'09 SC DT Chris Bonds (Alabama LOI)

[Svoboda]

Defensive Tackle

Richland Northeast High School ( http://www2.richland2.org/rnh/) (Columbia, SC)

Links of Interest:
Rivals Profile (http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=59150)

Height: 6 foot-4
Weight: 262 lbs.

Combine
Forty: 4.7
Bench Reps:
Bench Max: 325 lbs.
Squat Max:
Shuttle:
Vertical:
GPA:

Star Ratings
Rivals.com: ****
Scout.com: ****

Rankings & Accolades
Rivals 100 #93/ #9 Defensive Tackle
Scout 300 #142/ #17 Defensive End

Statistics
2006-
2007-

Schools of Interest
Auburn
Florida
Florida State
Georgia
Miami
Michigan
Notre Dame
South Carolina
Tennessee

Multimedia

Rivals Videos on Chris Bonds

Chris Bonds Highlights 1 (http://notredame.rivals.com/video.asp?section=fbrecruit&pkey=59150&vidtype=prospect&vidid=114651)

Chris Bonds Highlights 2 (http://notredame.rivals.com/video.asp?section=fbrecruit&pkey=59150&vidtype=prospect&vidid=116450)

[Svoboda]

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/CHRISBONDS3_9200.JPG

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated & Highlights Added.

Notre Dame has offered Chris Bonds. The Irish offer is one of three along with South Carolina & Miami that Bonds currently holds.

[irishunclebill]

This one is a little surprising, but since it is coming from a South Carolina source, I take it with a grain of salt. They are reporting that Bonds two favorite schools right now are South Carolina and USC. ND may not get Bonds, but I would be surprised if the Irish were not even a player here as the recruiting season goes along.

[notredomer23]

This one is a little surprising, but since it is coming from a South Carolina source, I take it with a grain of salt. They are reporting that Bonds two favorite schools right now are South Carolina and USC. ND may not get Bonds, but I would be surprised if the Irish were not even a player here as the recruiting season goes along.

I highly doubt that, especially since Rivals doesnt even list him as being interested in USC. Come on kid is it that tough? ND or South Carolina? National Championship or 6-6?

[irishunclebill]

I highly doubt that, especially since Rivals doesnt even list him as being interested in USC. Come on kid is it that tough? ND or South Carolina? National Championship or 6-6?

That is why I seldom look at any South Carolina site, especially if there is any kind of ND involvement at all. They are the biggest ND hata's of them all, and they have absolutely no reason for it, other than losing Gary Gray.

[irishziggy]

in his video interview he did talk about being very interested in USC's prestige as he was with ND's.

[IrishKnight1023]

His family are Gamecock fans and he won't even consider Clemson because of that reason. I'd be shocked if he ended up anywhere but South Carolina.

[Fishin'_Irish]

That is why I seldom look at any South Carolina site, especially if there is any kind of ND involvement at all. They are the biggest ND hata's of them all, and they have absolutely no reason for it, other than losing Gary Gray.

Speaking of which, Gray is a former highschool teammate of Bonds's.

[Fishin'_Irish]

His family are Gamecock fans and he won't even consider Clemson because of that reason. I'd be shocked if he ended up anywhere but South Carolina.

The rivalry down there is intense. It's like nothing I've ever seen, and I'm including UM - OSU.

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated with Rivals & Scout Ranking , Position Ranking, and Star Rating.

Rivals now lists Chris as a Defensive Tackle prospect.

[IrishKnight1023]

In a suprising move Chris just named Alabama his leader...

[marv81s]

In a suprising move Chris just named Alabama his leader...

probably found that duffel bag from the bama booster sitting on his back porch recently

[irishunclebill]

Bonds has a big downgrade in the new Rivals rankings. His drop from Rivals 100 #72 to Rivals 250 #147 was the second biggest drop of any previous Rivals 100 guys with a GH profile, exceeded only by Morgan Newton.

[IrishGrizz]

Man, IUB, what causes these huge drops? It gives you great pause to believe the first rankings when they change so drastically, doncha think? :looney:

[BDirish4ever]

IUB, we are still looking at this kid at DE right? It seems to me watching him play that his athletic ability would be wasted at NT.

[irishunclebill]

IUB, we are still looking at this kid at DE right? It seems to me watching him play that his athletic ability would be wasted at NT.

ND would use him as a DE. Unless the position differential is drastic between what Rivals is listing and what ND is recruiting for, I usually use the Rivals tag for ease of tracking position rankings.

[BDirish4ever]

ND would use him as a DE. Unless the position differential is drastic between what Rivals is listing and what ND is recruiting for, I usually use the Rivals tag for ease of tracking position rankings.

Thanks IUB, with his style of play and body type I did not see him as a NT!

[bayirish]

I feel dirty for reading espin, but it looks like Bonds wants to set up an official to South Bend.


ESPN 150 Watch List talent Chris Bonds said, "Southern Cal, Michigan and Notre Dame are the three official visits I know I want to take. The other two will probably be Miami-FL and Alabama. I've already visited South Carolina's camps and I'm using the official visits to go to places I normally wouldn't visit," ESPN affiliate WeAreSC.com reports.

[rontdtarchala]

man I just want a couple top 5 d line guys that put their hands down on the ground and have motors that never stop

[marv81s]

Bonds' top 3: USC (taking another visit out there very soon), bama and south carolina


with that top 3, next

[irishunclebill]

He was at USC two different times this week alone! Monday & then again yesterday. Maybe he has already moved out there. LOL. He was also there for the Rose Bowl. Seems to be totally star struck, the way he is talking about USC, I'm amazed he did not commit yesterday, probably has to come home and talk it over with the rest of the family. I'm guessing Gary Gray is not talking to this kid, or if he is Bonds is not paying attention.

[SouthernIrish]

Too bad. I thought we really had a shot at him too.

[daytonirish]

Maybe now LaLota will get an offer. We move on and get someone who wants to be at ND.

[realitycheck]

Bonds still seems intent on taking his visit to ND, the chances are slim for ND, but at least the coaches will get a chance to make their mark

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated to reflect latest Rivals & Scout rankings.

Chris moves back into the Rivals 100.

[irishunclebill]

Bonds has a list of 7 schools now which includes ND, Tennessee Southern Cal, Michigan, South Carolina, Alabama and Miami. He says he longer has a leader but would not say who the previous leader was. (:secretservice: It was USCW) Unlike Nixon's list of 9 the competition here makes ND's task pretty difficult.

[zimmsbg78]

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/jun/25/bonds-enjoys-visit-uts-brooks/

At least we are in his top 7. Now, hopefully we can get him on campus for a game.

[irishunclebill]

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/jun/25/bonds-enjoys-visit-uts-brooks/

At least we are in his top 7. Now, hopefully we can get him on campus for a game.

That's the only chance here. Even though he seems to have soured a bit on the Poodle, there is too many SEC schools in his Final 7 and without an ND official that will be too much to overcome.

[IrishKnight1023]

Alabama was his favorite back in the day couple of months ago) so maybe that was it.

[marv81s]

he just got back from Tennessee and had very high marks for them after that visit, and if i remember right his mom was highly impressed with Tenn after that visit and in the article he went on to say that him mom always dreamed of him playing in the orange and white and listening to Rocky Top.

Even though ND is in his top 7, I'm willing to bet that they are sitting at #7. Downtown Corwin Brown needs to stay on this guy like white on rice and talk Bonds and his momma into making a trip up to ND for ND to stay in this race.

No visit, no chance

[daytonirish]

Muldoon, LaLota. Enough said.

[irishunclebill]

Muldoon, LaLota. Enough said.

Hate to disagree, well not really.:nanana:

I would be thrilled with Muldoon & LaLota and I think that nabbing those two would eliminate Roh & Ikard from consideration. However, Bonds could still be a possibility even if ND gets LaLota & Muldoon. He brings a different skill set to the table than Roh & Ikard and would be comfortable playing DE in a 3-4 formation or DT in a 4-3 formation. All of that being said I agree that ND is probably no better than #6 on his list of 7 schools.

