Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’4/310

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Eric Heitmann – San Francisco 49ers

Position Traits

Awareness/Reaction: High football IQ that is capable of diagnosing a pass rush scheme and delegating the line blocking responsibilities. Quick thinker that can adjust to a last second surprise from the defense.

Balance: Gets top heavy, does not change direction well. Falls forward and takes too long to re-gain his balance in space.

Initial Quickness: Does not fire off the snap. Is usually reacting to the defender rather than getting after it right away. Stands out of his stance, making him even slower off the ball.

Movement/Space: Is not a fluid mover downfield trying to throw the extra block. Stiff and awkward at the second level, does not look comfortable.

Pass Blocking: Delivers his punch too high on the blocker’s body. Does not maintain the control when he is on a pass rusher by himself. Does not bend at the knees, appears to almost be standing straight up when engaged. Feet get stuck in mud.

Pulling/Trapping: Has plenty of experience at guard. Does not fire out with power when moving laterally as a trap blocker. Does not adjust well to the last second defender when moving laterally.

Run Blocking: Can get himself in the right position, hands are usually inside. But he does not lock on and his assignment makes too many tackles throughout the course of a game. Does not get the push against a powerful interior defensive lineman, too stagnant.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Has above average size for a center. Carries too much loose weight, needs to spend time in an NFL weight training program.

Strength/Explosion/Pop: Does not fire after the snap, does not deliver a pop. More of an absorber/catcher rather than an attacker.

Technique: Plays way too high, especially for an interior blocker. Butt is too high off the ground. Minimal knee bend with hands that are too high on the blocker. Does a nice job of keeping them inside however.

Final Word: There is a lot of technique work that needs to be done with Olsen before he can be trusted along the interior of an NFL offensive line. He does not have enough power in his game to make up for the sub-par use of hand placement and leverage. He is a smart player that enjoys the game and he was also a team captain for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. While his ceiling is limited, Olsen could start down the road following a couple years of strength training and refinement to his technique.

On Thursday night news broke that Brian Kelly had agreed to become the 29th head football coach at the University of Notre Dame. Coming off of two consecutive Big East titles and a perfect 12-0 season, the move came as no surprise to those close to the situation. It was time for Kelly to move to the big time world of college football and it was time for Notre Dame to finally hire the right man for the job.

Kelly’s track record is certainly impressive. Back to back conference titles and BCS births, a 36-4 record with the Bearcats, three time Big East coach of the year, 2009 national coach of the year, two Division II national titles at Grand Valley State, and a Mid-American Conference title in 2006. He is a coach capable of doing more with less and has proven to get the most out of his players. His personality is described as infectious and his charisma has been labeled as something that will allow him to succeed in recruiting on the national level. His game day persona is that of a task master willing to get in the faces of his players and assistants and challenge them to be their very best. He will need all of this to succeed under the golden dome.

The recent history of the Notre Dame Football program is one of bitter failure and consistent mediocrity. For one of the most storied programs in the history of the game, the last 15 or so years have been and abject disaster full of embarrassment at every turn. Even when the program seemed to be on the rebound there was always a blow-out BCS game loss or a defeat at the hands of a service academy to remind the faithful of their rightful place in the current college football landscape.

In the years since Lou Holtz was unceremoniously run out of town the University of Notre Dame has technically had four head coaches, though one never even coached a game. Bob Davie, George O’Leary, Tyrone Willingham, and Charlie Weis all failed to wake up the long distant echoes and shake down the seemingly mythical thunder that once shook South Bend, Indiana. With the possible exception of Davie, an assistant under Holtz who played a big role in him leaving, none of these men started at the top of the list when the job became available. O’Leary only got the job when Jon Gruden fell through- and his lies and deceit led to the hiring of Tyrone Willingham, who did his best to destroy the football program from the inside out. Charlie Weis took over after a very public and embarrassing “no thanks” from former golden son Urban Meyer, and brought some fire and pride back to the Irish, but in the end it wasn’t enough. This time however, it’s different.

Brian Kelly was the target. He was the list. Sure, Bob Stoops was approached and feelers were most certainly extended to Urban Meyer, but those two were pipe dreams all along, and anyone who doesn’t realize that needs to wake up and smell the whiskey. The national coach of the year now calls South Bend, Indiana home.

There are certainly questions to be answered. Can he recruit on a national scale? Can he handle the media attention and scrutiny without saying something stupid? How will his offense translate against the big boys of college football? Can he deliver a BCS quality defense? These will be answered in time. All that is certain right now is Weis left the cupboard stocked with 4 and 5 star talent and Kelly gets the best out of the talent he has. Weis proved Notre Dame could recruit on a national level even with the academic restrictions. Now it’s on Brian Kelly to finish the job and get that talent to play up to its rankings.

Luckily for Kelly and for Notre Dame this hire will be “the one.” Brian Kelly will be the one who returns Notre Dame to glory…He doesn’t have a choice, this is the last chance.

Clausen will rank as our #1 quarterback in the class, and a top 5 prospect overall.

Tate is an exciting receiver, ranked #2 overall at the position. His run after catch ability will remind most of Wes Welker and Steve Smith.

Check back soon for a full scouting report on Clausen on Tate.

2010 Overall Rankings

2010 Quarterback Rankings

2010 Wide Receiver Rankings

It’s not just about winning at Notre Dame, it’s winning the right way, which is something other fans have never, and will never get. How many Notre Dame alums in the NFL get arrested every year? None. Maybe one every 5 years, and that’s an exaggeration. If they pull some stupid shit in college, they got booted, no matter if they’re a starter or a role player. Rashon Powers-Neil and Christian Fauriea, for instance. There is no “let it side this time” at Notre Dame.

We take pride in the fact that our pros, especially the starters like Brady Quinn, John Carlson, Ryan Harris, Chinendum Ndukwe, Anthony Fasano, and Ryan Grant never get in trouble with the league or the law. Even role players like Arnaz Battle, Maurice Stovall, Dan Stevenson, Dan Santuchi, Darius Walker, Jeff Samardzija (even in other sports), Corey Mays, Victor Abiamiri, Trevor Laws, Tom Zbikowski, David Bruton, Grant Irons, and others. No arrests. No suspensions. Seldom trouble.

Being a Notre Dame fan isn’t easy. You believe in the program and what it stands for. Not necessarily the religious part of it, but the fact that we’re not like Tennessee, we won’t have players robbing gas stations, we’re not Boston College, with its history of thugs, we’re not Oregon, we won’t have a player cheap-shot an opponent and try to fight the fans. You won’t see Golden Tate stick up a 7-11. You won’t see Brian Smith arrested for DUI. You won’t see Jimmy Clausen trying to get into the stands at USC and fight the fans.

Wins and losses aren’t everything at Notre Dame. It’s representing yourself, your fans, and your school in the best way possible. Which is why I would prefer a 10-2 team that does things right than a 12-0 Urban Meyer or Nick Saban team.