'14 CA ATH John (Juju) Smith (USC Signee)

[GBdomer]

That quote doesn't do much for me.

Without context it's impossible to know, but just reading the language of the quote it seems like the predictable thing to say. He doesn't seem ecstatic about it, and he's not saying it's a deal breaker for USC.

IMO he visited ND to early and has always been USC to lose. I think he would have committed a long time ago if Kiffin wasn't the coach. It's been on record that he didn't wanna play for Kiffin.

 

[rtrn2glory]

this just seems to be a mirror image of the nelson agholor recruitment...loved ND, but loved USC more and I see this one ending the same way

 

[Irish#1]

I think there optimism is waning as USC has picked up steam but he did tell them that Religion on campus and academics were the two most important factors in his recruitment and if thats true, we seemed like the obvious choice.

How many times have we heard a kid say his prioriities were one thing, then pick a school that falls short of those priorities? lol

 

[Classic Irish]

How many times have we heard a kid say his prioriities were one thing, then pick a school that falls short of those priorities? lol

Exactly. Religion on campus and academics and picks southern cal over ND? Oh please.

 

[Pachuco]

Exactly. Religion on campus and academics and picks southern cal over ND? Oh please.

This might not be a popular opinion, but there are opportunities for a spiritual life in seemingly desolate environments, and desolate behavior in a seemingly spiritual environment. It's all within the person walking in his/or her own two. As a football fan, I despise USC, but I'm not about to judge a kid's religious beliefs and/or intentions simply because he may choose to stay closer to home, where family and a local church might possibly be a spiritual beacon in his life. This is a serious decision with many factors. Just my two.

Clearly, this isn't to say that I think USC is the better option, just that judging his thought process based on his religious pursuits is off my table. Good luck, John. Hope ND is your final destination.

 

[Irishnuke]

This might not be a popular opinion, but there are opportunities for a spiritual life in seemingly desolate environments, and desolate behavior in a seemingly spiritual environment. It's all within the person walking in their own two. As a football fan, I despise USC, but I'm not about to judge a kids religious beliefs and/or intentions simply because he may choose to stay closer to home, where family and a local church might possibly be a spiritual beacon in his life. This is a serious decision with many factors. Just my two.

This isn't to say that I think USC is the better option, just that condemning his thought process based on his religious pursuits is off my table. Good luck, John. Hope ND is your final destination.

Fully agree with this. Barkley at SC and Tebow at UF are prime examples of Christians playing for football programs that you wouldn't really associate with Christianity. Believe it or not but ND isn't the only team you can play for if you're religious.

 

[ACamp1900]

Fully agree with this. Barkley at SC and Tebow at UF are prime examples of Christians playing for football programs that you wouldn't really associate with Christianity. Believe it or not but ND isn't the only team you can play for if you're religious.

Yes it is......

....

 

[Ironman8]

JuJu's uncle Johnny Nansen is one of the coaches heading from Washington to USC.

I don't see how Juju doesn't end up at USC.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

He gone

 

[johnnycando]

He gone

Nelson Agholar rev 2?

 

[Praytorian]

How many times have we heard a kid say his prioriities were one thing, then pick a school that falls short of those priorities? lol

and they said that there wasn't a number higher than infinity. ha that will prove them wrong.

 

[Classic Irish]

Believe it or not but ND isn't the only team you can play for if you're religious.

I agree, but southern cal is an ethical cesspool. For decades that program has been a stranger to integrity and all about cutting corners when it comes to following the rules.

 

[TheChosen1]

He gone

Was never "here"

 

[irishog77]

Oh well. Can we now just move this thread back to the argument of wether Juju is Polynesian or not?

 

[Irish#1]

Was never "here"

Agree, always felt he was a long shot.