[SpanishElite]

I think Bonds would be a great addition regardless of who else we get. He seems to be a great player (from the South) and at a position of need. The more the merrier in my opinion.

[irishziggy]

plans to make his official visit for the Michigan game

[irishmarine]

that michigan game is looking to be huge for our recruiting alone. arent there gonna be a couple other big guys there that weekend?

[therizz]

Seems like the U of M game is always the biggest game of the year when they play them at home.

Two years ago they had Clausen, Benn, Barksdale, etc.

Hopefully they close some of these deals that weekend.

[daytonirish]

This will propably be the big weekend for ND. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 88 Championship. That team will be in town and also the Lou Holtz statue will be unvelled. So yeah it looks like Charlie and the staff are trying to incorporate all of this together.

[rontdtarchala]

shoot just unvailing the Louuuuuuuuuuu statue is enough...

[irishmarine]

i might have to sell a kidney to get to that game, but ill be there

[IrishGrizz]

should be no prob, jarhead- ya got 2 of em anyway- built in redundancies allow you to make contingency plans.

[zimmsbg78]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080725/PSPORTS02/999441703/1018/sports&title=Bonds_Set_With_Five_Official_Visits


Bonds Set With Five Official Visits
By Phil Kornblut

Richland Northeast DE Chris Bonds (6-4 283) has finalized plans for his five official visits this fall, and he has dates for three of them his mother said Friday. Bonds will visit Notre Dame September 13th for the Michigan game, Tennessee October 25th for the Alabama game, and Alabama November 29th for the Auburn game. Bonds also will take official visits to Southern Cal and Michigan on dates to be determined. Bonds is down to those five schools and USC. "There's no need for an official visit there," Ginger Miller said. "We went to the showcase last Friday and spent the whole day. We plan on going to as many home games as we can." Bonds does not have a favorite. As for his surgically repaired left knee, Bonds's mother said all is fine. "The knee is excellent," she said. "We get the same phrase from the doctor, it's solid as a rock."

Now the question is........ Are we a legit choice or just window dressing?

[notredomer23]

Dude its an official visit. Even if it is one visit can change anything

[marv81s]

never under estimate this guy

http://www.uhnd.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/corwin-brown-01.jpg

[rontdtarchala]

preach it brother

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated to reflect latest Rivals and Scout rankings.

Chris drops 25 spots on Scout, no doubt because he is no longer professing his undying love for the Poodle and his program. J/K.

[zimmsbg78]

Sept 1st was the first day coaches could call recruits. Chris had recieved calls from a assistant coach at scUM, Phill Fulmer, Nick Saban, and Charlie Weis. He set his official for the scUM game while on the phone with CW. Chris said he was anxious to visit ND.

[FloydsFlair]

So does our attention turn from the scUM commitment to Bonds now, i think so, he has a few other official visits. Well lets hope he is impressed with what he see's tomorrow. So lets make sure we beat the scUM, showing Lalota why he made a mistake and why Bonds should commit to south bend.

[SpanishElite]

Hopefully we can put the full court press on him this weekend. I think its CRUCIAL that we get at least 1 more DL commit in this class to continue the depth that we started the last 2 years.

[notredomer23]

I have a funny funny feeling he commits

[stew654]

Hopefully we can put the full court press on him this weekend. I think its CRUCIAL that we get at least 1 more DL commit in this class to continue the depth that we started the last 2 years.

I would think we would be shooting for atleast 3, and would be fine with stockton, bonds, ikard?. :)

[SouthernIrish]

i'd be shocked (pleasantly though) if Bonds commited today or anytime this weekend.

[FloydsFlair]

He still has a few official visits planned so i doubt we see a commitment this weekend, although if Theo is as persuasive as i hope he is, anything can happen.

[notredomer23]

He still has a few official visits planned so i doubt we see a commitment this weekend, although if Theo is as persuasive as i hope he is, anything can happen.

LaLota was originally taking a visit to this game too.

It doesnt matter if they have officials planned, they can cancel em. I just think an 09 recruit commits today, and IMO it will be him or Oliver.

[FloydsFlair]

Well ND23 i hope your right, that would be a great pickup after losing out to Lalota.

[rontdtarchala]

all I want is good news today folks....hahahaha did I scare anyone...

[daytonirish]

Bnds would be greaat, but I'm thinking Oliver.

[SpanishElite]

all I want is good news today folks....hahahaha did I scare anyone...

I think there is good news from all the reports that he was impressed by ND. Obviously we still have a long way to go to get his commitment.. but I feel alot more confident now than I did a few weeks ago when ND was on the outside looking in.

Bonds will visit Notre Dame September 13th for the Michigan game, Tennessee October 25th for the Alabama game, and Alabama November 29th for the Auburn game. Bonds also will take official visits to Southern Cal and Michigan on dates to be determined. Bonds is down to those five schools and USC.

There is the rest of his visit schedule and favorites.

[irishziggy]

keep in mind the USC at the end is South Carolina.

[rontdtarchala]

lets just beat the crap outa sparty and really turn some heads....

[SpanishElite]

Bonds loved his visit. He said that he liked it alot more than he thought he would. He said he really loved it up there. Bonds seems like a straight forward kid. Not to say he no nonsense, but he seems very focused, very intelligent young man. He was impressed obviously by the academics, and they way Corwin Brown uses so many DL and how he moves the from the inside to the outside in different ways.

My only issue is that EVERYONE loves offical visits. And this is his first one. So now hopefully we can hold off the other schools.

[rontdtarchala]

yeah need him on board imo

[zimmsbg78]

More from the rumor mill.......

It is rumored to be a three man race for Bond's signature. The three teams are ND (Official visitor for the scUM game), Tennessee (Official visit October 21st -vs.- Alabama) and Alabama (No official date set yet). With word being that Tennessee holds a slight lead.

[SouthernIrish]

Wow, I'm a little surprised. I can't think of any reason in the world to go to UT over ND except distance. Fulmer hold on the HC position is in serious question. Once UT gets spanked this weekend by UF, start looking for the rumors to begin about Fulmer getting ousted. Hell, they were questioning him last year and they haven't stopped yet. I live in Memphis which has about as many UT fans as Memphis fans and Rebel fans and Hog fans. I listen to the sports morons here frequently. I'm telling you Fulmer is on his way out unless they start winning big time. 9 wins isn't enough.

Remember this is the UT team that LOST to UCLA which got SPANKED by BYU 59-0!! The VOLS have noticed.

[SoCalDomer]

Wow, I'm a little surprised. I can't think of any reason in the world to go to UT over ND except distance. Fulmer hold on the HC position is in serious question. Once UT gets spanked this weekend by UF, start looking for the rumors to begin about Fulmer getting ousted.

i think he did just sign a big long extension though.

[rontdtarchala]

they can be bought out in a heart beat.

[NDgrandson]

The staff has been on him since the beginning and he would be a great get considering not only his talent, but pulling him out of the South. I love it when we can do that.

[SouthernIrish]

i think he did just sign a big long extension though.

I don't know about that but I agree with ron that those contracts can be bought out particularly if a new and up-and coming coach appears....perhaps Tommy Bowden?!!

[SoCalDomer]

they can be bought out in a heart beat.

true they can, but whether they do depends on the buy-out clause. a buy-out on a ten year deal can't be cheap.

[NDChatt]

true they can, but whether they do depends on the buy-out clause. a buy-out on a ten year deal can't be cheap.
If ut is blown out by UF this weekend many of the big time donors are no longer going to back Fulmer. #1 and #2 on the list is Jim Haslim of Haslim Oil and John Thorton who has donated millions (somewhere close to 20 Million) for facilites at ut. It is a volitale situation in Knoxville that could turn recruits off to ut.

[SouthernIrish]

It is pretty crazy really when you think about the job Fulmer has done there. He wins pretty consistently although his offense doesn't match the talent he has recruited. Unfortunately, the VOL fans are sitting around eating 'coons and squirrels watching LSU and UF win championships, thinking they should too. I'd love to see Fulmer leave and UT hire TY. I'm pretty sure he will be looking by seasons end.

