USA TODAY All-USA HS Team

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USA TODAY ALL-USA

Complete List at the Link

ND Recruits of Interest

1st Team
Reuland
Young

2nd Team
Stewart
Toryan Smith
Walls
Carufel

LaRon Moore
Butch Lewis
Jimmy Clausen junior QB

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I'm surprised LaRon Moore is on there.

I'm not surprised Toryan Smith is on there. Smith is one of the best LB prospects I have ever seen.

 

[KMac151993]

I am still thinking we need to land Moore, Carufel, and McCoy to complete this class. Anyone else that comes up along the way is just a bonus but those three I believe are key, maybe another DL guy. I just dont see Clausen playing at ND nor would I want him at ND.

 

[jkmoline]

Would u want moore over young? Im just not sure where Moore would find a place to play, maybe as a third corner? He isnt going to be better than walls and mcneil. I think the need at OL is much bigger than adding a third corner. DL would be nice but if we get McCoy, and Mullen grows into the position we will be fine. I vote Carufel (who everyone thinks/knows is irish), Young, McCoy, and I think we got a good shot at landing both of them

 

[jkmoline]

Also, why would you not want Clausen? This kid is possibly the best HS QB to come around in a very long time, hes better than anyone Ive ever seen in HS and he still has another year left, that kid will be a stud wherever he goes, and under Weis you can only imagine how good he will be, taking him would be a huge land for us, and he would have a shot at playing as a true freshman. Think about Brohm, that kid was really good in hs and he had a chance to play as a freshman at Louisvill be lafors beat him out, and now as a sophmore, before he tore up his knee, the kid was a stud, Clausen is better than him, and we wont have a senior in his way, this years guys will be comp, but Clausen is better than both of them right now, and if he could grasp the playbook as a freshman would start day one, and I have no doubt our coach could prepare him that quickly, all that talent and the best coach in football, he could be something special

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I think he's probably turned off by his last name.

However, Jimmy is as good as they get. If ND landed only 5 guys next year and Jimmy was one of them, I would call it 'a damn good recruiting class'.

 

[KMac151993]

I just don't see Clausen coming to ND, the Clausen name is very well respected down South, and I am sure the Trojans have their eye on him. I am just not sold on the kid. First off we have heard this story before, Two Heisman Trophy's, etc. Plus right now we are loaded at QB. Next year we will have Quinn, Wolke, Sharpley, Jones, Frazier and at WR Bragg. Landing Clausen would create a log jam at the position, especially considering that Weis and his guys said that Frazier was the best fit QB in the country for his system. Assuming that both Jones and Frazier "redshirt" next year then they would still have 4 years of eligabilty come 2007.

 

[jkmoline]

first off wolke and sharpley are not in the class of the others so don't even name them let alone bragg, secondly if you were a high school qb looking to become a pro who would u want to coach you? thats right coach weis, ill bet this now, I bet Clausen is one of our first commitments this year, just a hunch but I feel like the kid is going to want to play for the best and weis is the best, and there is no log jam, theres a serious question about who the qb will be in 07, and neither wolke or evan can get it done, maybe zach or DD will be able to, but it never hurts to add another good one

 

[jiggafini19]

I think as a football player, Clausen is everything you could ever want.

I too have my reservations about him in regards to off the field things (private coach, dad, transferring high schools). I look at him and hear "Conquest" ringing in my ears. But that is the impression I get from the little that I know of him.

When I read things about Clausen, most of the quotes are from his coach, father, brothers or Tom Lemming. I have read very little that comes from this kid's own mouth. Thus, I cannot really judge him as of yet based on the soundbites I've seen and heard.

After all of the evaluations, if Weis can get him in here let's get him in here. But I wouldn't suicide rush him like Bama did with Tim Tebow. I think Weis is smarter than that.

 

[weisfaninmass]

Regarding Clausen, I think it will come down to USC, ND, Tenn, and the other USC -South Carolina.

Carroll has a track record of Palmer and Leinart -- hard to beat even for Weis. Clausen will be looking at competition from Sanchez who will be a Junior with 3 years of eligibility when Clausen arrives and Booty will have 1 years left. If Sanchez gets the nod next year and is a stud it will cause Clausen to lower USC in his ranking.

Weis will have a completely WIDE OPEN QB slot -- god willing -- unless Quinn leaves this year or gets hurt. Even though he will have Frazer and Jones neither will have a lock on the 07 QB position. Clausen would have to like his chances somewhat in this competition.

Fulmer will have "our almost man" in David Cutliffe as offensive coordinator. This will sell big as you need look no further than the brothers Manning. I think Mitch Mustain's choice this year will play alot into Tennessee winning or losing the Clausen battle. If Mustain does not choose Tennessee, the QB job is Clausens from day 1. If Mustain is there, he will have hugh competition all 4 years.

