'14 IL ILB Nyles Morgan (Notre Dame Signee)

[NDBoiler]

would welcome the commitment but have yet to get the feeling he himself really wants to be at ND.

This^^^^ Someone please convince me otherwise, would be great to pick up a huge need like Morgan.

 

[STLDomer]

would welcome the commitment but have yet to get the feeling he himself really wants to be at ND.

This^^^^ Someone please convince me otherwise, would be great to pick up a huge need like Morgan.

He visited 3 teams this season. He just doesn't talk much to reporters.

 

[koonja]

Morgan came to a hoops game on his own dime on the Friday before byu game, and also came to buy game over ole miss/Missouri. That sec game >>>>> nd byu. He was also spotted at a practice a couple of weeks ago. All on his own dime, fwiw.

 

[Emcee77]

Coach Freeze is no longer visiting him this week. Franklin and Kelly are. Seems this is more than just "sources" saying they are full, looks like they actually are.

Wow. Amazing. What a turn of events.

How are they too full to take a top 100 player? They must have some studs committed.

 

[IrishLax]

would welcome the commitment but have yet to get the feeling he himself really wants to be at ND.

This is what I said a week or so ago in post #757... and I said a lot of similar stuff in the who's likely next thread, etc. a couple weeks ago regarding his interest in ND:

Seems like he is trying to make sure he is comfortable with the decision. ND trumps or is even with Ole Miss in everything... distance, family preference, coaching, football, tradition, exposure, early PT... except the subjective "comfort" or "fit" angle. It's no coincidence that every school on his list is SEC except Notre Dame. There is clearly some intrigue in going that state school football factory route.

I think all of these visits are to continue to check out the life there and get a feel for everything. If he's liking what he is seeing, I expect us to ultimately win out.

He has visited ND many times. During the season, he visited 3 times... including once in the middle of the week just for the heck of it to hang out. I think early on he bought into negative recruiting on ND, and then since he has been able to get a feel for what life is really like on campus for the players and has gotten comfortable with ND. If he picks ND, there is no doubt in my mind it will be because that's where he wants to go after thinking through all of his options. This certainly won't be an impulsive or poorly reasoned decision.

 

[NDBoiler]

This is what I said a week or so ago in post #757... and I said a lot of similar stuff in the who's likely next thread, etc. a couple weeks ago regarding his interest in ND:



He has visited ND many times. During the season, he visited 3 times... including once in the middle of the week just for the heck of it to hang out. I think early on he bought into negative recruiting on ND, and then since he has been able to get a feel for what life is really like on campus for the players and has gotten comfortable with ND. If he picks ND, there is no doubt in my mind it will be because that's where he wants to go after thinking through all of his options. This certainly won't be an impulsive or poorly reasoned decision.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Luckylucci]

Wiltfong also mentioned that one of his sources said that ND had already passed Ole Miss prior to this news. With that said he does say that Morgan's went back and forth a lot but we put ourselves in a good position regardless of what Ole Miss was doing and this just adds to it.

 

[IrishLax]

Wow. Amazing. What a turn of events.

How are they too full to take a top 100 player? They must have some studs committed.

Honestly, to me it seems more like they saw the writing on the wall. A couple days ago they started turning up the heat on Sykes to potentially get them as a package deal... then I think they saw that they could take the "bird in hand" with the JUCO player and that was a better option then potentially trying to take 2 players for 1 spot and likely missing out on both of them and being left empty handed.

I've consistently believed from the moment he made his first return trip to ND as an unofficial that things were trending our way, and then after he visited for a 3rd time in the season for no apparent reason except to hang out I was pretty convinced we had all of the momentum here. Once you cut out all of the negative recruiting BS, Notre Dame was clearly the best choice on so many levels, and I think he was coming around on that. The lack of talking to reporters is what lead everyone to continue thinking that Ole Miss was "#1".

 

[Cackalacky]

wait til they have to pay treadwell and company's yearly bonus

Nkemdiche has stock options.