[IrishinTN]

Guys, I live here and let me tell you, the college will do nothing to Fulmer this year. John Chavous on the other hand will be fired this week if they get blown out. I may be going to this game, too, which (even though it isn't the Irish) would be pretty cool.

[NDChatt]

Southern lives in Memphis and I live about an hour and 1/2 south of Knoxville. Chavis will not be fired, Fulmer is to loyal to him. I wish ut would disbanded the program and focus all its revenue and sources into crew.

[IrishinTN]

Well, it wouldn't bother me if he was, to be honest. It just seems to me the worse he does, the longer of an extension they give him. And they seem more than willing to make scapegoats of his assistants. Either way, I hope Bonds had enough of a great time getting a feel for the Notre Dame campus and all the historical sites there to realize why, overall for the rest of his life, why ND is a better choice.

[DomerBill]

may be someone can stab fulmer in the back the way he did Jonny Majors a few years ago

[GoldenShower]

Interesting article from a South Carolina / Clemson paper. A couple of injuries sometimes helps with their impression of education (IE-Ethan Johnson)

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080922/PSPORTS02/809220247/1018/SPORTS?Title=More_Problems_For_Bonds
September 22, 2008
More Problems For Bonds
By Phil Kornblut

Richland Northeast DE Chris Bonds (6-4 283), who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, suffered torn meniscus cartliage in his right knee in the game against Blythewood September 12th. Bonds will have arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and will be out at least three weeks. Bonds tore the ACL in his left knee last season. He missed most of his sophomore season with a severe ankle sprain. As for his recruiting, Bonds has visited Notre Dame officially and is scheduled to visit Tennessee October 25th. With this down time due to the injury, Bonds said he might move up his other visits. He plans to set dates with Southern Cal and Alabama. Michigan has been on list of visits but he said he's not sure he'll schedule that one. Bonds said right now Notre Dame and Southern Cal are tied at the top of his list. USC remains under consideration. He has not visited the Gamecocks since the NC State game and does not have any plans for another visit at this time.

[Sweeney6083]

interesting and the plot thickens

[BGIF]

... A couple of injuries sometimes helps with their impression of education (IE-Ethan Johnson) ...

I guess that explains Southern Cal, sight unseen, as co-leader.


Wow, both knees in a DL, shades of Melvin Dansby.

[BigIrish]

is it just me, or does it seem like sitting out a year for injury is a prerequisite to being an ND recruit?

[BGIF]

is it just me, or does it seem like sitting out a year for injury is a prerequisite to being an ND recruit?

I thought SOP was an All-Star game/practice injury.

[GoldenShower]

[QUOTE=BGIF;115680]I guess that explains Southern Cal, sight unseen, as co-leader.

Yeah, good point. But if memory serves me right, I do remember that some always projected Ethan USC bound and always a decommittment. Dan McCarthy also took a serious look at OSU. He was of course playing and obviously favoring ND, but still. My original comment was more in jest but suggesting that sometimes guys might value education even more once they get the notion that football on Sundays doesn't always work out.

[BeerLeague]

I'm Not Sure USC Is Looking To Take Him Because From What I Have Heard They Want Him To Be a Defensive Tackle Like Filli Moalla and Bonds Is Insisting On Playing DE

[GoldenShower]

It's been reported, but here's a free update. Either way, this one should go on for awhile.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/oct/06/gilmore_close_decision56894/

Richland Northeast's Chris Bonds has visited Notre Dame and has two other visits now set. He will go to Alabama on Oct. 18 and Tennessee the following week. He's considering USC, Michigan and Southern Cal for his other visits.

[publicola]

For the record, I think this guy is a must get at this point, injury notwithstanding. We can't afford only one DL.

[Revolver]

For the record, I think this guy is a must get at this point, injury notwithstanding. We can't afford only one DL.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[SpanishElite]

Im not very optimistic about Bonds. I really hope he does come to ND, but its going to be tough to fight off 4 other official visits. I think our best chance of another DL commit is a new offer.

[daytonirish]

I think the Irish have a real shot here with Bonds. This staff will be working extra hard to get this young man.

[SouthernIrish]

Two programs have "slight edge" for Chris Bonds
ESPNU 150 prospect Chris Bonds has given a "slight edge" to USC and Notre Dame, ESPN affiliate CrimsonConfidential.com reports.
He said, "The thing that stands out to me about Notre Dame is the academics, and what stands out to me about Southern Cal is the fact that they're ranked high every year."

Bonds still maintains the same top six, which also includes South Carolina, Alabama, Michigan and Tennessee.

He also commented on how and when he plans to announce, "I don't want to wait until national signing day and do the whole hat thing. I'm not a spotlight dude. I just wake up and play football and go to school. I'm a simple guy."

I like our position here. "Simple guys" don't seem to fit a U$C profile IMHO.

[charlottend]

Never mind. Still confused by the USC vs USC (South Carolina) references.

[marv81s]

with Nixon all but gone, Bonds is easily the #1 target left on the board. Unless another LT prospects springs up somewhere, but I agree with jrzink, they need another D-lineman in this class

given some of the health problems that bonds has had in the past, and his talk about academics, it would appear that ND should have the edge over a program like bama and Susc, neither of those two have a history of placing emphasis on education for their football players.

Time I will tell, I like ND's chances with Bonds and they have the right guy in charge of his recruitment

[publicola]

To tell you the truth, I think they need to dig up another d-lineman somewhere, even if they get Bonds. I suppose we still have a chance with Custis, but that seems like it isn't happening. I'd really like for them to send out another offer to....anyone know of any solid d-line prospects laying around, lol?

The d-line recruiting is the glaring weak spot on Weis' resume. Obviously, if a kid doesn't want to go to ND, then he doesn't want to go to ND, and there's not a ton that a coach can do about it. But given our struggles getting d-line in, I think the coaches need to send more offers out much earlier in the process. It's tough, balancing the need to get solid players with the desire to get blue-chip players, but I think that d-line is one area where history suggests that we cast our scholarship net wide -- we're even whiffing on plan B players.

[Griff Cannon]

Per rivals it sounds as if he has officials to bama and Tennessee already scheduled. I am not sure what he sees is tennesee and I wouldn't really see them as a threat but bama will probably have a similar appeal as USC being highly ranked. I do like our chances.

Tenuta is supposed to be in ohio this weekend for recruiting, maybe he has some DL targets in mind?

[irishunclebill]

Per rivals it sounds as if he has officials to bama and Tennessee already scheduled. I am not sure what he sees is tennesee and I wouldn't really see them as a threat but bama will probably have a similar appeal as USC being highly ranked. I do like our chances.

Tenuta is supposed to be in ohio this weekend for recruiting, maybe he has some DL targets in mind?

Tenuta is going to be at the Iggy/St. X game, so unless he is going to try to convince Muldoon to re-consider I doubt it.

[irishmarine]

worth a shot though

[marv81s]

recruiting D-linemen to ND has been a bit of an issue for a while now. I don't think I can lay it all on Weis or anyone else on that staff. Where are a lot of the "stud" d-linemen located for the most part? Down south, SEC country, and some out west, or Texas. There is a lot of kids blown away by the SEC myth (and I think that is all it is, it is media blowing that conference a tad out of proportion), and getting a kid out of Texas is a pretty damn hard task to say the least, and getting the kids out of Az and/or Cali is very difficult. Recruiting nationally like ND has to do is very, very difficult. Getting these kids to leave home, or getting their parents to let their kids leave home is highly difficult. Even with the benefits of obtaining an ND degree. I won't even go into the negative recruiting tactics used by other coach's

another thing working against ND is and always will be admissions. I am not saying D-linemen aren't up to snuff, but it is an obstacle. If I am an elite prospect and I see ND's situation on the D-line, I would be drooling at the opportunity to play right away.


so after all that rambling, I am right back to square one probably and didn't do anything to raise any thoughts on why ND has trouble recruiting D-line talent. All I can say with 100% certainty is that I don't think it is a lack of effort by anyone on the staff. I have heard different stories about what went down with McCoy a few years ago, we all know the story with trattau and ben martin leaving ND at the alter, and, well, I won't even mention the guys name from last year. I do think it is pretty obvious that Weis is learning as he goes that you don't put all your eggs in one basket and take kids for their word anymore. And it is probably going to be bonds or bust. with limited scholies this year, they won't take a person, just to take a person.

they'll stay in Bonds' ear, i really ND's chances right now. Bama concerns me, but if Bonds looks at the situation at ND right now, his chances of playing early are pretty damn good up here.

