TE/DE Jacob Matuska to Notre Dame
Steve Wiltfong @SWiltfong247
Notre Dame adds commit No. 2 from Top247 TE/DE Jacob Matuska t.co/kNLqCTrI via @247Sports
Good. We don't need a third TE.
Agreed. With Williams and Funchess in the 2012 class and Butt and Hill in the 2013 class, I think we are set at tight end for the remainder of the 2013 class.
I think you and others are failing to realize is we are transitioning to a completely new offensive philosophy in which TEs will be a vital component and we have zero proven depth. Similar to UM taking 4 LBs last year, we need to have talent and depth at the TE position. We currently have Moore (who will be gone after this yr) and Miller on the roster, neither of which has demonstrated (up to this point) they are ready to step right in and contribute. AJ williams is a great addition but he is more of a blocking TE, Funchess will be a stud but needs a yr or two to get his body right for college, but neither are really the true dual threat Borges wants in his offense. The coaches want 3 in this class and I completely agree, we need to provide instant depth and talent to the position if we are going to really reap the benefits of the pro-style offense in 2-3 years, esp since anything can happen (injuries, potential not realized, etc). I don't know why its so difficult for you and others to see this, glad we got coaches who do.
Of course having another tight end on the roster would be valuable, but would it be more valuable than the most valuable foregone option? By taking a 3rd TE it means you aren't taking someone else. Yeah, we don't have any proven depth, but by 2013 we will have 2 RS seniors and 4 highly regarded underclassmen on the roster and we'll almost never put more than 2 on the field at once. The staff hold off on tight end.
Go watch an SDSU game. They used a FB/TE ( Khalid Hill), a big TE primarily to block but occasionally leak out into a pass route (AJ Williams), and a TE split out , who will occasionally play on the line in a double TE set to help block or chip on a blitz (Funchess, Butt).
They need TE's, and they will use them.
Michigan has recruited for 2 tight end roles, U and Y, as discussed by Jake Butt and other recruits. SDSU history suggests occasionally put 3 on the field, but it's pretty clear that the coaches envision a 2 tight end offense.
So 6 guys when we rarely play more than 2 at a time. And I do think 3 tight end sets will be rare because 1) even tight end heavy offenses like the Patriots and Stanford rarely run them 2) Our recruiting shows the coaches still want to regularly feature a running back, two outside receivers, a fullback and guys who can operate in the slot (Hayes and Norfleet in back to back classes). Keep in mind Gallon and Dileo will still be on the '13 team and I'm sure will play significant roles. The point about Miller and Paskorz not having proven anything is spurious. What outside receiver on the '13 roster has proven anything? What interior lineman? What nose tackle? What 5 tech? What ILB? What SS?
Where does the fullback factor in? As in what will be Houma's role...
You will be terribly disappointed when they take one then.
we do need one and we're goint to take one.
That's a nice pick-up for the Irish.
If Orndoff can block, I like him better. Problem is his video is mostly sweet catches, eluding DBs and scoring touchdowns.
good luck to him. felt this was a nd/ohio battle.
apparently ND sees him as a DE, hope he enjoys facing LTT/Fox/Magnusson et al.
This means we still have room for Adam Breneman!
So you're saying there's a chance...
This is almost entirely irrelevant. He didn't even have an offer from us.
I'm pretty sure he had a visit scheduled/planned.
Poor guy had so much potential.
That's a big get for ND.
Yeah with 4 TE in 2 classes not a huge issue not getting him to go blue-but he appears to be a hell of a talent.
Best of luck to him (except when they play us).
What are the other targets at TE currently?
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/p/2013-offer-board.html
Scott Orndoff, Adam Breneman, and Durham Smythe.
D
I wonder what part of Ireland he's from.
Commit No. 2 for ND? Man they are so far behind on recruting. haha. Pick it up Coach Kelly.
What are everybody's thoughts on Houma (and Shallman) playing snaps at both FB and TE? Since everyone is in love with the Patriots TEs/offense, I'll point out this is analogous to Aaron Hernandez getting snaps at running back (which happened).
I think there's a fair amount of depth there without a third in this class. That doesn't mean the coaches wouldn't take one, but I don't think they'd reach for one if they miss their top few remaining targets (with so few spots left and so much high profile interest).
/My two cents
I'm all for 3 TEs. This staff likes hybrid type guys, and Orndoff and Butt can line up as wideouts or passing TE's. With a weapon like Morris at QB, Borges will have an infinite amount of fun keeping defenses guessing whether they're about to get a short yardage punch in the mouth, a midle yardage punch in the mouth, or a long yardage kick in the gut.
Just imagine the red zone score percentage if we had Butt, Orndoff, Dukes and Darboh/Treadwell as receiving threats, and Shallman/Houma as the ballcarrier?
They just do.
Good pickup for the Irish.