'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[BGIF]

Future ND Schedules

Future ND Schedules

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

Over the next 4 seasons considering the home/family aspect USC, Stanford, and ASU get scratched without an intermediate transfer.

UM, MSU, PITT, PU, etc would be same local as ND.

OU, TX, or MIA would all be far from family.

2013
A31 TEMPLE
S07 @ UM
S14 @ PU
S21 MSU
S28 OU
O05 ASU
O19 USC
O26 @ AF
N02 NAVY
N09 @ PITT
N23 BYU
N30 @ Stanford

2014
S06 @ Navy
S13 PU
S20 UM
S27 SYR
O11 @ Temple
O25 @ ASU
N08 PITT
N15 NW
N29 @ USC
STANFORD
2 games TBA

2015
S05 TX
S19 @ PU
S26 TEMPLE
O10 NAVY
O17 USC
N07 WF
N14 @ PITT
N21 SYR
@ BC
UMASS
@ Stanford

2016
S03 @ TX
S17 STANFORD
S24 @ MSU
O01 PU
O08 MIA
O15 @ Navy
O29 PITT
N19 @ USC[/B]
BC
2 games TBA

 

[Irish YJ]

oh well, i'm officially meh and moving on.
wish him and his family well.

 

[Irishman77]

This is a wonderful opportunity for Cam and Folston.

 

[Old Man Mike]

The "horrible problem" that this gives Coach is trying to figure out which of about fifty good options he wants to employ to "adjust" to Davonte not being there.

I don't like to see any talented player leave, but we're loaded guys; almost everywhere except OLine depth this year. I fail to see this keeping the staff up at nights.

And, to one suggestion: Please God, LEAVE KEIVAREE RUSSELL RIGHT WHERE HE IS!!

 

[Emcee77]

The "horrible problem" that this gives Coach is trying to figure out which of about fifty good options he wants to employ to "adjust" to Davonte not being there.

I don't like to see any talented player leave, but we're loaded guys; almost everywhere except OLine depth this year. I fail to see this keeping the staff up at nights.

And, to one suggestion: Please God, LEAVE KEIVAREE RUSSELL RIGHT WHERE HE IS!!

This ... I felt Davonte was going to do great things for us, but there are other guys who will be able to step in.

Oh, and if the Russell bit is in reference to my post, I just meant that someone is going to have to do what KeiVarae did last year: come out of nowhere to seize an open spot. Definitely didn't mean to suggest that KeiVarae himself should take this particular open spot. Sorry if that was unclear, haha.

 

[Pachuco]

Yet another opportunity to keep in perspective that these are kids learning to navigate life with varying levels of maturity and experience. It's really a crap shoot when you recruit anyone (whatever their number of stars), because character of word and committment is not a guarantee. That's earned once a student-athlete steps foot on campus and decides just how much he/she is willing to work for a degree (and all its challenges) and being the best teammate they can be, both of which require sacrifice beyond what is generally expected by society. Good luck, Davonte. All the best to you on your career path and your growing family.

 

[peoriairish]

The "horrible problem" that this gives Coach is trying to figure out which of about fifty good options he wants to employ to "adjust" to Davonte not being there.

I don't like to see any talented player leave, but we're loaded guys; almost everywhere except OLine depth this year. I fail to see this keeping the staff up at nights.

And, to one suggestion: Please God, LEAVE KEIVAREE RUSSELL RIGHT WHERE HE IS!!

Cosigned: peoriairish

Y'all know my love for KRuss this year. Leave him right where he is. Do. Not. Move. KeiVarae!!!!

I also had the thought of Cam in the slot for a fleeting second when this broke. I sure love me a shifty white guy in the slot.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

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.

I initially thought this was the real reason. However, was Neal really not going to get playing time in the slot? Honestly, how could he possibly be worried about playing time. He was likely going to return kicks on a loaded ST unit this year that's main focus is punt return improvement in the offseason, AND get great reps in at WR, in whatever role.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Over the next 4 seasons considering the home/family aspect USC, Stanford, and ASU get scratched without an intermediate transfer.

UM, MSU, PITT, PU, etc would be same local as ND.

OU, TX, or MIA would all be far from family.

2014
S06 @ Navy
S13 PU
S20 UM
S27 SYR
O11 @ Temple
O25 @ ASU
N08 PITT
N15 NW
N29 @ USC
STANFORD
2 games TBA

Won't this ASU game get scratched? I thought I heard rumors about scratching this and paying big fee...

 

[TheTurningPoint]

I feel like Brian Hamilton is trying to stir up some bullshit once again. Why wouldnt they cross train TJ at slot when they have Davonte there...hes never played slot on a consistent basis, much less if we are thin their like most ppl think then its smart to have TJ know the position if Davonte got hurt and in this case transfer.

 

[irishfan]

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.

I hate when Kelly says stuff likes this. It is such a giveaway. It was a run play about 90% of the time when Smith was playing at WR last year. Tossing a big guy in the slot makes it that much more obvious. Noticed this as well during the few times they would have Niklas lined up in slot or outside-it was always a run play. There were even times when Eifert would be lined up in the slot with his feet lined up together (as opposed to with one out in front like a real WR does), and it was always a run play when Eifert was lined up like that. I love Kelly, but they do some stuff on offense that completely gives away the play.

I hate to lose Neal, but I think we will still be fine. Daniels and Jones were always locked in as 2 of our 3 starting receivers. I think between Brown/Ferg stepping up and one of the RBs being able to play in the slot (and maybe even a frosh surprise), we should have enough depth at WR to be fine. Big loss though.

 

[Irish YJ]

I initially thought this was the real reason. However, was Neal really not going to get playing time in the slot? Honestly, how could he possibly be worried about playing time. He was likely going to return kicks on a loaded ST unit this year that's main focus is punt return improvement in the offseason, AND get great reps in at WR, in whatever role.

IDK. I think this kid wants to be THE ONE. I thought that from the beginning, and is one reason I loved having him on the team. Thought he brought needed TUDE and could back it up. If he is not the clear #1 Z, I see him having an issue, PR or not. Not saying that is the only reason he is bolting, but could certainly be part of the decision. Also, ST, it should improve this year, but hell, can we really be worse? Honestly, the only direction is up. Even if we improve a bunch, we'll still be a few years from where we need to be. Add that to the new rules, and at least the return game, is just not the glamorous space it used to be.

My thinking is this. If he was killing it, and was the clear number 1 Z and PR, I don't think he would consider bolting. If he's not, just opens doors for all the other reasons not to stay.

Again, I'm officially meh at this point. Just smells like something different with all the surrounding blurbs. I hope he goes to UCLA or Cal, scores 4 TDs on USC, goes pro, makes cheese, gets hitched, and raises his daughter the right way! I truly do, regardless of the "why". Doesn't really matter to me now. I'm just interested in who will fill the two spots. I'm hoping Cam turns into Wes Welker and kills it.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

****

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I feel like Brian Hamilton is trying to stir up some bullshit once again. Why wouldnt they cross train TJ at slot when they have Davonte there...hes never played slot on a consistent basis, much less if we are thin their like most ppl think then its smart to have TJ know the position if Davonte got hurt and in this case transfer.

That's why I initially thought it was for playing time. Hamilton's dumbass tweet. Then I realized it was Hamilton.

 

[Bobias]

Haha, I do find it funny that all those people who would freak out every time this thread got bumped now have all of their worries justified.

 

[Kak7304]

IDK. I think this kid wants to be THE ONE. I thought that from the beginning, and is one reason I loved having him on the team. Thought he brought needed TUDE and could back it up. If he is not the clear #1 Z, I see him having an issue, PR or not. Not saying that is the only reason he is bolting, but could certainly be part of the decision. Also, ST, it should improve this year, but hell, can we really be worse? Honestly, the only direction is up. Even if we improve a bunch, we'll still be a few years from where we need to be. Add that to the new rules, and at least the return game, is just not the glamorous space it used to be.

My thinking is this. If he was killing it, and was the clear number 1 Z and PR, I don't think he would consider bolting. If he's not, just opens doors for all the other reasons not to stay.

Again, I'm officially meh at this point. Just smells like something different with all the surrounding blurbs. I hope he goes to UCLA or Cal, scores 4 TDs on USC, goes pro, makes cheese, gets hitched, and raises his daughter the right way! I truly do, regardless of the "why". Doesn't really matter to me now. I'm just interested in who will fill the two spots. I'm hoping Cam turns into Wes Welker and kills it.

I think you're right with this. Also, we should try to persuade our transfers to pick UCLA so they can still be a headache for USC.

 

[GBdomer]

We lost
Ronald Darby
Deontay Greenberry
Tee Sheppard
Davonte Neal
Gunner Klein
Taylor Decker

all in one class, cant fault Davonte stepping up and being a man.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

We lost
Ronald Darby
Deontay Greenberry
Tee Sheppard
Davonte Neal
Gunner Klein
Taylor Decker

all in one class, cant fault Davonte stepping up and being a man.

Never heard of him

 

[GBdomer]

Never heard of him

wooops did I spell that wrong =)

 

[BGIF]

We lost
Ronald Darby
Deontay Greenberry
Tee Sheppard
Davonte Neal
Gunner Klein
Taylor Decker

all in one class, cant fault Davonte stepping up and being a man.

Now we count phantoms that never sent in a LOI or became a student?

Tee maybe gets an asterisk for not getting past the clearinghouse but making a locker room video. Darby, Greenberry, and Decker, no way.


Neal and Kiel, that's it.

 

[dublinirish]

just putting this out there for the slot receiver position now: Max Redfield.

I think he could do a job for ND there and with Farley showing up well in spring practice i dont think there is an immediate need for Max at safety.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

He looked so happy supporting teammates after a good play two days ago. smh. I think he is a Tavon Austin type player. ****

 

[connect the dots]

He looked so happy supporting teammates after a good play two days ago. smh. I think he is a Tavon Austin type player. ****

The decision to transfer would have been made at spring break, working out with Nix, Moore, and Zaire at his father's facility. He's happy because there is resolution in a difficult and trying situation. No easy choices in this predicament.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

just putting this out there for the slot receiver position now: Max Redfield.

I think he could do a job for ND there and with Farley showing up well in spring practice i dont think there is an immediate need for Max at safety.

I always said that Redfield could end at WR position, the safety position is loaded and he is a playmaker who can play on both sides of the ball. But if this is the case i think he will play in the outside, not the slot.

About Marquise Lee in High School:

A big play threat on either side of the ball, Lee is a much more natural defensive back than receiver. He plays a lot close to the line of scrimmage and is an aggressive, yet sure tackler. He has good hands and is oustanding at breaking on the ball. He has a good frame to continue to add muscle weight, and his height and long arms coupled with his ball skills let him beat receivers to jump balls and high passes

Boom!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

We lost
Ronald Darby
Deontay Greenberry
Tee Sheppard
Davonte Neal
Gunner Keil
Taylor Decker

My initial reaction too. That class still has some players, no doubt. But it sure would've been nice to see what could've been.

And to the guys saying this happens every year at every school...I'm not sure I buy that. Transfers happen, yes. But look at the level of talent ND has lost of the last couple of years. Is the roster still stacked? Absolutely. But I don't believe that lots of schools lose this much talent in such a short period of time. Btw, other schools can oversign to cushion themselves against such attrition. ND doesn't, which is why it's worse.

With that said, best of luck Davonte. He was literally at the top of my list and I was so pumped he signed w/ ND. Really sad to see him go.

 

[ohara831]

Hate it. But wish him the best of luck and good health.

 

[koonja]

Are you ****ing kidding me?

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Max Redfield would be a outside guy..not a slot guy.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Wait. What?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

There are plenty of able-bodies on this team to fill the void. It's just that Neal was so electric, so fast, and so enthusiastic. I have no doubts this team will press on and be just fine. It just sucks to see him go.

So who's in line to get reps at punt return now?