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Urlacher to the portal

He looked really good last year thought he was in prime position for a bigger role in 2025.

Maybe that is the problem, other programs probably liked what they saw, and he may be in line for a big NIL raise.
 
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I am sorry to see Kennedy leave, but I guess he probably looked at the depth chart and concluded playing time might be tough to come by. Hope he does well wherever he lands. He showed some glimpses of a kid who might become really good. He played fast and was a hard and sure tackler. Don't know what his coverage skills might be.
 
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He was going to be behind Shuler, Johnson, Talich and Stroman. And eventually Blair.

Sucks because I loved his intensity and hitting. Would have been core special teamer
Which makes me question was Stroman necessary? If I remember he is currently injured. Do you think a short term Stroman is better than a long term Urlacher? Plus wasn't Stroman a 2nd choice b/c the first choice of a transfer in at safety went elsewhere? I figured you would know all this.
 
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He looked really good last year thought he was in prime position for a bigger role in 2025.

Maybe that is the problem, other programs probably liked what they saw, and he may be in line for a big NIL raise.
That's what I'm saying, this Nico thing is not going to discourage NIL ambitions in the slightest. If anyone thought that. But KU is probably not expecting a huge payday, but since he did look pretty good as a frosh, and he thinks he has a future and he probably does, why not transfer, start, and make more. I don't think he's going to demand a million dollars, but with the hope that he'll get more than ND's paying.

It's probably just because he's just not high enough on the depth chart. We're loaded at safety. And he wants to play now. NIL is not a big factor.
 
Which makes me question was Stroman necessary? If I remember he is currently injured. Do you think a short term Stroman is better than a long term Urlacher? Plus wasn't Stroman a 2nd choice b/c the first choice of a transfer in at safety went elsewhere? I figured you would know all this.
I think Stroman is a good established starter. And was thought of as a likely '25 NFL draft pick before his injury. So your point still stands, but ND hopefully is getting good quality in Stroman. And we have other safeties.
 
Kennedy had a good relationship with Chad Bowden. Looks like he'll be a Trojan, which sucks. Can't blame him, though, he's currently what 5th or 6th on the depth chart at S. Loved what I saw in the Purdue game and on ST. I wonder if he'll become a hybrid linebacker type. Not surprised. And really hope there won't be any big surprises this week.
 
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Which makes me question was Stroman necessary? If I remember he is currently injured. Do you think a short term Stroman is better than a long term Urlacher? Plus wasn't Stroman a 2nd choice b/c the first choice of a transfer in at safety went elsewhere? I figured you would know all this.
Stroman is likely to start this year. Urlacher isn't in the 2 deep. I dont know what you are talking about 2nd choice
 
This is more of a sign of depth than anything else. We're starting to have this problem because Freeman and staff can recruit kids to ND. I'm not upset with this, even though I think he was a promising player. It just means there are that many guys ahead of him.
 
Stroman is likely to start this year. Urlacher isn't in the 2 deep. I dont know what you are talking about 2nd choice
Yup, regardless of the Stroman pickup, he came out of the spring behind Talish and Minich, (forgot Tea Johnson) and 6'5" Blair is coming! Kennedy is a small 5'11". Marcus and co. have done a really good job in the portal when it comes to our secondary. I don't see that stopping, except that we are recruiting so much better there since Kelly.
 
This is more of a sign of depth than anything else. We're starting to have this problem because Freeman and staff can recruit kids to ND. I'm not upset with this, even though I think he was a promising player. It just means there are that many guys ahead of him.
"recruiting kids to ND" is not the problem.

"recruiting national championship quality kids to ND" is though
 
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One could argue freeman has recruited LB/S position better than any on defense.

Sucks to see him leave, I think he's going to end up being very good.
 
Stroman is likely to start this year. Urlacher isn't in the 2 deep. I dont know what you are talking about 2nd choice
I thought Freeman pursued another safety b4 Stroman and lost out to another team. I dont remember who it was. He was either from the state of Texas or went to a Texas team something like that.
 
I thought Freeman pursued another safety b4 Stroman and lost out to another team. I dont remember who it was. He was either from the state of Texas or went to a Texas team something like that.
I'm not sure about that. Don't remember that. Would need a name or story
 
Kennedy had a good relationship with Chad Bowden. Looks like he'll be a Trojan, which sucks. Can't blame him, though, he's currently what 5th or 6th on the depth chart at S. Loved what I saw in the Purdue game and on ST. I wonder if he'll become a hybrid linebacker type. Not surprised. And really hope there won't be any big surprises this week.
Excellent post Stu. Understandable.
 
I enjoyed watching Kennedy’s aggressive play, but he wasn’t going to get meaningful snaps for us. Better safeties above him and we’re recruiting better safeties behind him.

Good luck to him, hope it works out well for him.
 
Kennedy had a good relationship with Chad Bowden. Looks like he'll be a Trojan, which sucks. Can't blame him, though, he's currently what 5th or 6th on the depth chart at S. Loved what I saw in the Purdue game and on ST. I wonder if he'll become a hybrid linebacker type. Not surprised. And really hope there won't be any big surprises this week.
You are correct. USC.
 
I enjoyed watching Kennedy’s aggressive play, but he wasn’t going to get meaningful snaps for us. Better safeties above him and we’re recruiting better safeties behind him.

Good luck to him, hope it works out well for him.
Yep. Players aren't dumb, they can read the room too.
 
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I wish Kennedy the best of luck and hope he realizes his dreams. As a Bears fan, I loved watching his father play the game.

While it is tough to see Kennedy go, I've learned these things have a way of working out. Remember all the consternation here when 5* Peyton Bowen gave ND the run around and then ended up at OU? I think things worked out pretty well for ND with Adon Shuler sliding into the role that everyone thought Bowen would take. Right now, Shuler has hands down been the better player.
 
Always sucks to see a player leave. But it’s not just at ND. You have to remember , most of these kids were the top players at their high school level. I guess each feels they are good enough to start. With the portal and the way it’s set up, kids are jumping from school to school. For some , it works out well. However , for many , the grass isn’t always greener.
 
I think it was the total right move for him to make. His career is starting out quick, he's got ability, he wants to play, he needs to play, and he very well may not have gotten sufficient snaps at ND with all of our other good safeties, namely Luke Talich. And probably more money to boot. So portal here we come.

Only thing is if he had stayed he might have been good enough to simply force his way into major minutes. So that opportunity is gone.
 
The information I received could be incorrect, but I’m told that not one player from Ohio State entered the transfer portal.

What does that tell you ?
 
The information I received could be incorrect, but I’m told that not one player from Ohio State entered the transfer portal.

What does that tell you ?
Not sure where you got that information, but it is wholly inaccurate. According to Yahoo (https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ohio-state-football-spring-transfer-170228110.html), 14 OSU players entered the portal during the winter period, and 2 more have recently entered during the spring period. The Buckeyes signed 6 players during the winter portal.

Plus, I think OSU lost a number of starters to graduation, so maybe guys are hanging around thinking they will have a chance to start, or at least get significant playing time.

So it doesn't tell me much.
 
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Always sucks to see a player leave. But it’s not just at ND. You have to remember , most of these kids were the top players at their high school level. I guess each feels they are good enough to start. With the portal and the way it’s set up, kids are jumping from school to school. For some , it works out well. However , for many , the grass isn’t always greener.
The USC depth chart at safety is not as strong as Notre Dame. Urlacher has a far better opportunity to play at USC than Notre Dame.
 
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