Svoboda
04-24-2008, 01:14 PM
It always seems to work out for the best, doesn't it? Granted, you never like to lose players to injury, transfer or whatever the reason my be, but it just seems like it has worked out well for the Irish. If you remember back to the last installment of my "State of the Union" address, the Irish were in a potentially sticky situation for this upcoming recruiting class -- possibly having as few as 11 open scholarships in 2009.
However, since that last installment dated 6/20/2007, the Irish have lost Munir Prince (transfer to Missouri), Zach Frazier (transfer to Connecticut), Demetrius Jones (transfer to Cincinnati), Matt Carufel (transfer to Minnesota), Konrad Reuland (transfer to Stanford), Bartley Webb (career ending injury) and Darrell Hand (career ending injury). Generally losing seven players like that would put a serious hurt on any team, however, the Irish lost kids that were not major contributors. So, as I said, it seemed to work out for the best.
So let's take a look at how the 2009 Fight Irish roster will look in terms of players that are on scholarship:
Scholarship Breakdown: 2009 Total Scholarships (70)
Fifth Year Senior 2009 (7)
QB Evan Sharpley
FB Asaph Schwapp
WR D.J. Hord
LB Scott Smith, Kevin Washington
S Kyle McCarthy, Ray Herring
Senior 2010 (22)
RB James Aldridge, Barry Gallup *
WR George West, Richard Jackson *, Rob Parris
TE Will Yeatman, Luke Schmidt *
OT Sam Young
C Dan Wenger *
OG Eric Olsen, Chris Stewart *
DE John Ryan
DT Paddy Mullen *
LB Toryan Smith, Morrice Richardson, Kallen Wade *
CB Darrin Walls, Raeshon McNeil
S Sergio Brown, Jashaad Gaines, Leonard Gordon *
K Ryan Burkhart *
Attrition: Zach Frazer, Demtetrius Jones, Konrad Reuland, Matt Carufel, Munir Prince, Bartley Webb
Junior 2011 (18)
QB Jimmy Clausen
RB Armando Allen, Robert Hughes
FB Steve Paskorz *
WR Duval Kamara, Golden Tate
TE Mike Ragone
OT Matt Romine #, Taylor Dever *
OG Andrew Nuss *
DE Kerry Neal, Emeka Nwankwo *
DT Ian Williams
LB Aaron Nagel *, Brian Smith
CB Gary Gray #
S Harrison Smith *
K Brandon Walker
Sophomore 2012 (23)
QB Dayne Crist
RB Jonas Gray
WR John Goodman, Mike Floyd, Deion Walker
TE Kyle Rudolph, Joseph Fauria
C Braxton Cave, Mike Golic
OG Trevor Robinson
OT Lane Clelland
DE Sean Cwynar, Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore
DT Hafis Williams, Brandon Newman
LB Anthony McDonald, Paul Posluszny, Darius Fleming, Steve Filer
CB Jamoris Slaughter, Robert Blanton
S Dan McCarthy
Preferred Walk-On: QB Nate Montana
As it stands, the Irish potentially have 70 scholarships committed for the class of 2009. If that were to stand as-is, the Irish would have 15 scholarships available in the 2009 recruiting class. It is highly doubtful that the Irish have all seven fifth-year eligible seniors return in 2009. That number is more likely to end up just one -- safety Kyle McCarthy, who looks to be a major contributor to the Irish secondary in 2008. Even so, I like to leave 2-3 scholarships open "just in case" and I did the same thing last year. So doing the math, that allows the Irish to extend 19 scholarships in 2009.
Anticipated Position Breakdown
The breakdown seen below is a well balanced class and one that continue to build upon what Coach Weis and staff have done over the last three seasons. The Irish again need to focus on the offensive and defensive lines and continue to lay the groundwork for eventual (hopefully) National Championship runs in '09, '10 and '11 under Jimmy Clausen and/or Dayne Crist.
QB (1) None
RB (2) Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick
WR (2) None
TE (1) Jake Golic
OL (4) None
DL (4) Tyler Stockton
LB (2) None
DB (2) None
I see the wheels spinning. You've added it up and that doesn't equal 19, right? You're correct. I've identified the way I'd like to see 18 spots filled and I've left one spot out because it could go in any of four places: offensive line, defensive line, linebacker or defensive back depending on how the Irish feel they've addressed their needs and who is still available.
As it stands right now, the Irish class stands at four commitments, leaving 15 more spots to fill. The Irish already appear to be done at tight end and running back and are on a similar pace to last year when they had 15 verbals by the end of June. I don't look for the Irish to be in the same position come June as some of the elite prospects they have offered will want to see on-the-field results after the 3-9 season... and rightfully so. However, with the May evaluation period underway and more and more kids ending their recruitment earlier each year, things could pick up in a hurry.
So there you have it. This is a glimpse into the next 12 months of Fighting Irish recruiting. After signing the 2nd rated class in 2008 and having back-to-back top 10 classes the previous two seasons, the Irish really need to show improvement on the field if they want to continue to land the nations elite prospects. After taking in the Blue-Gold Spring game this past weekend, we believe the Irish are well on their way. Strap in folks, because the 2008 football season is going to be one helluva ride! Go Irish... oh, and DOWNHILL!
