'14 CA QB Brandon Dawkins (Arizona Verbal)

[GoldenDomerDJ]

I think it's a good point. Say what you want about his stats, release, etc, the fact he only has two offers (NC State and Utah - can't really count ND if it's not commitable) is puzzling. The #32 DT QB (according to 24/7) is from the same state and has 10 offers. Why more lower tier FBS schools aren't after him is interesting.

Thank you, that was really the point I was trying to get across! It blows my mind that teams out west other than Utah do not have much interest in the kid. I guess his junior stats are killing him.

 

[GoldenDomerDJ]

Given our current QB situation, I don't think it would be responsible of the staff to take his commitment only. There is the POTENTIAL that he would be one of two scholarship QBs on the team next year. That wouldn't be a good position to be in even if Dawkins was a 5-star blue-chipper.

The whole Golson thing needs to settle. One day he's coming back, the next he's off to Ole Miss, now JCO? If he does come back than we will have 3 QB's ready to compete. I guess if he falls through than we'll be up the creek at this point... I also think we forget that QB's are allowed to transfer to Notre Dame and not just from Notre Dame.

 

[koonja]

too early to settle

This is exactly right. As fans, we want recruits ASAP, especially when it seems to be a dry spell. But if the staff can secure his commitment at the last hour, why not try for qbs higher on your board.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

The whole Golson thing needs to settle. One day he's coming back, the next he's off to Ole Miss, now JCO? If he does come back than we will have 3 QB's ready to compete. I guess if he falls through than we'll be up the creek at this point... I also think we forget that QB's are allowed to transfer to Notre Dame and not just from Notre Dame.

It won't. Golson screwed up in a major way, so there will be many hoops to jump through before he can rejoin the team. The staff can't afford to bank on him taking the necessary steps (and given his history, it's probably not a safe bet anyway). At this point, Golson's return would be a pleasant windfall, but we have to plan like it's not happening.

 

[pkt77242]

It won't. Golson screwed up in a major way, so there will be many hoops to jump through before he can rejoin the team. The staff can't afford to bank on him taking the necessary steps (and given his history, it's probably not a safe bet anyway). At this point, Golson's return would be a pleasant windfall, but we have to plan like it's not happening.

^This. We need 2 QB's in this class or 1 QB and 1 ATH who can play QB.

 

[Riddickulous]

It won't. Golson screwed up in a major way, so there will be many hoops to jump through before he can rejoin the team. The staff can't afford to bank on him taking the necessary steps (and given his history, it's probably not a safe bet anyway). At this point, Golson's return would be a pleasant windfall, but we have to plan like it's not happening.

I agree. So far we have exactly one QB who is guaranteed to return next year. I think taking two QBs is necessary at this point.

Also, how many times have we gone chasing after some pipe dream recruit while a solid 3/4* player wants in, only to miss on both because we took too long to offer/accept the commitment of the latter?

 

[ThePiombino]

I agree. So far we have exactly one QB who is guaranteed to return next year. I think taking two QBs is necessary at this point.

Also, how many times have we gone chasing after some pipe dream recruit while a solid 3/4* player wants in, only to miss on both because we took too long to offer/accept the commitment of the latter?

Good point.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

I agree. So far we have exactly one QB who is guaranteed to return next year. I think taking two QBs is necessary at this point.

Also, how many times have we gone chasing after some pipe dream recruit while a solid 3/4* player wants in, only to miss on both because we took too long to offer/accept the commitment of the latter?

2 weeks ago I would have said we have 1 QB who is guaranteed to start this year, so I wouldn't go so far as to say we have 1 guaranteed to return next year. But I don't want to settle on just anyone because we could almost do that with a walk-on. If the staff feels they can still get a top notch QB while taking Dawkins, then I'm all for it. But if guys ranked higher on our board would be hesitant to commit with us already having a QB commit, then it might be a good idea to hold off for just a bit longer.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

No guarantee that players pan out. With the current QB situation, I'm almost inclined to say take two this year and two next year ('15 is stacked!). You'll most certainly get a feel for who can hack it by the end of '16 season. The ones who can will stick around, the ones who can't will probably transfer.

At any rate, ND re-stocks the shelves and puts itself in the driver's seat to evaluate the potential candidates and play those who fit the bill. The ones who don't, thanks for applying*. CFB is becoming (and already has at most schools) a business. If ND wants to compete for a championship year after year, they need to continue taking chances on getting the best players and keep them around (or at the very least have another highly rated player waiting in the wings to replace the ones who leave).

This plays into my minimal over-signing plan. These recent transfers aren't the first and certainly aren't the last. It's vital to maintaining a level of elite power long term to be able to lose one guy and instantly plug in another player w/o fall off. The QB position is no different. I have faith in this staff that they'll make the right decisions and coach up the players to truly be the "Next man in" without the team suffering any set backs.

*I'm not suggesting those players who fall into reserve roles be cut. I'm simply implying that when a roster becomes so saturated with elite talent, the ones who get buried on the depth chart have a higher tendency to transfer. Bringing in four QBs over the next two years will almost certainly result in at least one transfer. However, that means there's at least one or two who have stepped up and earned PT. I'm good with that scenario.

 

[ResLife Hero]

With Allen comitted to A&M, who do you think the staff is still waiting on before they accept Dawkins' commitment? I agree with the sentiment that taking 2 this year would be wise, and I assumed we slow played Dawkins just because of Allen.

 

[Emcee77]

It won't. Golson screwed up in a major way, so there will be many hoops to jump through before he can rejoin the team. The staff can't afford to bank on him taking the necessary steps (and given his history, it's probably not a safe bet anyway). At this point, Golson's return would be a pleasant windfall, but we have to plan like it's not happening.

Are you sure of this? I have heard conflicting things. I have heard this^, but also that Golson just has to serve a semester suspension and then should be readmitted almost as a matter of course. Nothing authoritative though -- just referring to message board chatter -- but guys like Julius Jones, Gary Gray and Darrin Walls had no trouble getting back in. I'm optimistic Golson will be back in 2014.

Either way, I agree that we have to plan like Golson's return isn't happening though. What if he screws up again in the interim? Or decides ND is too hard and goes elsewhere? I'm in favor of taking Dawkins now, unless the staff really prefers Kizer.

 

[rtrn2glory]

With Allen comitted to A&M, who do you think the staff is still waiting on before they accept Dawkins' commitment? I agree with the sentiment that taking 2 this year would be wise, and I assumed we slow played Dawkins just because of Allen.

i'm curious to this as well...imo if we offer kizer soon, that only extends dawkins' wait

 

[Grahambo]

With Allen comitted to A&M, who do you think the staff is still waiting on before they accept Dawkins' commitment? I agree with the sentiment that taking 2 this year would be wise, and I assumed we slow played Dawkins just because of Allen.

i'm curious to this as well...imo if we offer kizer soon, that only extends dawkins' wait

Maybe the EG situation changed how BK wanted to go after the current QB class and slowed communication down with Allen to the point Allen felt ready to move on. Maybe the ND/Allen angle was overblown from the beginning.

 

[STLDomer]

Camped at LSU today

 

[rtrn2glory]

personally the (offer) caption on his profile heading seems off...an un-commitable offer is basically a non offer imo. especially now that the staff seems to be going after other options at QB that appear to be higher up on the staff's board than Dawkins.

 

[NDdomer2]

Camped at LSU today

Any info you can share on how it went would be repped.

Don't know if you can share of if it just hasn't came out yet.

 

[Son of Kenmare]

Columbus Elite 11 features a deep, talented group

Mention in this article on Dawkins

 

[STLDomer]

LSU has increased interest with ASU recruiting him the hardest and as always really looking hard at USC per 247

 

[Ironman8]

LSU has increased interest with ASU recruiting him the hardest and as always really looking hard at USC per 247

LSU increasing interest with Kizer slipping to us......?

 

[Irishnuke]

I say if we land Kizer then take Dawkins' commitment, if he's still willing.

 

[Luckylucci]

Now Loy has been questionable with some of his stuff lately so this may be a good point of reference. He said 30 minutes or so that he thinks the staff is going to only take one QB. So in my own view we are quite a few steps from taking Dawkins.

 

[NDhoosier]

I say if we land Kizer then take Dawkins' commitment, if he's still willing.

nah, we have a VERY good shot with two better QBs in the 2015 class.

 

[NDPhilly]

nah, we have a VERY good shot with two better QBs in the 2015 class.

IMO Dawkins is better than Beneventi. Beneventi has a pretty weak arm even for a junior. I also think Dawkins is more mobile.

 

[IrishLax]

Just because you take two QBs in this class does not mean you don't take two in 2015. At least one of the four is guaranteed to transfer = 4 with Malik moving forward.

 

[pkt77242]

Just because you take two QBs in this class does not mean you don't take two in 2015. At least one of the four is guaranteed to transfer = 4 with Malik moving forward.

I also don't mind taking some QB's who are good athletes and could play other positions as well if they fall down the QB depth chart.

 

[ChiRish]

Just because you take two QBs in this class does not mean you don't take two in 2015. At least one of the four is guaranteed to transfer = 4 with Malik moving forward.

This. The numbers game always seems to sort itself out and I for one am tired of seeing depth being gutted and the number of scholarships dipping under 85. Doing this could simply be a more honorable version of over signing, IMO.

 

[#1rish]

247 still has Dawkins at 93% to ND. Safe to assume this will change since the Kizer commit?

 

[Emcee77]

247 still has Dawkins at 93% to ND. Safe to assume this will change since the Kizer commit?

It might change, but I don't think it's safe to assume it. The last I heard, the staff was still considering whether it wanted to take two QBs in this class. If it decides to take two, Dawkins could still get the green light.

 

[Ironman8]

My personal opinion would be to take 1 this cycle and than see what happens with Golson as to taking 1-2 next year in a much more talented '15 crop.

 

[Luckylucci]

I really don't think we take another QB until we get into the season. The staff probably measures the progress of Golson and the likelihood of him coming back. If its good then no 2nd QB and if its bad then we jump after a Dawkins type QB.