When I watched Estime's jr tape at the time Diggs committed to ND, I was thrilled that ND got Diggs. I thought he was the better back even though Estime was ranked higher. I just got done watching Estime's Sr film on Hudl and I am just blown away. I see visions of Reggie Brooks. Now I have to explain what that means. I personally think Reggie Brooks is the best RB ever at ND. I'd take him slightly over Bettis and Brooks' rookie year in the NFL showed that he could have been even better than Bettis in the NFL. Injuries derailed his NFL career. So when I throw out a Brooks comparison, it isn't flippant. Estime is really impressive and Rivals was right in elevating his ranking although probably not high enough. Huge get.

1) 150 yards rushing (minimum) plus 50 from Book for 200 yr total

2) 6 receivers and TEs must make multiple catches

3) 2 sacks in first half (3+ total)

4) JOK 3 tackles for loss

5) No personal fouls

6) obvious- turnover victory

7) #23 blocking like last game

8) Pick-off on deep ball

9) Red zone efficiency TDs not FGs

10) O-line synergy and poise

Chills. So pumped for tomorrow.

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How did we drop two spots while picking up a 4 star player? And who jumped us? Miami?

Remember last spring the sky was falling and we had no momentum on the recruiting trail. Colzie decomitted. Kollie wasn’t apart of the class yet. People thought we might not keep Styles. I knew with a strong season we would flip a lot of players. I didn’t think it be this many.

Caleb Johnson was the easy choice for a flip. Khari Gee, Aupiu, Estime, Johnson etc wasn’t even on the radar. It is nice for once to finishing strong. I think will be finishing strong for many years to come.

We have a chance to finish with Wright too. If we get him the defensive backfield goes from a B to an A with Gee to an A+ with Wright.

It is the one position where we never seem to make the grade for the top tier talent, but always seem to sign someone with a high ceiling. Should we be concerned at this stage or will February bring out an honest option or just another flier?

NOTRE DAME, Indiana -- The winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history, graduate student Ian Book, was selected as the winner of the Pop Warner 2020 National College Football Award. The distinction honors a college football player in his final year of eligibility who has made a difference on the field, in the classroom and in the community, serving as a role model to young athletes. Book earned the honor out of a host of candidates and six finalists from across the FBS.

“Playing college football has been a dream of mine since fourth grade when I started playing Pop Warner. It’s where I learned the importance of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to achieve a team goal,” said Book. “I want to thank Pop Warner for this amazing award. It is truly humbling to be representing Notre Dame and be honored by such an iconic organization. I would like to thank my teammates and coaches. I wouldn’t be here today without them. Go Irish!”

“Ian has led Notre Dame not only to a great season under the most trying circumstances but throughout an historic career as the school’s winningest QB. On top of that, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership on and off the field. What stands out the most is Ian's dedication to performing his best at the highest level of academics and athletics,” said Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “Ian has shown our Pop Warner student athletes the importance of hard work, perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to school, team and community. We’re honored to have him represent Pop Warner as our 2020 College Football Award winner.”

Book has led the Irish to a perfect 10-0 record in 2020, becoming the all-time winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history. He boasts a 30-3 (.909) record as a starter, and Book is one of just two FBS quarterbacks with a win rate above .900, even as Book ranks 11th overall in total QB career starts (33). His 30 wins are third among all FBS quarterbacks.

He has completed 181 passes for 2,382 yards and 15 touchdowns, with just two interceptions in 2020, and has rushed for 465 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He ranks third among all Power 5 quarterbacks in season rushing touchdowns.


The graduate student has garnered a number of national accolades this season. He has been named a finalist for the Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Senior CLASS Award, and a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award.

