'13 FL CB MacKensie Alexander (Clemson Verbal)

[connect the dots]

It has been commented that Notre Dame has a difficult mission in recruiting south Florida football players. Rural communities such as Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Immokalee produce some gifted athletes that prefer committing to in state schools. The fact is that many of these athletes are not prepared for the Notre Dame experience. Notre Dame as an academic/social destination is just too intimidating. It is an experience beyond their comfort level. In the recruitment of Immokalee's MacKensie Alexander, Notre Dame has some advantages. His coach, Jerrod Ackley has built a disciplined and structured football program, and his players know that Coach Ackley has their backs in the recruiting process. MacKensie's extended campus visit would have included input from Coach Ackley. Keep in mind, Coach Ackley has been on campus. He was invited by Brian Kelley to be a guest speaker at last summer's high school coach football camp. Another advantage in MacKensie's recruitment to Notre Dame would be defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks. While at Wisconsin, Cooks recruited Immokallee's Aaron Henry to play for the Badgers. This past season, Henry was not only a first team Big Ten safety, but also awarded academic Big Ten as well.

 

[PANDFAN]

@RivalsCNee: Another unconfirmed attendee at #Miami this morning for camp - Rivals100 CB Mackensie Alexander. The four-star most recently visited #ND.


It doesn't sound like much but there is a guy from InsidetheCanes that goes to HS with Mackensie that claims that the whole reason he cooled on Miami is that he actually didn't have an offer because their staff told him they wanted him to camp there first. Just interesting.


I hope I don't get nuked.

i see what you did there

It has been commented that Notre Dame has a difficult mission in recruiting south Florida football players. Rural communities such as Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Immokalee produce some gifted athletes that prefer committing to in state schools. The fact is that many of these athletes are not prepared for the Notre Dame experience. Notre Dame as an academic/social destination is just too intimidating. It is an experience beyond their comfort level. In the recruitment of Immokalee's MacKensie Alexander, Notre Dame has some advantages. His coach, Jerrod Ackley has built a disciplined and structured football program, and his players know that Coach Ackley has their backs in the recruiting process. MacKensie's extended campus visit would have included input from Coach Ackley. Keep in mind, Coach Ackley has been on campus. He was invited by Brian Kelley to be a guest speaker at last summer's high school coach football camp. Another advantage in MacKensie's recruitment to Notre Dame would be defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks. While at Wisconsin, Cooks recruited Immokallee's Aaron Henry to play for the Badgers. This past season, Henry was not only a first team Big Ten safety, but also awarded academic Big Ten as well.

do we have an insider on situation now posting???? serious question

 

[NDdomer2]

It has been commented that Notre Dame has a difficult mission in recruiting south Florida football players. Rural communities such as Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Immokalee produce some gifted athletes that prefer committing to in state schools. The fact is that many of these athletes are not prepared for the Notre Dame experience. Notre Dame as an academic/social destination is just too intimidating. It is an experience beyond their comfort level. In the recruitment of Immokalee's MacKensie Alexander, Notre Dame has some advantages. His coach, Jerrod Ackley has built a disciplined and structured football program, and his players know that Coach Ackley has their backs in the recruiting process. MacKensie's extended campus visit would have included input from Coach Ackley. Keep in mind, Coach Ackley has been on campus. He was invited by Brian Kelley to be a guest speaker at last summer's high school coach football camp. Another advantage in MacKensie's recruitment to Notre Dame would be defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks. While at Wisconsin, Cooks recruited Immokallee's Aaron Henry to play for the Badgers. This past season, Henry was not only a first team Big Ten safety, but also awarded academic Big Ten as well.

Excellent first post! Welcome to IE!

 

[clashmore_mike]

Ha that screen name is interesting.

 

[NDdomer2]

Ha that screen name is interesting.

Hopefully they connect like this:

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Hopefully they connect like this:

I took Geometry in high school.

