Credit: @mcjavon / Instagram

The verse – Isaiah 41:10 – reads on McKinley:

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will help you and strengthen you. I will lift you with my victorious right hand.”

Cameron Jefferson, the second-year offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos, has the same verse inked in a similar place.

Standing in the back of the photo is freshman offensive lineman Parker Boudreaux, who appears to be no stranger to getting inked as well.

The post Javon McKinley’s Biblical Inspiration appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Holmes, a 5-foot-11, 200 pound dynamo out of Chesire Academy (CT), is at Nike’s The Opening camp this week in Oregon.

Holmes attended Irish Invasion and had previously admitted he considered committing at that time. He held offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee and UCLA, among others. He released a top four of Alabama, Michigan, Penn State and Syracuse on Monday, then chastised tweeters for insisting they knew where he would play.

idk why the world is trying to tell me where im going lmaooo! Watch me break twitter on July 8th. ?

— ㅤ (@CjHo1mes) July 5, 2016

Credit: @CjHo1mes / Twitter

Brian Dohn, a Scout recruiting analyst, said he didn’t read much into Holmes’ tweets.

“You go back and you look, he visited Notre Dame and he comes out of the Notre Dame visit saying he almost committed and then he said he’s going to announce at The Opening,” he told Irish Illustrated. “What changed? Then you don’t put Notre Dame in it? He’s just having a little fun. Let a kid be a kid.”

Tom Loy, a recruiting analyst for 247Sports, recently praised the Connecticut product, saying, “After seeing Holmes at the Irish Invasion, he immediately jumped on my radar as one of the most talented offensive weapons nationally. There is very little he can’t do. He is shifty and quick in space, he catches the ball comfortably out of the backfield, he can split out wide and fill in as a receiver on command, and he even has the athleticism and hips to play defensive back if that was required. Holmes is the definition of an elite athlete and it’s no surprise why so many schools have him high on their board.”

Previous to Holmes’ commitment, 247Sports already considered Notre Dame to have the 8th best recruiting class in 2017 with 13 commits. Holmes is considered by that site to be the second best Connecticut prospect, 20th best “athlete,” and 292nd best player overall.

Bleacher Report, which also released the commitments of Irish players Parker Boudreaux and Daelin Hayes,  handled today’s announcement.

With C.J. Holmes’ commitment, the 2017 Irish will feature WRs C.J. Sanders and Corey Holmes and RB C.J. Holmes. I suppose we can be thankful C.J. Prosise is no longer on the team.

Robert Hainsey, a four-star offensive lineman from Florida’s IMG Academy, is expected to announce his commitment on Sunday from The Opening. Notre Dame is considered by recruiting experts to be the destination for 6-foot-4, 276 pound talent.

The post After Trolling ND Fans, C.J. Holmes Is All Irish appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Notre Dame lineman Jarron Jones, right, chases Florida State quarterback Jameis Winson during the second half. (Photo: Mark Wallheiser , Associated Press ).

Florida State and Notre Dame are on a collision course to meet at season’s end in the Orange Bowl, according to SB Nation’s Jason Kirk.

Kirk correctly predicted that the Irish would be Fiesta Bowl bound in 2015 after narrowly missing the playoffs, although he had Boise State as the opponent. (The Broncos would finish 9-4, although they’d win the far less glamorous Poinsettia Bowl.)

Kirk doesn’t like the Irish this year, because their schedule “has a bump too many” – although he has USC slotted as the second-best Pac-12 team, Michigan State as the second, third or fourth best Big 10 team and Stanford as the fourth best Pac-12 team. When does it get hard, Jason?!

Historically, the Irish have struggled against Florida State, going 2-6 all time. While the 1993 “Game of the Century” was memorable for Notre Dame fans, more recent clashes have included an 18-14 loss in the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl (TOMMY NO!) and a 31-27 loss in Tallahassee (IT WASN’T A PICK) that took a once-promising 2014 season and set it into a tailspin.

While the prospect of two teams with ACC ties seems like a bit of a snooze for a New Years Six game, the Irish and Seminoles aren’t scheduled to meet again until November 2018. That game will be played in South Bend.

(For @SavedNDAClick, the answer to the headline is: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Kirk slotted Irish opponents in the following bowls:

• Foster Farms: Wisconsin vs. Stanford (Pac-12 #4)
• Tax Slayer: Miami (ACC #3-#6) vs. Georgia
• Alamo: Texas (Big 12 #2) vs. USC (Pac-12 #2)
• Belk: Virginia Tech (ACC #3-#6) vs. Auburn
• Holiday: Michigan State (Big 10 #2-#4) vs. UCLA
• Military: NC State (ACC at large) vs. Temple
• Quick Lane: Syracuse (ACC at large) vs. Indiana

There were no bowl assignments for Nevada, Duke, Army and Navy.