 

[koonja]

Loy update:

What I'm Hearing: John "JuJu" Smith

 

[rocket66]

247 update this morning is very positive. The family feels ND meets all the criteria they are looking for and the staff thinks it's 50/50 between USC and ND. It doesn't sound like the uncle will have a major impact and it sounds like Smith and Luatua would like to play together, which bodes well for Nd, obviously. ND will send Elliot and Cooks in next, and BK will visit closer to signing day.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Loy update:

What I'm Hearing: John "JuJu" Smith

ND still optimistic but the hire on Nansen does concern them. We are going balls out to get him though. Denbrock was there Wednesday and will be back on Monday with Elliot and Cooks with BK saving his in home for closer to NSD.

Loy basically went from very confident to crap shoot.

 

[Rack Em]

247 update this morning is very positive. The family feels ND meets all the criteria they are looking for and the staff thinks it's 50/50 between USC and ND. It doesn't sound like the uncle will have a major impact and it sounds like Smith and Luatua would like to play together, which bodes well for Nd, obviously. ND will send Elliot and Cooks in next, and BK will visit closer to signing day.

??

ND still optimistic but the hire on Nansen does concern them. We are going balls out to get him though. Denbrock was there Wednesday and will be back on Monday with Elliot and Cooks with BK saving his in home for closer to NSD.

Loy basically went from very confident to crap shoot.

???

Who's right here?

 

[Emcee77]

??



???

Who's right here?

No conflict. ND is concerned about the Nansen hire but at the same time figures it can't be that big a deal, or Juju would have been considering Washington more strongly while Nansen and Sark were there. The BGI guys conclude that they like ND's chances but they feel like Juju could end up going either way.

Now, personally, I think that logic regarding Nansen is a little suspect. Maybe Juju didn't want to play for Nansen at UW because he just didn't like UW, but maybe he really likes the idea of playing for Nansen at the school he dreamed of playing for as a kid.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

No conflict. ND is concerned about the Nansen hire but at the same figures it can't be that big a deal, or Juju would have been considering Washington more strongly while Nansen and Sark were there. The BGI guys conclude that they like ND's chances but they feel like Juju could end up going either way.

Now, personally, I think that logic regarding Nansen is a little suspect. Maybe Juju didn't want to play for Nansen at UW because he just didn't like UW, but maybe he really likes the idea of playing for Nansen at the school he dreamed of playing for as a kid.

Exactly. I think that is more Loy spin than anything the ND staff actually believes.

 

[stlnd01]

Exactly. I think that is more Loy spin than anything the ND staff actually believes.

Or what the staff's telling Loy that he doesn't think critically about. Either way, this one feels like it's heading in the other direction.

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

Will be visited by Denbrock today per BGI.

 

[Emcee77]

Loy posted that he's heard that Denbrock's visit with Smith went great, losing Diaco won't hurt our chances at all and Juju "continues to hint" that he'll end up Irish.

?!?!

He didn't explain what he meant by "continues to hint."

 

[Ironman8]

Loy posted that he's heard that Denbrock's visit with Smith went great, losing Diaco won't hurt our chances at all and Juju "continues to hint" that he'll end up Irish.

?!?!

He didn't explain what he meant by "continues to hint."

He clarified that he has hinted to the staff that he 'knows ND is the best fit for him'

 

[Cpnd1]

Situation seems very similar to redfield...hope the same result occurs.

 

[Rack Em]

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[IrishLax]

ISD and 247 still feel rather optimistic towards Juju.

I don't. I don't really care what he says/hints... watch what he says to non-ND people and it seems pretty clear he's not headed here. Really hope I'm wrong because he's an absolute baller.

 

[koonja]

Just my opinion, but telling the coaches that he knows ND is the best place for him, is like in high school when you told your friends you should date the nice, smart, pretty girl but you're enamored with the hot, popular girl.

 

[Pachuco]

Just my opinion, but telling the coaches that he knows ND is the best place for him, is like in high school when you told your friends you should date the nice, smart, pretty girl but you're enamored with the hot, popular girl.

40 year decision versus one-and-done around the block. Adult decision versus teenager decision.