ASTERISK LEGEND
* = Player may be eligible for 5th year of eligibility
# = May be granted medical redshirt
However, since that last installment dated 6/20/2007, the Irish have lost Munir Prince (transfer to Missouri), Zach Frazier (transfer to Connecticut), Demetrius Jones (transfer to Cincinnati), Matt Carufel (transfer to Minnesota), Konrad Reuland (transfer to Stanford), Bartley Webb (career ending injury) and Darrell Hand (career ending injury). Generally losing seven players like that would put a serious hurt on any team, however, the Irish lost kids that were not major contributors. So, as I said, it seemed to work out for the best.
So let's take a look at how the 2009 Fight Irish roster will look in terms of players that are on scholarship:
Scholarship Breakdown: 2009 Total Scholarships (70)
Fifth Year Senior 2009 (7)
QB Evan Sharpley
FB Asaph Schwapp
WR D.J. Hord
LB Scott Smith, Kevin Washington
S Kyle McCarthy, Ray Herring
Senior 2010 (22)
RB James Aldridge, Barry Gallup *
WR George West, Richard Jackson *, Rob Parris
TE Will Yeatman, Luke Schmidt *
OT Sam Young
C Dan Wenger *
OG Eric Olsen, Chris Stewart *
DE John Ryan
DT Paddy Mullen *
LB Toryan Smith, Morrice Richardson, Kallen Wade *
CB Darrin Walls, Raeshon McNeil
S Sergio Brown, Jashaad Gaines, Leonard Gordon *
K Ryan Burkhart *
Attrition: Zach Frazer, Demtetrius Jones, Konrad Reuland, Matt Carufel, Munir Prince, Bartley Webb
Junior 2011 (18)
QB Jimmy Clausen
RB Armando Allen, Robert Hughes
FB Steve Paskorz *
WR Duval Kamara, Golden Tate
TE Mike Ragone
OT Matt Romine #, Taylor Dever *
OG Andrew Nuss *
DE Kerry Neal, Emeka Nwankwo *
DT Ian Williams
LB Aaron Nagel *, Brian Smith
CB Gary Gray #
S Harrison Smith *
K Brandon Walker
Sophomore 2012 (23)
QB Dayne Crist
RB Jonas Gray
WR John Goodman, Mike Floyd, Deion Walker
TE Kyle Rudolph, Joseph Fauria
C Braxton Cave, Mike Golic
OG Trevor Robinson
OT Lane Clelland
DE Sean Cwynar, Ethan Johnson, Kapron Lewis-Moore
DT Hafis Williams, Brandon Newman
LB Anthony McDonald, Paul Posluszny, Darius Fleming, Steve Filer
CB Jamoris Slaughter, Robert Blanton
S Dan McCarthy
Preferred Walk-On: QB Nate Montana
As it stands, the Irish potentially have 70 scholarships committed for the class of 2009. If that were to stand as-is, the Irish would have 15 scholarships available in the 2009 recruiting class. It is highly doubtful that the Irish have all seven fifth-year eligible seniors return in 2009. That number is more likely to end up just one -- safety Kyle McCarthy, who looks to be a major contributor to the Irish secondary in 2008. Even so, I like to leave 2-3 scholarships open "just in case" and I did the same thing last year. So doing the math, that allows the Irish to extend 19 scholarships in 2009.
Anticipated Position Breakdown
The breakdown seen below is a well balanced class and one that continue to build upon what Coach Weis and staff have done over the last three seasons. The Irish again need to focus on the offensive and defensive lines and continue to lay the groundwork for eventual (hopefully) National Championship runs in '09, '10 and '11 under Jimmy Clausen and/or Dayne Crist.
QB (1) None
RB (2) Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick
WR (2) None
TE (1) Jake Golic
OL (4) None
DL (4) Tyler Stockton
LB (2) None
DB (2) None
I see the wheels spinning. You've added it up and that doesn't equal 19, right? You're correct. I've identified the way I'd like to see 18 spots filled and I've left one spot out because it could go in any of four places: offensive line, defensive line, linebacker or defensive back depending on how the Irish feel they've addressed their needs and who is still available.
As it stands right now, the Irish class stands at four commitments, leaving 15 more spots to fill. The Irish already appear to be done at tight end and running back and are on a similar pace to last year when they had 15 verbals by the end of June. I don't look for the Irish to be in the same position come June as some of the elite prospects they have offered will want to see on-the-field results after the 3-9 season... and rightfully so. However, with the May evaluation period underway and more and more kids ending their recruitment earlier each year, things could pick up in a hurry.
So there you have it. This is a glimpse into the next 12 months of Fighting Irish recruiting. After signing the 2nd rated class in 2008 and having back-to-back top 10 classes the previous two seasons, the Irish really need to show improvement on the field if they want to continue to land the nations elite prospects. After taking in the Blue-Gold Spring game this past weekend, we believe the Irish are well on their way. Strap in folks, because the 2008 football season is going to be one helluva ride! Go Irish... oh, and DOWNHILL!
ASTERISK LEGEND
* = Player may be eligible for 5th year of eligibility
# = May be granted medical redshirt