Julian Okwara: Best pass rushing skill set on the team. Simply just a year a way physically. I've watched all the games at least 3 times now. He has that natural bend around the edge and has exceptionally long arms on his 6'4 frame. When he adds 10 more pounds this off season and comes back as a 6'4, 250lb yoked junior, he's going to be a force. Probably ends up with 5+ sacks this year and should push for double digits next year. Not the all around player Daelin Hayes is, but has wayyyy more upside as a pass rush specialist. This kid is the SEC type edge rusher we've been looking for. Explosive off the edge.
Jordan Genmark-Heath: Eight special teams tackles already, making him this year's Chase Claypool. Like his Canadian special teams predecessor, the Swede is an excellent athlete, who is simply behind in terms of his football knowledge compared to the kids who grew up living and breathing the game in the USA. 6'1, 220lbs and physical as all hell. My guess is that they peel 10lbs off him in the off season and work on his speed, but he's going to be an excellent SS, opposite Derrik Allen down the road. Captain material who will be amore athletic Matthias Farley. A glue guy who will always be in position, and will wind up being a punishing tackler in run support. Future captain written all over him.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa: Credit goes to Texl for beating me to the punch in talking about Myron and his play. This kid has an excellent first step, but most importantly, has the frame to be nearly immovable. At 6'4, 290lbs, he is only going to keep growing. Players of his ethnicity almost always seem to. I'm expecting him to be a 310lb monster before he leaves South Bend and a key cog in ND's run defense. Excellent complement to Darnell Ewell, Jayson Ademilola and Jamion Franklin.
Michael Young: Battling to get into the rotation as a freshman, but he's going to be a gamer. A more physical TJ Jones comes to mind immediately. Maybe even a little Golden Tate in him. Expect his role to grow as the season progresses, even with the return of Stepherson. Absolutely could see him filling Cam Smith's current role during his sophomore season. He'll be a play.aker before he's done in South Bend. Love the effort he plays with, especially when the ball is going elsewhere.
Shayne Simon: Ok. I know he technically hasn't signed yet, but I'm confident he will keep his commitment. This kid is a stud. I personally think he's one of the 25-30 best players in the country at the high school level. His rankings don't reflect that, but he just does everything well. I don't care if he plays Rover or Buck (depending on how he fills out) he just needs to be on the field early and often. ND generally struggles to get athletes like this, but the 6'2, 220lb'er is exactly what you are looking for. Matt Balis is going tonhavr fun with this kid. Some people think he is going to fill out into a 240lb Buck, but he's already pretty jacked. I don't want him getting too big to maintain his athleticism. At 230lbs he don't have much to gain and he's the exact same size as Drue Tranquill, but more athletic. Keep him there. Him and Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah may be a wicked tandem down the road.
Jordan Genmark-Heath: Eight special teams tackles already, making him this year's Chase Claypool. Like his Canadian special teams predecessor, the Swede is an excellent athlete, who is simply behind in terms of his football knowledge compared to the kids who grew up living and breathing the game in the USA. 6'1, 220lbs and physical as all hell. My guess is that they peel 10lbs off him in the off season and work on his speed, but he's going to be an excellent SS, opposite Derrik Allen down the road. Captain material who will be amore athletic Matthias Farley. A glue guy who will always be in position, and will wind up being a punishing tackler in run support. Future captain written all over him.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa: Credit goes to Texl for beating me to the punch in talking about Myron and his play. This kid has an excellent first step, but most importantly, has the frame to be nearly immovable. At 6'4, 290lbs, he is only going to keep growing. Players of his ethnicity almost always seem to. I'm expecting him to be a 310lb monster before he leaves South Bend and a key cog in ND's run defense. Excellent complement to Darnell Ewell, Jayson Ademilola and Jamion Franklin.
Michael Young: Battling to get into the rotation as a freshman, but he's going to be a gamer. A more physical TJ Jones comes to mind immediately. Maybe even a little Golden Tate in him. Expect his role to grow as the season progresses, even with the return of Stepherson. Absolutely could see him filling Cam Smith's current role during his sophomore season. He'll be a play.aker before he's done in South Bend. Love the effort he plays with, especially when the ball is going elsewhere.
Shayne Simon: Ok. I know he technically hasn't signed yet, but I'm confident he will keep his commitment. This kid is a stud. I personally think he's one of the 25-30 best players in the country at the high school level. His rankings don't reflect that, but he just does everything well. I don't care if he plays Rover or Buck (depending on how he fills out) he just needs to be on the field early and often. ND generally struggles to get athletes like this, but the 6'2, 220lb'er is exactly what you are looking for. Matt Balis is going tonhavr fun with this kid. Some people think he is going to fill out into a 240lb Buck, but he's already pretty jacked. I don't want him getting too big to maintain his athleticism. At 230lbs he don't have much to gain and he's the exact same size as Drue Tranquill, but more athletic. Keep him there. Him and Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah may be a wicked tandem down the road.
