Staring with the offense...
Ian Book: Continued to look like a great decision maker. The speed at which he processes information in the pocket and finds the open man, is impressive for a college quarterback. He's in complete command of the offense, which is nice to see. I'm curious whether or not they'll let him do much in the read option game this year, for fear of him getting hurt while running. It would be a shame if they take it away from him because he's a fantastic decision maker in the read option game.
I was a little bit disappointed to see him throw only 2 deep balls today, given that they spent a lot of spring working on it by all accounts. The throw to Claypool was perfect and it was nice to see him drive a ball out there, although it was horribly played by a cover 2 safety, and almost would never be that uncontested in a game. Regardless, the positioning of the ball was perfect. The 2nd throw, down the seem to Kmet was a little high, but I loved what he was thinking with 3 defenders in the area. Throw it up high where your tight end has the only chance. Tyler Eifert caught those passes in his sleep, If Cole Kmet wants to be an elite pass catching tight end, he'll have to make those plays as well. Ian's throw could have been better, but he needs his 6'6 tight end to make a play there.
Phil Jurkovec: I'm not nearly as worried as some on this board. The "touch" setting does not favour a 6'5, 220lb athlete. Make no mistake, Phil is never going to orchestrate the offense like Ian does. Ian is a pure quarterback, with some athleticism. Phil is a serious athlete, continuing to learn how to play quarterback. In the first half, when they ran plays he was comfortable with and he wasn't surrounded by 3rd string players, he made a couple plays, and was about a second late in making a couple more. Phil chose to finish his career in basketball, When he should have been getting these reps last spring. He got very few reps in the fall behind Ian and Brandon, so this is really his first college experience. With the red jersey off of him and the ability to keep the defense homest with the read option, he'd look completely different. Phil doesn't throw a pretty ball and his arm motion isn't something you brag about, but I'm at least a year away from being worried about him as a quarterback.
Jafar Armstrong: Theo Riddick 2.0... ND fans are going to love him. Elite pass catcher out of the backfield, runs behind his pads and is fearless inside. If he stays healthy, he's going to be a bell cow. Simms made the comparison to a Lev Bell. While that's high praise, if you go back to Bell's Michigan State days, I understand the comparison. Let's hope for a healthy season because I could see something like 1200-1300 yards. 700-800 on the ground, and another 500 through the air. I bet you'll see a good amount of 2 back sets this year with Jafar running a route and Tony Jones pass blocking.
Chase Claypool: can be as good as he wants to be, and as good as the opportunities that Ian gives him. Book loves to spread the ball around, but Chase (the version we heard about this spring) is a 10+ target per game wide receiver, who should absolutely wear defenses out. I boldly predicted a Larry Fitzgerald type senior season from him and while I was
carried away with that prediction (Fitz caught 92 passes for 1600+ yards and 22 TD's in 2003 at Pitt), I see absolutely no reason why he can't be an All American. Anything less that 75 receptions, 1100 yards and 12'ish TD's would be a disappointment for me if both he and Ian stay healthy. Dude is built like Calvin Johnson. No reason for him not to dominate and become a 1st rounder.
The rest of the receivers: I'm really happy with where the group is at. Michael Young will be a solid #3 receiver, Chris Finke is Ian's security blanket and should be outstanding in the slot. He might be the only reason Claypool's numbers aren't as good as they could be. That's not a bad thing. If Kevin Austin just keeps his head down and works his ass off, he'll steal reps from Young as the season goes and next year he'll line up in Chase's spot. Joe Wilkins, Lawrence Keys and Braden Lenzy all flashed as well. The future is bright at WR in South Bend. Cam Hart and Kendall Abdur-Rahman are going to get plenty of time to focus on learning the offense and hitting the weight room, because there is no room for them to get touches right now. Music to my ears.
The offensive line: Should be better than last year's group (post Alex Bars injury). There are no excuses for that unit. I did see a couple concerning things in the spring game and I'm still a little unsure of their OL coach, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he coaches half as good as he's been recruiting lately, the unit should be one of the 5 best in the country by the mid season mark. The tackles are really going to need to step up. I have a feeling that interior is going to be really solid, despite Patrerson being young.
Jahmir Smith and Kyren Williams: Are both going to be ballers. Smith is the kind of kid that goes to Wake Forest or North Carolina and becomes a 1000 yard rusher doing nothing flashy, but everything right. Williams has a weird combination of Theo Riddick's skill set, in Tarean Folston's body. Smith will be the third back this year and should get plenty of garbage time reps. Next year he'll be the #2 to Armstrong and will see an increased work load in the Tony Jones role. Kyren is a year away from making an impact, but he and Chris Tyree will battle like hell for 3rd team reps next year. Love the direction the running backs are heading in.
The tight ends: Prove it baby. Kmet, Wright and Tremble have a ton of talent, their position coach is the OC and Brian Kelly has noted that he wants the tight ends involved and making plays this year. ND is TE U. We always hear the hype, but it's been a while since a tight end played at an All American level. Time for someone to step up and be that weapon in the middle of the field that makes it near impossible for a defense to double over the top of Claypool. I'll remain confident in their ability, but I'll believe it when I see it. Cole Kmet in particular. He should dominate.