Here are some other Irish headlines:

• Irish Still in the Mix for 2017 Top OT – Jedrick Wills, a four-star tackle from Kentucky, pared his list of teams to eight schools Wednesday. Wills eliminated Ohio State and Michigan State from consideration, but Notre Dame survived the cut. Wills is a “fixture” at Kentucky sporting events, but the Irish have recruited exceptionally well under the guidance of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Steve Witfong, a national recruiting analyst for 247 Sports, even believes Wills is Notre Dame bound – although that is, at this point, a minority opinion.
• 

  Parker Boudreaux

  Boudreaux Out of The Hospital – Freshman offensive guard Parker Boudreaux has been released after two days from a South Bend hospital while he continues to recover from viral meningitis. This is great news, considering you couldn’t blame Irish fans for fearing the worst when word first leaked on Twitter that Boudreaux had was a teammate called a “serious brain infection.”

• Georgia OL To Announce His Pick At The Opening Camp – Andrew Thomas, who is considered the top offensive lineman prospect in the Peach State, will choose between Georgia, Notre Dame and Clemson on July 9 or 10 while attending Nike’s camp, The Opening. The smart money is on the Bulldogs to land the 6-foot-5, 318 pound mass of man.
• No Significant Improvement In Smith’s Damaged Knee – ESPN’s Ed Werder said the damaged nerve in former Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith’s knee has shown no “significant improvement.” It looks like 2016 will be a lost year for the Dallas Cowboys’ second round draft pick.

The post Could FSU Grudge Match Await Irish At Season’s End? appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

All have already picked their numbers, with some announcing them through social media. Here’s the rundown:

#12 QB IAN BOOK: Book sported #11 in high school, which is currently sported by redshirt sophomore running back Justin Brent. Book said last Tuesday that he’ll be wearing #12, which was most recently worn by fellow quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Wimbush, a sophomore, will be wearing #7 this year, which was most previously worn by wide receiver Will Fuller. Fuller is now in the NFL with the Houston Texans, where he wears #15 – the same number he sported his freshman year at Notre Dame.

#50 OG PARKER BOUDREAUX: The Orlando, Fla. product wore #56 in high school, but that’s fellow guard Quenton Nelson’s number. Boudreaux said last Tuesday he’ll be wearing #50, which was defensive lineman-turned-tight-end Chase Hounsell’s number in 2014.

#83 WR CHASE CLAYPOOL: Claypool wore #21 in high school. Junior cornerback Nick Watkins sported #21 last year, although that wouldn’t preclude Claypool from wearing it on offense. The Abbotsford, British Columbia product has decided to wear #83 instead. That number was worn by Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija when he played wide receiver at Notre Dame. It was most recently worn by Jalen Guyton, who was suspended and is no longer with the team.

#74 OT LIAM EICHENBERG: Blue & Gold Illustrated’s Andrew Owens reports that Eichenberg will wear #74, but I haven’t been able to independently confirm that. (Eichberg has private accounts on Twitter and Instagram.) Eichenberg wore that number in high school and it was last worn by an Irish player – right guard Christian Lombard – in 2014.

#21 CB JALEN ELLIOTT: Elliot wore #1 in high school. Elliott’s new coach, Todd Lyght, wore than number in college for the Irish, but #1 is being reserved for special recognition this year. Elliott decided instead to wear #21, with Watkins switching to #7. No one has worn #7 on defense since Stephon Tuitt left in the university 2013 and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

DE JAMIR JONES: Jones, as far as I can tell, has not announced his number publicly. The upstate New York product wore #15 in both football, basketball and lacrosse for his high school last year. Corey Holmes wears that number on offense, but there’s no one currently assigned to that number on defense. Safety Dan McCarthy, a member of the 2012 team, was the last to sport that number as a member of the Irish defense.

LB JONATHAN JONES: Jones wore #45 in high school, which was most recently sported by defensive end Romeo Okwara. Okwara was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants. I’ve looked at his social media accounts, but they don’t seem to include an announcement on a jersey number.

RB TONY JONES JR.: Jones has not announced his jersey number on social media, to my knowledge. The IMG Academy product wore both #4 in football and in baseball this past year. That number is worn on offense by junior QB Montgomery “Gummy” VanGorder and on defense by linebacker Te’von Coney.

#78 OT TOMMY KRAEMER: Kraemer is looking to fill big shoes with the departure of tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. What better way to get started than taking over Stanley’s #78? Kraemer, who attended Elder High School in Cincinnati, also picked the number as tribute to St. Xavier’s Matt James. James, a Notre Dame commit, died after falling from a fifth-floor balcony. Luke Massa, St. Xavier’s quarterback, wore #78 on his senior day at Notre Dame to honor James. (Stanley wore #69 that day.)

