Maybe we can put all the basketball stuff along with football here. Starting with the Irish upsetting #8 Kentucky at home tonight. Irish played great against the young Wildcats who will no doubt be better later in the season given that they, like last year, are made up most of freshmen McDonald's All Americans who are just getting used to one another. But never the less an awesome win for the Irish! Sid has always stressed the importance of Sr. leadership, and looking at those 4 guys I can understand why this team has had such great resolve and refused to lose. Top group of Sr's in a very long time.
Yes, Terry, it is. The seniors have seen a huge transformation in the football program during their four years, which tends to feed the overall campus atmosphere. The underclassmen are filled with optimism about the future of the FB program. It's not unlike my four years 62-66, which saw a similar transformation when Ara became our coach in my junior year. IMO, under Manti's leadership, the football players have become a catalyst for togetherness among the entire student body, as seen in last night's basketball game. It's one more sign of Manti's legacy and a huge part of what makes ND so unique.
Don't you just love Louis Nix? Most of the football team was at the Kentucky game last night except for Louis who had a more important job!
Manti recieved the 2012 ARA Award this week. I have to tell you I don't know the first thing about this award. But it is unlikely to be the last award he wins. ARA AWARD
Well we've been getting so much good news lately there had to be some bad news some place. The Mattingly kid is being reported as gone, this has been coming on all fall. He apparently wants to play TE in college and is being recruited by UCLA to play TE. Apparently the Irish have been clear to him he's being recruited to play LB. Also he's been getting the desire to experience the fun of recruting and wants to take visits to schools like UCLA. The staff has told him that if he does then they no longer consider him committed. The same story for Houston Area RB, Jamel James, he wants to take visits and the coaching staff is not happy with that. Naturally he want's to travel out west to UCLA and Az.State I don't think James is a big loss as we are fairly well set for next year at RB even if Cierre Wood does not return. We'll have GAIII who should come into his own, he'll be a Jr. Also Cam McDaniel has shown me that he can be a good college TB, and don't forget we have the transfer from USC, Amir Carlisle, and freshman Will Mahone. I think we'll be ok. I am upset that Mattingly is gone though, he's a tough kid who would fit well in our scheme at LB, UCLA is lying to him and using his desire to be a TE to lure him, they will switch him to LB. Just like Anthony Barr, ND told him he was a natural at OLB/DE position and not a RB, UCLA lied to him and told him what he wanted to hear. He's a DE now.
ND <t>Terry,<br/> <br/> I don't believe I'm saying this cause normally I hate to lose ANY commitments for ANY reason but losing Mattingly or James at this point won't bother me. With Mattingly, we've been hearing mumbling about a decommit almost from the day he verballed so I already expected it. I hear James problem may be grades. Anyway, we are still in on several outstanding defensive players that they would had trouble fitting in this class if they want to commit so if those two really don't want to be part of what's happening at ND now...so be it. I agree with u about our RB situation. I think Carlisle is going to do some great things for us.</t>
For what it's worth... I never considered Mattingly a LB. The films that I've seen of this kid make him one of the best TE prospects that I've ever seen. UCLA DID lie to Anthony Barr, but they're not lying to Mattingly. He's a TE and he'll fit in just fine there in Mora's system. This Irish class didn't need him anyway. They have Heuerman at TE and one of the greatest hauls of LBs that I've ever seen. Mattingly would have been a DE for Kelly and that's not what he wanted...
Well Mattingly has offically reopened his recruiting. Win some lose some... He's a good player, but if he want's to be a TE I think we don't need him, if he wants to be a LB then I think he's a loss. Although based on what I read we are going to close recruiting pretty strong with some excellent guys to take his spot. Good Luck to the Kid.
Jaylon Smith has been named Indiana Mr. Football. This means that the past two Mr. Footballs are ND recruits. Last year, Gunner Kiel won the award. Indiana Mr. Football Announcement
ND <t>Manti is a special player and young man. ND has been very lucky to have him as a part of the program for the last four years. You couldn't ask for a better representative of the University or a better player on the field. Win or lose the NC game, it's been great having him playing for ND.</t>
Jimmy Byrne a highly rated OL from St. Ignatius in Cleveland. He is the 4th member of the 2014 class. Always need plenty of the big uglies!
ND <t>Well Manti didn't win the Heisman but we did get a early Christmas present......A 5* RB from Florida, Greg Bryant gave his verbal this weekend!!</t>