Tag: notre dame fighting irish football

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.

Notre Dame gets big news as defender will return for 2021 season

The Notre Dame defense gets some very good news as defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa announces his return for 2021.

With the 2020 season came the NCAA proclamation that this was a free year for all fall athletes, plenty of seniors and early-entry juniors had decisions to make. Well, Notre Dame got some really good news last night as Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has announced he will return to South Bend for the 2021 season.

The Hawaiian native register career highs in multiple categories this past season, including sacks, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Tagovailoa-Amosa could have moved on to the NFL, but his returns gives the Irish much needed experience along the defensive line.

You have to wonder how much new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman’s hiring impacted Tagovailoa-Amosa’s decision. Either way we are excited for his last go around wearing the Blue and Gold.

The ‘transfer toilet’ is how one ACC coach views the portal

Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson had some interesting words when asked about the NCAA transfer portal.

Since the inception of the NCAA’s transfer portal in October of 2018, many players have enter their name in. Over 1,000 student-athletes did so in it’s first year of existence, with many more following the path the past two years.

In an interview with the Winston-Salem Journal, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson was overtly critical of the “transfer toilet” as he so eloquently called it. The topic was breached when John Dell asked about his former running back Kenneth Walker, entering the portal and subsequently committing to Michigan State.

“The joke in the ACC room is that sometimes we call it almost like the transfer toilet. There are players that go in there, and you never see or hear from them again. This whole idea there’s a portal and a one-time transfer (rule) and isn’t this freedom great? But you are still only allowed to have 85 scholarships, and you can still sign only 25 players a year. So you have all these players going in there thinking they can go anywhere and play. There are still scholarship limits,” explained Clawson.

He went ever further saying “a lot of those players go into the portal not being informed of the national dynamics of that portal, that there are 65 Power Five programs,” going back into his comments about scholarship limits.

Clawson does have some solid points, but transfers have worked for many players including Notre Dame’s Ben Skowronek (although a different case as a graduate transfer) and former Irish now Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec. It hasn’t worked for many also, citing Miami’s Tate Martell.

The argument here is that if coaches are allowed to leave freely, so should players and it’s a solid point, but to a degree. Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh thinks players should be allowed to have one free transfer, where they wouldn’t have to wait for the NCAA to make a ruling on being eligible immediately.

Cases like Martell’s don’t always makes sense, as he claimed due to Urban Meyer leaving after his second season that he should be eligible right away at Miami, FL. They granted it to him but said no to Luke Ford. The Illinois native played his first year at Georgia, but he wanted his sick grandfather to see him play. The NCAA denied his request, his grandfather passing away during his season where he had to sit out a year.

The “transfer toilet” needs more rules, the NCAA must have better criteria as to what grants a player immediate eligibility and what doesn’t. This year has obviously been different, with most transfers being granted eligibility right away.

Either way, Clawson got our attention comparing the transfer portal to a toilet bowl.

The MVG was on Notre Dame’s offense line according to PFF

The second Notre Dame player to be recognized by Pro Football Focus as the best at their position in the country is guard Aaron Banks.

The season is over and although some awards have already been giving out, Pro Football Focus is still going over their data and handing out individual recognition. Yesterday, Kyle Hamilton was named their MVS (Most Valueable Safety) and today it was Irish guard Aaron Banks turn to be spotlighted.

Banks led the way for a Notre Dame rushing attack that saw Kyren Williams go for over 1,100-yards and his backup, Chris Tyree run for almost 500-yards in limited duty. Banks and his offensive line mates finished in the top 3 for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best unit up front.

Banks helped Notre Dame rush for 222-yards a game, while piling up 33 scores on the ground. Unfortunately for the Irish, Banks has elected to move on and will play in the NFL next year, declining the extra year the NCAA has given all their fall sport athletes. We will be watching Banks on Sunday’s from here on out, but what a great career he had in the Blue and Gold.

Is a former friend, Clark Lea, now turning into a big time foe?

Could Clark Lea be giving Notre Dame a run for their money with recruits that both schools are looking for the same profile in their players.

Today Vanderbilt’s new head coach Clark Lea and former Notre Dame defensive coordinator officially announced some of his main staff members with, in my estimation, the biggest one being the hire of Barton Simmons.

