Who are the twins that are visiting that are on p 1?
- Thread starter jlkirk
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According to Twitter, they're Mercer and Charlton Luniewski. Both like 6'6" 300. There's Hudl film thru Twitter. Charlton, known as Charlie, looks like an OG. Mercer could be a DT.
The Smith twins are enrolled at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, CT. They had a widely reported visit to ND in July and have received CB picks for ND since then. The conventional wisdom says it is a ND-UK recruiting battle, but they have already reportedly received at least 8 B10 and 6 SEC offers, plus ND and SoCal. Coach Brad White is recruiting the Smith twins for UK.
I can't find any verification yet that the Luniewski twins have actually received UK offers, although it would make sense that they have probably received strong encouragement from Coach Marrow for visiting Lexington. If you subscribe to the narrative that almost all offensive linemen are "projects" to one degree or another (I do), then look at these two guys and you see the right frames and potential for Marrow and Stoops to be interested, especially since the OL is known to be a focus for roster retooling in our 2024 class. The question is going to be how many 2024 scholarships are being devoted to OL. We don't know that.
They seem to really like ND. I think we have always had a lot of ground to make up.
Rivals showing no offers by UK but Mercer with 7 offers including Minnesota and Wisconsin while Charlie only has offers from Akron and Toledo. I'd guess as we go thru Spring/Summer camps that will increase significantly and UK's wanting a visit for a reason.
As to the number of OL scholarships, I've always thought schools should sign a minimum of 5 per year since OL is so important(but aren't all positions??). Portal changes things and I look at UK's stock piling at least 8 PWO OL as money in the bank.
I don't know how much ground UK actually has to make up. The Smith twins grew up in Somerset, which is heavy UK country. But it is no secret that they were impressed by their visit to ND last July. They spoke about it very positively in interviews, so that should be taken seriously. Beyond that, they had the initiative to leave home to attend Cheshire Academy, way up in New England. So I doubt relocating to South Bend would be a disincentive for them, in and of itself. But having said that, I am inclined to doubt they would like the greater Chicago area if it comes to that. I consider that area one of the least desirable in the country. Indiana isn't as bad as Illinois, but that entire area of the Lake Michigan shoreline is subject to high winds, terrible weather, lots of crime of all types, and hideous news and sports media.
It has been a while since Stoops gave out 5 OL scholarships in one class. But I think we may be at that point again now because there is a clear need.
I noticed that Mercer is receiving a lot more recruiting interest than Charlie. But given their big frames, I would guess Stoops might be inclined to take both twins if that is required in order to sign Mercer. Given a couple of productive seasons with Coach Coen, Charlie might make a role for himself. Stranger things have happened.
It will not surprise me at all if one of the 2023 PWO offensive linemen develops into a workable player. Linemen are projects almost by definition, and the arithmetic probably offers pretty good odds that at least one of them might make it.
Wonder if they know we develop players better than ND? Not only that, surviving the SEC is a positive for scouts. Also, will ND's coach make it there?
I think the parameters for OL have changed what with the portal and now the emphasis on PWOs, at least for UK. Totally agree re the '23 PWOs/PT. 3-5 years from now at least one, maybe even 2, will be contributors. Maybe that's wishful thinking on my part but I really expect it. Key will be.... put in the work, bide their time, and pay attention and learn. And I think Coach Stoops has created an atmosphere where that will happen.
Who knows about Freeman, but the veteran ND O line coach credited by many with their great results the last 5 yrs just retired. Oh and they swung & missed at several candidates to replace Tommy Rees before setting on promoting former UK wildcat Jerard Parker as OC. There is no question who has the better OC, UK by a mile.
Hopefully the UK O line gets back to normal this season, and gives us all a better view on Yenser.
What's mama want? Think dad has strongly stated he would prefer UK
I think we have to be realistic about the fact that relocating to Cheshire, CT, proves the twins and their parents are not concerned about centering their lives on Somerset or Lexington. If UK wins this recruiting battle, it will happen because the twins and their parents perceive that UK presents the best opportunity for the two student athletes. I could be wrong, but I don't see any instate advantage happening here. That doesn't mean Stoops can't sign them. After all, Brad White has one of the best and most interesting defenses in the SEC. That is a compelling recruiting inducement.
For clarity, thought I'd mention that for the 2024 recruiting cycle UK is recruiting at least three sets of twins, an oddity I can't recall happening previously. They are:
The Smiths, originally from Somerset, KY. The are defensive players, EDGE types who could be LBs if they don't outgrow that position. Highly thought of, widely recruited...some actively trying to steer them to Notre Dame. UK has a chance.
The Armstrongs, massive OL types out of Ohio who many think are Ohio St locks. VM's in there pitching, let's hope UK gets visits.
The Luniewskis, huge guys from Ohio, likely OL although one could be a DT at the next level. Their recruitment is really just getting started, limited offers have been primarily from MAC/ Big 10 schools but that'll change this Spring/Summer as camps unfold. UK will get a visit.
UK has recruited twins in the past, the Huffmans a few years ago comes to mind. Three sets in the same year is crazy!
The Smiths, originally from Somerset, KY. The are defensive players, EDGE types who could be LBs if they don't outgrow that position. Highly thought of, widely recruited...some actively trying to steer them to Notre Dame. UK has a chance.
The Armstrongs, massive OL types out of Ohio who many think are Ohio St locks. VM's in there pitching, let's hope UK gets visits.
The Luniewskis, huge guys from Ohio, likely OL although one could be a DT at the next level. Their recruitment is really just getting started, limited offers have been primarily from MAC/ Big 10 schools but that'll change this Spring/Summer as camps unfold. UK will get a visit.
UK has recruited twins in the past, the Huffmans a few years ago comes to mind. Three sets in the same year is crazy!
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