Should the Irish go after him? Or go with what they have on the roster?
A career might come a full circle for former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, who was at one time committed to the Irish during his recruitment.
He flipped to the Wolverines and started to see significant playing time during the 2020 season. McNamara helped Michigan finally defeat Ohio State in 2021, which led it to a Big Ten title along with a berth in the College Football Playoff. This year, he battled JJ McCarthy for the job, but an injury ended his season after the third game.
On Monday, McNamara entered the transfer portal as a graduate (with two years of eligibility remaining) and the Irish have a need. Let’s take a look at a few pros and cons for Notre Dame if it opts to pursue its former commit.
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Maryland safety Nick Cross
A speedy blur of a football player, Maryland safety Nick Cross will look to bring his versatile skill set and playmaking ability to the next level as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2022 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Terrapins’ talented back-end defender:
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan defensive back Dax Hill
A hybrid defensive back with elite speed and twitchiness, Michigan’s Dax Hill will look to bring his next-level explosiveness as one of the top back-end defenders in the 2022 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Wolverines’ athletic playmaker in the secondary:
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in just one week’s time. Check out three takeaways from MSU’s 27-24 victory over Michigan.
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in just one week’s time.
This time last week, I felt like I was grasping at straws to find positives from Michigan State’s abysmal season-opening loss to Rutgers. It was a brutal way to kickoff the Mel Tucker era, but a lot — if not all — of the pain and frustration from that loss was wiped away with yesterday’s upset win over the hated Michigan Wolverines, 27-24. The win was Tucker’s first as the Spartans new head coach and gave MSU fans something to truly point at as confidence in where he can lead this program.
Despite entering the game as more than three-touchdown underdogs, Michigan State never trailed in Saturday’s rivalry match-up. This was no fluke, and shows Michigan State may not be as bad as we all thought after last week.
Here are a handful of takeaways from yesterday’s win over No. 13 Michigan:
Maybe it’s time for Michigan quarterback Joe Milton to expand his “radar” after yesterday’s massive upset.
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Maybe it’s time for Michigan quarterback Joe Milton to expand his radar after yesterday’s massive upset.
Michigan State football did the unthinkable on Saturday, pulling off a huge upset of No. 13 Michigan, 27-24. The Spartans entered the match-up as more than three-touchdown underdogs, but never trailed in the rivalry game.
After the game, Milton was asked about MSU senior starting linebacker Antjuan Simmons, and despite Simmons racking up a game-high 11 tackles — Milton didn’t even know who he was.
“I mean I wasn’t really worried about him,” Milton said. “He’s a heck of a player, but he wasn’t on my radar.”
As I said, maybe Milton needs to expand that radar…
Simmons was later told about Milton’s not so kind words and had a nice little response himself.
“I mean it don’t matter, Pauly B is back with us,” Simmons said with a chuckle.
Simmons added that he doesn’t care if he’s on Milton’s radar or not, and that he’s always prepared for their opponent. That certainly was clear after Saturday’s performance by Simmons and the rest of the Spartans.
Watch the full exchange between Milton and Simmons — courtesy of Jamie Edmonds of WDIV Local 4 Detroit — below:
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Miami edge defender prospect Gregory Rousseau
Every NFL team wants that athletic, explosive edge rusher who can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks every time they drop back to pass.
In the 2021 NFL Draft class, there’s none better than Miami’s Gregory Rousseau.
The prototypical edge defender for today’s NFL, Rousseau recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season, how he’s working to improve his pass rush moves, and what lies ahead for the nation’s top EDGE prospect.
JM: What can you tell me about your decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft?
GR: It was a decision that I made with the help of my family. It came down to my mom. She was a nurse that was constantly working around COVID-19. Opting out gave me the opportunity to help her retire. We didn’t want her around all that. I had to take the opportunity in front of me.
JM: She was constantly working around COVID-19?
GR: Yeah, she was basically a COVID nurse. She was taking care of COVID patients when the pandemic started.
JM: What was her experience like?
GR: It was tough for her. It’s really scary out there. She’s been around it, she’s seen it. She watched people her age pass away. They couldn’t fight it off. She was on the frontlines, and it’s definitely a scary situation. I had to help her retire early.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What’s the biggest challenge you expect to encounter with having so much time to prepare for the draft? Under normal circumstances, you’d still be playing competitive football right now.
GR: I wouldn’t say that it’s a challenge. I’m incredibly motivated right now. I’ve been working on my ability as a pass rusher. I’m working hard. I’m focused right now. I’m looking ahead. I’m gonna control the things that I can control. That’s all there is to it.