The former 247Sports lead scouting director is paving the way for Lea and his pursuit of high level academic and athletic prospects. The same type of prospects that Notre Dame recruits.

It should come to no ones surprise that Lea is going to target many of his old connections from his tenure with the Irish. Today, one of those connections was made with an offer to 2022 Illinois linebacker Sebastian Cheeks.

Cheeks is seen by many as a Notre Dame lean, but that could potentially be changing, with Lea leading his efforts to lure Cheeks to Vandy. Recruits don’t alway pin their offers on Twitter, but that has happened with Cheeks. The past relationship with Lea is playing a big part in the offer.

This should not be taken lightly. Yes, Vanderbilt is no where close to the Irish in terms of on-field football success, but with a high level coaching staff, and the knowledge that Simmons possesses in regards to recruits, they could be a thorn in Notre Dame’s side in future battles for prospects.

This will not be the last Irish prospect that Lea is going to offer. In fact, I feel like he is going to pursue plenty of current 2022 and beyond prospects that hold Irish offers or they have been heavily in contact with.

This could turn out to have a very teacher/student feel as Lea tries to accumulate talent for the Commodores. If he is able to quickly turn their program around, it is not good news for the Kelly and the Irish.

PFF names Notre Dame’s Hamilton the MVSafety in the country

There was no sophomore slump for Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, as he is recognized as the best at his position by Pro Football Focus.

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The folks at Pro Football Focus have been giving out grades for their top performers from the 2020 season. After yet another huge season, Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton was named by PFF as their most valuable safety in all of college football.

Hamilton led the team in tackles, over the Butkus Award winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, while missing parts of games due to injuries and a targeting penalty. He was named to multiple All-American lists, either on the first-team or the second.

Yes, when you look at his interception numbers they went down (from 4 to 1), but that is due to his reputation. Teams knew going into the year that Hamilton was a ball-hawk, often scheming away from the star sophomore’s side.

The safety’s tackle numbers rose from 41 his freshman season to 63 this year. Hamilton bested his 6 passes last year by one this year.

It has been an absolute joy to watch Hamilton roam the back end of the Notre Dame defense this past two seasons. In 2021, expect him to be on multiple pre-season All-American lists along with being on the Thorpe Award watch list. Hamilton should go out with a bang next year.

Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer earns yet another accolade

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame’s star freshman, has earned yet another accolade after his impressive true-freshman season.

There was plenty of hype coming into the season for the Kentucky native, being ranked a 5-star prospect will do that, but Michael Mayer did not disappoint. Already being named a 247Sports true-freshman All-American, Mayer made ESPN’s list as well.

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Mayer seems to have something that can’t be taught, the clutch gene. Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill point out that the freshman saw “more than half of his production came when the Fighting Irish needed him the most — games against Clemson (twice), Alabama and North Carolina.” In those four games, the freshman totaled 21 receptions for 234 yards but didn’t find the endzone in any of those contests.

The expectations Mayer sophomore year should be sky high, as he will be a focal point in the Notre Dame offense due to being one of the few known quantities returning. He is still looking for his first 100-yard game, which we will surely see in this coming season.

Irish fans should expect to only be able to watch Mayer in the Blue and Gold for two more seasons. He is the type of player that when his time comes to be available for the NFL Draft, will be viewed as a high-round selection. When it’s all said and done, Mayer will be one more name Notre Dame can add to the impressive list from Tight End U.

Notre Dame falls in final Amway Coaches Poll

The final Amway Coaches Poll sees Notre Dame drop, but still have end up with a very high ranking.

With the bowl season officially concluding last night and Alabama being crowned champion once again for the sixth time in the last 12 years, the coaches had a chance to examine what they saw. The final Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports saw the Irish drop one spot from No. 4 to No. 5.

It was obvious that the loss to Alabama made in impact on them, but in reality it shouldn’t have. Although Notre Dame only managed to score 14 points against the eventual national champions, they held them to their lowest point total of the season, 31.

Throughout the season, Brian Kelly’s team never fell out of the top 10, with their highest rating being No. 2 and lowest was No. 10. A final record of 10-2 showed they were one of the best teams in the country.

Alabama rightfully received every single 1st place vote, while their combatants in the title game, Ohio State finished second. Clemson was third and Texas A&M rounded out the top 5.

Here is the final Amway Coaches Poll with the ACC teams in bold and the last rankings in parenthesis.

