page 2 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 30, 2011 COMMENTARY FOOTBALL RECRUITING Untraditional moves Notre Dame builds 2012 class By ALLAN JOSEPH hole in Notre Dame’s 2012 class place where he needs to build build winning culture Sports Editor is at offensive tackle, where it, and that’s offensive line and the Irish recently received a defensive line,” Frank said. It’s not difficult to pin- has instituted his unortho- Despite his insistence on re- big commitment – from a 2013 “The big thing is, you’ve got to point the reasons for Notre dox system in every facet of cruiting quality linemen, Irish player, Steve Elmer. control the line of scrimmage. Dame’s .500 record. Late the football experience. coach Brian Kelly has focused “The last thing that they need If you have great offensive line- turnovers in the red zone, And it’s working. his 2012 recruiting class on more than anything, is an of- men and great defensive line- poor decision-making at the After putting together a bringing a number of skill play- fensive tackle,” Frank said. “I’ll men, you’re going to be a really quarterback position and core of freshmen and the ers to campus, Irish recruiting tell you, having a guy like Steve great team. a tired defense that spends No. 7-ranked recruiting expert Mike Frank said. Elmer, the 2013 commit, he’s “It doesn’t matter what skill too much time on the field class in the nation in his “The biggest priority for this going to be probably the top players you’ve got if you don’t have all contributed to the first full season as head class was what they call skill offensive tackle in the whole have good players up front.” two blemishes on the Irish coach, Kelly is at it again. players,” said Midwest While Notre Dame may record. Notre Dame already has Frank, who runs next year not be ranked on the field, As such, Notre Dame has four five-star recruits the ESPN-affili- — having Frank said the Irish recruit- a slew of on-field issues to committed, the most of ate Irish Sports him com- ing class is already one of deal with any program in the nation. Daily. “They mit early, the best in the country with before it Critics who claim Notre wanted to sign a d o e s n ’ t a number of slots to fill. returns Dame simply can’t recruit good number of “The biggest priority make it “They have the chance to defi- to the like before have been foiled those players.” for this class was what quite as nitely go into the top-five or gridiron by the impacts freshmen Notre Dame they call skill players.” big a need higher depending on who they against Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt currently holds to get an get,” Frank said. “There are Purdue. and George Atkinson have commitments o f f e n s i v e about 6-7 slots left, and I would None- already made on Saturdays. from nine skill Mike Frank tackle. If think everybody filling those theless, True, winters in South players, most Irish recruiting expert there’s the slots would be a four-star or Brian Bend make Tuscaloosa notably athlete opportuni- higher. If that’s what they end Kelly and Chris Masoud and Gainesville look like Ronald Darby, ty to take up with, they’re going to climb his coach- paradise. But unlike his receiver Justin one, they’ll into the top-five, I would guess. ing staff Assistant predecessor, Kelly hasn’t Ferguson and take one, Right now, because the num- have their sold recruits on three or cornerback Tee because bers are a little low compared work cut Managing four years of servitude Shepard. With the guys to some others, I’d say they’re out for Editor before a career in the NFL. months left until signing day, that are considering Notre probably a top-10 class. “ them off He’s taken recruiting to the however, Frank expects that Dame right now are too good to the field next level by selling players number to grow. pass up.” For more on Notre Dame as well. on a collegiate experience “I wouldn’t be surprised if Elmer’s commitment is a re- recruiting, check out Mike Traditional problems lead unlike any other. that number climbs to 11 or minder that despite the focus Frank’s irishsportsdaily.com. to traditional solutions. The decision to start the 12, maybe even 13 depending on skill players in the 2012 Email Mike at mikefrank18@ Better decision-making late less physically-gifted Tom- on how this shakes out,” Frank class, Kelly is firmly committed sbcglobal.net and tell him The in games and better time- my Rees over Dayne Crist is said. to developing high-quality line Observer sent you. management are battles unconventional. Focusing Notre Dame focused on run- play. within the game Kelly can recruiting efforts on the ning back in the 2012 class, a “Brian Kelly is building this Contact Allan Joseph at coach improvement in his defensive side of the ball position where the Irish have team at the most important [email protected] players. rather than on pure skill had little depth this year. As for bringing Notre players is untraditional (all “[The Irish] have to get two Dame back to the elite level four 2012 five-star commits really good running backs,” in college football, tradition are defenders). Frank said. “I’d be surprised may be less of a guide. But it’s working, and if Will Mahone doesn’t commit In essence, Kelly was more changes are coming. sometime soon.” tasked with much more In his radio show last If Mahone, from Ohio, com- than simply bringing a Thursday, Kelly hinted mits to the Irish, Notre Dame championship to Notre that the addition of bigger, can focus on recruiting more Dame when Director of high-definition scoreboards explosive backs that can run in Athletics Jack Swarbrick at Notre Dame Stadium tandem with Mahone’s style. handed him the keys to col- could happen sooner than “They’ve got three different lege football’s most-storied later. players coming in … in Keith castle. Kelly inherited a “If you’re going to stay in Marshall, Byron Marshall (no program mired in medioc- this arena, I’m sure things relation) and KeiVarae Rus- rity and set in its ways. will eventually change,” sell,” Frank said. “All three of He had the unenviable Kelly said. “It’s just going those guys are more speed and mission of bringing Notre to take some time.” quickness, explosive-type play- Dame into the 21st century If you’re going to stay a ers where Mahone is certainly of college football — easier Notre Dame fan, football as fast and certainly explosive, said than done when you’re you know it will eventually but he just has a little more size talking about a program change. Tradition gives way and power. If he commits soon, that lives and breathes to progress (and winning). that solves one issue, and then tradition. It’s just going to take they can really focus on land- But nothing about Kelly’s some time. ing one of those three players.” approach to Notre Dame Receiver was also an area thus far has been tradition- Contact Chris Masoud at of concern for the Irish, who al. From his rejection of the [email protected] will be tasked with replacing pro-style offense in favor of The views expressed in senior Michael Floyd after this the spread, to changing the this column are those of the season. Yet after seeing the gameday players’ walk into author and not necessarily Irish land Ferguson and Chris Notre Dame Stadium, Kelly those of The Observer. Brown, Frank said Notre Dame is looking for a bit of a different receiver to add to its stable. “They’re definitely looking for one more wide receiver that’s kind of a more explosive, slot, Theo Riddick-type player, somebody who can put a lot of pressure on defenses,” Frank said. “That’s really kind of the missing piece they have to get at wide receiver.” Notre Dame has also heavily recruited secondary players in the class of 2012, and while the Irish have a number of com- mits with defensive backfield experience, Frank said the Irish would be willing to sign one more. “I’m sure they would like to have one more corner if pos- sible,” Frank said. “They’ve really kind of set themselves up with some players that can really help them. A lot of these guys that are thinking about Notre Dame are really on the fence. “ Perhaps the most important Friday, September 30, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 3 Country boy Junior tight end Tyler Eifert spreads his love of country music and football around the Irish By ANDREW OWENS Growing up a Boilermaker Eifert’s feet when Rudolph was Associate Sports Editor buff, Eifert often traveled to hampered by a hamstring in- games and said he has fond jury and eventually underwent When junior tight end Tyler memories of watching current season-ending surgery. Eifert returned to campus fol- New Orleans Saints quarterback “I think he kind of got a bap- lowing Notre Dame’s physically Drew Brees in a Purdue uni- tism by fire a year ago with what exhausting 15-12 win over Pitts- form. Those experiences were happened to Kyle,” tight ends burgh on Saturday evening, the not always positive, though.