My Ridiculously Early Predictions For ND in 2016

[IrishInOntario]

Thought I'd give us something to talk about prior to the spring game. Of course all these predictions assume the health of ND's players and while we know they won't all be healthy, we don't know who is going to be injured, so here goes...

Offense

1. Despite graduating all of the starting skilled players, ND avarages a higher point per game total in 2016 than they did in 2015.

2. If healthy, Tarean Folston and Josh Adams combine for over 2000 all purpose yards in 2016.

3. Torii Hunter has more catches in 2016 than Will Fuller had in 2015, but for less yards and touchdowns.

4. Somewhat surprisingly, ND's third leading receiver (behind Fuller and EQ) by year's end is unheralded true freshman Kevin Stepherson. He also scores 4+ TD's on the year.

5. Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson finish as All Americans according to multiple publications. McGlinchey is drafted in the 1st round, ahead of Zack Martin, but behind Ronnie Stanley.

6. DeShone Kizer wins the starting job, while Malik Zaire begrudgingly is relegated to a red zone running package, but he kills it!

Defense

1. Isaac Rochell finishes with a respectable 5-7 sacks in the face of everyone wondering who is going to rush the passer.

2. Daelin Hayes plays as a pass rushing specialist and finishes 2nd on the team in sacks with 4+.

3. Jarron Jones and Jerry Tillery combine for more TFL's than Tillery and Day combined for in 2015.

4. Nyles Morgan grades out higher on the year in his first year as a starter than Joe Schmidt did as a 5th year senior.

5. The secondary gives up fewer plays of 20+ yards than in 2015.

6. Max Redfield has a respectable senior year and is drafted before the end of the 3rd round in the NFL draft.

7. ND's scoring defense is marginally better in 2016 than it was in 2015, despite graduating Jaylon, Sheldon, KeiVarae, Elijah, Matthias and Romeo.

Special Teams

1. Justin Yoon continues his march towards becoming ND's most prolific placekicker ever.


Discuss!

 

[Horsemen23]

I respect you as a poster as you tend to be correct most of the time, and spend all of your time analyzing and not insulting and trying to be some kind of message board legend.

I am a bit worried about the chemistry DK or MZ will have with a new receiving corps in September, but hopefully the running game will be able to help out early as Texas does not give us a chance to warm up first. I agree with many of your predictions! I would be shocked if Stepherson has a year like that with all of our offensive weopons. For some reason, I am thinking Alize Jones will become a force (40 catches, 6 TD's) and Adams will take a step back with Folston's return. TF will be our most consistent runner, and I think he doubles Adams up in total yards.

On defense, I struggle to come up with predictions. There are almost as many "big names" on D as there are on O if you go by recruiting, but this side of the ball continues to be less exciting. I am not sure if it's BVG or just how college football has evolved. It is becoming hard to stop anyone these days! I will predict at least 10 wins, with 2017 being a possible playoff run.

 

[iwish]

One thing I've noticed over the last couple of years has been the improvement of our WR's, specifically how they seem to catch pretty much everything thrown their way. In watching some of the practice videos, I saw the same thing. Obviously we are only seeing the good highlights, but I was loving seeing the ball being thrown very well and very accurately by both of our QB's. I think this lends to the OP's offensive predictions. I have a lot of confidence in our running game as well.

As for the D, I'm torn. So many moving pieces, new starters, unknowns from injuries, etc.

 

[IrishInOntario]

One thing I've noticed over the last couple of years has been the improvement of our WR's, specifically how they seem to catch pretty much everything thrown their way. In watching some of the practice videos, I saw the same thing. Obviously we are only seeing the good highlights, but I was loving seeing the ball being thrown very well and very accurately by both of our QB's. I think this lends to the OP's offensive predictions. I have a lot of confidence in our running game as well.

As for the D, I'm torn. So many moving pieces, new starters, unknowns from injuries, etc.

The wide receivers have the best WR coach in the country in Mike Denbrock. Few assistants in the nation have gotten more out of his guys than Mike has during his time in South Bend. Every year he has his guys ready play. This year will be no different.

 

[Bodizephax]

I predict Durham Smythe and Alize Jones both dazzle at Tightend but in different ways.

