic.twitter.com/ZAIknq1RxP</a></p>— TM5 ♂️ (@TM5IVE) <a href="https://twitter.com/TM5IVE/status/1423082252120903680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2021</a>
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<p id="W3iwV6">He’s 6’4” with great length, athleticism, and hands, and combined with Colzie really will give Tyler Buchner and Drew Pyne some nice catch radii and jump-ball ability to throw to out there. He may just earn a spot on the field, whether guys like Austin and Davis and Wilkins and Lenzy return or not.</p>
<h2 id="22KBIw">Bryce McFerson: 5-star P from Indian Trail, NC</h2>
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<cite>Via <a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/BryceMcferson" target="_blank">@BryceMcferson</a> on Twitter</cite>
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<p id="IPm5LP">Yeah, I know he’s actually a 2-star recruit on 247sports, but that’s of course because he’s a punter.</p>
<p id="EGG3Fb">Ignoring that, McFerson is <a href="https://www.kohlskicking.com/player-profiles/bryce-mcferson">a certified stud punter</a>, ranked #2 in his class by Kohl’s. He’s good enough that when it became clear Jay Bramblett intended on grad transferring elsewhere to finish his career, the Irish coaching staff made a point to go flip the then-<a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a> commit to ensure his services could immediately be used by the good guys in 2022.</p>
<p id="V0t83g">With no other punters on the roster, it goes without saying that McFerson is expected to step right in and start at punter for the Irish, just like Bramblett was asked to do back in 2019.</p>
<h2 id="zw9PeP">Jadarian Price: 4-star RB from Denison, TX</h2>
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<cite>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Jadarian15/status/1409153292798730241?s=20" target="_blank">@Jadarian15</a>)</cite>
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<p id="bLUL6y">This one might take a chunk or more of the 2022 season to come to fruition, but with Bellyman moving on to the NFL and a potential WR shortage that could lead to a lot more of Chris Tyree in the slot than we’ve seen previously, it’s not out of the question that we will see Jadarian Price receive some degree of playing time next year.</p>
<p id="ot2Bkz">Even if all the running backs exclusively play running back, it’s obviously a high-contact position where guys get dinged up and reserves see the field, especially if they bring something different to the table. Tyree is obviously the home run threat and will likely be RB-1A as the oldest in the crew, with Logan Diggs nipping at his heels for carries as RB-1B. Diggs doesn’t have the breakaway speed of Tyree, but he’s smooth, has good hands, and is fast enough to do significant damage once he hits the second level. </p>
<p id="FYNdLE">Price seems similar, with maybe a bit more strength and long-distance acceleration and a bit less agility than Diggs, whereas Audric Estime, who will certainly be the backup to Tyree and Diggs to start 2022, is much more of a bruising power back (although with decent feet of his own).</p>
<div id="SP4GQg"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10918226/619828d62348210a80e46020" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="gUBFkH">If Tyree or Diggs or both get banged up, Estime will need to share carries with someone who’s got a little more speed and big-play ability, and Price could definitely provide that. He looks college-ready just in terms of the eye test, so there’s definitely a chance we get to see what he’s made of early, just like we did with Diggs and Estime in 2021.</p>
<h2 id="Yzd8ln">Jaylen Sneed: 5-star LB from Hilton Head Island, SC</h2>
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<cite>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Americanfbcamp/status/1466418319632785410?s=20" target="_blank">@Americanfbcamp</a>)</cite>
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<p id="5fri2p">You’d basically need to be Jaylon Smith to begin your time as an ND linebacker with a more college-ready body and skillset than Jaylen Sneed, who comes to South Bend as the highest rated player in the Irish class, ranked 35th nationally in the 247sports Composite rankings (#3 at LB).</p>
<p id="Qq2TYM">Linebacker, of course, isn’t quite as dire of a situation as a position like WR. Most of this unbelievable 2022 LB class (Sneed, Joshua Burnham, Niuafe Tuihalamaka, Nolan Ziegler) probably won’t play much in 2022, at least during any meaningful span of clock on defense. However, Sneed is the type of athlete who will be hard to keep out of the rotation, just considering his 6’2”, 210-lb chiseled frame and versatile skill set (he also played QB for his high school this past season, winning Mr. Football in South Carolina). </p>
<p id="eh1Q6G">At the very least, it seems like Marcus Freeman or whoever is calling the defense next year will want to include Sneed in some 3rd down packages, either for his coverage abilities or his speed and aggression in blitzing the QB.</p>
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<p id="T6sKeD">The linebacker depth chart could open up a bit to help enable this, as well. The main rotation of linebackers at the end of the 2021 season consisted of Drew White, Bo Bauer, JD Bertrand, and Jack Kiser, with White (5th year) and Bauer (senior) being guys who may not be interested in coming back for a final year. Add in that Kiser and Bertrand aren’t exactly fleet of foot or freak athletes, and there could be some opportunity for Sneed — although we do need to remember Marist Liufau and Paul Moala will be returning from injuries, and Prince Kollie and Kahanu Kia are chomping at the bit to get into the rotation themselves (not to mention Xavier Watts potentially playing a lot more Rover).</p>