#27 CB JULIAN LOVE: Love wore #20 in high school. Again, no one is listed on Notre Dame’s spring chart as wearing #20. (RB C.J. Prosise, now with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, wore it last year.) However, Love decided on #27 instead. That means redshirt freshman linebacker Asmar Bilal is getting a new number, which is reportedly #22. (That was last worn by safety Elijah Shumate. Shumate is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.)

RB DEON MCINTOSH: McIntosh has not announced his jersey number on social media. He wore #1 in high school, but Irish Coach Brian Kelly has already indicated a different individual will be wearing that number every week.

WR JAVON MCKINLEY: As of June 9, McKinley said he did not know what number he’d be wearing. The California product wore #88 in high school, which was worn by senior Corey Robinson last year. Robinson announced Wednesday that he will forgo his senior season after suffering multiple concussions.

#32 S D.J. MORGAN: Morgan wore #27 in high school. Did Love beat him to the number? If Morgan’s Twitter announcement is any indication, he wanted a new number for a fresh start. He picked #32 and included pictures of fellow #32s – Chargers defensive back Eric Weddle and Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu. Two walk-ons – WR Cam Bryan and S Nick Ossello – wore #32 last year.

DE ADETOKUNBO OGUNDEJI: Ade wore #80 with his high school football team and #34 with the basketball team. To my knowledge, he has not announced his number.

#42 DE JULIAN OKWARA: Okwara, the younger brother of former Irish football player Romeo Okwara, wore #8 in high school. That’s sixth-year safety Avery Sebastian’s number. Okwara has decided on #42. The most famous Irish player to wear #42 was linebacker Michael Stonebreaker, part of Notre Dame’s last national championship team in 1988. Sophomore kicker/punter walk-on Jeff Riney wears #42 on offense. Walk-on linebacker Jimmy Thompson was also listed as #42 in the spring.

CB TROY PRIDE JR.: Pride said in a May 19 interview with Blue & Gold Illustrated that he has a fondness for the number 17, which he first wore during Little League. The South Carolina speedster wore #5 in high school, but said he didn’t care what number he was assigned. “I could be a number 63, and I’ll go out there and be a lockdown 63,” he told the publication. Linebacker James Onwualu wears #17 for the Irish and #5 is worn by fellow linebacker Nyles Morgan.

Credit: Instagram

#54 LS JOHN SHANNON: Shannon wore #42 in high school, which classmate Julian Okwara has already claimed. Shannon announced on Instagram that he’d be sporting #54, which is also worn by defensive lineman Lincoln Feist. It was also worn in 2011 by inside linebacker Anthony McDonald and in 2007 by outside linebacker Anthony Vernaglia. No offensive player has worn #54 in more than a decade.

Early enrollees:

• DE Daelin Hayes is wearing #9, last worn by LB Jaylon Smith. Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, and is wearing #54 with them.
• DE Khalid Kareem is wearing #53, which is also worn by OL Sam Mustipher on offense and last worn on defense by DL Justin Utupo in 2014.
• S Devin Studstill was wearing #13, which was last worn on defense by outside linebacker Danny Spond, who last played in 2013. (Blue & Gold Illustrated reports he’s switching to #14.)
• S Spencer Perry is wearing #31, which was worn last year by safety John Turner. Turner graduated.
• WR Kevin Stepherson is wearing #29 in honor of a high school teammate, Johnnel Johnson, who was shot and killed by a classmate at a house party. Kicker Sam Kohler, a walk-on, is also wearing #29.

Blue & Gold Illustrated has a good rundown of the non-freshmen who are switching jersey numbers.

The post Freshman Reveal Jersey Numbers appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Credit: Rivals.com

Most likely to be a first round draft pick

Tommy Kraemer

Kraemer is the crown jewel of the 2016 class, and I acknowledge it may seem cliché to project the highest ranked recruit of the class to be a first round draft pick. However, it’s simply too difficult to bet against a Top 100 recruit, high school senior who is already 309 lbs., stands 6 feet 5 1/2 inches tall, and will be mentored by a coach who has demonstrated a distinct ability to put offensive linemen in “The League.”

One doesn’t need to look much further than my previous piece, where I gush about Kraemer, to see that I am more than bullish on the Cincinnati, Ohio product. It would not be a surprise to see Kraemer potentially push for a spot within the 2-deep on the offensive line this year. But considering the depth at the position is in very good shape, he may be best fit to redshirt and take the year to learn, grow and mature.  This path proved beneficial for Quenton Nelson (who was also a Top 100 recruit) who started at guard last year and used his redshirt year to grow to a massive 325 lbs. Big Tommy projects to be a solid anchor in a future Irish offensive line while also possibly projecting to cash in on a handsome signing bonus around this time in four years.