[Revolver]

recruiting D-linemen to ND has been a bit of an issue for a while now. I don't think I can lay it all on Weis or anyone else on that staff. Where are a lot of the "stud" d-linemen located for the most part? Down south, SEC country, and some out west, or Texas. There is a lot of kids blown away by the SEC myth (and I think that is all it is, it is media blowing that conference a tad out of proportion), and getting a kid out of Texas is a pretty damn hard task to say the least, and getting the kids out of Az and/or Cali is very difficult. Recruiting nationally like ND has to do is very, very difficult. Getting these kids to leave home, or getting their parents to let their kids leave home is highly difficult. Even with the benefits of obtaining an ND degree. I won't even go into the negative recruiting tactics used by other coach's

another thing working against ND is and always will be admissions. I am not saying D-linemen aren't up to snuff, but it is an obstacle. If I am an elite prospect and I see ND's situation on the D-line, I would be drooling at the opportunity to play right away.

so after all that rambling, I am right back to square one probably and didn't do anything to raise any thoughts on why ND has trouble recruiting D-line talent. All I can say with 100% certainty is that I don't think it is a lack of effort by anyone on the staff. I have heard different stories about what went down with McCoy a few years ago, we all know the story with trattau and ben martin leaving ND at the alter, and, well, I won't even mention the guys name from last year. I do think it is pretty obvious that Weis is learning as he goes that you don't put all your eggs in one basket and take kids for their word anymore. And it is probably going to be bonds or bust. with limited scholies this year, they won't take a person, just to take a person.

they'll stay in Bonds' ear, i really ND's chances right now. Bama concerns me, but if Bonds looks at the situation at ND right now, his chances of playing early are pretty damn good up here.

Didn't they used to 'grow them' under Holtz and Davie? That is to say, recruit big linebackers and have them grow into d-lineman after a couple of years.

[BGIF]

Didn't they used to 'grow them' under Holtz and Davie? That is to say, recruit big linebackers and have them grow into d-lineman after a couple of years.

And Safeties became LBs ...

It worked back then, sometimes. It also helps when you have depth ahead of them and can wait the 2-3 years they need to grow into their position. As a Drop LB Kory Minor was thrust into play as a 225 pound (klisted) freshman. He never really had the size to hold down the end of the line. He was a great player but undersized.

[publicola]

And Safeties became LBs ...

It worked back then, sometimes. It also helps when you have depth ahead of them and can wait the 2-3 years they need to grow into their position. As a Drop LB Kory Minor was thrust into play as a 225 pound (klisted) freshman. He never really had the size to hold down the end of the line. He was a great player but undersized.

I'm pretty sure that's what FSU and Miami did in the 80s and 90s: DL goes to OL, LB goes to DL, safeties to LB, and so on. They figured it's all about speed; actually learning how to the play the position was secondary, something that could be learned later. You can't really argue with the results all that much.

[SpanishElite]

Thats great stuff Marv. I agree that the ND staff has been close with a bunch of elite DL, and even had them committed but couldn't hold on. So I have no doubt in the staffs ability. Plus look around, DL is one of the hardest positions to project into college, and that is one of the most "bustable" position. Because if you have a big DL in highschool we can just psychically dominate his HS opposition. But in college you have to use leverage, use your hands and really become a student of the game to be a great DL. And there is not alot of great DL all around the country. They come. I have no doubt.

[Jiggafini19]

I'm pretty sure that's what FSU and Miami did in the 80s and 90s: DL goes to OL, LB goes to DL, safeties to LB, and so on. They figured it's all about speed; actually learning how to the play the position was secondary, something that could be learned later. You can't really argue with the results all that much.

It was an FSU staple under Bowden during the 90's, indeed.

[IrishR#1]

Systems are important for a d-lineman too. Trevor Laws was good but not NFL-caliber in the 4-3, but he was one of the best defensive linemen in the country when we switched to a 3-4.

I wish that we would have gone to a 3-4/4-2-5 immediately when Charlie came in. Think of Chinedum Ndukwe as the hybrid safety with Abiamiri, Derek Landri, and Trevor Laws bring pressure from the inside. I firmly believe that we could have won a championship in one of those seasons if we would have had the right defense.

[IrishR#1]

Ethan Johnson will be a great lineman, and Ian Williams was still a freshman All-American (although he hasn't been as good as he was last season IMO). If we could snag Bonds, we could have a great defensive line pretty damn soon.

[DiamDawg]

Ethan Johnson will be a great lineman, and Ian Williams was still a freshman All-American (although he hasn't been as good as he was last season IMO). If we could snag Bonds, we could have a great defensive line pretty damn soon.

great??? ... I'll start with non-sieve and work our way up from there ... teams are runing all over us .. and that starts with the DL .....

we need as many DLman as we can get .... and we need some real good ones ....

we've got some young kids that may or may not be good or great .... but we need more ... thats why Hunter was so important last year ... no clue if he will end up being great or even good .. but he had all the tools (atheletic ability/mpbility U can't teach) .. but at the worsed he would have been one more body ...

WE NEED DLMAN ... our OL is turning it around for a reason ... and it starts with all the BODIES and the CALIBER of those bodies we've recruited there .. we now need to start doing the same thing on the DL ... and we need to do it in numbers due to attrition ..

theres a good reason we switched to the 3 - 4 and I personally belive this plays a much bigger part in it than most give credit for ... last year was our first even decent class on the DL and Wies saw the lack of #'s there coming ... and this year were just not getting the #'s once again .... and Wies did the right thing when he saw what we would have as upper classman on the DL starting next year ...

that my .02 any how ...

[publicola]

The reason we switched to the 3-4 is pretty clear: that is what Corwin Brown and Charlie Weis know. Weis was clear about this. I don't think Brown has worked an a defensive staff that used the 4-3 as its base defense. Not that he doesn't understand 4-3, but he's a 3-4 guy. The fact that 3-4 accommodates a thin d-line is an ancillary benefit.

But I agree wholeheartedly with your basic point, DiamDawg: at this point, ND needs numbers. It would be great if they were good players like Bonds, but we need to take plan B or C guys and hope that they can be coached up.

[SpanishElite]

There is no doubt they need more quality bodies at the DL because that is bar none the weakest unit on the team. But its not like the staff isn't trying. They had a great haul of players last year with Johnson and Flemming (I know hes a OLB also) leading the group. Cwynar was an EE and everyone had highhopes for him, plus we still have H. Williams and B. Newman. The staff has looked all across the country this year for DL and offered DL from states in Ohio, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania. The depth at that position will come, im not saying we will get 5 DL this year because if we get 3 I will be ecstatic, and I think we will land 2 this year. I know people dont like talking about it but with the 2 UF de commits the staff can get quality DL to commit... we just need to hold on to them and we will be fine.

[ND_Ownz!]

I'll just be happy when I don't have to watch us get steam rolled on D the majority of the time =\

[stew654]

Don't forget KLM spanish. We pulled in 5 on the d-line last class, hopefully we will start seeing the results next year. With better talent, more depth means a good rotation which will keep the line rested. I hope we pull in 2 more (in addition to stockton) that would mean 8 in a 2yr span. Where those 2 come from?, hope Bonds is one of em.

