'12 NC DE Romeo Okwara (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[greyhammer90]

I get that, but it's an academic difference, not an eligibility difference. Redshirting is about eligibility, not about academics. Notre Dame also requires higher test scores and gpa than most schools, but they don't call their verbal committment something different than all of the other schools. The whole thing is just silly and I feel it makes us look dumb when we tell fans of other schools that "Notre Dame doesn't redshirt" when we absolutely do.

The fact remains that Notre Dame allows students to utilize 5 years of school to use up their 4 years of athletic eligibility... just like every other NCAA div1 football program. The common term for that is redshirting.

Oh I'm not disagreeing, its a stupid policy, and it irks me when someone corrects me when I call it redshirting. (It also obviously annoys Kelly since he's made a joke about it on several occasions "I almost said redshirting! Thank goodness I didn't I don't want to get in trouble."

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think it is best to sum it up that ND is different, but only in the way that ND is different with regular admissions and academics. The academic side has to be in order for said player to be offered a 5th year and it goes way past what the HC wants. Additionally, the academic work while being a 5th year is more challenging than most other CFB 5th years.

 

[woolybug25]

I think that's right (not totally sure how it works at other schools), but I know at least one difference is that at ND it isn't just the coach's call. The Faculty Board of Athletics has to approve the 5th year. At other schools, players that the coach wants to stay just get the 5th year if they have eligibility remaining and there's a schollie available.

It's not the coaches call on whether the student athlete is accepted into graduate school, but it is absolutely the coaches call on whether or not they accept their 5th year. It's also no different at other schools. The school decides if the student is eligible, the coaches decide if they can play.

The academic difference is that Notre Dame demands that you go to graduate school, while other schools just demand that you are academically eligible to play football. "Redshirting" is an eligibility term, not an academic term. So I don't get why they try to make a differentation between the two. They are the same thing, albeit one school has higher academic restrictions.

 

[Emcee77]

It's not the coaches call on whether the student athlete is accepted into graduate school, but it is absolutely the coaches call on whether or not they accept their 5th year. It's also no different at other schools. The school decides if the student is eligible, the coaches decide if they can play.

The academic difference is that Notre Dame demands that you go to graduate school, while other schools just demand that you are academically eligible to play football. "Redshirting" is an eligibility term, not an academic term. So I don't get why they try to make a differentation between the two. They are the same thing, albeit one school has higher academic restrictions.

I actually don't think that's quite right. I don't think the players have to be in graduate school. They just have to get the Faculty Board of Athletics to look at their records and conclude that there is some meaningful academic purpose for them to remain in school.

So I definitely see a difference. The standard at ND is higher than at other schools. It's not just a matter of whether the player meets NCAA eligibility requirements; ND has its own group of dedicated faculty members take an independent look at the player's record to make sure that there is some academic reason he is benefiting from staying in school for a 5th year.

Now, is that really a MEANINGFUL difference, or is it just a formality? If you are saying it's just a meaningless formality, I don't really disagree. I'm not aware of a single player who the coaches wanted to return but who was turned away by the Faculty Board of Athletics. But that may just be because our players tend to have decent academic records to begin with.

 

[arrowryan]

I really like this move. Adds some needed depth at d-line

 

[woolybug25]

I actually don't think that's quite right. I don't think the players have to be in graduate school. They just have to get the Faculty Board of Athletics to look at their records and conclude that there is some meaningful academic purpose for them to remain in school.

So I definitely see a difference. The standard at ND is higher than at other schools. It's not just a matter of whether the player meets NCAA eligibility requirements; ND has its own group of dedicated faculty members take an independent look at the player's record to make sure that there is some academic reason he is benefiting from staying in school for a 5th year.

Now, is that really a MEANINGFUL difference, or is it just a formality? If you are saying it's just a meaningless formality, I don't really disagree. I'm not aware of a single player who the coaches wanted to return but who was turned away by the Faculty Board of Athletics. But that may just be because our players tend to have decent academic records to begin with.

