Mike Haywood's Visit to Oklahoma

[jiggafini19]

Trolled over to BGI and saw some interesting info via Jason Sapp.

Mike Haywood was in Oklahoma this week and this trip might be the most important for the Irish recruiting efforts to date.

Haywood's main objectives:

1. Visit Gerald McCoy at home. McCoy's mother came away very impressed with Notre Dame. This would be the crown jewel of the class on defense along with Darrin Walls. McCoy might end up being a DT great at ND or wherever he goes. I think this is the guy ND needs to get more than anyone else right now.

2. Talk to George West about early enrollment. West's decision to enroll early will help this class a great deal. It will allow ND to get both McCoy and Young, possibly moving Olson to DT and giving ND a player at just about every position for the class.

He also went to Texas to look at a junior WR Terrance Tolliver, a 6-5 kid that is getting lots of attention. Remember that name.

The final brick in the wall probably hinges on this visit and the job Haywood did.

 

[Irish Envy]

Trolled over to BGI and saw some interesting info via Jason Sapp.

Mike Haywood was in Oklahoma this week and this trip might be the most important for the Irish recruiting efforts to date.

Haywood's main objectives:

1. Visit Gerald McCoy at home. McCoy's mother came away very impressed with Notre Dame. This would be the crown jewel of the class on defense along with Darrin Walls. McCoy might end up being a DT great at ND or wherever he goes. I think this is the guy ND needs to get more than anyone else right now.

2. Talk to George West about early enrollment. West's decision to enroll early will help this class a great deal. It will allow ND to get both McCoy and Young, possibly moving Olson to DT and giving ND a player at just about every position for the class.

He also went to Texas to look at a junior WR Terrance Tolliver, a 6-5 kid that is getting lots of attention. Remember that name.

The final brick in the wall probably hinges on this visit and the job Haywood did.

That's pretty huge. Hopefully things went well.

 

[bigdon]

I was hoping that McCoy had already made up his mind but the Haywood visit leads me to believe he is undecided or they think he is leaning away from ND.

I agree he is the missing link in this class. We can talk about moving Olson to DT but McCoy is the genuine article. I have always been skeptical since he rated his ND visit a "9" and some of the positive comments he's made about USC.

Haywood is the man now. Hope he can bring him home.

 

[jiggafini19]

The staff has visited just about everyone, but you're right....McCoy is a toss up.

Whoever gets him wins the jackpot.

 

[ND Lifer]

He just came out and said again he would announce Feb. 1. This came after Haywood's visit. My take is he's USC and Carroll told him to announce Feb. 1 to put it to ND again, ala Reggie Bush. Just a hunch. Otherwise, why wouldn't he announce ND now, especially after Haywood's home visit. We should watch to see if there is any new direction in ND's focus on other recruits, especially Kates. I'd prefer McCoy over Kates, but I guess we can't hope get everybody we want all the time. If ND keeps one slot open until Feb. 1, then maybe we do have McCoy. Time will tell.

 

[BigIrish]

My take is he's USC and Carroll told him to announce Feb. 1 to put it to ND again, ala Reggie Bush. Just a hunch.

you're kidding, right? i'm not sure even carroll would stoop so low, but if he's the type of kid that would go along with it, we don't need him.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he announce ND now, especially after Haywood's home visit.

everybody wants a present to open on christmas day. maybe the irish want to grab a couple headlines themselve come signing day.

 

[jiggafini19]

you're kidding, right? i'm not sure even carroll would stoop so low, but if he's the type of kid that would go along with it, we don't need him.
everybody wants a present to open on christmas day. maybe the irish want to grab a couple headlines themselve come signing day.

You're the man BigIrish.

Yes, ND needs SOMETHING to occur on Signing Day. The pub will be good for juniors to see. The Army AA Game will get them some with Carufel and maybe Young. Or McCoy and Young on Feb. 1.

Pete Carroll strikes me as the type that would illegally block his own mother in the back on special teams.

He'd probably screw himself to get an advantage.

 

[jiggafini19]

December 9, 2005
McCoy Will Take Decision To The Wire
by DAN SILVER

Gerald McCoy, the huge defensive tackle from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City knows when he will make his decision. What he doesn’t know is which school he will choose that day, at least publicly.

“I am still considering a whole bunch of schools,” McCoy said, refusing to even narrow his list down to four or five.

“Gerald is very sensitive about letting down the coaches who have been so good to him. He really thinks that all of the coaches from all of the schools. have been so good to him and he has developed a relationship with them. Gerald is very loyal,” his father explained.