Most likely to make an immediate impact

Devin Studstill

Scout.com photo

Studstill is a rangy safety from Palm Gardens, Florida.  Standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 190 lbs., he’s appeared to have already added 10 lbs. since being on campus as an early enrollee (graduating high school in December to enroll at Notre Dame for spring term, thus affording him the ability to participate in spring football).

During his short time with the team, Studstill has already made positive impressions on the coaching staff – Brian Kelly included. Kelly highlights that he has already established an understanding of the defense, while physically proving he belongs at the collegiate level. The news about understanding the defense may raise a few eyebrows within the Irish faithful, as fans have seen a defensive backfield (safeties especially) that has struggled with assignments and suffered blown coverages over the past two years. Studstill’s physical gifts are likely not surprising any of the coaches, because he was widely regarded as the top prospect at safety on the Irish’s recruiting big board. Though only a three star recruit, the coaches agreed that the athletic Floridian was a priority, and Kelly’s comments, along with significant first team reps in spring ball, would suggest that they evaluated him accurately. Studstill benefits from playing a current position of need at safety. The graduation of Elijah Shumate coupled with the uncertainty and unproven safeties on the roster produce an exciting opportunity for him to step in and contribute during his freshman year. I find it possible, yet unlikely, that we see Studstill starting at safety across from Texas come September, but I do firmly believe that he will be consistently rotating his way into the game giving him the best chance to make an immediate impact within the 2016 recruiting class.

Most likely to switch positions

Chase Claypool

Claypool is an interesting wide receiver from Abbotsford, British Columbia (Canada). He stands at an intriguing 6 feet 5 inches, weighs 205 lbs. and was a four star recruit.

Claypool dominated throughout high school, albeit against lesser competition than traditional football talent hotbeds like Florida and Texas. As stated, Claypool was recruited as a wide receiver, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Irish decide to kick the tires on Claypool potentially contributing on the other side of the ball. It wouldn’t be the first time that a highly regarded offensive recruit flipped from offense to defense – Jerry Tillery did it last year from offensive tackle to defensive tackle, and James Onwualu made the transition from wide receiver to starting linebacker a few years ago.

Claypool’s size and raw athletic ability could potentially translate into a much needed rush end, or possibly linebacker.  If you still aren’t sold on this kid’s athleticism, don’t take my word for it. Instead take Brian Kelly and the coaching staff’s opinion during a neat exchange on a phone call where Kelly asks Claypool how his basketball game went the previous night. I’ll save you the suspense – he dropped 51 points in the specific game Kelly asked about, and averaged over 40 points per game throughout the season. In the highly unlikely chance that Claypool doesn’t find himself on either side of the ball, Mike Brey and the (back to back Elite Eight) Irish hoops squad might see if he’s interested in balling out in Purcell Pavilion. With his Canadian roots, potentially uncapped athleticism, and overall physical stature, Claypool is the most fascinating recruit of the 2016 class.

Photo by Jared Purcell / MLive.com

Most likely to ruin a color commentator’s day

Adetokunbo Ogundeji

Say that five times fast – or once slowly if you can. Ogundeji is also most likely to join current Irish sophomore wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on the “All-Name Team.”

“Ade” is a defensive end that comes to South Bend from Walled Lake, Michigan and stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 225 lbs. After initially committing to Western Michigan, Ade was all Irish less than a month after Notre Dame offered him a scholarship. He even visited campus at least five times (per 247sports) before signing his letter of intent.

Raw, raw… (WWE) RAW! Ade was a three star recruit that will benefit significantly from a redshirt freshman year. Similar to Chase Claypool, Ade lacks no athleticism.  He will also benefit greatly under the fine tutorship of defensive line coach Keith Gilmore.  Consider him putty to be finely molded and tuned into a fine contributor after a year or two of development. Additionally, consider him to truly test the phonetical skills of many color commentators.

Most likely to steal the opponent’s lunch money

Parker Boudreaux

Parker Boudreaux (Photo: CNN)

Boudreaux found himself with over 60 scholarship offers throughout the recruiting process. It seems almost every school in the country wanted this offensive lineman from Orlando, Florida who stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 287 lbs.

“P-Money,” as he is so eloquently known on Twitter (with over 56 thousand followers mind you), brings a nasty, in your face attitude to South Bend. One glimpse at a few of his high school highlights and one doesn’t hesitate to see how this attitude translates into countless pancakes on the football field. Make no mistake; P-Money is a brawler through and through. But as offensive line coach Harry Hiestand explains, he is also a technically sound football player. With the offensive line depth currently in solid shape, expect Boudreaux to spend his freshman year hitting the weights hard and hitting training table (meal time) equally as hard. Oh, did I mention that he pulled a school bus to announce his commitment to Notre Dame…?

