The Blue Board

http://247sports.com/Article/The-Opening-Best-of-Day-2-defense-79981

The Opening: Best of Day 2, defense

Linebackers

1-Jaylon Smith- Smith, a Notre Dame commit and five-star prospect, was considered by some to be the top overall performer at the event on Saturday. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder is one of the best linebackers in pass coverage that we’ve seen. He’s elite laterally and has excellent ball skills. Smith is so fast laterally that it was tough for any receiver or back that caught the ball in front of where Smith was on the field to get much yardage at all.

2- Matthew Thomas- Thomas, a five-star prospect, has excellent length and was active in pass coverage throughout the day. He reacts well to the ball in the air and had one play where he was three feet off the ground to break up to pass. Thomas can get to balls in the intermediate passing game that a quarterback would not expect him to get to. Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Alabama and others are in the mix, but the Hurricanes are the heavy favorites.

3- Alex Anzalone- It’s decision day for Anzalone and most likely either Notre Dame or Penn State will get a big, fast linebacker that rarely gets out of position. This allowed him to have a pick-6 and make other big plays throughout the day Saturday.

"Alex Anzalone isn't as fluid of an athlete as I expected. He's a little awkward in his movements, but a very big guy." Keith Niebuhr

He's a good LB for ND but he's not a 3 down LB at UF or most SEC programs.

??? Dude Keith is the SE recruiting guy for 247. He's a national guy just like JC and Simmons. Try to keep up. Again, I nevr said the kid wasn't solid/good but he's not great. My stance on the kid has't changed since before he committed to tOSU...imo he's overhyped and not a 3 down SEC LB. LMAO at listing offers as a stamp of greatness. Think Jeff Luc when thinking of Analzone but atleast Luc played good comp and put up huge numbers unlike Analzone. Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane.

This post is why there is zero respect for you..and your vocal brothers.

Sportsmanship is something completely lost to you....and for a program deemed irrelevant by so many of you, you sure waste a ton of broadband trying to convince yourselves - and everyone else, they aren't relevant. An outstanding academic university where kids have the opportunity to earn a quality degree, and plenty of exposure to be selected by an NFL team. All this, while located in the middle of nowhere.

Admit it, that tiny private school in South Bend did more for CFB, against every conceivable odds, to become one of the greatest CFB powerhouses of all time. You have to coattail as an entire conference to accomplish half of what they have all on their own.

TV deal while maintaining their independence - on their terms, not in a football conference, yet they are still invited to the table...that's one hell of a powerful program.

Cool history lesson. Princeton and Yale were once national football powers.

With that being said, the kid is still overhyped and stiff. Can't wait until the UA or USAA week when he gets exposed once he lines up with pads and against real comp.

Oh Notre Dame...

1.Not hard to beast out in shells. I guess that's the way you determine football players above the Mason Dixon. You guys get all bent out of shape when someone criticizes one of your commits but are quick to talk about a Mich or tOSU kid. I've always said the kid was overhyped and stiff...so what? I never said he was a bad player or sucked. The staff wanted the kid but you won't find any UF posters who are butthurt bc of his commit to ND.

2. I've questioned the staff taking a QB after missing on Bateman and Buchanan. IMO if they wanted to take a project then Woulard or O'Korn were better option. I'm not a fan of EO and his showing this weekend adds to th reasons. I hope he picks ND on the 20th.

You got me

Hey man

Not surprised at your stupid argument...really?

"The Ivy League", the term began how, do you have a clue??? They don't grant athletic scholarships, assistance is granted to a student, not an athlete..with the same criteria as the general student population..basically, their teams are made up of the top minds in the country that have some interest to play some games for fun. A path they chose.

Notre Dame chose to play football at the highest level, building their tradition long after the Ivies chose not to play competitive football...