Rumors have swirled that McCoy is delaying a decision to appease the Sooner fans before he leaves the state for another school, should he opt to not play in his backyard for Bob Stoops.

“That does not play a part in my decision at all because I haven’t picked any school yet,” McCoy said dismissing any such notion.

Is he really undecided? Maybe his acting ability is on par with his football ability because he was sure not to drop any hints.

“I am not able to do that,” he answered when asked if he could eliminate at least one school he has been rumored to be considering.

Regardless, McCoy knows when he will let the nation know of his decision. The nation’s top programs are hungry for McCoy’s services as he totaled 82 tackles, 20 sacks and 13 forced fumbles this year in a 10-game season.

“I will wait until signing day to make my decision, or announce it, anyway,” he said, perhaps offering the first glimpse of the possibility that he will have made up his mind prior to announcing it on signing day.

As for the venue, well, as his father said, he is loyal.

“Everyone at my high school, coaches, players, and teachers have been great to me, and I will make my announcement at my high school gym,” said the 6-foot-4, 305 pound senior.

McCoy also indicated that his announcement will be televised. Collegiate coaches and fans across the country will have to tune in later as McCoy is one of those rare players that is worth the wait.

 

[bigdon]

You're the man BigIrish.
Yes, ND needs SOMETHING to occur on Signing Day. The pub will be good for juniors to see. The Army AA Game will get them some with Carufel and maybe Young. Or McCoy and Young on Feb. 1.
Pete Carroll strikes me as the type that would illegally block his own mother in the back on special teams.
He'd probably screw himself to get an advantage.

I agree with the part about Carroll but can't buy the "pub" part. I think is would be out of character for Weis to use a recruit as a pawn in some publicity grab. And if McCoy would be subject to that type of proposition he'd better think again about the ethical quality of the ND staff.

ND doesn't need SOMETHING on signing day. What they need is for McCoy and Young, and yes, Carufel to say they are going to ND, and the sooner that happens the better.

I have tried to understand why a recruit, who knows where he is going, would not say so and stop all the speculation. If he is undecided he has every right to ponder his choice. But to drag this out til signing day seems to me to be a a tactic to grab attention and if that is the case I have a problem with it.

The argument that these are only 17 year old boys and are subject to manipulation doesn't move me. They are being guided by parents and high school coaches who are not novice to the recruiting system. Granted that they might be confused by the presentations but IF THEY HAVE DECIDED let's hear it.

 

[scooper]

They enjoy the pub. For 2-3 years, they've had every coach in the country how great they are. They see internet boards touting their abilities with thousands of people they've never met tabbing them as the next "messiah." Reporters from various services hound them and hang on their every word. Let's face it. Many kids enjoy this. Some would rather do away with it, make a decision and move on.

It would be easy to label the kids who relish in the process as prima donas, but you really have to take it on a kid by kid basis. If it's fun, enjoy it, as long as you're not hurting anyone else. And as long as your reasons don't get too self indulgent. In many cases, a big name announcing for a certain program on the day when the recruiting lights are the brightest can mean big things down the road for that program. It makes the next crop of kids sit up and notice.

If McCoy wants ND and wants to announce on the first, I say we relish the attention. If he waits and announces for another school, so be it. This class is strong with or without him. Nobody will have egg on their face, unlike past signing day snubs.

 

[jiggafini19]

CJ Leak.

Lorenzo Booker.

Reggie Bush.

All ND screwjobs on Signing Day. Weis knows the history of this program. I think ND is going to want to have a piece of the action on the day itself. Just a hunch.

I think these public announcements have been pretty coreographed.

 

[scooper]

I wouldn't be surprised, Jigg. I feel the same way about the AA game. I think Weis sees that as a grand stage, especially with so many talented juniors taking part in the festivities during the week.

Often times, recruiting is all about momentum. Kids want to go where things appear to be rolling. To see a bunch of highly ranked kids pulling out ND hats on national TV may make a kid think "that's the place I want to go."

 

[BigIrish]

ehh....i disagree bigdon. there's no "pawn in a publicity grab" issue here. that would suggest that McCoy doesn't know he's a big deal. you think these blue chip recruits don't know that guys like us are drooling over the thought of them coming to play for our school?

the strategic release of verbal commitments isn't the least bit unethical. it's public relations 101. you're holding these kids to an unfair standard. it's their big day, whether it's national signing day or otherwise. it's their right to choose when they announce their school of choice. it's a big deal for them, and a big deal for the school, and it's their right to enjoy it. that doesn't make it sinister if they agree to wait until national signing day.

besides, some people like to try on a decision before they make it public. think a guy like mustain might wish now that he'd withheld his announcement, even though he had a pretty good idea where he was going?

let's be clear - nobody's advocating the withholding of a verbal commitment and misrepresenting your intentions, i.e. - leading another coach and school on in a wild goose chase.