Most likely to be unfairly compared to a previous Notre Dame Football player

Ian Book

Book is a three star quarterback from El Dorado Hills, California. He stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 200 lbs. Book was previously a Washington State commit until he took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame and the ultimate lure of Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach (Prince) Mike Sanford was too tempting to resist.

Book decommitted from Washington State and committed to the Irish three days following his first visit to South Bend. Some who follow the Irish have already made the comparison of Book to former #NDFB quarterback Tommy Rees. Whatever your personal opinion was on Rees, I urge you to indefinitely postpone drawing this comparison. One peek at Book’s high school stats shows that the West Coast kid can really spin it, while illustrating the ability to be a threat with his legs.

During his senior campaign, Book completed over 70% of his passes, threw for over 3,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only threw 5 interceptions. As stated, Book can also tuck the rock and be a threat on the ground. He ran for 779 yards (6 yards per rush) while accounting for 12 touchdowns on the ground during his senior year.

Again, regardless of your feelings about Tommy Rees, we can all agree that he was essentially a nonthreat in the ground game (with the exception of the sneakiest, most methodical quarterback draw of all time against Michigan – ha ha ha…). Book is a heady quarterback that fits the current offensive system, unlike Rees who had multiple limitations.  With this being said, BOOK = REES; please don’t let anyone try to tell you that they are similar players.

This concludes the 2016 Recruiting Class Superlatives. Overall, the coaches succeeded in addressing many of the team’s needs with this class. Dare we say that this class is…wait for it…most likely to bring #NDFB a National Championship? I’m certainly not going to make that bold of a prediction just yet, but hey, we all have dreams right?

Cheers and Go Irish!

The post Superlatives for the Recruiting Class of ’16 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

South Bend Tribune Photo/GREG SWIERCZ

Harry Hiestand is arguably the most coveted assistant in the Brian Kelly coaching cabinet. One could argue that he’s certainly not the flashiest (hey there Prince Sanford), but his presence has significantly improved the ground game, offensive line recruiting and development, and #NDFB as a program. Let’s dive into an eight-year rabbit hole worth of running statistics – four “Pre-Harry” and four “Post-Harry.”

From 2008-2011, the running game ranged from mediocre to piss poor. These four years established an average of 131 rushing yards per game, 4.0 yards per rush, 15 rushing touchdowns per year, and 1,674 rushing yards per year.

The worst year came in 2008 (oh Charlie…) where the Irish ranked:

• 101^st in both yards per rush (3.3) and rush yards per game (110)
• 102^nd in rushing touchdowns (11)
• 97^th in total rush yards (1,426)
• Obligatory bullet note to apologize for even compiling these numbers and putting them on virtual paper.
• Bonus points for anyone who can guess the 2008 offensive line coach who helped orchestrate this stellar running campaign…John Latina. Latina was unsurprisingly let go following the 2008 season, and recently retired from coaching this past February after serving as the offensive line coach at Duke.

In the years following Hiestand’s hiring, the Irish have averaged 177 rushing yards per game, 4.8 yards per rush, 22 rushing touchdowns per year, and 2,299 rushing yards per year. These averages show improvements of 46 rush yards per game, 0.8 yards per rush, 7 rushing touchdowns per year, and a solid 625 rushing yards per year. This past year proved to produce possibly the most effective running game in over a decade wherein the Irish offensive line helped propel the run game to:

• 28^th in rush yards per game (208)
• 8^th in yards per rush (5.6)
• 30^th in rushing touchdowns (29)
• 27^th in total rush yards (2,699)

Hiestand was able to drastically improve these numbers by developing the talent he inherited when hired, but also by stocking the cupboard with top talent across the country.

From 2008-2011, Notre Dame recruited 14 offensive linemen (not including unranked/preferred walk-ons). Among these 14 linemen were eight athletes who were considered 4-star talent according to 247Sports composite rankings. Five were ranked 3 stars and one was a 2 star.

Hiestand has established himself as one of the most effective recruiters as it relates to his position group. As evidence, look no further than the improvements made since his arrival in South Bend.

From 2012-2015, his recruiting efforts manufactured 15 letters of intent from offensive linemen.  This haul included twelve 4 stars, three 3 stars, and no player ranked lower (again, not including unranked/preferred walk-ons). Hiestand undoubtedly has recruiting trending in the right direction.

Credit: Andrew Ivins / BGI

Let us not forget about the incoming 2016 class. A trio of offensive linemen mammoth human beings: 4 star Tommy Kraemer, 4 star Liam Eichenberg, and 3 star Parker Boudreaux will soon be joining the Irish.

Kramer was the closest offensive lineman to have the coveted 247sports composite 5 star ranking with a final grading of .9819, good enough for 27^th best player in the country. Eichenberg also graded within the top 100 players with a final ranking at 80^th.

