I think my favorite is the Stanford tackle (starts around 2:15).

He misses the first tackle, gets up and races all the way across the field to save a touchdown. Watch the angle he takes on the pursuit (compared to the angle a couple other guys take). 3.9.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 3:01 pm | #

Somewhere, Steve Tasker is smiling. Nice video, Jay.
Adam Nettina | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 3:29 pm | #

Vince Papale, too. Thanks Adam!
Jay | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 3:42 pm | #

Brings a smile to my face. Thanks guys!

Jay, I'm glad you mentioned that play against Stanford. That might be my favorite play of his so far. I was at that game. How many people would have stayed down or just jogged after not getting the initial tackle?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 5:05 pm | #

Didn't he make some pretty good plays in '07 also?

That touchdown saving tackle against Stanford is one of the best effort plays you'll ever see
suave_andrew | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 5:15 pm | #

Playing gunner is incredibly undderated. I know down here at Navy, PJ would play his best and fastest guys at Gunner because he did not trust anyone else. Reggie Campbell was a great example.

I hate how guys like Anello get the "hustle" tag. Sure, it takes great hustle, but the way I see it hustle is a mindset up speed and athleticism. You have got to have oustanding speed and feet to be a gunner, and the fact is a lot of the best gunners get shortchanged from a talent perspective even though the position calls for really one of the team's best all around athletes.
Adam Nettina | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 8:13 pm | #

Somebody will inevitably come on here with a quote from Rudy, but the comparison is unfair to Mike. Mike's darn good at what he does, he's got talent, and he's a joy to watch. I get tired of the "I'll take 11 of those guys on my team anyday" type of hyperbole, but with Mike, it's almost true. Make him a captain, Charlie! We may not need 11 of him, but having 1 is a fantastic bonus for us.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 8:23 pm | #

If I remember correctly on the UNC highlight doesnt Anello break that guys leg or something like that. Steve Smith or something ?

That one and the Stanford highlight were he stoped him. If he didnt that could have been 6.
Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 9:02 pm | #

Sure I like Mike Anello, but I'm also a little pissed at him. I thought being 5'9", 170 meant I had to watch games from the stands. He's making us little guys look bad!

Of course I don't believe for a second that I could have walked on and do what he's done (I wonder how many more walk-ons we get this year). He's got his own X-factor that would be hard to duplicate, and it is more than just hustle (to second Adam above). Watch one of the Syracuse plays. Pure (no-talent) 'hustlers' don't know how to run full-speed, break down (and wait for the ball to get there), watch the catch and then immediately cause a fumble. I'll put that on the board as my favorite play, although it's tough to argue against the Stanford play.
flannercock | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 9:19 pm | #

Mex Lep.

That was Brandon Tate from UNC. I believe Anello either broke Tate's leg or tore his ACL. Tate was selected in the third round by the Patriots.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 07.05.09 - 9:32 pm | #

#37, #1 in my heart. Bob Scarpitto's old # at Notre Dame. From Rahway, NJ.
Stanford play was awesome.
Like the Captain suggestion.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 2:27 am | #

The whole reel is great -- so many good plays.

Interesting on the Stanford clip how all their coaches are jumping up and down about the *return*, while we all admire the moxie and work-rate of the *tackler*.
bluedevildave | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 9:47 am | #

Another thing I noticed on his fumble recovery against Michigan is that he and Harrison Smith are running side-by-side down the field...until the ball hit the ground, when ZOOM Mike Anello bursts away from Hayseed to fall on the ball. He just has a great nose for the football.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 11:05 am | #

the players choose the captain, but it would be hard to argue against him as the special teams guy with bruton gone.


who is going to be the opposite gunner now, though?
yak | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 11:08 am | #

Pardon my bias, but Anello's background is wrestling right?

The kid just knows where to put his nose on a double leg takedown.

(And yes, the Stanford stop is pretty impressive effort).

Great highlight reel, thanks.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 11:24 am | #

That was just plain fun. Great tune also. Let's hope next years highlites of #37 are twice as long as that. Go Irish!!!
VicPaul | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 11:47 am | #

Great work!!! I love the coverage on the guys that don't often get into the spotlight. These are the guys that make ND what it is. I just hope that Anello doesn't get to display his talents this season on punt coverage against teams as bad as SDSU as often as he did last year.
ndtacoma | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 12:31 pm | #

yak, my guess is Sergio Brown.Maybe a young guy like Zeke Motta?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 1:27 pm | #

I can watch this guy all day. His desire is incredible and unrelenting. Also take a look on how good he breaks down to make a tackle. Give me a team of MA's any day of the week.
azjimbo | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 2:14 pm | #

We just got a verbal from Justin Utopo, a DE from Lakewood, CA
class of 2002 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 2:35 pm | #

* Utupo
class of 2002 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 2:41 pm | #

wow
"I won't be taking any other visits except to Notre Dame, my commitment is strong and this is a great day for me."
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 3:07 pm | #

Anyone notice that he rolls after the initial wrap-up? He hits, grabs a leg, and then generally rolls over to complete the tackle. It's not his momentum--seems like a conscious technique to finish off the takedown (maybe from his wrestling background?).

