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June 15, 2007
Taking A Final Look: Nuss, Williams, Neal
by
JASON SAPP
Football Recruiting Editor
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With the incoming freshman class set to report to campus this weekend for summer school and workouts, Jason Sapp provides his thoughts on the 2007 signing class.
 Andrew Nuss
Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 295
Ashburn, Va. (Stone Bridge)
The same way that Nwankwo’s recruitment turned out, Nuss is in the same predicament in that even though he was initially recruited as an offensive guard, he chose the defensive line when asked which he preferred and where he wanted to start out. He has experience playing both in high school, so he could also handle the transition well to the offensive line if that turned out to be the case. Since film was available of him on offense and defense, I took a look at him on both sides of the ball.
On defense, he penetrated the gap well and also showed great reaction to the play as it was developing. A key trait for defensive linemen to have is to be able to read the blocks so you can effectively cover your gap responsibilities. Even though he comes off of the ball well, I would like to see him react more to the movement of the football when he’s lined up inside, rather than waiting for the offensive lineman to move. He has exceptional use of his hands by grabbing the cloth of opposing player so he can have better control, and is a sure tackler when he gets his hands on the ball carrier. Some time in the weight room to bring a stronger punch will benefit the use of his hands, and since he plays well when he lines up in the interior and could do so at Notre Dame, he’ll have to work on getting his pad level a bit lower.
On offense, he’s just as strong as a blocker as he is a tackler (on defense) and loves contact. He has good technique on his pass protection, but it will just need some polishing if he does end up on the offensive line. Like Nwankwo, he runs very well for his size and is more athletic than I initially perceived. He has a nasty attitude when he’s on the field and does a good job of creating holes for the running backs to get through.
Overall, I can honestly see him playing on either side of the football because of his versatility, but I feel that a good amount of those defensive traits would get used just as effectively down the line if he headed over to the offensive line. First year may be more of a developmental year for Nuss, like most true freshman, but the Irish are certainly brining in another talented player with this Virginia native.
 Ian Williams
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 295
Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Lyman)
Remember how difficult it was for me to find any flaws from the clips that I reviewed of Armando Allen in an earlier segment? The same goes for Williams as I’m truly pumped all over again with the amount of talent that this class is bringing in. This is a player that completely refreshed my memory and made me just as excited as I was back in February with the class set to report this weekend.
Williams has great penetration on the line of scrimmage and makes the proper reads on many of the blocking schemes that he’s shown. One play that sticks out in my mind is a screen play that he came off the ball hard and once he realized that it was too easy to get in the backfield (which is difficult for any defensive lineman to do and it has to be more instinctive), he dropped back a step and almost came away with an interception. Derek Landri could run a clinic for making this play, and Williams is certainly going to give him some competition since they both have great technique. In fact, I can reference a couple more players after watching his film as he has a similar frame to Cedric Hilliard and plays sideline-to-sideline like one of the better interior linemen I’ve seen, Lance Legree.
I rarely boast about a high school player since they all have something to prove before placing them on any kind of pedestal, but this kid has all the tools. He’s a quality pass rusher, he can play the double-team (which will work great from a nose tackle position in the 3-4), he has the quickness to run stunt games on the line, he can tackle in the open field when chasing down a running back, he flat out hustles, and the list could go on.
As you all know, I may be biased because I love a quality defensive lineman, but I could watch his highlights over and over again. This summer will be huge for Williams because if he can take in the new defensive scheme and remain healthy this summer, there is a tremendous opportunity for him on the defensive line and I can honestly see him in the mix come September.
 Kerry Neal
Outside Linebacker, 6-3, 240
Bunn, N.C. (Bunn)
Just when I thought Williams had made my day, Neal’s clips had to go ahead and top it all off to make the rest of my week. What a pick up for the Irish so early in the game last year, and other teams will definitely feel the effects of not getting on him when Charlie Weis did.
This kid has a non-stop motor and that is so key in a quality defensive player since it’s one of those traits that can’t be taught. He’s an amazing athlete and like Williams, there’s a clip available of him making a great read on a screen play, but he successfully made the leaping catch and took it back to the house. No disrespect to my fellow defensive linemen, but not all of us can have a good set of hands. Neal is of prototypical size for an outside linebacker in the 3-4 and just has the instinct that makes him an all-around playmaker. He won’t have any problem adjusting and dropping back into pass coverage, and he’s just as strong when he comes off the edge to rush the quarterback.
Neal has good footwork, he’s very quick off of the football, he doesn’t take off any plays and is constantly pursuing the football, and I can already see drills that we did in college being used in his game. I’ve made quite a few bold comparisons throughout this feature, but I feel he has just as much potential as Justin Tuck did when he came in, only Tuck was faster, but Neal is better at stopping the run.
Today was a very good day when watching these highlights again and I’m excited about what direction this team will be headed in a couple years if all of these kids play to their potential.
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