When he first arrived here, one of head coach Charlie Weis’ goals was to bring in some big, nasty offensive linemen for the future. Nobody knows better than Weis that a program is only as good as its offensive line, and coach knew that he needed a strong unit for the future in order to have Notre Dame competing for a National Title.
In football, everybody knows that whatever happens on a particular play always starts up front. Always. Your quarterback will only throw for as many touchdowns as the offensive line allows him to. Your running back will only rush for as many yards as the offensive line lets him. Your team will only go as far as the big uglys up front allow you to.
Anybody who watches professional football knows that Brett Favre, one of the finest quarterbacks in the history of the game, had a terrible season this past year. Why? Because his offensive line was one of the worst in football. Peyton Manning, a legend in many people’s minds already, got eaten up by the Pittsburgh defense this past January, and had another terrible playoff performance. Again…Why? Because Pittsburgh won the battle up front.
I didn’t need to tell Charlie any of this. He’s already established himself as a top coach in college football, so he knew all of this already. And that is why he set out to build himself a monster of a future offensive line.
Well, did he succeed in bringing in these players?
Oh yea, he hit the offensive line jackpot.
Charlie answered his goals and the cries of many Irish fans when he brought in five fine young men to play football for the golden domers. These players are Matt Carufel, Eric Olsen, Chris Stewart, Bartley Webb, Daniel Wenger, and the finest o-lineman that the nation had to offer in Sam Young.
Matt Carufel, a four stay offensive linemen, is a coach’s dream. He is raw, but at the same time polished. He can play any position you ask him to on the offensive line, and is as strong as an ox. He also has quick feet to go along with all of this…which should strike fear into opposing defensive ends, knowing that Matt will be coming with a full head of steam on those trap plays.
Eric Olsen is a four star offensive tackle. He, like Carufel, is known for being quick on his feet and having a lot of athleticism. Being athletic at the tackle position is a must for Olsen, who will be having speed rushers at the defensive end coming at him all game long. Luckily for us, Eric is a guy who likes a challenge, and one that never backs down.
Then we have the big man, Chris Stewart. Stewart is six foot five, and 340 pounds…all of pure intimidation. Think he’s just another flat slob that plugs things up? Think again. He plays basketball for his high school as well.
Bartley Webb is a three star player with five star qualities. He is another tackle, but he can also play a variety of different positions. He explodes off the ball and before defensive linemen can figure out what’s going on, they are on their back. Webb, in my opinion, is the best three star offensive linemen in this whole class.
Dan Wenger will be playing center for this team for a long time. Wenger, a teammate of prize recruit Sam Young, is the lone center they recruited, but if you were ever going to sign a lone center, this guy would be it. He’s got the toughness of ten men, and the heart of twenty. Put that together with all of his god given athleticism, and I have a feeling we have a future All-American center on our hands.
The last one signed was the best. Sam Young, the prized recruit out of Florida, signed with Notre Dame to put the whipped cream on top of what was already an amazing offensive line class. Young is an NCAA ready tackle already. He has a big frame, great foot work, great explosiveness off the ball, great everything. I’m drooling just thinking about this guy being Irish for the next four years. Young could very well be starting next season for the Blue and Gold, and I have no doubt in my mind that he can step in and compete with the NCAA’s best defensive linemen right away.
We, as Irish fans, have a lot to be thankful for. We have a ton to look forward to in the next few years. Charlie Weis did an unbelievable job in getting the above players to come to Notre Dame, when they could have went probably any where else in the country. Above all, these offensive linemen that I wrote about are going to be going through everything together, from their freshmen year all the way to when they are seniors, and that will help them bond a ton. With terrific talents at Quarterback, Wide Receiver, and Running back all coming to South Bend next fall, not only we have something to be excited about, but those skill position players should be ecstatic that they will be playing behind the best offensive line in college football during their time in South Bend.
Questions, concerns, or feedback, PLEASE e-mail me at Phitenphils55@aol.com I will get back to all of your e-mails within 24 hours. Thanks.