JM: What were some areas of your game that you were looking forward to showcasing this season?
GR: I really just wanted to show people that I got bigger and stronger in the offseason. That’s where my head was at. I was working on all areas of my game. You can’t get satisfied. I’ll continue to work. I was excited to showcase how much stronger I got over the offseason.
JM: That would have been a scary sight, because 2019 was obviously your best season. You recorded 15.5 sacks. Did you expect to improve in the manner that you did?
GR: Yeah, I did. I put the work in for that improvement. I put in so much work before last season. I was going to improve in 2020 as well. I was ready to go to war with my brothers. That part of opting out really sucked. I really wanted to play football this season. I did what I had to do. I went with my heart. I’m just going forward.
JM: What’s your favorite part of playing the EDGE position?
GR: We can make game-changing plays at any given moment. We can make big plays that change the whole trajectory of a game. That’s the most fun part. You can win a game with a strip-sack. You could end a drive with a sack. You could force an interception by getting a pressure on the quarterback. We have the ability to help our team out in a major way.
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JM: What can you tell me about your pass rush arsenal?
GR: I’ve been working on my scissors, which I used last year. It’s like my two-hand swipe. I learned the cross-chop from coach Chuck Smith in Atlanta. I’ve also been working on my long-arm move. I’m also trying to add the speed-chop to my repertoire.
JM: You mentioned a variety of excellent moves there. Do you have one or two that you consider a go-to? Also, how do you counter?
GR: I really like the scissors. I like that move a lot. I’m learning more moves, though. I have really long arms, so the long-arm move is a good one for me, as well. I try to use that to my advantage.
If the scissors move doesn’t work for me, I’ll probably put my hand in his chest. I might try to knock his hands off me and go back inside.
JM: What are three traits a successful edge rusher must possess?
GR: A good get-off comes first and foremost. That’s for sure. You need to have good hands, as well. Lastly, you need to be savvy. You need to have some football I.Q. about you. You have to understand the characteristics of the quarterback. What are his tendencies? Having that information goes a long way. You need to have a feel for things. You need to stay grounded. Never bite too hard.
JM: What’s the biggest lesson you learned throughout your time at Miami?
GR: They taught me to keep my head down and keep working. I started off last season on the bench. I wasn’t an immediate starter. They taught me to embrace competition. I worked hard to earn that starting spot.
It took me about 4-5 weeks to earn it, though. That experience taught me to always welcome competition. You can’t shy away from it. You can’t just sit there and sulk. Just put your head down and keep working. They definitely taught me that.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JM: How would you describe the culture in that locker room?
GR: It’s great. It’s filled with a bunch of hard-working, blue-collar guys. They have so many good people at heart. It’s a fun team to be around. They’re goofy just like me (laughs). I’m a goofy person. We made a lot of jokes. We had fun, but we worked hard. I’m really gonna miss those guys. They’re really a great group of guys.
JM: Who would you say are the best offensive linemen you’ve ever gone up against?
GR: The tackle from Louisville, Mekhi Becton, was really good. The center at Pittsburgh [Jimmy Morrissey] was really tough, as well. I believe he’s still at Pittsburgh.
JM: The next big event in your football career will be the NFL Scouting Combine. Are there any drills that you’re looking forward to the most?
GR: I’d probably have to go with the 40-yard dash. I grew up watching my idols run the 40-yard dash on television. It looks like a lot of fun. I’m training for that one. I’m excited about it. I’m really excited.
JM: What number are you hitting on the 40 right now?
GR: I haven’t really been testing it yet. I’m trying to run it in the 4.6’s. That’s a realistic target for me. By the time I run it, I should definitely be hitting it in the 4.60’s.
JM: Are there any pass rushers that you enjoy watching tape on?
GR: I like Calais Campbell a lot. He’s so versatile. I really enjoy watching him. He has the ability to play the three-tech, the nose and pretty much everywhere on the D-line. I feel like I can do some similar things when it comes to playing multiple positions.
I also like to watch Brian Burns. He’s a local guy. He’s from Fort Lauderdale, not too far from me actually. He plays with such twitch. He has a great variety of moves. I also like to watch Nick Bosa.
JM: What’s next for Gregory Rousseau?
GR: I’m just gonna keep working and pushing towards my goals. With COVID-19 still going on, I’m blessed to be in the situation that I’m in. I have to thank the man above for giving me this opportunity. I’m ready to keep working hard. I can’t wait for the combine. I’m excited to go out there and see how I do. I can’t wait to find out which team drafts me. I can’t wait.
