Tag: Joe Rudolph

Wisconsin top in-state class of 2025 target sets commitment date

Wisconsin top in-state class of 2025 target sets commitment date

Top Wisconsin class of 2025 target Owen Strebig announced earlier today that he will be announcing his college commitment on February 8 at 4 p.m. central.

The Waukesha, Wisconsin native is the No. 1 player in the state of Wisconsin in his class of 2025. He also ranks as the No. 127 overall recruit in the class and No. 13 offensive tackle.

Strebig will be choosing between the in-state Badgers, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame and USC — though there is currently a consensus that Notre Dame will be the choice.

If Wisconsin were to lose Strebig, he would become the ninth of the last 10 in-state four-star recruits to commit elsewhere — the one commitment coming from top 2022 offensive tackle Joe Brunner. This trend is occurring after Wisconsin previously held a stronghold on top in-state prospects for the last few decades.

It also must be noted that Notre Dame’s current offensive line coach is Joe Rudolph — Wisconsin’s old offensive line coach and offensive coordinator from 2015-2021. It is easy to infer a previous connection there between Rudolph and in-state recruits from his time in Madison.

The Badgers class of 2025 now awaits Strebig’s announcement. The group currently ranks No. 10 nationally with seven commitments at this early point in the process.

Notre Dame football: 2023 coaching staff tracker

More movement on June 20…

Although it was anticipated to be a much slower off-season in terms of news for Notre Dame after Marcus Freeman’s first full year on the job, plenty of changes to the coaching staff have occurred.  It started with a famed graduate assistant returning to the Big Ten university he starred at as a player and quickly snowballed into a national search for a new offensive coordinator and much more.

As we count down the days until Notre Dame football officially gets going this fall, we look back at the departures and arrivals to Notre Dame’s coaching staff.

 

Watch: Notre Dame line coaches mic’d up during spring practices

Get an inside scoop for two units’ workouts.

The battles in the trenches can be the most grinding of any on a football field. That’s why offensive and defensive lines require the best coaching possible in order for them to perform at their very best. If you don’t believe that, look what happens when the coaches responsible for those areas with the Irish wear mics during spring workouts.

First, let’s listen to second-year defensive line coach [autotag]Al Washington[/autotag]:

Now, let’s hear first-year offensive line coach [autotag]Joe Rudolph[/autotag], who is by no means a rookie college coach but just happens to be with the Irish has he approaches 20 years coaching at this level:

We understand that both videos represent only a fraction of what goes on during any given day. There is a lot of footage that ends up not being released, and there probably is plenty with language that wouldn’t fly for a general audience. Regardless, it’s great to see them guide and motivate their respective units.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

 

Notre Dame football: Irish add 2024 commitment from Georgia

Notre Dame’s 2024 recruiting class has grown by one!

Relationships are not only a key to life but also successful recruiting.  That was certainly the case as Notre Dame went from non-existent to the future home of offensive lineman [autotag]Anthonie Knapp[/autotag] in short order.  Knapp, a three-star recruit in the 2024 class from Roswell High School in Georgia, was a top target of new Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph during Rudolph’s time at Virginia Tech.

Rudolph maintained that relationship after taking the Notre Dame job and just days after announcing an offer from the Irish, Knapp is the newest member of the 2024 class.  He checks in at 6-5 but just under 270-pounds so putting on the pounds will be a top order of business.

Five developments that all eyes will be on for Notre Dame’s spring practices

What do you need to see?

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] is back this week, Wednesday is the first day of spring practice. It seems like forever since we last saw the Irish on the football field, but it was just less than 3 months ago.

Plenty has changed since then, out is offensive coordinator [autotag]Tommy Rees[/autotag], [autotag]Gerad Parker[/autotag] was elevated. Offensive line coach [autotag]Harry Hiestand[/autotag] retired and head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] replaced him with [autotag]Joe Rudolph[/autotag] from Virginia Tech.

It has been a very interesting offseason to say the least, but football is back on the menu. Find out below five developments that all Notre Dame fans will be watching during spring practice.

Notre Dame offensive lineman makes big proclamation heading into 2023 season

The Irish have the potential to live up to this statement

If there is someone that talks the talk and walks the walk on [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag]’s offensive line, it’s tackle [autotag]Joe Alt[/autotag]. In his two years in South Bend, Alt has been named a freshman All-American and then an All-American.

The expectation for him and his position group this coming season is sky high and Alt has made it even bigger. In a quote shared by Pro Football Focus, the soon-to-be preseason All-American believes the Irish offensive line will be the best in the nation.

