The Irish Roundup

Yikes. What a day. Within the last twenty-four hours, it seems that:

1. A spot at Texas A&M opened back up for Kapron Lewis-Moore, who promptly recommitted to the Aggies;
2.  Mike Martin canceled his visit to Notre Dame; and
3. Kenneth Page gave a verbal commitment to Clemson.

And with those three strikes, it looks like the Irish are nearly out of non-longshot prospects for 2008. No word yet, though, on the academic situation of RB Milton Knox, who as I said on Tuesday may see an offer if his test scores are high enough, and has apparently shown some strong interest in ND. Georgia DE/OLB Keith Wells is scheduled to visit South Bend this weekend, apparently with his mother, so we’ll see how that turns out - but right now ND seems to be on the outside looking in on this one.

Don’t worry, though. I’m sure there’ll be plenty more drama before February 7th …

Well, maybe it’s just because yesterday was a federal holiday and no one had anything better to than sit at their computers and rumor-monger, but there are TONS of recruiting whispers out there. I repeat: TONS. Including some rather unbelievable news on … well, you’ll just have to read to the bottom to find out. Remember, though, you’d already know all of this stuff and more if you’d been following what was being said on the IrishEnvy boards. But forthwith, a brief rundown of some of the highlights …

Off the Irish radar:

• California RB/DB Thaddeus Brown, a high school teammate of commits Dayne Crist and Anthony McDonald, was briefly on ND’s radar as a potential recruit for the defensive secondary, but won’t be getting an offer because of academic issues.
• California DE Datone Jones, currently a UCLA verbal, had a visit to ND scheduled for late January but has since canceled it, apparently because of academic issues once again.
• No matter what they tell you, believe this: Texas RB Cyrus Gray is going to Texas A&M.
• Kansas WR/QB Chris Harper has verballed to Oregon.
• Missouri FB/ILB Will Compton was offered by the Irish, though as a fullback with a chance to play linebacker down the line. Apparently that’s not what he was looking for, and so his scheduled official visit to ND has been canceled. Last I heard he’s announcing today, between Nebraska, Missouri, and Illinois.

On the Irish radar:

• Texas DE/OLB Kapron Lewis-Moore is rumored to have decommitted from Texas A&M, a decision that may very well have been mutual. He apparently had an AWESOME time on his official visit to Notre Dame, and nearly gave his commitment on the spot. Expect some good news on National Signing Day.
• Michigan DT Mike Martin will be taking an official visit to Notre Dame this coming weekend. There have been whispers that he’s solidly back on board with the Wolverines after a visit to Ann Arbor, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high - but you never know, the kid might feel the magic.
• California RB Milton Knox, currently a UCLA verbal, is apparently awaiting test results that could earn him an ND offer. From what I recall, the longstanding sense among people who follow these things seems to have been that he’d probably accept it in a heartbeat.
• The Irish may be showing some interest in Georgia DE/OLB Keith Wells, who has withdrawn his verbal to Florida State. He may be visiting ND later this month.
• Finally, ND looks to be in pretty good shape with South Carolina OL Kenneth Page, who may have whittled down his final two to the Irish and the Clemson Tigers.

Well, not quite “finally” …

• There are … how shall I put it … lots of crazy [EDIT: and probably false. See the article linked here. And remember that I did call them "crazy" - don't hate on the messenger.] rumors flying around on the - yes, you are reading this correctly - Omar Hunter front, as ND’s courtship of him (and his of ND) may not be entirely a thing of the past. I can’t say more now, because much of this seems to be of the If I Told You I’d Have to Shoot You Fast Because My Source Would Be Coming to Shoot Me variety. Let’s just say you should keep your ear to the ground to see if these rumblings turn into a genuine earthquake … and remember, you heard it here first!