[rontdtarchala]

we need 2/3 quality interior dlinemen each year imo

[publicola]

I don't have a subscription, but for those who do and are interested, Rivals has posted its report from Bonds' visit to Alabama.

[henges25]

Bonds is supposed to have said that his trip to Alabama is up there with the one to Notre Dame as one of the best so far.

[SpanishElite]

"This trip to Alabama ranks up there with Notre Dame as one of the best so far."

Ugh. Not good news. Thats why I always like to have the last visit.

[marv81s]

no worries bro

one of the best is working on Bonds. ND will be in this one till the end.

[DiamDawg]

There is no doubt they need more quality bodies at the DL because that is bar none the weakest unit on the team. But its not like the staff isn't trying. They had a great haul of players last year with Johnson and Flemming (I know hes a OLB also) leading the group. Cwynar was an EE and everyone had highhopes for him, plus we still have H. Williams and B. Newman. The staff has looked all across the country this year for DL and offered DL from states in Ohio, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania. The depth at that position will come, im not saying we will get 5 DL this year because if we get 3 I will be ecstatic, and I think we will land 2 this year. I know people dont like talking about it but with the 2 UF de commits the staff can get quality DL to commit... we just need to hold on to them and we will be fine.

Your right .. last years class was pretty good on the DL .. we got decent players and we filled each position witch is huge .. I still contend losing Hunter was huge and IMO made that an "incomplete" class .... albiet still a great class ... just like Nixon will do this year .... although this years class will be no wheres as good as last years it will still be a decent class with only ONE GLARING POSITION missing ...

thats one good DL class since Charlie has been here ... and this staff works there ass off and is looking under every rock and sometimes going back to the same rocks 3 or 4 times just to make sure ... this is in by no means a slam on there effort .... anyhow ...

thats one good DL class since Charlie's been here ... and we have no clue how good they will be ... lots of things can happen ... look at the STORIED OL class from 3 years ago ... Webb gets injured and Carufel transers ... what if one of these guys transfers for whatever reason ... and then another one or two don't pan out .. then where are we?? we need a minimum of 2 DLman every year and we need to grab 3 or 4 at least twice if not three times in every 4 year cycle ...

As it stands right now numbers wise we have a pretty bad Jr. class ... an OK soph class and a good one in frosh .... now were about to follow that up with either a very bad or bare bones class in terms of numbers ... and thats not good ... we can't do that ... especially with the types of LBers were getting .. were not getting the huge LBer's that may grow into DLman ... and its not like the #'s on the OL are allowing us the depth to potentially move some of them ...

next year IMO we will have a NC caliber Offense .. the D on the other hand isn't going to be close ... and that will have alot to do with the DL ... and it appears it may be that way for awhile and this may be a trend .... as of now were putting all our eggs in the basket of one class on the DL .. and thats not good (again I will say it is not the staffs fault .. there doing all they can .. were just plain and simple not getting the #'s there) ..

the DL and LT are clearly the problem areas in recent recruiting .. and thats two HUGE SPOTS to be struggling at .... football is won and lost in the trenches ... so the DL and LT are pretty damm important ... especially when U consider the LBer's and DB's we been getting .... and the skill players and centers, gaurds and RT's on O ...

[GoldenShower]

the DL and LT are clearly the problem areas in recent recruiting .. and thats two HUGE SPOTS to be struggling at .... football is won and lost in the trenches ... so the DL and LT are pretty damm important ... especially when U consider the LBer's and DB's we been getting .... and the skill players and centers, gaurds and RT's on O ...

Diam,
I'm not sure I agree with your issues with LT. Romine and Clelland were clearly regarded as extremely valuable LT recruits who are just unproven. Romine has injury concerns. Plus we know that Duncan will most likely be back for a 5th year. Between those 3, potentially moving Robinson to LT due to his athleticism - I think we've done fine. Looks like we missed out on Nixon, but everyone thinks we stand a great chance in '10 with Henderson / Lombard / Hurst. I think we've recruited OK at this position or better then most people give credit.

Can't disagree on the DL comments though. Johnson, Stockton, they're all a start but it's been awhile since we've had NFL talent that has been recruited by Weis. (Tuck, Abiamari, Laws don't count)

[marv81s]

sorry, i don't think omar made the DL haul last year incomplete.

if anything, I think we dodged a bullet with Omar. look at the shape he came in this year down in Florida. severely overweight, back issues (probably due to the weight gain) and he has had some other injury that has hampered him getting as much playing time as they were hoping he would get.

I think Newman and Hafis will make us forget about Omar, and with Stockton coming onto the roster in January, ND will be good to go.

And I'll throw in Bonds too. I really like ND's chances with him.

[SpanishElite]

"I've been going to South Carolina since my freshman year, so I'd love to stay here and be a Gamecock," Bonds said.

Bonds has accepted an invitation to the US All American Game. That was a quote in an article about his invitation to the game.

[IrishR#1]

"I've been going to South Carolina since my freshman year, so I'd love to stay here and be a Gamecock," Bonds said.

Bonds has accepted an invitation to the US All American Game. That was a quote in an article about his invitation to the game.

That confuses me. Are we recruiting a college player? That is something that Ty would do, not Charlie. That has to be a misquote or something. An uncommitted player who hasn't shown any preference to South Carolina wouldn't talk about how much he'd want to go there. Or at least I wouldn't assume so.

[ND_Ownz!]

Well he's from S Carolina, so I'm assuming he goes to a lot of their games since his freshman year of HS...

Change your avatar and it will all make more sense to you as well :)

[daytonirish]

"I've been going to South Carolina since my freshman year, so I'd love to stay here and be a Gamecock," Bonds said.

Bonds has accepted an invitation to the US All American Game. That was a quote in an article about his invitation to the game.

So here we have another LIBERAL reporter who ask a question and then puts the best spin on it to make it sound more favorable to his way of thinking. BRILLIANT

[marv81s]

he was accepting an invitation at his school, in south carolina, what is he suppose to say about home state U?

let's not read into it so much. The man down below is on him, its all good

[SpanishElite]

I have 100% faith in Coach Brown and Weis to get all kinds of players from all over the country. I just think it may not be as easy as everything is thinking. Will ND be there in the end, I have no doubt. Will they be the last one? I have my doubts. I hope im wrong...like usual.

[BGIF]

he was accepting an invitation at his school, in south carolina, what is he suppose to say about home state U?

...

Actually it's worse than home state U it's home TOWN U. Bonds is in Columbia, SC where the University is. Keep in mind while South Carolina is an All-Time .500 Winning Precentage Program and have only one 10 games in a season once about 25 years ago. They sell the Stadium out every home game. Gary Bonds, same HS, got tremendous pressure from the locals when he went through recruiting. I'm sure he and/or their HS coach passed that on to Bonds.

As for the article, the spun quote was pinned to the tale of the article by a writer using a Rivals Byline, Scott Hood, Rivalsrecruiting.com. Here's the quote with the preceding paragraph.


The only remaining question is which school will secure his services for the next four years. Bonds plans to visit Tennessee this weekend and is also considering Alabama, Notre Dame, Southern California and Michigan, as well as both of the major schools in the Palmetto State – South Carolina and Clemson.

"I've been going to South Carolina since my freshman year, so I'd love to stay here and be a Gamecock," Bonds said.



While the preceding paragraph mentions 7 schools, the writer, Scott Hood, chose to list a comment about only one, a school he just happens to have a vest interest in. For the past 3 years, Hood writes a blog titled, "Scott Hood's Carolina Corner at Gamecockcentral.com." The following appears at the top of the blog:



About the Blog Author
Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral.


What a surprise.

[zimmsbg78]

Bonds officially visited Tennessee for the Bama game. He gave the cliched answers to the questions asked by the writer. Bonds did say that unless he makes a official visit to U$C, that he is done with his visits. He also said that he wants to make his decision by Christmas at the latest. Bonds said that his decsion could be sooner, but no later than that. The writer (Tennessee) said that ND, Bama and Tennessee appear to be the three finalists for his signature.

Let's go get 'em Corwin !!!!