 

[NDdomer2]

Props to the staff for sticking this one out when it looked ugly early.

 

[Emcee77]

Honestly, to me it seems more like they saw the writing on the wall. A couple days ago they started turning up the heat on Sykes to potentially get them as a package deal... then I think they saw that they could take the "bird in hand" with the JUCO player and that was a better option then potentially trying to take 2 players for 1 spot and likely missing out on both of them and being left empty handed.

Yep, I bet you are right.

For the record, Ole Miss does not appear to have studs committed at ILB this year ... the two guys listed as ILBs are rated in the low 80s, per 247. It's gotta be that they just saw the writing on the wall and opted to go for depth this cycle.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Him and Jaylon playing along side one another.......yes please

 

[Cpnd1]

I have a question about the whole Core6 vs ND thing...has something changed in that relationship? Or are Sykes and Morgan just two special cases?

 

[woolybug25]

Morgan came to a hoops game on his own dime on the Friday before byu game, and also came to buy game over ole miss/Missouri. That sec game >>>>> nd byu. He was also spotted at a practice a couple of weeks ago. All on his own dime, fwiw.

Actions speak louder than words, and his actions definitely sound like he's genuinely interested for sure.

 

[NDdomer2]

I have a question about the whole Core6 vs ND thing...has something changed in that relationship? Or are Sykes and Morgan just two special cases?

I can't say for sure but I think the way we handled Morgan and Sykes recruitments has done a lot to put us on the right side of the fence for Core6

 

[md_bennett]

I have a question about the whole Core6 vs ND thing...has something changed in that relationship? Or are Sykes and Morgan just two special cases?

I don't think it has changed, but I could see this as a new beginning in that relationship. The coaches may never have a change of heart on a personal level, but if they see some of the kids getting legit offers from ND when other schools won't even talk to them on a team visit - well I think you can see how it would look better for them to at least give us a fair shake.

 

[PANDFAN]

I have a question about the whole Core6 vs ND thing...has something changed in that relationship? Or are Sykes and Morgan just two special cases?

.they are PRO big 10 as that is their affiliation; however it seems that they just arn't against ND as in the past...plus w/ having ND showing interest in 3 of their guys it seems to be more positive for them(making their brand bigger)...could have been just some big 10 players that didn't get interest in ND which is what created the negative ND in their eyes in the past

EDITED : i saw weishar was core 6 before however when i checked he isn't listed as one of their athletes..he maybe participated in one of their annual showcases but is NOT after fact checking

 

[EuropeanDomer]

So Vanderbilt now is the biggest rival for his services? Several months ago Vandy was the leader but now looks like the interest is decreasing.

 

[Luckylucci]

So Vanderbilt now is the biggest rival for his services? Several months ago Vandy was the leader but now looks like the interest is decreasing.

Yes, he did take an official to Florida recently but I don't think he's really considering them. He may or may not take an official to Vandy this weekend. Timeline wiltfong said that it was ND, Vandy, Ole Miss, and now back to ND.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

weishar is a core 6 as well....they are PRO big 10 as that is their affiliation; however it seems that they just arn't against ND as in the past...plus w/ having ND showing interest in 3 of their guys it seems to be more positive for them(making their brand bigger)...could have been just some big 10 players that didn't get interest in ND which is what created the negative ND in their eyes in the past

Plus, if their most visible alums are ND guys they would be idiots to bad mouth ND to their other kids. Having ties to a major program is a big plua for them. The coaches may still dislike ND but I think they will be more apt to keep it to themselves in the future.

 

[rikkitikki08]

What exactly is the Core6 everyone speaks of?

 

[Buster Bluth]

What exactly is the Core6 everyone speaks of?

Chicago-area football training program. Considerably anti-ND and pro-B1G.

 

[Chi_IRISH]

Chicago-area football training program. Considerably anti-ND and pro-B1G.

Also pro SEC. Tredwell, Standifer, Pocic........