I think the Irish make a playoff run in 16 and dominate in 17.

Easy schedule in 16 !! I also predict Brian Kelly and Mike Dantonio have sharp words for each other after the Irish manhandle Michigan State.

 

[Yooper Irishfan]

Thought I'd give us something to talk about prior to the spring game. Of course all these predictions assume the health of ND's players and while we know they won't all be healthy, we don't know who is going to be injured, so here goes...

Offense

1. Despite graduating all of the starting skilled players, ND avarages a higher point per game total in 2016 than they did in 2015.

2. If healthy, Tarean Folston and Josh Adams combine for over 2000 all purpose yards in 2016.

3. Torii Hunter has more catches in 2016 than Will Fuller had in 2015, but for less yards and touchdowns.

4. Somewhat surprisingly, ND's third leading receiver (behind Fuller and EQ) by year's end is unheralded true freshman Kevin Stepherson. He also scores 4+ TD's on the year.

5. Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson finish as All Americans according to multiple publications. McGlinchey is drafted in the 1st round, ahead of Zack Martin, but behind Ronnie Stanley.

6. DeShone Kizer wins the starting job, while Malik Zaire begrudgingly is relegated to a red zone running package, but he kills it!

Defense

1. Isaac Rochell finishes with a respectable 5-7 sacks in the face of everyone wondering who is going to rush the passer.

2. Daelin Hayes plays as a pass rushing specialist and finishes 2nd on the team in sacks with 4+.

3. Jarron Jones and Jerry Tillery combine for more TFL's than Tillery and Day combined for in 2015.

4. Nyles Morgan grades out higher on the year in his first year as a starter than Joe Schmidt did as a 5th year senior.

5. The secondary gives up fewer plays of 20+ yards than in 2015.

6. Max Redfield has a respectable senior year and is drafted before the end of the 3rd round in the NFL draft.

7. ND's scoring defense is marginally better in 2016 than it was in 2015, despite graduating Jaylon, Sheldon, KeiVarae, Elijah, Matthias and Romeo.

Special Teams

1. Justin Yoon continues his march towards becoming ND's most prolific placekicker ever.


Discuss!

I respect your opinions, and hope you are right with regards to the defense. I think that will be a serious problem this year. I think the two most important players on the team are Morgan and Redfield. How they play will go a long ways in determining how we do as a team.

 

[ndnd]

Thought I'd give us something to talk about prior to the spring game. Of course all these predictions assume the health of ND's players and while we know they won't all be healthy, we don't know who is going to be injured, so here goes...

Offense

1. Despite graduating all of the starting skilled players, ND avarages a higher point per game total in 2016 than they did in 2015.

2. If healthy, Tarean Folston and Josh Adams combine for over 2000 all purpose yards in 2016.

3. Torii Hunter has more catches in 2016 than Will Fuller had in 2015, but for less yards and touchdowns.

4. Somewhat surprisingly, ND's third leading receiver (behind Fuller and EQ) by year's end is unheralded true freshman Kevin Stepherson. He also scores 4+ TD's on the year.

5. Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson finish as All Americans according to multiple publications. McGlinchey is drafted in the 1st round, ahead of Zack Martin, but behind Ronnie Stanley.

6. DeShone Kizer wins the starting job, while Malik Zaire begrudgingly is relegated to a red zone running package, but he kills it!

Defense

1. Isaac Rochell finishes with a respectable 5-7 sacks in the face of everyone wondering who is going to rush the passer.

2. Daelin Hayes plays as a pass rushing specialist and finishes 2nd on the team in sacks with 4+.

3. Jarron Jones and Jerry Tillery combine for more TFL's than Tillery and Day combined for in 2015.

4. Nyles Morgan grades out higher on the year in his first year as a starter than Joe Schmidt did as a 5th year senior.

5. The secondary gives up fewer plays of 20+ yards than in 2015.

6. Max Redfield has a respectable senior year and is drafted before the end of the 3rd round in the NFL draft.

7. ND's scoring defense is marginally better in 2016 than it was in 2015, despite graduating Jaylon, Sheldon, KeiVarae, Elijah, Matthias and Romeo.

Special Teams

1. Justin Yoon continues his march towards becoming ND's most prolific placekicker ever.


Discuss!

