Weis lands first recruit of 2007 - Notre Dame Football Discussion

**EnviedOne** · 03-01-2006, 09:56 AM

A little more than three weeks ago, Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis wrapped up his first full recruiting class with the signing of 27 players.

On Friday, Weis landed his first recruit for next year.

Kerry Neal, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive end/tight end from Bunn, N.C., told The Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer that he has verbally committed to the Irish. Notre Dame is expected to be looking at Neal as a defensive end.

"I love Notre Dame," Neal told the newspaper. "That's where I want to go to school."

According to the paper, Weis was watching a film of Neal at 5:30 a.m. Friday when he called Bunn coach David Howle and left a message that he was offering Neal a scholarship.

Later Friday, Neal accepted the offer, despite having never visited South Bend. Nor did he have any inkling that an offer from the Irish was on its way.

"I was speechless," Neal said. "It was Notre Dame. I watch them all the time on television."

Notre Dame was the third school to offer Neal, following East Carolina and Wake Forest.

NCAA recruiting rules prohibit college coaches from publicly commenting on an unsigned recruit until the player has signed a national letter-of-intent. Signing day is in early February, roughly 49 weeks away.

"Right now I feel I am going to Notre Dame, most definitely," Neal said.

Notre Dame signed two defensive ends -- Kallen Wade and John Ryan -- earlier this month. Starting end Victor Abiamiri will be a senior this fall. Chris Frome, who started the first six games before a leg injury sidelined him for the season, is eligible for a fifth year this fall, but the school has not made announcements on fifth-year candidates.

Travis Leitko will apply for reinstatement to school for a fifth year after sitting out last season because of academic shortcomings. Ronald Talley, who made five starts after Frome's injury, will be a junior, as will backup Justin Brown, who started once. Neither Talley nor Brown played as a true freshman in 2004 and both would be eligible for a fifth year in 2008.

Notre Dame is expected to sign close to 25 players next February.

Source: South Bend Tribune

**Dannyboy Ayers** · 03-01-2006, 11:25 PM

I heard that he was going to keep his options open now. Any new news on this?

**jiggafini19** · 03-02-2006, 01:44 PM

Yeah, he said he's going to look at Wake, UNC, NC State...keep his options open.

Once he visits, I think he'll be sold. For now, he seems solid. He verballed on the spot for a reason.

03-01-2006, 09:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
EnviedOne Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Envy HQ Posts: 24,653 Cash: 266,463.45 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 266,463.45 Donate	Weis lands first recruit of 2007 A little more than three weeks ago, Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis wrapped up his first full recruiting class with the signing of 27 players. On Friday, Weis landed his first recruit for next year. Kerry Neal, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound defensive end/tight end from Bunn, N.C., told The Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer that he has verbally committed to the Irish. Notre Dame is expected to be looking at Neal as a defensive end. "I love Notre Dame," Neal told the newspaper. "That's where I want to go to school." According to the paper, Weis was watching a film of Neal at 5:30 a.m. Friday when he called Bunn coach David Howle and left a message that he was offering Neal a scholarship. Later Friday, Neal accepted the offer, despite having never visited South Bend. Nor did he have any inkling that an offer from the Irish was on its way. "I was speechless," Neal said. "It was Notre Dame. I watch them all the time on television." Notre Dame was the third school to offer Neal, following East Carolina and Wake Forest. NCAA recruiting rules prohibit college coaches from publicly commenting on an unsigned recruit until the player has signed a national letter-of-intent. Signing day is in early February, roughly 49 weeks away. "Right now I feel I am going to Notre Dame, most definitely," Neal said. Notre Dame signed two defensive ends -- Kallen Wade and John Ryan -- earlier this month. Starting end Victor Abiamiri will be a senior this fall. Chris Frome, who started the first six games before a leg injury sidelined him for the season, is eligible for a fifth year this fall, but the school has not made announcements on fifth-year candidates. Travis Leitko will apply for reinstatement to school for a fifth year after sitting out last season because of academic shortcomings. Ronald Talley, who made five starts after Frome's injury, will be a junior, as will backup Justin Brown, who started once. Neither Talley nor Brown played as a true freshman in 2004 and both would be eligible for a fifth year in 2008. Notre Dame is expected to sign close to 25 players next February. Source: South Bend Tribune __________________ IRISHENVY - MATURE AND INTELLIGENT NOTRE DAME DISCUSSION Notre Dame Ringtones - Browse a Collection of Notre Dame Ringtones! T-Shirt Promotion - Get a Free IrishEnvy T-Shirt!

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03-01-2006, 11:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dannyboy Ayers Blue Chip Recruit Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sacramento Ca Posts: 406 Cash: 1,499.75 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 1,499.75 Donate	I heard that he was going to keep his options open now. Any new news on this?

03-02-2006, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
jiggafini19 Chicago Rhetoric Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 7,362 Cash: 19,436.37 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 19,436.37 Donate	Yeah, he said he's going to look at Wake, UNC, NC State...keep his options open. Once he visits, I think he'll be sold. For now, he seems solid. He verballed on the spot for a reason.

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