Without getting too carried away (because college football fans never do that), it would be no surprise if Hiestand added to his list of first round draft picks with Kraemer. Kraemer is already listed at 6’6 and 309 lbs. as a high school senior. To put that into perspective, he already outweighs every starting offensive linemen from Notre Dame’s 2012 team. Hiestand has demonstrated a distinct ability to attract the country’s top talent to South Bend, which has given the Irish the luxury of formidable depth at the offensive line position that it likely hasn’t seen in decades.

The positive residual effect of Hiestand’s presence doesn’t stop at rushing stats or recruiting rankings, but also the number of penalties committed by offensive linemen.

With the aid of @andrewwinn, I analyzed every Irish offensive penalty over the past eight years (103 games total). The data suggests that an offensive line coached by Hiestand is far more technically sound than those that haven’t been blessed by his infinite wisdom.

From 2008-2011, the offense committed a total of 176 penalties, of which 80 were specifically attributed to an offensive linemen (disclaimer: not all penalties listed were directly credited to a specific player – for example these four years included 13 holding penalties where no player was specifically named).  Of these 80 penalties committed by offensive linemen, 33 were false starts, and 34 were holding calls.

Photo credit: Irish Sports Daily

From 2012-2015 the offense committed a total of 153 penalties, of which 79 were attributed to offensive linemen (throughout these more recent four years all holding calls were attributed to a specific player).  False starts were admittedly far more frequent with 59 occurrences. However, over the course of these four years the offensive line was astonishingly only credited with 10 holding calls.  The false starts may have increased since Notre Dame has had six quarterbacks under center in Hiestand’s four years. It may also be due to Hiestand’s more aggressive approach to pass blocking. The decrease in holding penalties is truly remarkable, especially when one considers a Hiestand line has averaged only 2.5 holding penalties per year.  This is a testament to the progress and development of the offensive line as a unit under Harry Hiestand.

Obviously, Hiestand is not the single determining factor in the many improvements made over the course of eight years.  One would be remiss to not shed light on how far #NDFB has come as a program: the institution of training table, the addition of analysts to the coaching staff, the facility updates, etc. Brian Kelly deserves a ton of credit for putting his assistant coaches in opportunities where they can flourish and succeed.

With all of this being said, the old adage that “it all starts up front” still holds true even in today’s spread offense era. Four years’ worth of significant and consistent progress suggests it is no fluke that Harry Hiestand continues to develop one NFL draft pick after another (Chris Watt, Zack Martin, soon to be Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin).

Couple Hiestand’s developmental gift with his ability to draw top high school talent to South Bend, and #NDFB has one of the best in the biz. The Irish were able to quickly recover from the loss of beloved assistant coach Tony Alford this time last year, but here’s to hoping Hiestand has found his home for the long haul.

The post Harry Hiestand’s Impact Is Unmistakeable appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

This week, we here at HerLoyalSons are previewing your 2016 Fighting Irish in the run-up to Saturday’s Blue Gold game. To make the task manageable and add some degree of coherence (I know, you don’t come here for coherence), we’re evaluating the team by position-group. Today, we start with the offensive line.

If the Irish are to surpass the performance of the squad from 2015, they will need to replace massive losses along the offensive line. Gone is Ronnie Stanley at left-tackle, a likely first round pick in the NFL draft, now just weeks away. Gone is Nick Martin, a probable second-rounder, at center. This will be Coach Harry Hiestand’s first season, and Coach Kelly’s, if you can believe it, without a Martin on the line. Gone, too, is Steve Elmer, perhaps too soon, to chase his dreams in politics and business.

Thankfully, mass, and talent, are in abundance at Notre Dame. While there will be shuffling to account for the losses, and a drop in game snap-based experience, no one can really quibble or complain about a likely starting five of Mike McGlinchey at left tackle, Quenton Nelson at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center, Colin McGovern at right guard, and Alex Bars at right tackle.

McGlinchey, a niggling penchant for false starts aside, is about as solid a replacement for the quality lost in Ronnie Stanley as one will find. At 6’7 and 310 pounds, McGlinchey has the athletic ability to play tight end and should have little difficulty adjusting to his new position. This move, theoretically, gives the Irish the best left side of the O-line in the country, as junior Quenton Nelson, a returning starter at left guard, could be the first Irish guard to be selected in the NFL draft’s first round since Aaron Taylor. Nelson is also not small. He’s 6’5″ and 330 pounds.

Sam Mustipher, a 6’2, 305 pound junior, is the likely starter at center. He’s the end of the likelihood, however, as the staff seem still uncertain about the line’s right. Alex Bars, if any, is most likely to appear, and at right tackle. A junior, Bars, 6’6″ and 320 pounds, was more than capable when called upon last season to fill in when Nelson went down with an ankle injury at Clemson. Thus, the guard position is most uncertain, with McGovern and Hunter Bivin fighting it out. McGovern, a 6’4″ 315 pound senior, is fighting concussions, but he seems more likely, to me, than his fellow senior, who stands 6’5″ and weighs  308 pounds.