Ontario well thought out with some very good predictions that I agree with . This team could be less talented but better overall than this years . We have great depth this year and hopefully if we get a normal amount of injuries we will go far and definetly a playoff contender mostly because of a more favorable schedule with most of our hard teams using first year QBs

 

[BGI User 348]

IIO I like your details and look forward to all of those individual successes....HOWEVER......IMO.....what 2016 needs to be about is: #1---Being in the PLAYOFF hunt to the last weekend; and then, #2--WINNING a Playoff/New Year's Day bowl game!

ND needs to finally get rid of the bama/osu losses...and FINISH on top!!!

 

[NewHampshireIrish]

IIO, question about the nature of your predictions....are they all things you think are likely to happen? Are some of them things you'd be a bit surprised to see happen? Or are do you have much more certainty about your convictions on some compared to others?

For instance, I think Morgan is far more likely to grade out better than Schmidt than I do Stepherson being the 3rd WR.

Just wondering if you would tier them in any sort of way....."would be shocked if this didn't happen" , "don't be surprised if....." , "it might be a long shot, but....."

 

[Runforit]

IIO post are great.

Texas - They may have some defensive players, but the offense is still a ? They are a big time program, but I think the Irish can handle them.

 

[MTIrish98]

Offense

1. Despite graduating all of the starting skilled players, ND avarages a higher point per game total in 2016 than they did in 2015.

*** This one wouldn't surprise me at all.

2. If healthy, Tarean Folston and Josh Adams combine for over 2000 all purpose yards in 2016.

*** No. But I think Folston, Adams and Williams will combine for over 2000

3. Torii Hunter has more catches in 2016 than Will Fuller had in 2015, but for less yards and touchdowns.

*** I believe we will see numerous guys in the 30-40 catch range, but none more than Fuller in '15.

4. Somewhat surprisingly, ND's third leading receiver (behind Fuller and EQ) by year's end is unheralded true freshman Kevin Stepherson. He also scores 4+ TD's on the year.

*** I think it'll be Holmes. Stepherson's first year will resemble C. Rob's though.

5. Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson finish as All Americans according to multiple publications. McGlinchey is drafted in the 1st round, ahead of Zack Martin, but behind Ronnie Stanley.

*** Might be a safe bet!

6. DeShone Kizer wins the starting job, while Malik Zaire begrudgingly is relegated to a red zone running package, but he kills it!

*** I have no idea.

Defense

1. Isaac Rochell finishes with a respectable 5-7 sacks in the face of everyone wondering who is going to rush the passer.

*** If he stays healthy! And then everyone will still wonder who will rush the passer

2. Daelin Hayes plays as a pass rushing specialist and finishes 2nd on the team in sacks with 4+.

*** I could definitely see him in the role Kolin Hill played as a Freshman

3. Jarron Jones and Jerry Tillery combine for more TFL's than Tillery and Day combined for in 2015.

*** They should be a good combo if they can get a good rotation going with the other guys and are fresh down the stretch.

4. Nyles Morgan grades out higher on the year in his first year as a starter than Joe Schmidt did as a 5th year senior.

*** Very possible. How about Joe's 2014 season? I don't know the grades, but I suspect he was much better in '14 before he got hurt.

5. The secondary gives up fewer plays of 20+ yards than in 2015.

*** Maybe just because ND plays a lot of new QBs in 2016.

6. Max Redfield has a respectable senior year and is drafted before the end of the 3rd round in the NFL draft.

*** I hope so!

7. ND's scoring defense is marginally better in 2016 than it was in 2015, despite graduating Jaylon, Sheldon, KeiVarae, Elijah, Matthias and Romeo.

*** They are young, but they've got a lot of talent. If the LBs and safeties can stay healthy, I agree the D might be a pleasant surprise.

Special Teams

1. Justin Yoon continues his march towards becoming ND's most prolific placekicker ever.

*** YOON!

 

[stu4don]

QB play will be the best in Kelly's tenure... But who will it be???????????

Love the optimism IIO!

Biggest question marks: will the O-line come together (last year's was pretty damn good) and will the D ever get BVG's defense and finally... will Longo tweak his training (yoga, pilates, Stanford) to diminish injuries?!

