Which Freshmen are ya liking to see early PT? Based on the
injury to Jagusah, Will Black looks like he may be one of them. Dude's a beast.
Replies to: Which Freshmen are ya liking to see early PT? Based on the
It seems to have been a mix during Freeman's tenure.
Some guys are simply too good to leave on the bench, and he doesn't leave those guys out of the playing mix if they can help us win and/or will benefit from some quality reps if they're definitely going to be in the mix the following season (or if we're thin at their position). Aneyas Williams comes to mind.
Other guys, it's simply been attrition. Too many injuries, especially last year, have thrust some of these kids onto the field.
As noted below, hopefully we have better luck this season in that regard and won't need to be in as much of a need situation as we were last season.
James Flanigan will find playing time
The TE roster is a bit thin, and our top two available guys (Kevin Bauman, Eli Raridon) are coming off injury riddled histories. Even if Bauman is fully healthy, he's more of a pure blocking TE / H-back, and isn't likely to be catching a lot of passes.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper Flanagan taking a medical redshirt year for 2025, after that really bad Achilles injury. He's out for at least half the season, maybe more.
James Flanagan seems to be the most talented guy in the room. He may not start as a true freshman, but I wouldn't be surprised if he comes on to seize the spot as he gets comfortable, in the same way that Kyle Rudolph and Mike Mayer did.
That being said, I think that Jack Larsen (redshirt freshman / true sophomore) will also see significant time.
In terms of other positions?
OL: I agree that Will Black is likely to see PT, that he's not going to be redshirted.
WR: Depending on how the trio of talented sophomores do, the freshmen may not have to jump into things right away. This bodes very well for Antavious "Scrap" Richardson, who is still relatively new to the WR position.
LB: Madden Faraimo is the logical choice to hit the 2-deep, but my darkhorse candidate for playing time is Anthony Sacca. The man is a very smart player (much like his old man), has very good coverage skills, and has some of the best lateral movement I've seen out of a linebacker prospect. I can see Coach Ash using him in the same way that we used Brian "Rat" Ratigan a lot as a pass coverage LB (to great effect) for this year, since I believe he's going to be too good to keep on the bench.
By the way, "Rat" is still very much part of the ND football program, being the team's surgeon.
So is Sullivan Absher.
Unless a 6'8 330 guard isn't considered a beast these days.
I'm hoping we don't need too many freshmen to play.
OL - It's a crowded 2-deep full of 2023 and 2024 recruits
WR - projected 2 deep with the 2 transfers looks full, Would expect one of the sophomores to have a chance before any of the freshmen
TE - Maybe Flanigan gets some PT
RB - stacked top to bottom, Payne is 5th string
DL - stacked, maybe Burgess could be a situational pass rusher like Traore was
LB - stacked but Faraimo may be too good to keep off the field
CB - Cree Thomas could push Gray
S - maybe one of the freshman pushes for PT here
I'm not as enamored with the freshmen. I want to see the improvement in those coming back. Even
But boy am I looking forward to what he can do with a year in the program.
Possibly a DB, maybe a LB, or WR
They brought in some talented freshman at DB, and depth at the position would be nice so I expect to see some of them making the rotation come Purdue, not sure how much we see them against Miami and A&M.
Faraimo is talented and might be hard to keep out of the LB rotation.
Buress did well with the time allowed to him in the spring, but there were injuries and Faison was playing Lacrosse, so even though he had a solid camp, it's possible he settles back and only gets in during garbage time. Could make the rotation though.
Forgot about Burress. He might be something per reports.
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He flashed in the spring.
Flashing when it counts is a whole other world.
Call me when someone flashes against Leonard Moore.
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That's why I don't want to expect him to make a big impact, as noted spring injuries played a part
It's possible he takes advantage, but whoever the best players are, I believe Freeman and the staff will continue to play whoever can help the team.
I also heard Cam Williams was making strides, so I'm hoping that he is able to start breaking out. I'm not asking for him to be WR1 this year, but just get in and make plays.
I don't think any OL freshman is playing a lot this year with the depth and experience. My guess -
Flannigan at TE, possibly Golden or Zachary at DB, possibly Burgess at DE.
That being said, I am not disputing the quality of Will Black, I'm just considering the depth at his position.
Fair point.
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