 

[Irish YJ]

It has been commented that Notre Dame has a difficult mission in recruiting south Florida football players. Rural communities such as Belle Glade, Pahokee, and Immokalee produce some gifted athletes that prefer committing to in state schools. The fact is that many of these athletes are not prepared for the Notre Dame experience. Notre Dame as an academic/social destination is just too intimidating. It is an experience beyond their comfort level. In the recruitment of Immokalee's MacKensie Alexander, Notre Dame has some advantages. His coach, Jerrod Ackley has built a disciplined and structured football program, and his players know that Coach Ackley has their backs in the recruiting process. MacKensie's extended campus visit would have included input from Coach Ackley. Keep in mind, Coach Ackley has been on campus. He was invited by Brian Kelley to be a guest speaker at last summer's high school coach football camp. Another advantage in MacKensie's recruitment to Notre Dame would be defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks. While at Wisconsin, Cooks recruited Immokallee's Aaron Henry to play for the Badgers. This past season, Henry was not only a first team Big Ten safety, but also awarded academic Big Ten as well.

Yes, excellent post. Love fact and data.

 

[clashmore_mike]

http://www.irishsportsdaily.com/recruiting/premium-football-recruiting/7185-alexander-enjoys-nd-trip

 

[ab2cmiller]

Mackensie and his brother camped at Miami yesterday. Someone was tweeting that the coaches asked both of them to call the Miami coaches last night and speculated that they may have finally got their offers.

So much for the "not considering Miami" line. I can only hope that he only camped in order to try to get his brother an offer. I'm sure Mackensies interest in ND is real, but I'm suspecting that Miami may suddenly be back in consideration.

 

[stlnd01]

Mackensie and his brother camped at Miami yesterday. Someone was tweeting that the coaches asked both of them to call the Miami coaches last night and speculated that they may have finally got their offers.

So much for the "not considering Miami" line. I can only hope that he only camped in order to try to get his brother an offer. I'm sure Mackensies interest in ND is real, but I'm suspecting that Miami may suddenly be back in consideration.

I'm not sure at this point how someone looks at the the programs/schools and objectively chooses Miami over ND. So if we lose this guy to Miami, it's hard to believe we were really going to get him anyway.
If he's that serious about playing with his brother, or that committed to staying in Florida, there's not much we can do but wish him the best. I, for one, would just as soon not repeat the Aaron Lynch experience.
But, for now, we're in the hunt, which is great. Think it's gonna be a long one.

 

[nvirish]

Miami has its date with the NCAA in the next couple months. Miami could get hit hard or get off easy. Depends if they grow some balls.

 

[FLDomer]

Miami has its date with the NCAA in the next couple months. Miami could get hit hard or get off easy. Depends if they grow some balls.

I read somewhere recently that some Higher Ups at Miami say that the NCAA ruling could be as far away as after next signing day, some time in 2013.

 

[PANDFAN]

I read somewhere recently that some Higher Ups at Miami say that the NCAA ruling could be as far away as after next signing day, some time in 2013.

i too read something on this site about it...i believe it came from espn

 

[FLDomer]

i too read something on this site about it...i believe it came from espn

thank ya sir!

 

[PANDFAN]

thank ya sir!

Report: Miami doesn’t expect NCAA ruling until 2013 | CollegeFootballTalk

A Miami Herald column*from earlier this week states “a high-level UM official said the school hasn’t been given an updated timetable by the NCAA but will not be surprised if it doesn’t receive its punishment until after National Signing Day in February.”

there ya go

 

[nvirish]

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[yankeeND]

Report: Miami doesn’t expect NCAA ruling until 2013 | CollegeFootballTalk

A Miami Herald column*from earlier this week states “a high-level UM official said the school hasn’t been given an updated timetable by the NCAA but will not be surprised if it doesn’t receive its punishment until after National Signing Day in February.”

there ya go

Wow! I hope these kids realize that Miami's penaltys look to be very severe and really investigate their options so that they aren't stuck in a bad situation.

 

[FLDomer]

Wow! I hope these kids realize that Miami's penaltys look to be very severe and really investigate their options so that they aren't stuck in a bad situation.

Ask the Miami fans and they think they are gonna get off scott free! I really hope they are just being their normal ignorant selves.

 

[RuntheBall]

Not sure if this would really help or hurt Miami. Of course the penalties won't be there when they commit, but there is still an air of mystery of what the penalties will be. The recruit could gloss that over in their mind, making it seem like Miami will be fine, but that probably isn't the type of guy we would get anyway (someone looking for excuses to stay in FL).