[Griff Cannon]

So can we say it is most likely between ND and bama. Can the vols really be a contender here?

[ND_Irish]

So can we say it is most likely between ND and bama. Can the vols really be a contender here?

Even though Tennessee is struggling on the field, they continue to hold the #7 (Rivals) recruiting class, so I wouldn't completely rule them out. Just sayin'

[BGIF]

Even though Tennessee is struggling on the field, they continue to hold the #7 (Rivals) recruiting class, so I wouldn't completely rule them out. Just sayin'

It's a good point.

Knoxville is also about half the driving distance from Columbia to T'Town so the friends and family could make the games easier.

[rontdtarchala]

come on staff work this kid... (no doubt they are)

[daytonirish]

He'll end up Irish or my name isn't Notredomer23.

[SpanishElite]

He'll end up Irish or my name isn't Notredomer23.

haha. Good one Dayton.

[BGIF]

Luginbill

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/columns/story?columnist=luginbill_tom&id=3667035



After injuring his knee a year ago and suffering nagging injuries as a senior thus far, DE Chris Bonds (http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=46792) (Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast) has not been able to get back in the swing of things and drops out of the ESPNU 150.

[eric_navy]

That must mean he's ready to commit to ND...

[NDIRISH44]

he'll set himself up nicely for the rest of his life if he does. i'll believe it when i see it same with shaq. the recruiting trail feels really cold right now imo.

[BGIF]

he'll set himself up nicely for the rest of his life if he does. i'll believe it when i see it same with shaq. the recruiting trail feels really cold right now imo.

I believe eric was referring to Bonds now having the requisite injuries that so many ND recruits seem to get.

Unless ND gets senior film worthy of an offer like Dever was, Bonds, Evan, Te'o, and Jenkins and maybe Custis seem like all that's left for '09

[brownkj002]

I believe eric was referring to Bonds now having the requisite injuries that so many ND recruits seem to get.

Unless ND gets senior film worthy of an offer like Dever was, Bonds, Evan, Te'o, and Jenkins and maybe Custis seem like all that's left for '09

I believe he was implying that since Bonds dropped down in recruiting rankings, he must be going to verbal to ND. It seems that most players who verbal to ND, fall in ranking.

[eric_navy]

I believe he was implying that since Bonds dropped down in recruiting rankings, he must be going to verbal to ND. It seems that most players who verbal to ND, fall in ranking.

That's what I was going for, as a joke of course. There's really no strong evidence to support that idea that this actually happens, but plenty of anecdotes that tick off most of the people here. For example, Deion Walker last year was a 5* back when we considered him a long shot. Dropped like 20 spots in position rankings after committing to ND despite scoring a TD in the AA game. The DT who's name we don't use got a fifth star after dropping ND for UF. E.J. Banks dropped WAY down the lists after picking ND over OSU. Cierre Wood has been putting up gaudy numbers again this year but his ranking has dropped significantly.

Of course, there are counterpoints for all of these examples, like Floyd, TRob, and Jonas Gray, whose rankings improved while they were committed to ND. The injury thing seems to be pretty common with ND, too.

[SpanishElite]

My only issue with the ND commit then a player drop is every school seems to say this about every commit. Without seeing the numbers all together it would be tough to say. But if Banks or Bonds goes down 50 spots I dont care. They both have great offer lists, and a ND offer. Thats all I care about.

[rontdtarchala]

I personally don't care where they are in star rankings or lists... as long as they come to ND...

[IrishinTN]

So you were happy with Ty's recruiting then? lol

[zimmsbg78]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20081105/PSPORTS02/811050268/-1/PSPORTS


From a list of over 40 offers, Richland Northeast DE Chris Bonds (6-4 283) has trimmed his list to three...Alabama, Notre Dame and Southern Cal. Bonds has taken official visits to Notre Dame and Alabama and he said Wednesday afternoon he will take a visit to Southern Cal in December, if not sooner. USC, Tennessee and Michigan were three others he had been strongly considering. Bonds, who has been out with a knee injury since September 12th and doesn't plan to play any more this season though doctors have cleared him, said USC's interest in him has dropped off since his injury and decision not to return to the playing field. "I don't know about Carolina right now," Bonds said. "I've chosen not to play again and I hear they have chosen not to recruit me. I can't get in touch with anybody, really. I guess they want to see me play again or something. The other coaches didn't care if I played again or not. I haven't talked to (USC recruiter) coach Reaves in weeks." Bonds said he decided not to play again this season for the Cavaliers because he's had a series of injuries and he's thinking about his future. Bonds said he doesn't have a favorite among his finalists, calling them "dead even."

GET 'EM CORWIN !!!!

[Dayton_Domer]

so maybe there's still a chance with Chris?

[daytonirish]

We have always been in it for him. Propably have a real good shot at him.

[Revolver]

We have always been in it for him. Propably have a real good shot at him.

We need him. We can't take only one d-lineman IMO.

[daytonirish]

He would be a great get. But lets look at are DL

Ian Williams 6-2 310 So
Emeka Nwankwo 6-4 295 So.
Brandon Newman 6-0 310 Fr.
Sean Cwyner 6-4 283 Fr.
Hafis Williams 6-2 302 Fr
Ethan Johnson 6-4 275 Fr.
Tyler Stockton Commit.

That is 7 players in 3 years, what we really need is for them to be coached up and get them develop to be able to play solid DL. Now throw in Chris Bonds and we have 8. We need these guys to improve and coaching to get them ready.

[DiamDawg]

Thats only 2.3 a year dude ... WE NEED MORE .... and look at the class distrubition ... U should get NO LESS THAN THREE in any year ... we barely have that in 3 classes ...

and we need ones that want to play football ....

God bless Mr. Bonds ... its his decision ... but if hes been cleared to play and he won't ... is that what your really looking for???? ... maybe there is more to it than that .... but he says himself that he has been cleared to play ...

like I said there may be more to it than that .... but this one has me scratching my head ... it makes no sense to me why a kid would not want to play and finish out his HS career ...

Bottom Line ... WE NEED MORE DLMAN .... even with Chris were still woefully short for next year ... now if we get Chris and then bring in 4 more the following year ... we'll be on our way ...

U need a MINIMUM of 12 DLman in every 4 year cycle ... and thats JUST SCRAPPING BY ... ideally without doing the math .. it should be more like 16 - 20 .....

Hopefully we get Chris ... but even if we do he does not bring the #'s to where they need to be ...

we need DL help pretty gosh darn bad .... so come on Chris .... hop on board ... :) ......

[daytonirish]

So what position are you going to give back a player to reach your goal ?

[therizz]

18-20 dlineman is over the top but I think we all get your point - DiemDog

[Dayton_Domer]

That number is over the course of 4 recruiting classes. ND should bring in 4-5 DL (DEs and DTs) per year.

[daytonirish]

That number is over the course of 4 recruiting classes. ND should bring in 4-5 DL (DEs and DTs) per year.

So you suggest that the Irish use 25% of there total number of scholarship players on the DL. What about the OL, LB, WR, TE, DB, RB ,QB, and kickers. Would love to see your break down, and remember we only get 85 total now a days.

[SouthernIrish]

Seems awfully high to me but that is just me looking at the surface. I suppose you could say the same about the OL then. Off the top of my head, I would say on average 3 DL per class will get us where we want to be, maybe 4.

[rontdtarchala]

and just to throw in my opinion... we need some dl's that can dominate and bring pressure up the middle... maybe we already have that but the #1 oline isn't good enough to give them any comp in practice... hahahahaha

[IrishR#1]

I personally believe that people who commit drop in the standings because the sites want casual fans to come in and see the undecided players and players who have switched teams high up instead of someone who has been committed for a while.

[marv81s]

it isn't like the staff isn't trying to get D-lineman. They did great last year. You have to think about where a lot of these solid d-lineman are located, down south and/or out west. ND is always going to be fighting an uphill battle to get these kids to leave home and for the kids down south, in addition to leaving homestate U, getting them away from the myth that is the SEC dominance and let's not even get in to ND's admission standards.

but the shortcomings on the d-line aren't due to a lack of effort. We can defiantly attribute the first couple of years due to not casting a wider net on D line offers, and that second year was more due to Weis getting screwed on a couple kids giving their words to him and them leaving him at the alter. Weis and his staff defiantly learned a ton about the recruiting world after that year.

[SpanishElite]

The issue isnt numbers as it is more a DOMINANT DL. Tuck, Abirmiri (at times), Anthony Weaver, T. Laws were dominant DL. And it just doesnt seem like we have had one or have a DOMINATING guy on the roster. That were I think E. Johnson and C. Bonds could be down the line. Also D. Flemming as a DE if you want to count him as that.

[daytonirish]

SE none of the guys you mentioned were dominating as Fr. and Soph. That is where the bulk of the DL are in class. And besides most are talking about numbers.

[piyachi]

The issue isnt numbers as it is more a DOMINATE DL. Tuck, Abirmiri (at times), Anthony Weaver, T. Laws were dominate DL. And it just doesnt seem like we have had one or have a DOMINATING guy on the roster. That were I think E. Johnson and C. Bonds could be down the line. Also D. Flemming as a DE if you want to count him as that.

think the word you are looking for is dominant

I think we have the guys but it'll take some physical development. Laws is the perfect example of how it takes most good DL a few years to develop to their potential. We have to wait a few years before we see a good DL for ND.

[DiamDawg]

Marve ... I said it in the other threads I've talked about our weak areas (DL being the leader by far) .... in no way am I blaming our staff ... NO WAY ... they work there butts off ... they do as good a job as anyone in the counrty ... I can't see how it is possoble for any staff to work harder than them ... I am sure there are some that may work as hard ... but harder ... no way ....

but that don't change the #'s we need ... and regardles of the why's and being left at the alter the bottom line is other than last year were plain flat out not getting them .... if we end up with only two this year thats GOING TO HURT US when there juniors and seniors ... and its looking very likely we will only get 1 .. ROUGHT RO ROOROOO ...

Elite ... Flemming is not a DE .... U can't count him as one ... I can not wait to see what Fleming can do ... but it won't be at DE ... last week when he played there he just shot gaps ... and he shot the inside gap ... twice when he did they ripped off long runs running right where he left his gap wide open .. he is to small to play DE ... WAY TO SMALL and he will not bulk up to one ... does not have the frame ...

For those looking for #'s .. .. I said w/o doing the math ... well here is the math ... and I doing this with no clue what the make up of other big programs are ... I am just doing based off the fact that footbal is won in the trenches and the OL and DL get hurt at a much higher rate than the others due to the nature of the job and the close quarters they play in ...

QB - 4
RB/FB - 6
TE - 4
WR - 8
OL - 19

thats 41 witch leaves us with 44 ....

CB/Safeties - 12
LB - 12
DL - 16

thats 40 more .... that leaves us with 4 ...

2 - FG kickers and 2 Punters ...

like I said ... thats without looking at programs like OSU, USC, LSU and the other major programs and wee how there schollies are distributed ...

what I do know .. is teams run through us like were not even there right now ... witch is to be expected as the BIG NUMBERS we have on the DL are in the frosh and soph classes .. maybe those 6 can prove me wrong .... but i sure would feel better if we had more than 6 in those two classes and then had more than 1 or possibly two in this class ...

[daytonirish]

Your #'s look very good Diam. But one thing we have to look at also is years in which we have transfers and the staff may look to beef up an area that has had injuries and transfers.

[SpanishElite]

Haha. My bad Piyachi I fixed it. Just getting to caught up in it i guess.

Diam, I was saying you can add Flemming in as a DE but we all know he is not a true DE and would only be used in a 4-3 in 3 and long obvious pass rushing situations. Now with 3-4 personnel obviously he would be used as the rush OLB. I know ND doesnt have 19 scholarship OL. I think its closer to 14. And we only have 10 DL on scholarship with 5 of them being freshman.

There is no doubt we need more depth and quality players at DL. If a team signs 23 guys a year, unfortunately 1/3 will never see the field, 1/3 will only be backups or at best special teams player and 1/3 will be starters who are the leaders and best players on your team. And i think when we only get 1 or 2 DL it doesn't allow for any error. Hopefully if T. Stockton is the only one we get he will live up to the hype and be a great player for ND, but if we add Bonds and maybe even Custis it really gives us better odds for success.

And looking at IUB's scholarship breakdown we only have 78 scholarships used. (Not counting the guys who leave, and the new incoming 2009 guys). And we have used 85 (including Evans) when the 2008 ND guys leave, and the 2009 High School guys come in.

http://www.goldhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=5783

[sway716]

This guy plays with a high motor and fits the 3-4 scheme perfectly.

[ND_Ownz!]

We need this guy...would love Kasa too =)

[paisan78]

I've heard from two different UF alums that Kasa is back in love with UF and it's a race between them and Colorado. Haven't seen anything to confirm nor deny this.

[GoldenShower]

[QUOTE=DiamDawg;125905]Marve ... I said it in the other threads I've talked about our weak areas (DL being the leader by far) .... in no way am I blaming our staff ... NO WAY ... they work there butts off ... they do as good a job as anyone in the counrty ... I can't see how it is possoble for any staff to work harder than them ... I am sure there are some that may work as hard ... but harder ... no way ....

QB - 4
RB/FB - 6
TE - 4
WR - 8
OL - 19

thats 41 witch leaves us with 44 ....

CB/Safeties - 12
LB - 12
DL - 16

thats 40 more .... that leaves us with 4 ...

2 - FG kickers and 2 Punters ...

like I said ... thats without looking at programs like OSU, USC, LSU and the other major programs and wee how there schollies are distributed ...

QUOTE]

Diam - You're numbers are nuts. No program needs or takes 19 OL and 16 DL. You should look at OSU / USC and all these major programs. The world is moving more towards playing rotating backs and having depth in the secondary to counter 5 WR sets. And ND runs 2 or 3 TE sets as well. Take a look at Shaq Evans. Under your 8-count, we wouldn't be recruiting him because instead we'd be offering backup centers and guards even though we're set at this position with this year's class. Sorry - I respectively disagree and so does the staff.

[GoldenShower]

I've heard from two different UF alums that Kasa is back in love with UF and it's a race between them and Colorado. Haven't seen anything to confirm nor deny this.

Let's squash these Kasa rumors. He is quoted in several articles saying he was done with ND. If anything he was adding schools (I believe Oregon or maybe it was Cal). Nobody reading through Kasa's post thinks we have a shot of finishing higher than 3rd, and he has no intentions of visiting at this point.
Back to Bonds - Bonds has always had legit interest in ND especially following his official. Based upon his trip to USC, we'll know if he's a better fit there or at ND.

[DiamDawg]

GS .. I said I was just pulling #'s out of the air ... and that i had NO CLUE what the make up of the elite programs were and that should be done by anone with the TIME AND DESIRE to do it ...

so i have no probs with U disagreeing with me or pointing out a more accuratte pic .. although like me U half assed it and only put up some of the #'s .. *L* ,...

and i do know that the GOOD PROGRAMS have more than 7 DL recruits in any two year cylce ... and it looks like were headed for 8 in 3 years ... NO WAY IS THERE THAT FEW ... NOT A SHOT IN HELL ...

How may DLman does U of F . USC and LSU have on schollie in any 4 year cycle I would imagine its at least 14 or 15 .... and were well behind that # ...

we can't stop the run now .... and unless we HIT ON EVEYR ONE IN OUR SOPH CLASS ... the future don't look a whole hell of a lot brighter in that regard ...

as for Shaq .. I'm THRILLED we got him ... but i would trade him for a DECENT DLMAN in a HEARTBEAT ....

[SpanishElite]

Diam... You come up with some good points and we all know your "number" scenario was just a estimation. I agree with you out of the KLM, Cywnar, Newman, H. Williams, Flemming (if you want to count him) and E. Johnson almost ALL of them will have to be productive for the Irish if we want to stop the run in the future. Again, that is why Bonds is so important. If we can land those 6, plus Stockon and Bonds and/or Custis I will feel ok about our DL situation for now.

Maybe with all of this injury talk, and lost interest of schools may help ND's case. I have a rule when it comes to recruiting... If you play defense and have an offer from P. Carroll (USC), N. Saban (Alabama) then you can play for my team. Same as offense with P. Carroll (USC), U. Meyer (UF) or B. Stoops (OU). So I would love for Bonds to be Irish.

[stew654]

Down to us and the tide per rivals. We really need more help on the D line.

http://notredame.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=879275&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=

[Revolver]

Bonds will evidently announce on monday according to Phil Kornblut. Indications are that he will pick Alabama. That would definitely suck.

[IrishR#1]

I can't blame him though. Alabama is going to be amazing once again.

[Revolver]

I can't blame him though. Alabama is going to be amazing once again.

We need to be amazing again. Year 2 under Saban and they will be playing for the title. My gawd how good is this guy?

[pabrown]

He won't play until his senior year but I guess I can't blame a guy for wanting to compete for a NC every year. It looks like we will end the recruiting season with one DT commit and no DE's. For as good of recruiter as charlie is there is no excuse for not getting D-lineman every year.

[notredomer23]

We need to be amazing again. Year 2 under Saban and they will be playing for the title. My gawd how good is this guy?

none of sabans players start besides like 4

[stonebreakerwasgod]

It's not floating like wildfire around the Bama websites...yet. So perhaps hope is not lost...yet.

[pabrown]

It takes people from Alabama a little longer to read and type.

[marv81s]

the bama guys that can read and type are conceding him to ND. Everything from Saban and staff have cooled on him since their last DL commit, to they don't have room for him (LMAO, since when was lack of room a concern to the messiah Saban?)

i am putting faith in Brown and his work that he has put in with Bonds. I believe the ND staff has a pretty good relationship with Bond's, his family and his high school coaching staff.

we'll see. and in regards to Saban, yeah, its a nice thing to have when the previous coaching staff doesn't leave your talent pool on fumes and hasn't spent more time recruiting caddies rather than OL and other positions

[Irish Joe]

Would be a huge get

[Griff Cannon]

the bama guys that can read and type are conceding him to ND. Everything from Saban and staff have cooled on him since their last DL commit, to they don't have room for him (LMAO, since when was lack of room a concern to the messiah Saban?)


yeah seriously,

come on bondsy bondsy bondsy

[irishziggy]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20081120/PSPORTS02/811200234/1018/SPORTS?Title=Bonds_Ready_To_Announce_School

Article said he was going to announce today, but changed mind to monday.

Early indications are Bama.

[daytonirish]

First, Kornblut is anti ND to the core. He has a 50-50 shot at being right.

Second. Corwin is recruiting him +
Gary Gray was a teammate of his +
Parents seem to want ND +
Alabama fans feel like they have their DL filled already for this class ( 2 DE - 2 DT ). +


Don't give up just yet folks. Not saying he is Irish but until he announces Monday we still got as good as chance as Alabama.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20081120/PSPORTS02/811200234/1018/SPORTS?Title=Bonds_Ready_To_Announce_School

Article said he was going to announce today, but changed mind to monday.

Early indications are Bama.


They had a typo in the article. I'm guessing that they are just guessing, cause nobody from either camp knows for sure.

[SpanishElite]

Wow. This is great stuff (maybe) Hopefully we can get another kid out of the South away from the SEC.

[IrishKnight1023]

I'll be pissed off if he chooses Alabamsuck

[marv81s]

just like clockwork things are changing here, now some aren't so sure on Bonds and that the bama staff, contrary to what their fans are saying, haven't cooled on Bonds.

i have no idea what to think anymore and i'm preparing myself for disappointment

[ndcufan]

First, Kornblut is anti ND to the core. He has a 50-50 shot at being right.

Second. Corwin is recruiting him +
Gary Gray was a teammate of his +
Parents seem to want ND +
Alabama fans feel like they have their DL filled already for this class ( 2 DE - 2 DT ). +


Don't give up just yet folks. Not saying he is Irish but until he announces Monday we still got as good as chance as Alabama.

don't forget he was injuried this year...that tends to teach a player that there's life beyond football-->ND +

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I'm with ya Marv...I'm now preparing myself for the worst, while hoping for the best.

[goirish41]

It takes people from Alabama a little longer to read and type.

:rofl:

[SpanishElite]

i have no idea what to think anymore and i'm preparing myself for disappointment

Thats the spirit Marv!

[marv81s]

Thats the spirit Marv!

sorry man, i'm a debbie downer tonight, but hey, what do i know, i once thought Benn was a lock to ND, and I haven't been right about 99.999999999999999999% of the time this year.

[ndcufan]

sorry man, i'm a debbie downer tonight, but hey, what do i know, i once thought Benn was a lock to ND, and I haven't been right about 99.999999999999999999% of the time this year.

maybe i'm wrong, but at one point i thought that benn was committed to nd (soft/strong/whatever), until he decided that he wanted to create his own legacy. anyway, i hope he chooses the school that is best from him (regardless bama or irish).

[SpanishElite]

maybe i'm wrong, but at one point i thought that benn was committed to nd (soft/strong/whatever), until he decided that he wanted to create his own legacy. anyway, i hope he chooses the school that is best from him (regardless bama or irish).

Its a confidencial commit... haha. ANYWAY...

I have no idea about Bonds (obviously) and Im with you Marv I never get to excited pre announcement.. I get alittle excited announcement.. then actually excited on NSD. So well see.

[Revolver]

Obviously Bama's season is playing a big factor here. But still, they have 4 d-lineman already in this class and 20 since 2007. We have 1 in this class. More people are starting to say it's going to be Bama. Maybe the kid just wants to stay in the south. But damn, we need linemen.

[IrishKnight1023]

At one time a few months ago he named Alabama his leader so that probably has not changed in the back of his mind all along.

[NDisNCin2010]

maybe i'm wrong, but at one point i thought that benn was committed to nd (soft/strong/whatever), until he decided that he wanted to create his own legacy. anyway, i hope he chooses the school that is best from him (regardless bama or irish).


whatevcer happens with bonds,nccufan, pls dont ever change that avatar you have.

[ndcufan]

[QUOTE=NDisNCin2010;129725]whatevcer happens with bonds,nccufan, pls dont ever change that avatar you have.[/QUO
i promise i won't

[sway716]

Chris Bonds just commited to Alabama. I wonder if he watched this last game.....:sadwave:

[rontdtarchala]

guess you can't count out the possibility...

[zimmsbg78]

Bonds committment to Bama.......

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/onthetrail


Tide brings in more defensive line talent with Chris Bonds
Defensive lineman Chris Bonds, who was previously an ESPNU 150 talent, has committed to sign with head coach Nick Saban and Alabama, ESPN's JC Shurburtt reports.

ESPN's Craig Haubert elaborated on the news, "It looked like at one point USC and Notre Dame would end up in a tussle for the commitment of defensive end Chris Bonds, but in their rear view mirror came charging up from the pack Alabama. The Crimson Tide snatched a good pick up this weekend by luring South Carolina native Bonds."

"This was a good addition as Bonds is a promising prospect and a good fit for that Alabama defensive line. He is a physical defender who could fit in nicely in Alabama's scheme. He has good size and can be a tough against the run. He displays the ability to dominate his man and can be tough to block. He can fire off the ball and get under blocker's pads and knock them back. He plays with a violent style and while that can hurt his technique at times he can be a handful."

"He has suffered through some knee problems so health is a concern, but if he can get and stay healthy he is among the best defensive line prospects in this class. Bonds adds to an increasingly strong defensive line class for the Tide. Nick Saban is addressing an area of need in a big way. This is a nice way for Alabama to head into Iron Bowl week."

Michigan, Tennessee and South Carolina were also in the running at one time for the Richland Northeast product.