goes on to have an NFL future, fine. If not that is fine to
Estime is, and never has been, a guy who breaks 50 yards runs because of his speed.
If he had surprised everyone and a run a 40 under 4.6, he might have gone sooner than 4th but he will have another chance to run a better time at a pro day. He did well in other aspects of the combine but his "film" is what will get him drafted, not his combine.
Funny thing is, from a total talent perspective, I think there were at least 2 better overall RBs on ND (Love and Price) . That isn't to dis Estime at all because he worked hard to be a wonderful power back but I don't think ND will miss Estime one bit in '24.
Young is our only power back on the roster, and there will always be situations where nothing can replace sheer brute force.
We were spoiled by having an abundance of running back talent last year, and especially by having a back who could do it all in the way of Estime.
I do agree that we're actually in a pretty good situation at running back, that almost all of our guys are returning, and the two incoming freshmen have lots of talent, but to say that we won't miss Audric Estime one bit is an exaggeration.
That being said, if Kedren Young crashes the scene, then your statement would have far fewer detractors.
I suppose I could have phrased it differently re: we have a pretty good RB room. College teams are always replacing guys who move on and I think we are well positioned to move on without Estime.
in time this will come to pass.
All I'm saying is with what we've seen to this point, they aren't at that level yet.
Price and Love look really good displaying their speed and athleticism in space on plays that are blocked up well.
The differentiator to this point has been Estime's ability to create yardage on the plays that weren't blocked up so well.
per tote, one fumble on the season that wasn't lost, double the long runs of any other back on the team, good pass blocker, great hands displayed when thrown to, great vision, great power, good second level speed, agility, elusiveness in the hole.
Can I get some of what you're smoking please?
Price and/or Love may turn out to be better RBs when it's said and done, I personally have high high hopes for Price (no pun intended) but neither of them have come close to showing yet that they are better than Estime in any area besides pure speed.
That guy created yards that would not have existed for mere mortals. And he did it over and over again each week through a combination of power to get through an initial tight wall and then balance to keep his footing and drag tacklers another several yards. He individually sustained drives every week.
I like the talent we have in the backfield, and I'm glad that they got quite a bit of playing time. But I'm concerned about replacing those yards consistently gained by Estime.
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he's my favorite RB since JJ.
….it’s a simple matter of NIL at ND vs what he will get with his first 3 yr NFL contract…..which I believe he would get next year anyways. It is also a reality of the devaluation of the RB position.
Some might argue that the NFL will like that he has “more tire on the tread” with one less yr of college wear and tear, but he would still get the same NFL contract of 3 years beyond that anyways, plus he would have the additional NIL year of money from the next year at ND.
Beyond the first NFL contract, he will either make it or not based on his talent - but the talent level for a back to get a second contract has to be higher than at other positions relatives speaking. I believe he is a great back.
But ask around the NFL how much the league values RB’s at present when they think that they can just get a new set tires rather than pay the second contract.
to go.
He should have done more speed work and whatever weird alien science it took to get his ass down to at least a 4.55 though.
If looking at this exclusively from the perspective of earnings, there is no decision. He has nothing else to prove at the collegiate level, and leaving starts the clock toward his second NFL contract, where the huge dollars are made. A 3 - 4th round pick will sign a rookie deal for $4 - $6M. After that, of course, it is all about how he performs and if he can avoid injury.
I have no idea what his ND NIL money is. I would guess it is comparable to what he would earn annually on his NFL rookie deal. Also consider that, as the star RB at Notre Dame, he'll likely have some nice endorsement opportunities.
And yes, he will have one less year of wear and tear on his body if he leaves now, which matters a lot at the RB position.
EDIT: typo
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For all the todo, I think much of what most people believe re: NIL $ is overstated. Sure there are folks that make pretty good bucks but that, like in all sports, is limited to a small group of players, typically higher profile guys. Likely being part of a 3-man rotation at ND RB isn't going to improve his NIL earnings.
The notion that Estime will outearn a pro contract with one year of NIL is a bit of a reach especially given the low career lengths RBs have and the high risk of injury that Estime would incur during one more year in college during which he is unlikely to improve his draft status. He is already at his high mark in college with little to gain in staying
Lots of great backs are running into this. Rick Neuheisel did a nice break down of it one day on Full Ride.
And to be clear, I think that he is good enough to get a second contract, and I want him to get one. But the NFL teams don't like to pay second contracts to RB's.
It is very simple. Leaving now gets him one year closer to a second contract, with one less year of wear on his body. I can’t believe this is even a debate.
A ‘’bad’ second contract is still one hell of a lot of money.
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