Spurrier has a track record of developing great COLLEGE QB's who become below average pro QB's. A guy like Clausen is looking to the NFL so expect Spurrier to lose out on this battle.

Lastly, Clausen see this as a multi-million dollar decision -- where will have the best chance to become a Top 5 pick in the draft in 4-5 years. The other things - education, college experience, National Championship etc - are important but they are window dressing.

 

[scooper]

I'm excited about Claussen, but the robo-QB, can't miss, greatest freak ever with an over-involved father has turned out for the worse more often than not. If his head's on straight, great. But I don't want Marinovich Jr. at ND.

Moline, you say Sharpley can't get it done. I'm not saying he's the guy, but how do you know? He's a true freshman this season, chances are we were'nt going to get to see him. The guy was rated almost as high coming out of HS as Quinn was. He's not some Dillingham walk-on. When the job opens up, he'll have more time in the system than anyone save for Wolke. I don't know who will run the show in 07, but with Charlie's offense, I doubt it's a true freshman. Myself, I'm kind of pulling for Jones.

Bragg, remember, was switched to WR prior to this season.

 

[jiggafini19]

Clausen won't go to South Carolina or Tennessee. That's just my best guess. I think that Rick's current experience has soured them on the program. Cutcliffe is good, but Weis and Carroll are better.

Tom Brady, Palmer and Leinart trump the Mannings and Tee Martin in most people's opinions.

This will be an SC and ND race. Clausen will wait to see how Sanchez does at SC. If Sanchez gets the job and performs well, Clausen might throw his hat into the ND mix since Quinn will be gone. If Sanchez gets the job and stumbles, I think Clausen goes to SC.

Either that or Poodle will call his cell phone and hammer him for 6 hours until he finally gives up and verbals.

 

[weisfaninmass]

This will be an SC and ND race. Clausen will wait to see how Sanchez does at SC. If Sanchez gets the job and performs well, Clausen might throw his hat into the ND mix since Quinn will be gone. If Sanchez gets the job and stumbles, I think Clausen goes to SC.
Either that or Poodle will call his cell phone and hammer him for 6 hours until he finally gives up and verbals.

Agree USC is #1 on the hit parade -- if he sees oppty to play before his senior year (ie if Sanchez not a stud). Otherwise ND or Tenn - don't discount them.

 

[irishwavend]

I am still thinking we need to land Moore, Carufel, and McCoy to complete this class. Anyone else that comes up along the way is just a bonus but those three I believe are key, maybe another DL guy. I just dont see Clausen playing at ND nor would I want him at ND.

If we take moore, we will have to question whether Urban Meyer is giving us recruiting help or not. We are done at receiver. We are in dire need of O-line since Ty F'ed us last year.

 

[irishwavend]

I think Clausen is smart enough to see that there will most certainly be a dropoff with Chow gone...Hell, you can already see that Leinart is not as good as he was last year...He is only playing with the residual left behind by Chow's wisdom in my opinion...I could be wrong, but like at NE with Charlie gone...there is a dropoff when you have a genius leave the program. I think Clausen will see that.

 

[irishwavend]

Moline, you say Sharpley can't get it done.

Sharpley is a terrific backup if you look at what he brings to the table, and I think that he may be better than the two we have coming in this year. He will certainly be more experienced, but he came in with accolades similar to Quinn, Frazer, & Jones. You figure that under Charlie's tutelage, he has no choice but to be at least decent enough to win games.

 

[jiggafini19]

I've seen more of Jones and Frazer than I have of Sharpley.

I can't judge him until the Blue and Gold Game if and when I get to see him.

 

[irishwavend]

Good point... "Touche..."

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Clausen will pick ND or USC and I sure hope we get him. The special I saw on him was incredible...tremendous talent. The Lebron James of football. He could make the difference in winning and losing to USC during his college football days. I don't want this guy beating us for years to come. He's too good!

 

[Irish Legend]

Frazer is the future in my opinion.

 

[jiggafini19]

I think Clausen is smart enough to see that there will most certainly be a dropoff with Chow gone...Hell, you can already see that Leinart is not as good as he was last year...He is only playing with the residual left behind by Chow's wisdom in my opinion...I could be wrong, but like at NE with Charlie gone...there is a dropoff when you have a genius leave the program. I think Clausen will see that.

There will be a dropoff because Leinart, White and Bush will all be gone. USC did not miss Norm Chow. Not at 50 points a game.

A few of those close games they won this year could be losses next year just because there will be some fresh faces. COULD, but probably won't. They still have more second and third team talent than just about everyone in the WAC 10. There is a very good chance they could be unbeaten when ND goe out to L.A. next November.