2018 Recruiting: OL, TE Grades

TE George Takacs

18S Average: 87.3

Brendan: 89

Prototype inline TE. Big, physical kid with the frame to get bigger. Punshing blocker. Not going to take the top off but a credible threat down the seam with soft hands. Reminds me of a more game-ready version of Troy Niklas. Another early enrollee who could force his way onto the field, although it’ll be a tall order with four established guys ahead of him.

Eric: 86

A very willing blocker who is able to get low for a taller athlete. I’d like to see a little more wiggle and dynamic play after he catches the ball. He does look plenty athletic for someone at his height. Excited to see him develop.

Jaden: 88

Takacs showed up to the Army All-American Bowl and was bigger than a lot of people expected. He has above average athleticism and looks more than capable blocking. A large portion of his film is him releasing on seam routes, and he looks extremely comfortable catching the ball in traffic. There are impressive TE’s ahead of him in Wright and Kmet, but Takacs will come in physically ready to compete for a spot right away.

Tyler: 86

Takacs is a very well-rounded player at this point. He’s not afraid to get down in the trenches and block, he’s got great size, and he looks like he could end up being a legitimate target in the passing game. I really like this pickup. I think I’d have him rated a bit higher if I didn’t think it’d be so difficult to see any significant time on the field at tight end early. The Irish are in a VERY good spot with Wright and Kmet in place ahead of Takacs and Tremble right now.

TE Tommy Tremble

18S Average: 86.3

Brendan: 86

Straight out of Stan Lee’s notebook. Prototype flex TE is a great complement to Takacs. Depth chart, need to add weight, and lost senior season (broken ankle) make him a candidate to redshirt. Once he’s ready for the field, rare combo of physical traits could make him difficult to handle. Don’t let the ranking fool you – ND, Michigan, and UCLA all wanted this kid.

Eric: 87

Pretty much a large wide receiver. I mean that as a compliment. He’s not your typical towering Notre Dame tight end, tough. Still, his footspeed is great and once the ball in his hands he’s a threat for major YAC and can make guys miss in the open field. It’s fair to say he’s underrated because a 4-star ranking would be deserved in my opinion.

Jaden: 87

Really explosive player for his size. First, he has tremendous burst off the line of scrimmage. He’s extremely aggressive both catching and running with the ball. He looks surprisingly twitchy and quick for his size and is a perfect compliment to a more traditional TE like Takacs.

Tyler: 85

Big-time threat in the passing game. Not as well-rounded as Takacs, but much more dynamic with the ball in his hands. Ran a 4.63 at one of the Opening Regionals, which is very fast for a kid that’s 6-4/225 pounds. Will need a redshirt in 2018, but should end up being a nice red-zone target in a few years.

OL Jarrett Patterson 

18S Average: 86.3

Brendan: 86

Angry blocker who would like nothing more than to drive his man into the cheap seats. Plays to the echo of the whistle. Moves well and hunts for defenders in space. Strong base makes him very difficult to dislodge. Generally does a good job of keeping his arms extended and controlling his man. Might be too stiff to stay on the outside, but if he gets past that could be a quality RT.

Eric: 86

Well, he threw a guy 5 yards like he was a dusty broom so that’s a good sign. Patterson looks like the most polished lineman in this class and his background playing at Mission Viejo should help the transition to college. Reminds me of a leaner Colin McGovern. Pretty high ceiling for someone who isn’t going to be physically elite.

Jaden: 86

Patterson looks like he has a little longer frame than the Mabry and Jones. He looks really powerful in run blocking and has strong arms that drives through defenders all the way to the ground. In pass protection he gets a little tall at times, but that can be corrected over time. Overall I like him slightly more than Mabry, Jones, and Dirksen.

Tyler: 87

Definitely the best OL signee in this class. Moves fairly well and plays with a nasty streak. Seems to use his hands well and plays with good leverage. Drives his feet especially well near the goal line. Good-not-great athleticism which may limit his ceiling, but he has a much higher floor than the rest of the OL in this class.

OL John Dirksen

18S Average: 82.5

Brendan: 84

Can play a bit high and let defenders get into his body. Works his way out with raw power, but needs to clean that up at the next level. Ferocious run blocker who wants to put his man through the turf on every play. Plays RT at the HS, but has the power and mentality (and athleticism) to play guard at the next level.

Eric: 82

Heavy hands, even when he doesn’t have great position he’s able to affect opponents in a big way with his paws. Moves quite well and can get his feet going in a hurry. For me, definitely an interior prospect.

Jaden: 84

Projects more as a guard and doesn’t have quite the bend that others do. However, he has extremely powerful hands and plays with a lot of strength. Lateral quickness and knee bend will be the biggest concerns, but he’s a mean, old-fashioned lineman that could be a really strong presence down the road.

Tyler: 80

Good guard prospect. Moves pretty well, but looks like he plays pretty high sometimes. Has good strength and a nice punch with his initial contact. I’m lower on him than I am the other linemen in the class, but he’s a solid pickup.

OL Luke Jones

18S Average: 82.3

Brendan: 84

Impresses me more than some others, mostly because he moves exceptionally well for his size, even serving as a ball carrier at times for his HS. Inconsistent finisher, but an aggressive blocker who is constantly looking for work. Will need to work on getting lower and eliminating some stiffness to be effective at the next level. Athleticism is there now, though, and raises his ceiling.

Eric: 81

Well, his high school loved to throw screens. He can really get out in the open field and open up his stride. His film is a little tricky because he looks under-sized at times and others pretty average for a guy Notre Dame would be recruiting. Didn’t really display a lot of physicality which could be a challenge at the next level.

Jaden: 82

As others have mentioned, he moves down field rather impressively, but his punch is not nearly as strong as the likes of NPF, Mabry, or Dirksen. His leg drive isn’t terrific, but he seems to move laterally pretty well. Like the others, he isn’t going to come in and be ready to play and will hopefully benefit strongly from the Bailis strength program.

Tyler: 82

Pretty fun watching him lead-block for all those screens. I really like how he moves on film, but I would have liked to see him mauling guys into the dirt more on runs. Looks like he’ll need to take some time getting stronger, but he’s got really good potential.

OL Cole Mabry

18S Average: 83.0

Brendan: 86

Easy to see why Hiestand really liked Mabry. More athletic version of Dirksen and, despite rankings, has more upside. Seeks to bury defenders. Moves very fluidly. Competent pass blocker already with solid footwork – moves his base and doesn’t over-extend. More than one defender shows frustration on his highlight reel. Kid is doing his job.

Eric: 78

Doesn’t look very comfortable in pass blocking. Seems to lack balance and the quick feet. His strength allows him to catch blockers and hold them off a path to the quarterback. A tough enough kid who enjoys blocking down and getting his nose dirty. We usually have really great success in Tennessee but this interesting O-line class is likely to have a couple misses.

Jaden: 85

Mabry is another offensive lineman in this class that flashes potential to be productive in college. He moves surprisingly well and wants to finish every single play. Another project that doesn’t have elite skills but could be a very solid player in by year three.

Tyler: 83

I like his potential a bit more than Jones and Dirksen right now. He plays with a decent pad level and has a bit of a mean streak in him, too. This OL class in general is filled with more projects than finished products, and Mabry may have the highest ceiling of the bunch.