Ian Book: Continued to look like a great decision maker. The speed at which he processes information in the pocket and finds the open man, is impressive for a college quarterback. He's in complete command of the offense, which is nice to see. I'm curious whether or not they'll let him do much in the read option game this year, for fear of him getting hurt while running. It would be a shame if they take it away from him because he's a fantastic decision maker in the read option game.
I was a little bit disappointed to see him throw only 2 deep balls today, given that they spent a lot of spring working on it by all accounts. The throw to Claypool was perfect and it was nice to see him drive a ball out there, although it was horribly played by a cover 2 safety, and almost would never be that uncontested in a game. Regardless, the positioning of the ball was perfect. The 2nd throw, down the seem to Kmet was a little high, but I loved what he was thinking with 3 defenders in the area. Throw it up high where your tight end has the only chance. Tyler Eifert caught those passes in his sleep, If Cole Kmet wants to be an elite pass catching tight end, he'll have to make those plays as well. Ian's throw could have been better, but he needs his 6'6 tight end to make a play there.
Phil Jurkovec: I'm not nearly as worried as some on this board. The "touch" setting does not favour a 6'5, 220lb athlete. Make no mistake, Phil is never going to orchestrate the offense like Ian does. Ian is a pure quarterback, with some athleticism. Phil is a serious athlete, continuing to learn how to play quarterback. In the first half, when they ran plays he was comfortable with and he wasn't surrounded by 3rd string players, he made a couple plays, and was about a second late in making a couple more. Phil chose to finish his career in basketball, When he should have been getting these reps last spring. He got very few reps in the fall behind Ian and Brandon, so this is really his first college experience. With the red jersey off of him and the ability to keep the defense homest with the read option, he'd look completely different. Phil doesn't throw a pretty ball and his arm motion isn't something you brag about, but I'm at least a year away from being worried about him as a quarterback.
Jafar Armstrong: Theo Riddick 2.0... ND fans are going to love him. Elite pass catcher out of the backfield, runs behind his pads and is fearless inside. If he stays healthy, he's going to be a bell cow. Simms made the comparison to a Lev Bell. While that's high praise, if you go back to Bell's Michigan State days, I understand the comparison. Let's hope for a healthy season because I could see something like 1200-1300 yards. 700-800 on the ground, and another 500 through the air. I bet you'll see a good amount of 2 back sets this year with Jafar running a route and Tony Jones pass blocking.
Chase Claypool: can be as good as he wants to be, and as good as the opportunities that Ian gives him. Book loves to spread the ball around, but Chase (the version we heard about this spring) is a 10+ target per game wide receiver, who should absolutely wear defenses out. I boldly predicted a Larry Fitzgerald type senior season from him and while I was
carried away with that prediction (Fitz caught 92 passes for 1600+ yards and 22 TD's in 2003 at Pitt), I see absolutely no reason why he can't be an All American. Anything less that 75 receptions, 1100 yards and 12'ish TD's would be a disappointment for me if both he and Ian stay healthy. Dude is built like Calvin Johnson. No reason for him not to dominate and become a 1st rounder.
The rest of the receivers: I'm really happy with where the group is at. Michael Young will be a solid #3 receiver, Chris Finke is Ian's security blanket and should be outstanding in the slot. He might be the only reason Claypool's numbers aren't as good as they could be. That's not a bad thing. If Kevin Austin just keeps his head down and works his ass off, he'll steal reps from Young as the season goes and next year he'll line up in Chase's spot. Joe Wilkins, Lawrence Keys and Braden Lenzy all flashed as well. The future is bright at WR in South Bend. Cam Hart and Kendall Abdur-Rahman are going to get plenty of time to focus on learning the offense and hitting the weight room, because there is no room for them to get touches right now. Music to my ears.
The offensive line: Should be better than last year's group (post Alex Bars injury). There are no excuses for that unit. I did see a couple concerning things in the spring game and I'm still a little unsure of their OL coach, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he coaches half as good as he's been recruiting lately, the unit should be one of the 5 best in the country by the mid season mark. The tackles are really going to need to step up. I have a feeling that interior is going to be really solid, despite Patrerson being young.
Jahmir Smith and Kyren Williams: Are both going to be ballers. Smith is the kind of kid that goes to Wake Forest or North Carolina and becomes a 1000 yard rusher doing nothing flashy, but everything right. Williams has a weird combination of Theo Riddick's skill set, in Tarean Folston's body. Smith will be the third back this year and should get plenty of garbage time reps. Next year he'll be the #2 to Armstrong and will see an increased work load in the Tony Jones role. Kyren is a year away from making an impact, but he and Chris Tyree will battle like hell for 3rd team reps next year. Love the direction the running backs are heading in.
The tight ends: Prove it baby. Kmet, Wright and Tremble have a ton of talent, their position coach is the OC and Brian Kelly has noted that he wants the tight ends involved and making plays this year. ND is TE U. We always hear the hype, but it's been a while since a tight end played at an All American level. Time for someone to step up and be that weapon in the middle of the field that makes it near impossible for a defense to double over the top of Claypool. I'll remain confident in their ability, but I'll believe it when I see it. Cole Kmet in particular. He should dominate.
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