1 – Alabama (1)

2 – Ohio State (3)

3 – Clemson (2)

4 – Texas A&M (5)

5 – Notre Dame (4)

6 – Oklahoma (7)

7 – Georgia (9)

8 – Cincinnati (6)

9 – Iowa State (12)

10 – Northwestern (13)

11 – BYU (15)

12 – Florida (10)

13 – Indiana (8)

14 – Coastal Carolina (11)

15 – Iowa (16)

16 – ULL (17)

17 – North Carolina (14)

18 – Liberty (23)

19 – Oklahoma State (21)

20 – Texas (24)

21 – USC (19)

22 – Miami, FL (18)

23 – Ball St (NR)

24 – San Jose State (20)

25 – Buffalo (NR)

Dropped out: No. 22 NC State, No. 25 Tulsa

ESPN bearish on Notre Dame’s way-too-early 2021 ranking

The sports media giant projects what the top 25 will look like entering the 2021 season, and it is not that high on Notre Dame’s ranking.

While we haven’t even had much time to process the finalization of the 2020 college football season, ESPN is already looking ahead to the 2021 campaign. Although ESPN has Notre Dame ranked inside its top 25, unlike many other outlets, it is not giving Brian Kelly’s squad much love at all, ranking the Irish 15th.

As Mark Schlabach ranked the top teams heading into next year, the Irish are behind 2021 foes North Carolina (Oct. 30 in South Bend), USC (Oct. 23 in South Bend) and Cincinnati (Oct. 2 in South Bend). Another opponent on next year’s schedule, Wisconsin (Sept. 25 in Chicago), checks in two spots below the Irish.

Schlabach’s rationale behind Notre Dame’s ranking revolves around a quarterback battle after quarterback Ian Book will move on. “Notre Dame has good pieces on offense to build around, including tailbacks Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree and wide receivers Braden Lenzy and Jordan Johnson.”

ESPN notes four of the five starting offensive lineman will be gone; center Jarrett Patterson appears to be the lone holdover. Giving almost no love to the defense, Schlabach says new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman “will have to rebuild the defensive line and find more depth in the secondary.”

To me, this ranking is a bit low. Yes, the Irish lose plenty of talent, including Book and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, but the talent is certain there waiting in the wings. Having a more regular spring schedule, along with a spring game, will surely help the younger players get more comfortable, especially on defense.

Notre Dame at worst, is still a top-10 team entering the 2021 season. Schlabach got this one wrong.

Is Alabama in the midst of a historic dynasty?

Are we witnessing one of the greatest runs in all of sports with Alabama?

With last nights resounding victory over Ohio State, Nick Saban and Alabama have won 6 of the last 12 national titles. That’s rare air in any era of college football, in any sport as a matter of fact. What is even more fascinating is that fact that the Crimson Tide are not done, their domination of the college football world most likely is not coming to an end anytime soon.

Why, you ask? Just look at the recruiting classes that Saban continues to bring in, since their run of titles began in 2009, the lowest ranked class was 5th in 2018, with 9 of those classes having the top distinction by the 247Sports composite. Of those nine, 7 of them came in a row from 2011 through 2017. They have been first or second since their fall from the top in ‘18.

Absurd, it’s something that we may never see again. We are witnessing history right in front of our eyes. Notre Dame has had a similar run in college football, winning 4 titles in 7 years after Minnesota’s that saw the Gophers win 5 titles in 8 years. But that was over 70 years ago! Yale had an amazing run as well, in the 1870’s and 80’s, so they’re included in the conversation but that is nothing close to what modern football is now.

The SEC tent pole program now needs to be compared to some of the best dynasties in all of sports, the Chicago Bulls of the 90’s, UCLA basketball in the 60’s and 70’s, the Yankees in the 50’s and that’s probably it. There have been plenty of shorter term runs, but the Crimson Tide has put themselves into extremely elite territory.

What is currently happening in Tuscaloosa is something we probably won’t ever see again in college football or really in any sport due to the extreme parity now with elite athletes everywhere. That’s what makes this Alabama dominance so impressive in my eyes. Their run is one for the ages, which has earned them a place with the greatest dynasties of all time.

When it is all said and done, we will probably look back and marvel at what the Tide have been able to accomplish across two decades of college football. They will undoubtably go down as one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports.