'13 FL RB Tarean Folston (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[Chris P. Bacon]

Bash Auburn all you want, but they do (although debatable how it was attained) have a crystal football that wasn't won when Alf was still on the air, and play in the toughest division in the toughest conference in CFB. That has to have some appeal even in the wake of a season that was an abortion, to put it mildly.

We'll see what happens, but don't kid yourself, recruits see Auburn as a good landing spot, even if we don't.

Yeah they have a crystal ball that was won by Cam Newton. What have they done since and before that? Chizik obviously was not the coach everyone thought he was. The uncertainty at the coaching position, and the fact that yes, they have to play in the toughest conference, but as of late AU isn't holding their own in the SEC since Cam has left. So yeah you get to play in the toughest conference, but your also getting your butts whooped in the toughest conference. I don't know, I definitely see your point IrishSteelhead, but this is also the flip side of your point.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Yeah they have a crystal ball that was won by Cam Newton. What have they done since and before that? Chizik obviously was not the coach everyone thought he was. The uncertainty at the coaching position, and the fact that yes, they have to play in the toughest conference, but as of late AU isn't holding their own in the SEC since Cam has left. So yeah you get to play in the toughest conference, but your also getting your butts whooped in the toughest conference. I don't know, I definitely see your point IrishSteelhead, but this is also the flip side of your point.

In the BCS era:

Auburn has won 2 BCS games (we have won 0), has had 2 complete undefeated seasons (we have had 0), and won 8 games or more 10 times (we have done that 8 times). I'm honestly not trying to pump up Auburn, but let's not crap all over them. Ethics aside, they have been a good program for the last decade and a half.

 

[IrishLax]

In the BCS era:

Auburn has won 2 BCS games (we have won 0), has had 2 complete undefeated seasons (we have had 0), and won 8 games or more 10 times (we have done that 8 times). I'm honestly not trying to pump up Auburn, but let's not crap all over them. Ethics aside, they have been a good program for the last decade and a half.

All really good points. You can't say "Auburn sucks!" when recent in recent history they're on par or better than ND. Though you can definitely say "why would you want to play for Gus Malzahn over Brian Kelly?" and "why would you want to get a degree from Auburn instead of ND?"

Gus Malzahn's honest self-description would be:

"I have only coached one season ever as a head coach and it was at Arkansas State. I have no big time head coaching experience at all. I did win a national championship with a prolific offense thanks to a generational talent at QB. We were awesome that year and I was a very big part of it. The year after Newton left though the offense was bad and the year before he got there the offense wasn't very good. That's the extent of my BCS level experience... 3 years as an OC at Auburn, 1 year as an OC at Arkansas where I didn't get along with the HC so I had to go to Tulsa. I was a high school coach until 2006."

If you compare that to BK it's a JOKE. I expect the staff... if they have any more in homes... to hammer all of these points home and go on the offensive. It's time to make it clear why the better choice is ND in every aspect. When you compare the staff and direction of Auburn to the staff and direction of Notre Dame it's not really very close.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

All really good points. You can't say "Auburn sucks!" when recent in recent history they're on par or better than ND. Though you can definitely say "why would you want to play for Gus Malzahn over Brian Kelly?" and "why would you want to get a degree from Auburn instead of ND?"

Gus Malzahn's honest self-description would be:

"I have only coached one season ever as a head coach and it was at Arkansas State. I have no big time head coaching experience at all. I did win a national championship with a prolific offense thanks to a generational talent at QB. We were awesome that year and I was a very big part of it. The year after Newton left though the offense was bad and the year before he got there the offense wasn't very good. That's the extent of my BCS level experience... 3 years as an OC at Auburn, 1 year as an OC at Arkansas where I didn't get along with the HC so I had to go to Tulsa. I was a high school coach until 2006."

If you compare that to BK it's a JOKE. I expect the staff... if they have any more in homes... to hammer all of these points home and go on the offensive. It's time to make it clear why the better choice is ND in every aspect. When you compare the staff and direction of Auburn to the staff and direction of Notre Dame it's not really very close.

And this is the exact reason only a fool would pick Auburn if both are options. When you boil it down, this is what's important, and hopefully what TF realizes.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Anyone? Says he will make a final decision on NSD in the teaser.
Scout.com: Final Answer?


Sapp said this morning on Bill King's radio show it is shaky at best.

 

[Irishnuke]

Anyone? Says he will make a final decision on NSD in the teaser.
Scout.com: Final Answer?


Sapp said this morning on Bill King's radio show it is shaky at best.

You don't make a decision on NSD if you're committed. Just my opinion.

 

[tadman95]

You don't make a decision on NSD if you're committed. Just my opinion.

The word "committed" just doesn't seem to fit does it. Still hope we can keep him.

 

[PANDFAN]

You don't make a decision on NSD if you're committed. Just my opinion.

exactly...if going to make a decision and are supposedly committed now....i don't see how this plays into ND's favor...or he wants some attention...no other way to look at it

 

[Ironman8]

I think today's meeting with Folston with our coaches is going to be huge. If he comes out of that meetings still unsure and with thoughts on 'deciding' on NSD, than I think the writing is on the wall.

Hopefully our coaches can reaffirm his commitment today.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

This will probably come off as preemptive sour grapes, but it's genuine: Folston is a luxury in this class; not a need.

We're projected to be at 9/8 for RB/ Z WR not just for 2013, but 2014 as well. And since we're now carrying 5 TEs on the roster, it's reasonable to expect that we'll continue to see lots of 12 personnel, which significantly diminishes the importance of Z WRs.

If he flips, we're back to the ideal 8/8. As long as we hold onto Bryant, I won't be losing any sleep over it.

 

[NOLAIrish]

Anyone? Says he will make a final decision on NSD in the teaser.
Scout.com: Final Answer?


Sapp said this morning on Bill King's radio show it is shaky at best.

I don't have access, but ESPN has a pay article reporting the same thing. They interviewed his coach, who said the Auburn visit went very well and his leader switches daily.

ND and Auburn both have in-homes today.

 

[beryirish]

Josh Newberg

Tarean folston's dad told me over the summer, " I don't care where he goes I just want to tailgate." was a NCAA and NFL player, never tailgated.

 

[PANDFAN]

Tarean folston's dad told me over the summer, " I don't care where he goes I just want to tailgate." was a NCAA and NFL player, never tailgated.


wow

 

[Emcee77]

This will probably come off as preemptive sour grapes, but it's genuine: Folston is a luxury in this class; not a need.

We're projected to be at 9/8 for RB/ Z WR not just for 2013, but 2014 as well. And since we're now carrying 5 TEs on the roster, it's reasonable to expect that we'll continue to see lots of 12 personnel, which significantly diminishes the importance of Z WRs.

If he flips, we're back to the ideal 8/8. As long as we hold onto Bryant, I won't be losing any sleep over it.

I feel exactly the same way. Do I want Folston? Yes, absolutely. He is a GREAT football fit for us as a running back who can create matchup problems for opponents because of his ability to line up in the slot and make plays in the passing game, a la Theo Riddick. But do we NEED him? No, not when we've already got Bryant in this class.

I'm way more concerned about Hollins. A flexible linebacker like him would really improve this class.

 

[beryirish]

Josh Newberg

Tarean folston's dad told me over the summer, " I don't care where he goes I just want to tailgate." was a NCAA and NFL player, never tailgated.


wow

You had four minutes to view my post!!

 

[PANDFAN]

You had four minutes to view my post!!

i tried to quote you but when i did it lost the actual quote from his dad...thus i had to not include you in it for bringing the news....sorry buddy!

 

[beryirish]

lol understandable

 

[anarin]

Maybe we change it to (soft verbal - wtf knows?)

 

[ND NYC]

i can see the NSD espn scroll now:
"Florida RB decommitts from Notre Dame amid continuing fallout from Te'o hoax drama"

 

[Luckylucci]

Love this kids game but I have no patience for this garbage anymore. Don't commit if your not sure thats where you want to be. We haven't change our approach and outside of Auburn handing him money what are they offering now. Immediate playing time on a 3-9 joke football team. Venting a little I know, sorry, but this whole I'll decide on NSD. What about commitment do these kids not get.

 

[ThePiombino]

If we lose this TF, the biggest tragedy will be telling a talent like Clement that there's no room at the inn because of this kid. Folston knows this and he still wants to hold ND hostage til NSD? I'm going to refrain from saying what I really want to say in fear of stirring the pot, but if you can seriously look at this situation and not have a problem with that then I don't know what to tell you.

For the record, I'm with Whiskey - TF is much more of a luxory than a need, but losing his kind of talent (luxory or not) hurts.

 

[Irish#1]

I would be a lot more uncomfortable if he pulled a EV or Redfield and decommited stating he wants to weigh all his options. At least he's still verbal committed even after the visit, so I see that as a good thing. He wasn't so sold that he had to decommit from ND and commit to AU.

I know what you mean, but if he were to say he was going to open it back up, Kelly might have pulled his offer and then he could be in an awkward position come NSD.

 

[Ironman8]

Encouraing small tidbit on Folston by Sapp just now for those who have access.

 

[ThePiombino]

Encouraing small tidbit on Folston by Sapp just now for those who have access.

ND currently visiting. JSapp was told "All good" in regards to where ND stands vs Auburn. Don't know who was quoted though.

EDIT: re-read the update and it appears as though the quote is from his HS coach. I personally wouldn't put any stock in that. His coach has been very positive about ND, but it's not him I'm worried about lol

 

[Irish#1]

I think today's meeting with Folston with our coaches is going to be huge. If he comes out of that meetings still unsure and with thoughts on 'deciding' on NSD, than I think the writing is on the wall.

Hopefully our coaches can reaffirm his commitment today.

If he's saying he's deciding on NSD, then he's made up his mind and he's gone. The visit probably won't help. He won't announce a flip before then because he doesn't want to deal with the phone calls and pressure of us trying to hang on to him. Easiest way is to wait until NSD and let Auburn announce it.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I really do think it will come down to who talks to him last.

 

[ThePiombino]

I really do think it will come down to who talks to him last.

That's absurd. And I agree.

 

[tadman95]

If he's saying he's deciding on NSD, then he's made up his mind and he's gone. The visit probably won't help. He won't announce a flip before then because he doesn't want to deal with the phone calls and pressure of us trying to hang on to him. Easiest way is to wait until NSD and let Auburn announce it.

You're probably right. Very possible he tells the coaches one way or the other today and tells the world next Wednesday.

 

[peoriairish]

Jason Sapp ‏@BGI_JasonSapp

Rumors of #NotreDame commit Tarean Folston flipping to Auburn are "not accurate at all". Latest on #Irish, Tigers (VIP) Update on RB Tarean Folston, Notre Dame

 

[Emcee77]

Jason Sapp ‏@BGI_JasonSapp

Rumors of #NotreDame commit Tarean Folston flipping to Auburn are "not accurate at all". Latest on #Irish, Tigers (VIP) Update on RB Tarean Folston, Notre Dame

The tweet says it all. Folston's coach shot down a rumor that Folston had flipped to Auburn.

Lol, Wiltfong posted in the thread, "It sucks we live in a world where we have to chase down rumors started by a guy with 20 Twitter followers"