A non-judgmental question: Is that considered proper form? Is it viewed as "injury causing" or even "dirty" by opposing teams? Again, no idea--I'm not a football player.
Giggity_Giggity | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 3:17 pm | #

Giggity,

I can't answer your question, but it's interesting to note that the one big injury he did help cause (Brandon Tate of NC) was not due to that kind of tackle but a more conventional hit I think. Check the video, it's hard to tell though.

I'm fine with whatever gets them to the ground, and he seems to wrap up pretty well. I imagine if he tried to hit them high that his size would become an issue, but anyone can take out someone by the legs usually.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 3:24 pm | #

People say he won't play on Sundays. I know he is small but if I were an NFL team, why not take someone like Anelo who makes plays on ST. Is there reason why?
GB | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 3:56 pm | #

brillant and aALL GUTS
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 4:58 pm | #

GB, the minimum salary for a 1st year player in the NFL is $260K. A 2nd year gets $460K and so on. If that isn't enough reason, the cap of 53 players on the roster, probably eliminates any other potential suitors.
Michael (non-BGS) | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 5:14 pm | #

Glen Kozlowski of the Chicago Bears comes to mind, although he was a little bigger at 6'1, 190 lbs. I think he also played a little WR, and returned some kicks. Still, anything is possible regarding an NFL career with a team looking to improve on punt and kickoff coverage.
Domer97 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 5:33 pm | #

It takes a special man to give up Renaissance capital and Goldman Sachs to come back and play some ball for the Irish

College Football Rentalsat GamedayHousing.com
GamedayHousing.com | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 8:45 pm | #

What a player! Anello alone had more highlights in '08 than the whole team did in '07!
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 9:51 pm | #

Love the clips! It should be mandatory viewing for all incoming freshman players.

Can you tell me the name of the tune and artist? Thanks!
Chris | Email | Homepage | 07.06.09 - 11:59 pm | #

Matt,

Even the band had more highlights in 2008 than the team had in 2007.

I'll definitely join in with all the Anello love. The guy is like Rudy but with talent.
Smooth Jimmy Apollo | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 1:26 am | #

Nice clips -- that's the ND attitude!

Did his leg recover OK from the injury during the USC game?
Épée Fencer | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 9:28 am | #

Still, anything is possible regarding an NFL career with a team looking to improve on punt and kickoff coverage.

Not unless he can contribute, either immediately or very soon thereafter, at another position on the field (either as a returner, running back, receiver, or defensive back). With the salary cap and the limited rosters, an NFL team does not have the luxury of carrying a player who can only play punt/kickoff coverage.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 9:32 am | #

Can someone start a Mike Anello for Heismann campaign? Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Mike Anello
Chris | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 10:59 am | #

QB Tommy Rees becomes number 11 in 2010
Biiggs | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 1:09 pm | #

Notice in the Stanford play that Bruton does the same thing as Anello. He's blocked out of the initial play, but he runs all the way across the field and is ready to make the tackle down the sideline-- Anello just got there first.

Here's hoping Anello's counterpart this year puts in the same effort.
Joe F. | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 1:18 pm | #

another commit, the sixth i think in the last 7 to 10 days. illinois qb rees.
wow, when it rains it pours.
oakvilleIrish | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 1:28 pm | #

Lottery results are out - 6 for 6, including USC!!!

https://was.nd.edu/athletics/tixl...ixlottery/ login
johnf | Email | Homepage | 07.07.09 - 9:35 pm | #

Mike Brey's most recent 'tweet':


NDMikeBrey: En route to Clev after 2nd day in Cincy with Coach Solomon and Balanis....Coach Solomon and I in Clev tomo....gourds-gaurds gaurds! about 6 hours ago


Hope the Cleveland gourds and gaurds (squared) can shoot the three!
Turf | Email | Homepage | 07.08.09 - 3:22 am | #

I realize that recruiting rankings are subjective but Rees is rated # 83!!Maybe he is actually much better than that but it seems like the latest recruits may have committed because Charlie couldn't get the 4 and 5 stars. Hendrix and Lueders seem okay but I have question marks on the others from the last 2 weeks. I hope I am wrong.
GB | Email | Homepage | 07.08.09 - 4:14 am | #

That's 83 QB and not overall.
GB | Email | Homepage | 07.08.09 - 8:17 am | #

Rees is rated low for a ND QB but I am not too worried as he is the #2 QB. If he blossoms and takes over, great. Otherwise, Hendrix (or anyone recruited next year) will be a very capable starter.
Lowayne | Email | Homepage | 07.08.09 - 8:52 am | #

Syracuse tackle is the best. Helluva heads up play.
Steve | Email | Homepage | 07.15.09 - 10:45 am | #

I gotta tell ya, I used to think it was just grit/drive that made him so good. Now I realize that this guy has great speed. The way he tracked down the Stanford return guy showed that, and his sprint against SDSU also underscores it's his speed that makes him outstanding...
lolo | Email | Homepage | 07.18.09 - 3:03 pm | #