 

[bigdon]

ehh....i disagree bigdon. there's no "pawn in a publicity grab" issue here. that would suggest that McCoy doesn't know he's a big deal. you think these blue chip recruits don't know that guys like us are drooling over the thought of them coming to play for our school?

the strategic release of verbal commitments isn't the least bit unethical. it's public relations 101. you're holding these kids to an unfair standard. it's their big day, whether it's national signing day or otherwise. it's their right to choose when they announce their school of choice. it's a big deal for them, and a big deal for the school, and it's their right to enjoy it. that doesn't make it sinister if they agree to wait until national signing day.

besides, some people like to try on a decision before they make it public. think a guy like mustain might wish now that he'd withheld his announcement, even though he had a pretty good idea where he was going?

let's be clear - nobody's advocating the withholding of a verbal commitment and misrepresenting your intentions, i.e. - leading another coach and school on in a wild goose chase.

NO1 If publicity on signing is Weis' motive then we must assume that he is confident about McCoy. I am not in that frame of mind.

N0 2 Publicity is a two edged sword. If McCoy says that he chooses USC on signing day I think we have to take our hats off to Carroll. He will have passed "publicity 101" with flying colors. I doubt we be willing to accord him that grade.

N0 3 In my opinion Weis would get as much (maybe more) publicity if McCoy would commit NOW. There are still recruits on the limb (Young,Lewis) who might be swayed by that commit. " if it's good enough for McCoy it's good enough for me"

N0 4 Leak, Bush, Boozer--We consider them to be ND screwups!! We have no love for Bush because we think he Screwed ND. But I have not read any post that praised Carroll for his part in that saga. Wasn't that the essence of Publicity 101? Now we are saying that Weis would like a piece of that pie!! Let me repeat--If Weis has McCoy in his pocket let it go until signing day. If not beware of the negative publicity if USC is the choice.

 

[jiggafini19]

ND has three major factors that favor them with McCoy:

1. George West.
2. Jason Kates.
3. Landri and Laws

West is McCoy's buddy and they talk. West has put in his two cents. His EE could also allow ND to grab McCoy and Young.

Kates is not in with ND as of now. McCoy knows as far as DTs go, he's still ND's guy if he wants the spot.

Landri and Laws are played well this year despite being undersized and overworked due to lack of depth. McCoy will be working with them daily in practice and will then assume the star role in his second year.

 

[BigIrish]

N0 3 In my opinion Weis would get as much (maybe more) publicity if McCoy would commit NOW. There are still recruits on the limb (Young,Lewis) who might be swayed by that commit. " if it's good enough for McCoy it's good enough for me"
N0 4 Leak, Bush, Boozer--We consider them to be ND screwups!! We have no love for Bush because we think he Screwed ND. But I have not read any post that praised Carroll for his part in that saga. Wasn't that the essence of Publicity 101? Now we are saying that Weis would like a piece of that pie!! Let me repeat--If Weis has McCoy in his pocket let it go until signing day. If not beware of the negative publicity if USC is the choice.

you're right on point #4, bigdon. it's a game we choose to play. if we lose McCoy to so cal, then yes, hats off to carroll for getting the best of us on that one. BUT, assuming things don't go our way in the case of McCoy, it's still a different situation the fellas listed above. Those guys all showed strong leans toward the irish, but they flip flopped at the end. McCoy isn't doing that. he's not leading anybody on here.

i still disagree on point #3, though. weis (more importantly, ND) won't get more publicity if McCoy verbals today rather than February. News fades fast, and by signing day, the headlines wouldn't read "Irish land prize recruit" because the class was already rounded out months ago. the junior recruits are watching, though, and a consistent string of commitments - at the army all star game and national signing day - keeps the momentum going.

i'm not sure the "good enough for him, good enough for me" logic is applicable here. it may have been relevant earlier on, but if 23 commits and a top three ranking isn't enough to sway a kid, one more commit isn't going to do the trick.

 

[jiggafini19]

Weis, as we all know by now, is very meticulous and organized. I really believe that this recruiting class has been as carefully mapped out as his offensive gameplan for a Saturday.

It seems everything comes in pairs. Within days, we should see Reuland go public as Irish and George West decide on early enrollment.

Hopefully there are no surprises.