Personally, I would be surprised if he doesn't commit on his visit this weekend.
I agree, and with the news that Ole Miss has dropped Nyles Morgan ... I wonder if they'll both commit. They are Core 6 buddies and Morgan's interest in ND seemed to pick up when we offered Sykes. If Sykes commits that might entice Morgan.
Morgan already has a deadline. I don't see him changing it even if he knew he wanted to be at ND
Oh true, I forgot about that. He's announcing at his AA game. Good call.
@SWiltfong247: #NotreDame related update on LB Nile Sykes: Nile Sykes update from Core 6 Banquet #ND #Irish
Core 6 Athletes competes every day of the year but one.
That one day came on Wednesday evening, CEO Paul Szczesny and his staff celebrated another great year, as the Windy City training ground has become one of the major names in high high school football nationwide.
At the second-annual Core 6 Athletes banquet, players and parents that attended got to hear presentations from Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin, Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck.
Many other college programs sent assistant coaches to take part in the festivities in Ole Miss, Michigan State, Stanford, Purdue, Ohio State, Minnesota, Iowa, Penn State, Ball State, Toledo, Northwestern and Eastern Michigan.
Joliet (Ill.) Plainfield South five-star outside linebacker Clifton Garrett took home the evening's highest honor, winning Core 6 Athletes Player of the Year. The U.S. Army All-American will announce his college decision next Tuesday, with his finalists being Florida, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
Lombard (Ill.) Montini Catholic linebacker Nile Sykes won Defensive Player of the Year. He recently narrowed his list of offers to Notre Dame, Syracuse, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and South Florida. Sykes took an official visit to the Orange campus last weekend and heads to South Bend this weekend.
Chicago (Ill.) Marist junior receiver Flynn Nagel and Western Illinois quarterback commit Sean McGuire shared Offensive Player of the Year. Illinois, Indiana, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan have already offered Nagel.
Two All-Americans shared lineman of the year in U.S. Army All-American and Michigan State commit Brian Allen of Hinsdale (Ill.) Central, and Under Armour All-American and Ohio State pledge Jamarco Jones of Chicago (Ill.) De La Salle.
Newcomer of the Year was awarded to New Lenox (Ill.) Providence Catholic junior receiver/tight end Miles Boykin, who holds early offers from the likes of Illinois, Michigan State, N.C. State, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
Purdue athlete commit Simmie Cobbs took home Most Improved Player honors.
The fourth annual Core 6 Athletes winter showcase will take place on Jan. 20 at Westmont (Ill.) Yard Sports Complex. The first annual youth showcase for 5th to 8th graders will take place Jan. 18 at Northwestern University.
For more details on those showcases and Core 6 Athletes, visit their website here.
Stay tuned for more coverage from the Core 6 Banquet.
Wiltfong is hearing that even if ND blows away Nike this weekend, he will not commit on the spot, as he would like some time to let the visit 'marinate' before making a final decision.
I doubt he waits too long. He may not have a spot if he does.
I absolutely think they'd save a spot for him as things stand right now. I really don't understand the hesitation on his end at all unless it's related to Diaco leaving (or Martin who was his recruiter before that)... before that, he seemed ready to pop on the spot the moment he was offered and we just said to pump the brakes until he visited.
I absolutely think they'd save a spot for him as things stand right now. I really don't understand the hesitation on his end at all unless it's related to Diaco leaving (or Martin who was his recruiter before that)... before that, he seemed ready to pop on the spot the moment he was offered and we just said to pump the brakes until he visited.
I think it's smart on the kids part to go home after the visit and let it all sink in. Big decision for any young man.
Well, I said too long meaning I don't think he waits into January and thats only 3 weeks away. I think a very realistic scenario if he were to wait into January is that we land Hill and Morgan in 3 weeks and in that scenario I don't think they take Sykes.
Hmm, OK. That makes sense. I always looked at Sykes as a prerequisite to landing Morgan, but with Morgan announcing at the AA game and the potential of landing Hill this weekend, he could potentially be left on the outside looking in should it go down as you described.
Everything I've heard leads me to believe we'd take all three.
do we know if his parents will be accompanying him on his visit this weekend?
part of me still thinks that sykes is a pre-req for morgan even though he's announcing in january. could that date have been set with the impression that sykes would most likely be irish before then?
Ultimately, I think this is all a moot point. Sykes is a very good player, and I expect him to commit to ND shortly if not immediately. The only hold up I'm guessing is the lack of a position coach. Morgan is definitely a take no matter what when he announces in early January.
Hill? Maybe more of a luxury than a need, but if he wants to pull the trigger this weekend I can't envision a scenario where we'd say no. So I expect us to land all three.
I think it's smart on the kids part to go home after the visit and let it all sink in. Big decision for any young man.