Book graduated from Notre Dame in 2019, with a major in marketing from the Mendoza College of Business, one of the nation’s top-ranked business schools. He is now a graduate student.
Each of the past four seasons,

Book has participated in the annual Shop With A Player Christmas event, hosting under-privileged youth from the local St. Joseph County to go holiday shopping. He has also volunteered with the Kelly Cares Foundation, running a football camp for women who survived breast cancer, and he joined the Notre Dame football team to play in a charity fundraiser softball game against local first responders. In high school, Book served as a host for “Evening of Dreams,” a Senior Ball for local youth with disabilities, and was a regular volunteer at the local El Dorado County Foodbank, serving as the “Poster Boy” for the annual Fill The Bowl event. He was the top fundraiser for the Sacramento Shrine Bowl (Shriners Hospital) in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, and was a volunteer at St. Anthony’s Foundation food shelter in San Francisco.

He's very close with 2022 RB Damari Alston, an Irish target who visited for a game last November. Alston texted me after the Gee news broke saying just how excited he is.

Package deal? 👀

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34-23 Irish
you heard it here first

Let's go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful images of the heart of campus and the Basilica.

I thought I'd share in case you have not seen it already.

Happy last days of Advent everyone!

https://www.nd.edu/stories/christmas-2020/

Now, let's go pound Clemson ...

I was reading some of the various Clemson message boards. On one of the boards, Theclemsoninsider.com, they were discussing the playoffs and the fact that the Group of Five teams were never going to get picked for the 4-team playoff.

Someone brought up the suggestion that these non-power schools set up their own playoff system. One wag responded by saying:

I think that they already have a two-team playoff system for the non-power schools. Its called the Big Ten Championship game.

ESTIME DISCUSSES HIS COMMITMENT

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Commit story: https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-flips-rivals250-rb-audric-estime-from-michigan-state

Commit impact: https://notredame.rivals.com/news/commit-impact-what-landing-audric-estime-means-for-notre-dame

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Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly met with the media one day before the ACC championship game, and sounded off on the idea of the Rose Bowl or any College Football Playoff game being played without fans. He also discussed the backup quarterback spot, Mike Elston and much more.

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Personally, I don’t care if we’re ranked 7, 9 or 11 given what Matt Bali’s can do with these kids once he gets them in the weight room. We’ve shown that we can be a national power with players like this if they get the right coaching, conditioning and development.

It’s not a coincidence that our return to national prominence directly ties to when he showed up.

Choo choo!

Great article by Dan Wetzel on why Notre Dame should remain independent in football. I think he did a good job of hitting on all the high points of why independence is good for the football program that have been discussed many times on this board.

He did not address any of the collateral value football independence brings to the university that Swarbrick and Father Jenkins always bring up. Nor did he point out how the television money gap continues to widen between Notre Dame and conference schools. But a great article in any event.

Frickin huge news here. This kid is LEGIT.

Story: https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-flips-four-star-db-khari-gee-from-lsu

Commit Impact: https://notredame.rivals.com/news/commit-impact-what-landing-khari-gee-means-for-notre-dame-football


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Do you know if all players including walk-ons are eligible to head to ACC Championship game ?

He played elite competition and tore it up.....

NJ State Player of the Year


2020 Stats: 1,857 rushing yards, 9.8 YPC, 22 TD (8 games) / 14 catches, 185 yards, 2 TD
2019 Stats: 1,190 rushing yards, 6.9 YPC, 15 TD (10 games) / 13 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD

Career Stats: 3,924 rushing yards, 7.5 YPC, 50 TD (30 games) / 32 catches, 304 yards, 4 TD

Bergen Catholic #3 in State
St Peters #7
DePaul #11
Don Bosco #14
Seton Hall Prep #27

The 91-yard drive versus Clemson creating confidence:
It started before then. We had built the mental edge to do that, and the previous two years helped us with the success. It was the culmination of staying consistent with the process and having the mental edge that when presented with the opportunity, with our mind set we were going to get it done.

What the media is saying ahead of Notre Dame's rematch with No. 3 Clemson on Saturday.

Story: https://notredame.rivals.com/news/what-they-re-saying-clemson-vs-notre-dame-for-the-acc-championship

If cancelled it would ensure a playoff spot, or would you rather we take a shot at another W?