If I were committing I would rather the NCAA hand down the penalty first so I knew what the deal was.

Of course the Miami coaches will probably say its nothing/ tell them its not big deal. But Im sure other coaches will be neg recruiting Miami hard with this.

Does the whole not knowing the penalties hurts Miami make any sense to you guys?

 

[stlnd01]

Does the whole not knowing the penalties hurts Miami make any sense to you guys?

Sure. It's one thing to know what you're dealing with. Something else entirely to commit to a place and then have the penalties be worse than you were expecting. Also, the longer it takes to hand down sanctions, the more of a recruit's career those sanctions are going to affect.

For the same reason, if I were Miami I'd want this over with as soon as possible. Hell, look at USC. Their bowl ban is over and they're being ticketed for the title game.

 

[yankeeND]

FLdomer, I'm sure they got the "who dunnit' look going right now, but hopefully the parents step in and make sure they know what their son is getting into before they get stuck in that mess.

 

[ChiRish]

Good lord the NCAA is worthless. Hands down penalties years after the infractions occur and never with any sense of regularity or consistency. What could they be doing right now? They don't have the evidence already? Handing down major penalties doesn't actually penalize those who committed the infractions besides the school. Think Reggie Bush gives a sh!t about his recruiting violations when he's making millions in the pros? Yet one more area the NCAA has to sort out.

 

[Irish#1]

It's always hard to pull big-time players out of Florida because there are three in-state powerhouses (at least traditionally) and a ton more regional competition. Your family and freinds are almost certainly hoping you choose one of those schools so they get to be part of your college career. How can you knock a kid for putting family first (not to say the family should always being putting promximity first, but that is a differnt matter)?

On the other hand, I love our chances with quiet, thoughtful kids that are willing to travel on their own dime because of what ND offers. If you are willing to work, and interested in developing academically and spiritually, ND really is unique (note: I did not say objectively superior).

Here's hoping!

That's good point, but on the other hand, the parents could say "look at the education and opportunity you will get with a degree from ND. It will give you a chance to get out of this area and make something for yourself."

 

[ALLGATOR]

I will be shocked if he leaves the south. Kids really don't care about sanctions and why should they?

 

[bert2834]

They should care about sanctions.

If you want to win, you as many of the best players on your side as you can and you want to play in a major bowl game.

Would you like to play for the buckeyes this year as a senior and know that you have zero chance to win the natinal title even if you go 12-0?

I know you are probably thinking that by the time these kids are seniors that the sanctions will be done with, but if it is just an all around dirty program, chances are more sanctions are coming.


Come on man!

 

[Classic Irish]

They should care about sanctions.

If you want to win, you as many of the best players on your side as you can and you want to play in a major bowl game.

Would you like to play for the buckeyes this year as a senior and know that you have zero chance to win the natinal title even if you go 12-0?

I know you are probably thinking that by the time these kids are seniors that the sanctions will be done with, but if it is just an all around dirty program, chances are more sanctions are coming.


Come on man!

Not only may more sanctions be coming, but doesn't it say something about your own integrity if you have no problem playing for a dirty program?

 

[NDBoiler]

Not only may more sanctions be coming, but doesn't it say something about your own integrity if you have no problem playing for a dirty program?

I can't speak for you, but when I was 17-18 years old, I wouldn't exactly consider my integrity all that high on my list of concerns.

 

[FLDomer]

Miami WAS a dirty program at one time but that is a thing of the past and something that Randy Shannon started to change (he was hamstrung by higher ups at the Univ). Al Golden is a straight shooter and wont put up with shady goings on under his watch. I could see the attraction of a young man playing for a coach like Golden and you also got to remember these kids were not around during there really dirty times so playen for Miami is no worse in their minds than a UF, UGA, Clemson, FSU or even USC (All schools with recent issues or rumors of shady stuff)

 

[peoriairish]

I was re-reading the 247 thread on the 7on7 tourney this weekend and noticed something interesting. Stampini thinks that Mackensie is equal, if not better than Hargreaves. This gets me giddy because I have a sneaking suspicion we end up stealing Alexander from under the nose of the Fla powers.

 

[yankeeND]

^ yeah bro I have a gut feeling about that too! I personally like Mac better but wouldn't turn my nose up either way, both are elite.