<p id="m7FD1w">So, it won’t be a given, but if Sneed is the kind of athlete he appears to be, I’ve gotta think he’ll be pushing for immediate opportunities out there in some way, shape, or form.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who got more bounce than me??✌ <a href="https://t.co/SrIAuJ9RqI">pic.twitter.com/SrIAuJ9RqI</a></p>— Jaylen Sneed (@sneed_jaylen) <a href="https://twitter.com/sneed_jaylen/status/1422278996662919176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="w0m31O">Joshua Burnham: 4-star LB from Traverse City, MI </h2>
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<cite>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/JoshuaBurnham20/status/1465668249086046223?s=20" target="_blank">@JoshuaBurnham20</a>)</cite>
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<p id="q2KDzG">I’ll keep this one short, as it’s much the same as Sneed’s — Burnham is a fantastic, versatile athlete whose body looks ready for big-boy college football playing time, and so I think there may be some specific situations or packages where he could get some run.</p>
<p id="ie752U">It might not happen until later in the season once some injuries occur and Burnham has some time to get his assignments down and get used to the speed of the college game, but he’s a really, really great athlete that could probably help out right away — even if only on special teams.</p>
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<p id="dA8HVn">I will say, I think Sneed is on another level at least a half-step above Burnham, but that’s much more a reflection of Sneed’s talent and promise than it is a knock on Burnham, who stands ranked as the 2nd-best player in this ND class and who will be a GREAT <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a> linebacker when it’s all said and done.</p>
<h2 id="VWR4H0">Jaden Mickey/Benjamin Morrison/Jayden Bellamy: </h2>
<h2 id="3igFxG">4-star/4-star/3-star DBs from CA/AZ/NJ</h2>
<p id="Tl58OM">First, let me be clear here: 4-star DB Devin Moore’s name would have replaced these three if he hadn’t decommitted from the Irish when Brian Kelly left for <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>, and then ultimately signed with the <a href="https://www.alligatorarmy.com">Florida Gators</a>. He was a severely underrated and talented DB prospect who could have helped RIGHT AWAY considering his mix of length and speed — especially considering Kyle Hamilton’s departure for the NFL and potential losses of guys like Houston Griffith, TaRiq Bracy, etc.</p>
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<p id="5DVFtF">With that said, I don’t know if any of these three 2022 DB signees will for sure see the field next year in any significant fashion other than special teams or garbage time, but considering the lack of depth at safety and the lack of proven guys at cornerback after the starters, there’s always a possibility one of these guys has a Clarence Lewis-esque rise to playing time that wouldn’t have seemed likely just from their recruiting ratings.</p>
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<p id="onDEN9">The 2021 class had a number of DBs itself in Philip Riley, Khari Gee, Ryan Barnes, Justin Walters, Chance Tucker, and JoJo Johnson, but despite plenty of promise amongst those guys, they were almost all 3-star guys as well, meaning there’s a chance a number of them never really develop into starting-caliber DBs. </p>
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<p id="JYVLuu">Hopefully that’s wrong and Mike Mickens and Nick O’Leary coach them up into a bunch of world-beaters, but if not, don’t be surprised if someone like Mickey or Morrison comes in as a polished player and snags some PT in certain DB-heavy packages.</p>
<h2 id="XAitKE">God Forbid, But Quite Possible...</h2>
<h2 id="47Olwf">Steve Angeli: 3-star QB from Oradell, NJ</h2>
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<cite>Photo Credit: Twitter (<a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/SteveAngeli_125/status/1467218661987528713?s=20" target="_blank">@SteveAngeli_125</a>)</cite>
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<p id="YdwU8X">This is really more of a “knock on wood” one than anything, but assuming the Irish don’t go grab a QB from the transfer portal, there’s a solid chance Angeli could be QB3 entering the 2022 season (assuming he can beat out Ron Powlus III).</p>
<p id="fa7vXU">If that’s the case, I think we’ve seen enough over the last few years to know that starting and even backup QBs can get hurt and in rough situations, the 3rd guy off the bench may need to be called upon (*cough* Drew Pyne this season against Wisconsin and Cincinnati *cough*).</p>
<p id="H8bd1u">Thus, there’s certainly a scenario where Buchner and Pyne can’t go for whatever reason (or an even darker scenario where one or both have performed poorly enough in a game to warrant benching them), and Angeli could be asked to step in. I don’t think it would go super great, as Angeli strikes me as a guy who will need time to develop before potentially earning real playing time. But it’s possible, and as Irish fans we should prepare for every possibility. And hell, the kid clearly seems like a winner — maybe he’s THE FUTURE.</p>
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https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/12/15/22836381/notre-dame-football-recruiting-signees-2022-playing-time-tobias-merriweather-jaylen-sneed-jd-pricePat Rick