There were not many losses from this past seasons group, [autotag]Jarrett Patterson[/autotag] is the only starter that needs to be replaced. Also gone is offensive line coach [autotag]Harry Hiestand[/autotag] and in comes [autotag]Joe Rudolph[/autotag]. The group is expected not to miss a beat and be one of the best, if not, the best in the country this coming fall.

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Notre Dame football officially names Joe Rudolph offensive line coach

Rudolph officially named to Notre Dame staff

Notre Dame made it official on Tuesday morning when they officially announced Joe Rudolph as their new offensive line coach.  Rudolph takes over for Harry Hiestand who retired in early February after returning to coach Notre Dame’s offensive line last year.

Notre Dame put out the official press release on the hiring of Rudolph Tuesday.  You can read it in full below.

SOUTH BEND, IN – Joe Rudolph, most recently the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Virginia Tech, has been named the Joe Moore Offensive Line Coach at the University of Notre Dame. The 18-year coaching veteran and Pennsylvania native developed some of the most dominant offensive lines in college football during his time at Wisconsin from 2015-21 and boasts eight years of offensive coordinator experience. The hiring will be effective at the conclusion of the University’s standard employment process.

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Notre Dame football: About new offensive line coach Joe Rudolph

Here’s what you need to know about the new OL coach at O-Line U

The press release hasn’t been sent yet but I’m willing to guess it’s saved as a draft in the Notre Dame football office.  Joe Rudolph, who most recently worked as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Virginia Tech, is expected to be Notre Dame’s next offensive line coach.

Rudolph played at a Big Ten program before spending a couple of years in the NFL and then ultimately getting into coaching.  Here’s a few fast facts about Rudolph and why Notre Dame fans should feel confident that he’ll be a strong replacement for the recently retired Harry Hiestand.

Report: Notre Dame is expected to hire an elite offensive line coach from ACC program

Reports look like the Irish have found their new offensive line coach

Although it wasn’t a shock when [autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] offensive line coach [autotag]Harry Hiestand[/autotag] announced his retirement, the timing was. It has been over two weeks since the announcement was made and it looks like the Irish have found their replacement.

According to a report by 247Sports Tom Loy, Notre Dame is expected hire Virginia Tech offensive line coach and run game coordinator [autotag]Joe Rudolph[/autotag] to fill the need. This is not confirmed by the university, as Loy states that Rudolph should be named “barring some change or surprise.”

Although Rudolph was only a Hokie for a season, he was previously at Wisconsin under the same title. The Badgers have a similar outlook on their offensive line as the Irish do, so it looks like a great fit.

Stay tuned to Fighting Irish Wire as we await the official announcement of Notre Dame’s next offensive line coach.

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Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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Badgers offense ‘has to change’ under new OC Bobby Engram

Wisconsin’s offense has sputtered each of the past two seasons. Can new OC Bobby Engram help UW get things back on track?

Head Coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers aren’t oblivious to their current situation. For UW to contend for a Big Ten title in 2022, the Badgers offense will need to improve – and in a hurry.

Last season, Wisconsin finished No. 8 in the Big Ten in total yards per game (371.1). The Badgers dominant running game was held back by inconsistent quarterback play and an anemic passing offense that ranked 120th overall (160.2 yards per game), 105th in passing efficiency (120.70), and 83rd in yards per completion (11.76).

Gone are Joe Rudolph and Wisconsin’s top three pass catchers, opening the door for Coach Chryst and company to shake things up entering 2022.

Enter first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Engram, who needs to invigorate a stale and waning offensive scheme at UW.

Coach Engram comes to Wisconsin from the Baltimore Ravens franchise, where he spent eight seasons working under several highly respected coaches.

“Running the football well is important, using the play-action pass, being multiple and doing a lot of different things offensively, but doing them well. For me, it’s bringing a fresh look and my own sense of creativity to what’s already been proven successful here. I’ve been fortunate to be around some great coaches and players in the NFL, and I want to bring the best of what I’ve learned to the Badgers,” Engram said in a Wisconsin football press release.

No wholesale offensive changes are expected to be made in 2022. However, Paul Chryst and Bobby Engram will collaborate to bring an infusion of new ideas to the field this upcoming season – hoping to jumpstart Wisconsin’s offense and return to the top of the Big Ten standings.

Let’s take a look at Wisconsin’s returning personnel entering the 2022 season: