'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[arrowryan]

Huge bummer. I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do this year. It's not like I'm super worried about the offense without him, since we've got plenty of athletic guys in the program now, but I was really expecting him to pop this year.

Looks like somebody is going to have pull a KeiVarae Russell and come out of nowhere to seize that spot this year. My money is on Onwualu, actually.

Him or Folston IMO

 

[Ironman8]

I wouldn't overlook Cam McDaniel in the slot either. That kid is a flat out football player. He would be solid anywhere.

 

[Irishman77]

Hope he takes care of that baby and uses his ability to provide and be there to raise a family the right way.

We will be fine.

Every time we reach on a recruit with baggage or drama it seems to backfire.

Each year with more wins we will not have to reach.

Good luck Davonte. Take care of that baby and raise a family of faith.

 

[arrowryan]

I wouldn't overlook Cam McDaniel in the slot either. That kid is a flat out football player. He would be solid anywhere.

That's a nice catch sir. Didn't even think about that

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I wouldn't be surprised to see TJ a lot more in the slot until the younger guys catch on.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

I still think this is a unusually high number of transfers. That's 3 just from that 2012 class. I know it's hard when ND recruits nation wide and all.
I'm not buying it either if he's trying to goto a California school.

 

[STLDomer]

We've been talking about WR depth the slot and Prosise name has come up:

What about Prosise returning punts this year? He was a very good returner in HS

 

[Kak7304]

Kelly really need to keep the transfers to a minimum though. This is beginning to be a every year thing. A former 5* guy transferring in the spring.

Why would a head coach change his proven winning ways to appease a few kids, who for one reason or another, did not want to be here? Transfers are going to happen at any school, especially when you're stacking your team with elite players at every position and letting them battle it out. Kelly has done an exceptional job of getting proven players to stay for an extra year (Floyd, Eifert, Te'o, Nix, Z. Martin, etc.) which is infinitely more important than catering to a primadonna DE, a QB who has played zero snaps in college football, and a WR who had 1 catch for -5 yds and returned 21 punts for 46 yds.

Time and effort are better spent developing the guys that want to be here. Look at Utupo, for instance. Under Weis, if players didn't start as a frosh or sophomore, they pretty much weren't heard from again during their careers at ND. Utupo hardly created any buzz until this spring and is possibly looking at competing for playing time on one of the most talented DLs in the country.

 

[irish o'phile]

Can't fault the kid for putting family in front of sports. The kid is better of with his extended family around.

However, there is a definite pattern here. It seems like a lot of wavering high ranked guys we IE/Cyber fixate over transfer. Tee, Kiel, Neal, Lynch. Is Vanderdoes next?

 

[Irishman77]

Thank God we got Folston

Lo Wood will get a fifth

 

[IrishLion]

Huge bummer. I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do this year. It's not like I'm super worried about the offense without him, since we've got plenty of athletic guys in the program now, but I was really expecting him to pop this year.

Looks like somebody is going to have pull a KeiVarae Russell and come out of nowhere to seize that spot this year. My money is on Onwualu, actually.

I've heard a few times that Onwualu has been impressive, so this is where my money is as well. A lot of people have mentioned TJ to slot, but he's played outside since he's been at ND, with the ocassional formation package switching things up. But with how TJ progressed on the outside last year and the way he seems to be truly establishing himself as a possession receiver (despite his size), I say leave TJ where he is and give the young guns a shot in the slot.

If the offense opens up how I think it will under Golson, there will be plenty of reps to sort it out, including trying Brown in the slot and blowing the lid off the defense via the seam. Also, Onwualu was primarily in the backfield most of his career in HS, so he should fit nicely in the slot/hybrid role with his athleticism, ball skills, and EE status.

I don't necesarily like Brown to slot either, considering his speed and physical development, but SPEED ON THE FIELD.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

Neal could have been the missing piece of this offense this year or next few. To judge him on Kelly's inability to field a decent ST unit would be wrong.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Ironically, his Dad was pushing him towards USC at the beginning of his recruitment but the Trojans had no room. So help me God if that is where he is trying to transfer to.....

can't transfer to anyone on upcoming schedules according to 247

 

[Kak7304]

No she is in Arizona but she would probably move to LA. She was supposed to move to South Bend but "Davonte decided it would be better if he went back out west..."

It would have only been three years here! This is just my guess, but I think there are other factors playing into his decision. If I was in that situation, I'd rather get my ND degree so I could provide a better future for my son regardless of whether my football career continued or not.

 

[kmoose]

Can't fault the kid for putting family in front of sports. The kid is better of with his extended family around.

However, there is a definite pattern here. It seems like a lot of wavering high ranked guys we IE/Cyber fixate over transfer. Tee, Kiel, Neal, Lynch. Is Vanderdoes next?

Diaco is next.

 

[Bluto]

Can't fault the kid for putting family in front of sports. The kid is better of with his extended family around.

However, there is a definite pattern here. It seems like a lot of wavering high ranked guys we IE/Cyber fixate over transfer. Tee, Kiel, Neal, Lynch. Is Vanderdoes next?

Doubt it. He didn't early enroll so his odds are much lower. Haha.

 

[STLDomer]

It would have only been three years here! This is just my guess, but I think there are other factors playing into his decision. If I was in that situation, I'd rather get my ND degree so I could provide a better future for my son regardless of whether my football career continued or not.

Hypothetically if were to go to a school like UCLA he would still be getting a pretty good degree. Assuming he will be able to transfer to an elite team.

 

[Irishman77]

Anyone else annoyed by pop up ads and hijacking?

 

[clashmore_mike]

This probably won't be a popular view but here it is....

If he is looking at colleges more than 2 hours away, he will not have the family support infrastructure. If that is the case, I'm not buying the be closer to family thing. Sorry. With the Cali direction now in play, I'm changing my tune from thinking he made a good decision based on family, to he may not be happy with PT, depth chart, etc.. The Cali thing just doesn't make sense.

It has a lot to do with the baby and mom being close to her family too, instead of moving them to South Bend away from any family. It would be pretty difficult for Davonte to provide for them in South Bend while playing football and going to school at ND. Having family around can alleviate a lot of concerns. As several have already noted, Davonte has family in California.

 

[Irish YJ]

That's a nice catch sir. Didn't even think about that

said it about 2 pages ago.

 

[Bluto]

It would have only been three years here! This is just my guess, but I think there are other factors playing into his decision. If I was in that situation, I'd rather get my ND degree so I could provide a better future for my son regardless of whether my football career continued or not.

Exactly.

 

[Kak7304]

Just saw this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Davonte Neal transfer from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> might not be as shocking as it seems: TJ Jones working in slot, Neal not finding a fit/spot.</p>— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiTribHamilton/status/316747031072882690">March 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Irish YJ]

It has a lot to do with the baby and mom being close to her family too, instead of moving them to South Bend away from any family. It would be pretty difficult for Davonte to provide for them in South Bend while playing football and going to school at ND. Having family around can alleviate a lot of concerns. As several have already noted, Davonte has family in California.

I read "contacts" not family. If family, that changes my thoughts.
I'd like to know what Kelly has said of late about his performance, or competition in that position. I don't recall anything from the pressers.

 

[IrishLion]

Wouldn't mind seeing Neal in a Sonny Dykes offense at Cal.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Just saw this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Davonte Neal transfer from <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23NotreDame">#NotreDame</a> might not be as shocking as it seems: TJ Jones working in slot, Neal not finding a fit/spot.</p>— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiTribHamilton/status/316747031072882690">March 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

BOOM! the young kids with size on the outside/TE split out when we go spread--proven pass catcher with speed and elusiveness in the Z.

i like it. TJ to the rescue.

he's been more of a decoy out wide for 2 years with sporadic production. IMO.

 

[Irish YJ]

BOOM! the young kids with size on the outside/TE split out when we go spread--proven pass catcher with speed and elusiveness in the Z.

i like it. TJ to the rescue.

he's been more of a decoy out wide for 2 years with sporadic production. IMO.

Looks like the path my head was taking me may not be so crazy after all.

 

[Kak7304]

BOOM! the young kids with size on the outside/TE split out when we go spread--proven pass catcher with speed and elusiveness in the Z.

i like it. TJ to the rescue.

he's been more of a decoy out wide for 2 years with sporadic production. IMO.

And Kelly mentioned difficulty finding a complete WR to play in the slot this year. He mentioned using Daniel Smith for run plays and other guys for the passing attack. Can't have personnel be that much of a give to the defense.

 

[Irishman77]

Punt return and kick return specialist are all but gone due to rule changes. Too bad he wasn't born a decade ago....

We got plenty of guys that can catch the ball...

I remember all the drama and time I wasted following this recruitment. Each year I hope to ween myself off the recruiting addiction and become normal

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Looks like the path my head was taking me may not be so crazy after all.

yeah. i said this a few pages back, before i saw the hamilton tweet. i thought TJ would be a good fix. in fact, by the tweets nature, it's already happening and that makes me doubly excited.

i am curious about punt return (if any) this year.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

And Kelly mentioned difficulty finding a complete WR to play in the slot this year. He mentioned using Daniel Smith for run plays and other guys for the passing attack. Can't have personnel be that much of a give to the defense.

true, but, DS on the outside last year you could almost call RUN every time. getting him 2-4 targets a game in either position makes the d have to think.