Svoboda
07-24-2007, 10:18 AM
With the Fightin' Irish Inn almost full for the Class of 2008, we've decided to take a look ahead to the Class of 2009. Making a few assumptions on how the 2008 recruiting class will fill out, we expect the Irish to have approximately 15 scholarships open in 2009.
With only 15 scholarships, the Irish will need to be very selective in who they offer as each commitment will be crucial to the continued success of the Irish program. Weis has discussed in the past how he would like to achieve balance and consistency among recruiting classes and this is amplified with smaller classes.
With smaller recruiting classes, you simply cannot afford to have many misses when it comes to your talent evaluation as you may have two years before another recruit is ready to contribute. With fewer numbers, this is again amplified as Notre Dame has historically had less academic and attrition casualties then other major college football programs.
Anticipated 2009 Breakdown:
QB (1) - With Zach Frazer transferring, we have one quarterback per class for the last three classes. I look for Weis to make sure he takes at least one signal caller per class to ensure continuity and to always have someone being groomed to take over the reigns if a player graduates, goes pro or transfers.
RB/FB (1) - In 2009, the Irish will be stocked with youth at the running back position with 3 juniors and 2 sophomores. I'd look for the Irish to be extremely picky here, especially if they end up stuffing a back into the 2008 class as expected. If Munir Prince makes the move to cornerback permanently as has been reported, then a possible 2nd back could be taken here.
WR (2) - Gamebreakers, Gamebreakers, Gamebreakers. In what is probably the least skilled unit on the Irish offensive, Weis and company should be seeking a couple wideouts that can stretch the field and take pressure off the quarterback and running game. That said, the wide receiver class of 2009 doesn't look to be as deep and loaded as 2008's class is.
TE (1) - Until I see differently, I'm subscribing to the 2-1-2 philosophy that Weis said he wanted at the tight end spot. With the way Weis loves to use the tight end within the offense, I see no reason why Notre Dame can't land a top 5 tight end year in and year out.
OL (3) - There is an adage I strongly believe in -- that championships are won along the offensive and defensive lines. In each recruiting class, no matter how stacked any unit may seem you ALWAYS need to bring in at least three lineman. With as much as the big uglies bump uglies, it's needed strictly for depth alone. However, to win those championships, you need a stable of behemoths pushing and competing every practice, every game, every season.
DL (3) - See above. And yes, bigger is most definitely better. In the newly employed 3/4 defense we need as many space eaters as possible so we can keep lanes open and let our skilled position players do what they're recruited to do -- make plays.
LB (2) - After taking four or five in 2008, selling the linebacker spot to potential recruits is probably going to be pretty tough. The good thing is there will be 7-8 backers on the roster that are sophomores or younger. Hold out for the absolute best guys you can land here or use the spots elsewhere.
CB/S (2) - Two corners will be necessary here, especially if Raeshon McNeil takes off to Rome as part of his architecture curriculum requirements. Safety isn't a position of need, so I'd say grab two top flight corners and be done with it.
K/P (0) - I fully believe you should never have more then 2 kickers/punters on scholarship and we're already there with Burkhart and Walker. Hopefully they can develop and bring some stability to the woeful Irish kicking game. If not, you may have to consider adding another kicker/punter in the 2010 class. Let's hope not.
A Balancing Act
As you can see, our anticipated breakdown yields a pretty balanced class and hits on all of our areas of need. A couple caveats would be the possibility of loading on at the wide receiver position, especially if we don't perform well there this upcoming season. Additionally, when any team moves to a new offensive or defensive set, it can lead to some attrition as plays that may have fit well in the 4/3 may not have the right frame, body type or skill set to play in the 3/4 scheme.
Another thing to carefully keep your eye on this season is the development of our younger players. With the loss of senior leadership we experienced in 2007, the 2006 recruiting class needs to have players fulfill the potential that landed them that 8th ranked class according to the Rivals recruiting service.
While Notre Dame Nation has been spoiled with instant success under the Weis regime, folks need to be patient this upcoming season. In less than a year the Irish have lost the most dynamic quarterback/wide receiver tandem in program history, have lost a high number of significant contributors to graduation, have experienced turnover within the coaching staff, have implemented a new defensive scheme and are now in the wake of ushering in a very youthful lineup. That's a lot to overcome.
All that being said, it's an exciting time to be a fan of the Fightin' Irish. With the infusion of youth into the starting lineup and two deeps, as well as the increased talent flocking to South Bend in droves to play for Coach Weis and Coach Brown, the Irish are poised to rebuild and reload on the fly and get back into that National Championship picture -- hopefully by the time the Class of 2009 recruits first set foot on campus.