Parker Boudreaux (Photo: CNN)

There is, of course, the potential for one of the three freshmen, arriving in June, to upset the entire thing. Tommy Kraemer, Parker

Boudreaux and Liam Eichenberg are all monsters and have the tangibles and talent to break into the mix, especially at right guard. Kraemer is 6’5″ and 310 pounds. Eichenberg is 6’6″ and 300 pounds, and coming off meniscus surgery on his right knee. Parker Boudreaux, a natural guard, is 6’5″ and 291 pounds. Of the three, he is my tip as most-likely to break in, but only if he makes huge strides in improving his footwork.

One of the things of which I am fond includes comparing the Irish to Alabama. Face it, they’re the gold-standard. ON the field, mind you, only on the field. But, if you look at our likely front five versus their likely front five, it seems that we’re making a weighty case for supremacy:

Left Tackle: Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame), 6’7″ 310 lbs. v. Cam Robinson (Alabama), 6’6″ 327 lbs.

Left Guard: Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame), 6’5″ 325 lbs. v. Ross Piershbacher (Alabama), 6’4″ 304 lbs.

Center: Sam Mustipher (Notre Dame), 6’2″ 305 lbs. v. J.C. Hassenauer (Alabama), 6’2″ 297 lbs.

Right Guard: Colin McGovern (Notre Dame) 6’4″ 315 lbs. v. Alphonse Taylor (Alabama), 6’5″ 345 lbs.

Right Tackle: Alex Bars (Notre Dame), 6’6″ 320 lbs. v. Charles Baldwin (Alabama), 6’5″ 297 lbs.

So, that’s 1,575 pounds for the Irish, and 1,570 pounds for the Elephant. Admittedly, that’s about one decent breakfast of difference, but hey. Now I’m hungry.

The post Blue Gold Game Preview: Offensive Line appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

Now here are your headlines:

FROM OUR SITE

• When will ND unwrap its recruiting presents?

COACHING

• CSN Chicago: Buckeyes, Falcons officially announce Alford, LaFleur
• Journal Gazette: 2 Irish football assistants leave for jobs elsewhere
• CBS Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons finalize coaching staff
• Chicago Tribune: Notre Dame assistant Matt LaFleur heading back to NFL
• Northeast Ohio Media Group: Ohio State football: Former Notre Dame assistant Tony Alford officially named Buckeyes’ RB coach
• Ohio State Media Relations: Alford leaves Notre Dame for Ohio State
• Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes officially name Alford RB coach
• Columbus Dispatch: New assistant Alford familiar with Meyer, staff
• The Latern (OSU student newspaper): Ohio State officially names Tony Alford running backs coach
• AP: Ohio State Buckeyes hire Tony Alford as offensive/running backs coach
• CantonRep.com: Notebook: Hiring Alford pleases miffed recruit
• Bleacher Report: What the end of the Mike Weber recruiting saga means for Ohio State
• 13 ABC (Toledo): Veteran RB coach Tony Alford joins Ohio State staff
• Eleven Warriors: Ohio State officially hires Tony Alford as next running backs coach
• Buckeye Grove: Buckeyes officially name Alford to staff
• 247 Sports: Buckeyes officially announce Alford
• NBC Sports: Will Alford haunt Notre Dame on the recruiting trail?
• Fox Sports: Oklahoma co-DC, top recruiter leaving for NFL (Kerry Cooks)
• Tulsa World: Newly promoted co-defensive coordinator Jerry Montgomery departing Sooners coaching staff for NFL (Kerry Cooks)
• Hook ‘Em Headlines: Report: Gilmer’s Jeff Traylor close to joining Texas staff (Bryant Young)
• UHND: Notre Dame football fans need to R-E-L-A-X
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Return of the natives