I actually think they have to be accepted into Grad School. I have been told that from a lot of people. I think you are agreeing with me though. The difference is the "standard" in which they deem a kid eligable for the 5th year. But again, that is an academic difference, not an eligibility difference.

For example, If a kid at OSU wants a fifth year, but just flunked three of his classes and didn't graduate, he is "academically ineligibile" for his 5th year. Now, at Notre Dame, that academic standard is higher. Whether that means they have to be admitted to grad school or be reviewd by a board is aside the point. Both students have 4 years of athletic eligibility and a possibility of doing that over 5 years. One just has higher requirements.

I mentioned this earlier, but an analogy would be if we started calling signed committment by a different name because our academic requirements are higher. It doesn't change the available athletic availability of the student-athlete.

 

[Emcee77]

Ah, I see. Our process is slightly different but it doesn't change the fact that saying "ND doesn't redshirt" is misleading. To the extent that's your point, I agree.

 

[returnofthemack]

I actually think they have to be accepted into Grad School. I have been told that from a lot of people. I think you are agreeing with me though. The difference is the "standard" in which they deem a kid eligable for the 5th year. But again, that is an academic difference, not an eligibility difference.

For example, If a kid at OSU wants a fifth year, but just flunked three of his classes and didn't graduate, he is "academically ineligibile" for his 5th year. Now, at Notre Dame, that academic standard is higher. Whether that means they have to be admitted to grad school or be reviewd by a board is aside the point. Both students have 4 years of athletic eligibility and a possibility of doing that over 5 years. One just has higher requirements.

I mentioned this earlier, but an analogy would be if we started calling signed committment by a different name because our academic requirements are higher. It doesn't change the available athletic availability of the student-athlete.

I'm actually pretty sure they don't have to be in Graduate School. I remember when one of the guys in my section was getting his 5th year, he told me most of the classes were directed study classes (not difficult, but not total joke classes). So I don't think he was enrolled in a graduate program, but was technically a graduate student.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm actually pretty sure they don't have to be in Graduate School. I remember when one of the guys in my section was getting his 5th year, he told me most of the classes were directed study classes (not difficult, but not total joke classes). So I don't think he was enrolled in a graduate program, but was technically a graduate student.

Well, I've been told different by multiple people, but that goes to my point even more if its true. If they just have to "stay eligibile", then there is literally nothing different than what we do versus redshirting. There would be no literal difference.

We redshirt... plain and simple.

 

[Emcee77]

I'm actually pretty sure they don't have to be in Graduate School. I remember when one of the guys in my section was getting his 5th year, he told me most of the classes were directed study classes (not difficult, but not total joke classes). So I don't think he was enrolled in a graduate program, but was technically a graduate student.

Yep. I remember reading this article while I was a student at ND:

Observer Newspaper - Sports

And then there is this article, which refers to "postbaccalaureate studies"

Can the Fighting Irish Excel at School and at Play? // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame

The players have to have graduated to get their 5th years, but they don't have to be in graduate school.

But wooly's point remains ... it's misleading to say we don't redshirt.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I feel strongly both ways.

In a desperate attempt at interstellar amity, I suggest "Pink Shirt" as the description for what we {honorably} do.

And to Greyhammer and Whiskey:
asdfhjklrtyuiocvbnmhgfdrtyuiodbnmihgfvbnthjukfvbn!!!!! afaik!!!!
erghijhbvergbnpoiuhgfdsfgboiuytfgbuobnrtyu!!!#@%(^@#ZZ!!!
adfokikmyhjnmedfghjokjhgrtyhnbjklkjhgfghjmbn.

... and stuff it with a twist if you don't like the language.

 

[dshans]

I dunno. A classmate/friend/housemate from MN graduated in '74 with an Arts and Letters degree in English. He subsequently took some math and science classes at "Da U" (yep, he was a part time Golden Gopher) to qualify for admission to Med School.

Had he been a member of the football team while at ND I like to think that those classes would have qualified him as a "5th year." At 6'2", 168 lbs. I'm pretty sure (had he any talent) he would have been "red-shirted" for four years.

As far as I know ND doesn't offer Ball Room Dancing 501 as USC does.

 

[Rocket 94]

Getting back to Okwara, can anyone verify this has happened? Wonder if he will redshirt this year to bulk up and be ready to start from 2014-16?

 

[Irish_irish]

Don't think I've noticed Romeo playing yet this year.

Have I just missed him or might he Kelly be preserving a year of his eligibility like a lot had hoped.

 

[tko]

Don't think I've noticed Romeo playing yet this year.

Have I just missed him or might he Kelly be preserving a year of his eligibility like a lot had hoped.

From what I've seen, he's been pretty mediocre on kick off team. Maybe he hasn't elevated his game enough to be in the rotation. I think Longo is to blame, though.

 

[NDhoosier]

He was playing on the Dline this past game against Michigan State actually. He was even playing inside on the Dline when Nix went out. He mainly just played on passing downs. Mayock even mentioned him actually.

 

[Buster Bluth]

He's probably Day's backup in the speed-rush passing down department then. I did notice him. He looked...sorta small. He'll be a fine WDE in the future.

 

[Emcee77]

He was playing on the Dline this past game against Michigan State actually. He was even playing inside on the Dline when Nix went out. He mainly just played on passing downs. Mayock even mentioned him actually.

I thought I noticed that too. Romeo Okwara as our passing-down NT? Not what I expected, at least not this year.

 

[NDdomer2]

i personally thought it had more to do with containment and pursuit than speed rush.

 

[Buster Bluth]

i personally thought it had more to do with containment and pursuit than speed rush.

Ahh that's a great point, I did notice him attempt a swim move to the outside and sort of stand there. I thought he was just being a redshirt freshman out there.

 

[dublinirish]

I thought I noticed that too. Romeo Okwara as our passing-down NT? Not what I expected, at least not this year.

from what I saw everytime he was on he did a twist with the DE beside him and rushed outside.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Yeah with Day being out they had to get cute with some of their rotations. Stockon and Okwara split reps at NG/DT in some sets. My guess is they wanted tipped balls at the line. There seems to be a big emphasis on that this year, in cutting passing lanes down along the line. He didnt get much of a push, but he also isnt used to being contained by a center/guard.

 

[BGIF]

Ahh that's a great point, I did notice him attempt a swim move to the outside and sort of stand there. I thought he was just being a redshirt freshman out there.

He's a sophomore.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

from what I saw everytime he was on he did a twist with the DE beside him and rushed outside.

Not a bad idea on 3rd and long, although you're asking for an inside draw.

 

[dublinirish]

Not a bad idea on 3rd and long, although you're asking for an inside draw.

If the DE's stunt dosen't blow up the guard though its pretty useless as it will take the DT ages to get around to Tackle to bring pressure. Diaco seems to run this play alot, usually a double twist with no blitzing, its a big High school-ish for me. No decent Div1 Oline should be falling for it.

 

[Ironman8]

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[IrishLax]

<script height="381px" width="672px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#ec=Q2cDBvZjp77svYdi76h0rw8PXgh8-Jrv&pbid=5e83fc845d86487e88b6953600eaff54"></script>

"We're all family... everyone supporting one another."

Except after home losses where the team will go sulk by themselves immediately following the final whistle.

 

[NDWorld247]

Inter-hall football looks awesome.

 

[Luckylucci]

Inter-hall football looks awesome.

I thought the same thing. Also, Romeo looks jacked up. He looks the part of a big time OLB/DE. Next year he'll have a real chance to burst onto the scene.

 

[Cackalacky]

I was definitely pleased with him last week. I thought he did well against ASU.