Are you ready for some football?
With only 15 scholarships, the Irish will need to be very selective in who they offer as each commitment will be crucial to the continued success of the Irish program. Weis has discussed in the past how he would like to achieve balance and consistency among recruiting classes and this is amplified with smaller classes.
With smaller recruiting classes, you simply cannot afford to have many misses when it comes to your talent evaluation as you may have two years before another recruit is ready to contribute. With fewer numbers, this is again amplified as Notre Dame has historically had less academic and attrition casualties then other major college football programs.
Anticipated 2009 Breakdown:
QB (1) - With Zach Frazer transferring, we have one quarterback per class for the last three classes. I look for Weis to make sure he takes at least one signal caller per class to ensure continuity and to always have someone being groomed to take over the reigns if a player graduates, goes pro or transfers.
RB/FB (1) - In 2009, the Irish will be stocked with youth at the running back position with 3 juniors and 2 sophomores. I'd look for the Irish to be extremely picky here, especially if they end up stuffing a back into the 2008 class as expected. If Munir Prince makes the move to cornerback permanently as has been reported, then a possible 2nd back could be taken here.
WR (2) - Gamebreakers, Gamebreakers, Gamebreakers. In what is probably the least skilled unit on the Irish offensive, Weis and company should be seeking a couple wideouts that can stretch the field and take pressure off the quarterback and running game. That said, the wide receiver class of 2009 doesn't look to be as deep and loaded as 2008's class is.
TE (1) - Until I see differently, I'm subscribing to the 2-1-2 philosophy that Weis said he wanted at the tight end spot. With the way Weis loves to use the tight end within the offense, I see no reason why Notre Dame can't land a top 5 tight end year in and year out.
OL (3) - There is an adage I strongly believe in -- that championships are won along the offensive and defensive lines. In each recruiting class, no matter how stacked any unit may seem you ALWAYS need to bring in at least three lineman. With as much as the big uglies bump uglies, it's needed strictly for depth alone. However, to win those championships, you need a stable of behemoths pushing and competing every practice, every game, every season.
DL (3) - See above. And yes, bigger is most definitely better. In the newly employed 3/4 defense we need as many space eaters as possible so we can keep lanes open and let our skilled position players do what they're recruited to do -- make plays.
LB (2) - After taking four or five in 2008, selling the linebacker spot to potential recruits is probably going to be pretty tough. The good thing is there will be 7-8 backers on the roster that are sophomores or younger. Hold out for the absolute best guys you can land here or use the spots elsewhere.
CB/S (2) - Two corners will be necessary here, especially if Raeshon McNeil takes off to Rome as part of his architecture curriculum requirements. Safety isn't a position of need, so I'd say grab two top flight corners and be done with it.
K/P (0) - I fully believe you should never have more then 2 kickers/punters on scholarship and we're already there with Burkhart and Walker. Hopefully they can develop and bring some stability to the woeful Irish kicking game. If not, you may have to consider adding another kicker/punter in the 2010 class. Let's hope not.
A Balancing Act
As you can see, our anticipated breakdown yields a pretty balanced class and hits on all of our areas of need. A couple caveats would be the possibility of loading on at the wide receiver position, especially if we don't perform well there this upcoming season. Additionally, when any team moves to a new offensive or defensive set, it can lead to some attrition as plays that may have fit well in the 4/3 may not have the right frame, body type or skill set to play in the 3/4 scheme.
Another thing to carefully keep your eye on this season is the development of our younger players. With the loss of senior leadership we experienced in 2007, the 2006 recruiting class needs to have players fulfill the potential that landed them that 8th ranked class according to the Rivals recruiting service.
While Notre Dame Nation has been spoiled with instant success under the Weis regime, folks need to be patient this upcoming season. In less than a year the Irish have lost the most dynamic quarterback/wide receiver tandem in program history, have lost a high number of significant contributors to graduation, have experienced turnover within the coaching staff, have implemented a new defensive scheme and are now in the wake of ushering in a very youthful lineup. That's a lot to overcome.
All that being said, it's an exciting time to be a fan of the Fightin' Irish. With the infusion of youth into the starting lineup and two deeps, as well as the increased talent flocking to South Bend in droves to play for Coach Weis and Coach Brown, the Irish are poised to rebuild and reload on the fly and get back into that National Championship picture -- hopefully by the time the Class of 2009 recruits first set foot on campus.
Are you ready for some football?