RECRUITING

• Chicago Tribune: Providence athletes commit to colleges (Miles Boykin)
• One Foot Down: Analyzing the 2015 recruiting classes for Notre Dame football opponents
• Irish Illustrated: Offers adding up for Yulee
• Irish Illustrated: ‘The show must go on’ (Amir Rasul)
• Irish Sports Daily: 2016 inside look: Good year in Indiana
• Slap the Sign: OL prospect E.J. Price adds Notre Dame offer
• Slap the Sign: Parker Boudreaux to visit Notre Dame on April 24th
• Northeast Ohio Media Group: Urban Meyer vs. Jim Harbaugh: 5 intense 2016 recruiting battles ahead for Ohio State & Michigan (Rashan Gary, Ben Bredeson & Josh King)
• UW Dog Pound: 2016 UW football recruiting: Pacific Northwest prospects (Jacob “Skinny” Eason)
• Post Standard: Projecting Syracuse football recruiting needs for 2016 class, including early targets (Robert Washington)
• AZ Central: Arizona’s top high school football prospects: 2016 class (Chase Lucas & Byron Murphy)
• The Times-Picayune: LSU offers four-star prospects Antwuan Jackson, Clark Yarbrough
• 247 Sports: Three Michigan QBs to keep an eye on (Tony Poljan)
• The Patriot News: Recruiting battlegrounds: Where Penn State could cross paths with Maryland, Pitt, Rutgers in 2016 (Damar Hamlin)
• Eleven Warriors: Odds increasing with Victor, Nixon and Alford’s recruits, Ohio State’s 2016 offensive line priorities and more (Tommy Kraemer, Liam Eichenberg and Tre Nixon)
• Testudo Times: Maryland 2016 recruiting class preview: Part 2, defense (Rashan Gary)

IRISH IN THE NFL

• WEEI: Jonas Gray: Seahawks calling pass play at end of Super Bowl XLIX wasn’t bad call
• Toronto Sun: 2015 NFL draft: Top 250 prospects (Ben Koyack is #108; DaVaris Daniels is #231)

MISC.

• Scout: Get your 2015 college football tickets now! (Notre Dame-Texas is top selling game; Notre Dame-USC is #7)
• Capitol Fax: John’s story: A Chicago legend gets a tough call
• Fansided: Vince Vaughn named grand marshal of Daytona 500
• BC Interruption: Boston College promotes Todd Fitch to offensive coordinator, adds Brian White to staff
• Waco Tribune: DeLoss Dodds joins Hall of Fame (Van Pearcy)
• Midland Reporter-Telegram: Midlander Pearcy named to TSHOF board

The post Morning Roundup: Feb. 11, 2015 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.

FROM OUR SITE

• Alford/Baby Tex rumors: Fans react

VIDEO

• Irish Illustrated: Watch: Signing Day blowout (5:21)

COACHING

• Irish Illustrated: Alford leaves Irish
• Irish Sports Daily: Alford leaving for Ohio State
• NBC Sports: Tony Alford joining Urban Meyer at Ohio State
• CSN Chicago: Tony Alford reportedly expected to leave Notre Dame for Ohio State
• ESPN: Ohio State Buckeyes hire Tony Alford, Notre Dame Fighting Irish recruiting coordinator and RB coach
• CBS Sports: Report: Notre Dame RBs coach Tony Alford takes same job at Ohio State
• WSBT: Alford leaving Notre Dame to become assistant head coach at Ohio State
• WNDU: Tony Alford the latest to leave Notre Dame football coaching staff
• Fox28: Irish recruiting coordinator/RB coach leaves for Ohio State
• One Foot Down: Notre Dame running backs coach Tony Alford leaving for Ohio State
• UHND: Tony Alford the latest to leave Notre Dame for Ohio State
• Land Grant Holy Land: Notre Dame’s Tony Alford to Ohio State as new running backs coach, per reports
• The Lantern: Urban Meyer hires Notre Dame’s Tony Alford to replace Stan Drayton, according to reports
• Scarlet and Game: Urban Meyer picks Tony Alford for Buckeye running backs coach
• Buckeye Grove: Report: Buckeyes to add Alford
• Eleven Warriors: Notre Dame’s Tony Alford to accept Ohio State RB coaching job
• Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football: Urban Meyer apparently has man in mind for running back post
• The Blade: OSU hires Notre Dame running backs coach
• Eleven Warriors: Notre Dame is becoming fertile recruiting ground for Ohio State coaches
• Irish Illustrated: Alford takes ‘leap of faith’
• Irish Illustrated: Sources: Quinn to join ND staff
• ND Insider: Brian Kelly faces significant challenge replacing Tony Alford at Notre Dame
• Slap the Sign: Tony Alford gone, Irish coaching staff faces shake up

HISTORY

• Evansville Courier & Press: Time to remember (50 years ago)
• AP: Vikings great Alan Page plans life after state Supreme Court

RECRUITING

• Gator Country: Gators offer Parker Boudreaux
• Blue & Gold Illustrated: Recruits react to Alford’s departure
• Ledger-Enquirer: High school football recruiting: A look ahead at names to watch for 2016 signing day
• Dallas Morning News: International Bowl: SOC safety and OU signee keys Team USA’s 35-0 rout of Canada (Jalen Guyton)

MISC.

• Indiana Business Journal: Swarbrick suggests new model for athletics
• CBS Sports: 2015 NFL combine: Snubs, surprises (Cody Riggs)

The post Morning Roundup: Feb. 8, 2015 appeared first on Her Loyal Sons.