Oh yeah and 2018 recruiting starts in earnest this weekend as the Irish host a number of Jr's who are targets. We do have a good base for the class already and hopefully the new staff guys are going to make a difference. Could be a bounce back year both in recruiting and on the field....or not! :?
ND <t>Well so far it looks like one of Elko's strengths may just be recruiting. He's doing well so far. I don't recall BVG doing much of anything on the recruiting trail.</t>
Some of us on here have commented over the last several years that ND seems slow on defense. I offered the comment that indecision slows great athletes down. This article would seem to substantiate that theory: http://notredame.247sports.com/Article/Lea-brings-energy-aggression-to-Irish-linebackers-51084916
That was a good article George. I certainly hope that Elko and Lea can infuse something into this Irish defense. It did get better almost as soon as BVG was let go, and I do think we have some talent, not Alabama or Ohio State level of talent but we have better talent than we have shown on the field. We'll know for sure by the end of September with Georgia and Mich State on the Sept schedule. If not then instead of maybe a 9-3 season we'll be looking at a 7-5 season that due to Kelly's unpopular ratings amongst the fans will seem like the Bataan Death march. The scary thing about our defense isn't the LB's or even the DB's it's the DL ...rumors are that Daniel Cage might be done with football same thing as Corey Robinson. That leaves the DL a little light in the britches.
Game plan to your resources. Our O-Line is buigger than almost every ine they face. As we have learned, that is no guarantee of success.
Big surprise, the Irish picked up a graduate transfer from Michigan! BK had hinted that we might be bringing in a transfer, but he (Fuddy Canteen) is a WR and I did not think that was an area of need. He didn't play for the Wolverines last year Injury I think, don't know anything about where he was ranked comming out of high school or what his career has been like at UM.
Tim, Maybe Freddie Canteen, class of 0f 2014 for Michigan. Wide Receiver and Safety from Annapolis Md. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT3Du1b04AM
Picked up a 4* CB from Detroit Cass Tech, very unusual those kids usually go to Mich or Mich State. He's reportedly releated to George "The Iceman" Gervin. I think they are expecting a few more from this weekend, not necessarily this week but they feel that they hit it big with several of the kids.
Holy Cow another DB commit, Derrik Allen a S from Georgia. Consensus Top 50 player. Maybe this Elko guy can recruit. According to ISD he is 6'2" - 210, can play Safety and can drop down and play the run and can also play corner. Big time player.
ND <t>Holy Cow is right Terry. <br/> <br/> The 6-1, 205-pounder is one of the truly elite defensive backs in his class. Allen has already earned an invite and committed to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.<br/> <br/> Allen chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and many others.<br/> <br/> Nice, very nice!!!</t>
Sid, Allen height/weight difference is due to where he is with his high top fade hairdo...right after a trim he's 6'1", when he really needs his hair cut badly he's 6'2" :lol: This is the fastest start I can remember in Irish recruiting. Everything I've read about the Stepp kid from Indy is that he's closed on more recruits for the Irish than BVG did in his entire time at ND. Very impressed with what this new staff is doing. I've also read that both Fr. Jenkins and Swarbrick are very active in helping the process, meeting with parents and kids to assure them that ND is committed to playing at a high level and competing for Nat'l Championships.
kp, After a 4-8 season, our hearts already are broken. I've never been one to get excited about early recruiting, but I'm starved for some good news to mend my heart on this Valentine's Day.