Go Irish! Great kids. Great coaches. Is this the year??? (Pull a nova and surprise the world.)

 

[greengael]

Ah Spring, a time for optimism. I agree with the general tenor of your crystal ball, but have a couple of observations. It may take a while for the reshuffled offensive line to jell. Saying all the starting skill players have graduated is a bit of a stretch when both qb's are back and presumably healthy, additionally two running backs who have put up big numbers in the past are back. The tight end position does return one maybe one and a half starters. The cupboard is certainly not bare by any means but it will take time to come together injuries permitting as always.Having said that good post. I forgot about Robinson if he does indeed come back.

 

[Franklin_Restores_Tradition]

Looks like a good team. Should be around 10-3 again at best.

 

[Bodizephax]

Looks like a good team. Should be around 10-3 again at best.

Easy schedule. I say 12-0 rec season. 11 and 1 at worst. The Irish are going to play like a bunch of angry rottweilers this season.

 

[PharmD Blue]

I predict Durham Smythe and Alize Jones both dazzle at Tightend but in different ways.

I think the Irish make a playoff run in 16 and dominate in 17.

Easy schedule in 16 !! I also predict Brian Kelly and Mike Dantonio have sharp words for each other after the Irish manhandle Michigan State.

This sounds like a familiar prediction…

I believe this is the deepest most talented Irish team since 1993.

The reasons I am excited for this year are;

1. Talent. Future NFL players at every position group offense and defense. And lots of speed--

2. Experience--at every position group loaded with upperclassman.--very important.

3.. Leadership--- many more leaders---like 2012. Especially at the most important position--qb--MALIK ZAIRE

4. Coaching---Brian Kelly is a very good coach and has been here going on six years now (continuity has really hurt the Irish over the last couple of decades) Hot up and coming offensive mind--Sanford with many more experienced coaches and a couple of former Notre Dame greats who understand the school. Coach Kelly seemed very confidant of this team at his opening interview.

5. Schedule--- good enough (Clemson, GTECH, USC, Stanford) to get us points with the playoff committee but manageable with teams like Temple, Navy, Temple, Wakeforest--not exactly murderer's row to give us a breather once in awhile.

6.Ranking-- Notre Dame is being ranked at #11 by the coaches. Easier to climb up the ladder

7. Hunger---these players all know the Irish got to the National championship in 2012 and want to get back on that stage and prove they can win one this time. These very juniors on this team were being recruited during that magical season and are all Alpha males and winners.

8. Running game---this could be the best in years with an established runner who can also catch passes and pick up blitzes--T.. Folston. Malik Zaire might be the best runner on the team, A homerun threat in the 220 pound CJ Prosise. and a couple of highly ranked freshman--- Dexter Williams is a 4 star with 5 star athleticism. Justin Brent is a beast and may be the next Ricky Waters (a tall receiver turned running back. Josh Adams is no slouch either
And the oline is stacked at every position-- no weak side like in 2012 with the right side.

9--special teams should be excellent because of all the talent that the Irish have. I think Justin Yoon is going to be MONEY--best high school kicker in the country--the kind that usually go to Florida State or USC.

10-- all different kinds of tight ends--maulers, pass catchers, one that can do both, Hback types
double triple tightend sets will drive opposing defenses crazy--- We could use them like Stanford did a couple of years ago.

11. Lots of studs on defense and they are healthy and experienced and have a year under VanGorders attacking type defense--- I think we will have more games like we did against Michigan last year than we did against USC when we had the JVs playing.

*** Malik Zaire needs to stay healthy---But that is the risk with all teams (except Ohio State)

Go Irish !! This is the year ! It is not like it was with Weis when we all thought that the team was just a couple of years away from greatness.

 

[BGI User 1596]

Everything hinges on the "D" again.

 

[scotchirishblood]

Schedule is favorable so if key injuries are avoided 11-1 is certainly possible. I believe 9-3 is more realistic. Questions on defense continue to be the focal point and defense wins championships.

 

[D_Master]

lets be real, most programs have holes to fill and units to gell year in and year out. we have the talent i feel on board to make this transition much smoother than in years past. I keep telling myself, 'if the defense could just play marginally better this year we should be a darn good team again."

 

[schadenfreude]

Another solid year: 9-3.