I hope Neal does not prove to be too high in maintenance, like a couple high profilers, that caused us some concern.
List of who was "stolen" from us and who we stole back from 2002-2011. And the numbers are surprising. 22 changed their mind and decommitted from another school to attend ND. 21 de-committed from ND for another school. Also, with 2012 TBD, the ultimate on the field performance of the guys who decommitted from ND is less than sterling. 2012: Nd lost Perkins, Decker, Darby, Greenberry. Picked up Jones, Kiel 2011: ND lost Hayes, Prestwood (but got him back on a transfer) Burton, Okotcha. Picked up Lynch, Tuitt, Hounshell, Martin, Golson 2010: ND lost Bernard, Chris Martin , Luedders. Picked up Massa, Roback, (later transferred), TJ Jones, Schwenke, Spond 2009 : ND lost Nyshier Oliver (suspended at UT for shoplifting), Marlon Pollard. Picked up Shaquelle Evans (later transferred to UCLA) 2008: ND lost Omar Hunter who had a decidedly mediocre career at UF. ND picked up Jonas Gray, Trevor Robinson, KLM 2007: ND lost Chris Little, Greg Little, Justin Trattou. Picked up Brian Smith, Gary Gray and Brandon Walker 2006: Nobody either way 2005: Lost David Nelson (also a very mediocore career at UF), Martin Frierson,, Lawrence Wilson (hurt most of the time and never started at OSU), Brandon Harrison. Picked up Steve Quinn. 2004: Lost Ryan Baker. Picked up no-one. 2003: Lost David Marrerro. Picked up Dwight Stephenson, LaBrose Hedgemon, Geoff Price 2002 Lost Van Alstyne and Josh Hannum. Pikced up Bob Morton.
Recruiting <t>Terry,<br/> <br/> Yeah this recruiting stuff over the last couple of seasons has really pissed me off more than once. I can't tell you how disappointed I am in a couple of these young men. Darby was a kid I would have bet money would not decommit. I listened to some of his comments before and then right after he gave his verbal and he was just blown away by ND, couldn't wait to get to SB. No doubt in his mind. No place else he would consider going etc., etc., etc......yeah right. Decker was another one I found hard to believe. How many times did I hear him say he was 100% Irish.....yeah right. You can't take anything they say seriously until they have signed..you just can't. <br/> <br/> Greenberry was a little different. Different attitude. He even lied to his friend T Shepard. he said all along that wherever Shepard went he was going to go too. They wanted to stay together.....yeah right.<br/> <br/> I now have a different take on this whole thing. Until these guys send in a LOI I really don't care what they say and I'm not interested in watching any of their highlight reels, interviews etc. No since getting excited until they have signed. I think I can maintain a little sanity and avoid depression this way. After they sign, then I can start to get excited. <br/> <br/> Speaking of excited, I like what I seen from the Neal kid. Lot of talent. <br/> <br/> What was the deal with Neal and OSU?</t>
re: 2012 decommits The only one I miss is Darby. I think he's a special player; a real shut-down corner with Olympic speed. FSU got a great one there, but you can't get 'em all. re: Davonte Neal He's not a replacement for Floyd or Greenberry. In fact, he's not a WR at all. This kid solves two problems: slot receiver and punt returner. I was amazed at his films. He looks like a bigger, faster version of Anthony Davis: a true break-away threat who can cut back at full speed. That's a rare quality that few have. Denard Robinson has killed the Irish with that ability in recent years and now we have one too. Yes, his attitude worries me, but this guy may be worth it, IF he can stay out of trouble. Athletically, he's the real deal. Check it out: <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZVSvnv0q4-o?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Sid, if you need a place to hide out..err I mean visit--we have a spare bedroom and an affable guard dog to protect you from surprise visitors.
New WR Recruit <r>James Onwualu, WR Minn<br/> <br/> He chose the Irish over a final four that included Stanford, Minnesota and Michigan, but says he’s 100 percent with Notre Dame and won’t be taking any visits to other schools.<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> I've heard this before <E>:roll:</E></r>
Good player and a welcome addition to the program. I'm with you Tim though, it's a long way till Feb 2013. Most likely somebody who is one of our verbals will change his mind and we'll probably get some kid who was a verbal to another school. In the words of Urban Meyer, a verbal just defines the competition.
Meyer <r>Terry,<br/> <br/> coincidentally, Ohio St. also offered this kid. I'm just sayin' <E>:shock:</E></r>
New Recruit <t>O.K., so I said I wasn't gonna get too excited this year about recruits until signing day but......I can't help myself. ND got a verbal from Hunter Biven today from Owensboro KY. He's a 6'7" OL and I really like this kid. 4 star rated by all recruiting services and has offers from lots of big time programs. Welcome aboard Mr. Biven. Please don't re-nig on your commit!</t>
2 0L's today Tim, Bivin and McGovern...both big boys 6'7" 280lb.. Add in Steve Elmer and the OL looks good right now. :wink: :wink: :wink:
Shepard <r>Terry,<br/> <br/> I'm seeing some blurbs about T Shepard having some sort of heart condition.<br/> <QUOTE><s> </e></QUOTE> Heard any of this yet?</r>
Tim, Maybe it is a heart condition. If it is I wonder why he's not coming back to Notre Dame, he recently commented that he hoped to be cleared to play by May...somewhere. BTW I see we signed another OL and another big dude again. This guy McGlinchery, is 6'9" 280.
Holy cow! Mike McGlinchey out of the Philadelphia area really is 6'9"! What a bunch of horses in this class! The smallest lineman is 6'6"! http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/recruiting/notre-dame-football-recruiting/6758-mcglinchey-pulls-the-trigger BTW- The name Mike McGlinchey is already famous in Ireland and Scotland where he played for Celtic. I wonder if it's any relation? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McGlinchey Somehow I have the feeling that Kelly is recruiting lads who WON'T switch to Ohio State this time around...heh...heh...