Tag: Matt Balis

Scouts view: Newest Notre Dame commitment ‘22 DE Tyson Ford

A look at what to expect from the Newest Notre Dame commitment, defensive end Tyson Ford in the 2022 recruiting class.

The first commit of the Marcus Freeman era is a big one, in Missouri’s Tyson Ford. The elite defensive end stands six-foot-five-inches and weighs 245-pounds, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he plays.

Ranked as a top 10 player at his position, Ford is an absolutely huge recruiting win, as Brian Kelly and the Irish made a huge late push to overcome an his presumed commitment to Oklahoma.

Here is a scouts view of what to expect from Tyson Ford when he arrives to South Bend:

First thing that pops off on Ford’s film is his elite first step, many times getting past offensive tackles before they have an opportunity to get their hands on him. When they do, Ford shows a variety of high-level moves to get to the quarterback which include a swim, speed and bullrush. He uses great hand movements to fend off defenders, something Ford shows an impressive display doing. Strength isn’t an issue, but once strength coach Matt Balis gets his hands on him, Ford’s abilities in this category will greatly improve. He never gives up on plays, often chasing down ball-carriers from the backside.

Ford is the type of player that could make an immediate impact due to his pass-rushing abilities. I’m a big fan of his game and excited to see what he can do during his Notre Dame career.

Notre Dame football loses a strength coach to a rival school

The offseason for Notre Dame sees an important piece of the program move on to a west coast rival.

A set of coaches that don’t get enough credit are always the strength and conditioning coaches. Notre Dame has a great one in Matt Balis, but he is losing one of his assistants. Robert Stiner, the now former assistant director of football strength and conditioning will be moving on the become the head of USC’s strength and conditioning program.

Although Stiner is not someone most fans recognize the loss is significant. Balis along with Stiner have made major strides in the Irish program for Brian Kelly, a move that after the 2016 season became a focus for Notre Dame.

It’s safe to say that Stiner will be missed, and this one stings a bit more due to the fact that he’s going to a rival in USC. Although we wish him the best, those sentiments won’t be echoed when the Irish face off against the Trojans in mid-October during this season and beyond.

Another PFF award winner, this time the MVLB

Notre Dame continues to rack up PFF awards, this time it’s the Most Valuable Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

It is safe to say Notre Dame is absolutely cleaning up Pro Football Focus’ awards. Already we have seen the MVG Aaron Banks and the MVS Kyle Hamilton. Today it was Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s turns being named the MVLB, the Most Valuable Linebacker in college football.

This one should not come as a surprise, JOK has already been given some very high distinctions this year, including winning the Butkus Awards, given annually to the best linebacker in college football. For PFF to follow suit makes plenty of sense.

Over the last two years, Owusu-Koramoah has been an absolute joy to watch roam the defense for the Irish. Big play after big play for the lightly recruited linebacker. You have to give a lot of credit to former defensive coordinator Clark Lea and strength coach Matt Balis for their work with JOK.

Just seven Power Five offers coming out of high school, the Irish were able to flip JOK from Virginia late in his recruitment. Ranked in the mid-400’s, Owusu-Koramoah did not perform up to his ranking, he blew it out of the water.

Weighing under 200-pounds when he arrived on campus, Balis went to work for two years to transform his body, adding about 20-pounds. That work paid off this season with 61 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) and an interception.

We have seen the star linebacker make his impact for Notre Dame and he will surely do the same in the NFL next year. Owusu-Koramoah’s story should be used as a recruiting tool for Irish prospects going forward.

NFL Combine Show’s Why Notre Dame Strength Coach Matt Balis is One of the Best in the Country

Notre Dame Director of Football Performance Matt Balis is one of the best in the country.

The NFL combine finished last weekend and what the eight former Notre Dame stars did was impressive as a whole. A lot of that credit has to go to Matt Balis, the Director of Football Performance AKA strength coach for the Blue and Gold. Balis is responsible for getting the players in optimal playing shape, and those skills translated to many performing extremely well for NFL personnel.

Charles Power, of 247Sports looked over some of the data after the combine and some strength coaches stood out to him. Balis was one of them, as he has made many players improve their athletic traits. Power had a very interesting stat to go along with the success Balis has had “noting the Fighting Irish are 33-6 since Balis arrived in South Bend.”

In Olympic style scoring, the Irish would have taken the crown as they finished inside the top three in 7 different events. Individually it was TE Cole Kmet that stood out as he was named to NFL.com’s All-Combine Offensive Team.

Kmet and WR Chase Claypool were two of the former Irish star’s that made noise during the workouts and that is a direct reflection of the work that Balis has put in with those players. It’s safe to say his methods are among the best in the country, giving Brian Kelly’s team a leg up against many opponents.