BTW- Stieber lookes great again this year!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[IrishLax]

Also pro SEC. Tredwell, Standifer, Pocic........

BTW- Stieber lookes great again this year!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, especially with them opening another branch down south. I looked into this quite a bit months ago... I don't think all of the guys are necessarily anti-ND as much as ND isn't/wasn't playing ball with them the right way. They have banquets/clinics... coaches from B1G, SEC, etc. all attend... no one from ND. So they're definitely pro-B1G and pro-SEC... that makes you implicitly anti-ND.

Also, from Crete Monee specifically their old coach was a huge a-hole who hates Brian Kelly from something that happened decades ago. I've never gotten a complete story on it. He's no longer there. From what I've heard he explicitly steered players away from ND and spread a lot of bad vibes towards Kelly & Co. There was a lot of stuff in the Chicago area that wasn't working out, and I think we've made steps to address it.

 

[dublinirish]

Yeah, especially with them opening another branch down south. I looked into this quite a bit months ago... I don't think all of the guys are necessarily anti-ND as much as ND isn't/wasn't playing ball with them the right way. They have banquets/clinics... coaches from B1G, SEC, etc. all attend... no one from ND. So they're definitely pro-B1G and pro-SEC... that makes you implicitly anti-ND.

Also, from Crete Monee specifically their old coach was a huge a-hole who hates Brian Kelly from something that happened decades ago. I've never gotten a complete story on it. He's no longer there. From what I've heard he explicitly steered players away from ND and spread a lot of bad vibes towards Kelly & Co. There was a lot of stuff in the Chicago area that wasn't working out, and I think we've made steps to address it.

Core-6 is owned/run by B1G alums. It's kind of natural they would want their kids to end up in that conference

 

[IrishLax]

Mike Frank just posted a pretty solid numbers breakdown.

Assuming Tuitt is back, Lombard is back, and Schmidt keeps his scholarship... we're looking at 79 total scholarship players right now. So 6 open slots for flexible 5th years and recruits. Pretty strong position to be in... can take Sykes, Morgan, Luatua, Nelson/McKenzie and have two flex spots remaining that you could give to a decent 5th year candidate if you miss on Quick or Elam... and you have a choice between bringing back Collinsworth or taking some new blood with a guy like Hendrix.

Also, you can have guys like Hill potentially waiting in the wings to see what happens with Yeargin (most think he's solid) and what not. And you also have potential transfers/medicals... does someone like Jalen Brown or Anthony Rabasa or Josh Atkinson hit the road? Does one of our myriad of severely injured guys take a medical? Will be interesting to watch.

 

[Emcee77]

Did Kendall Moore figure in? I think he's gotta come back just to have some at least marginally experienced depth at ILB.

 

[Irishman77]

Mike Frank just posted a pretty solid numbers breakdown.

Assuming Tuitt is back, Lombard is back, and Schmidt keeps his scholarship... we're looking at 79 total scholarship players right now. So 6 open slots for flexible 5th years and recruits. Pretty strong position to be in... can take Sykes, Morgan, Luatua, Nelson/McKenzie and have two flex spots remaining that you could give to a decent 5th year candidate if you miss on Quick or Elam... and you have a choice between bringing back Collinsworth or taking some new blood with a guy like Hendrix.

Also, you can have guys like Hill potentially waiting in the wings to see what happens with Yeargin (most think he's solid) and what not. And you also have potential transfers/medicals... does someone like Jalen Brown or Anthony Rabasa or Josh Atkinson hit the road? Does one of our myriad of severely injured guys take a medical? Will be interesting to watch.

Yep. I keep saying we will lose a few to transfers and at the top of my speculation list is the Atkinson brothers...


Also...no mention of JuJu?

 

[CanadalovesND]

Mike Frank just posted a pretty solid numbers breakdown.

Assuming Tuitt is back, Lombard is back, and Schmidt keeps his scholarship... we're looking at 79 total scholarship players right now. So 6 open slots for flexible 5th years and recruits. Pretty strong position to be in... can take Sykes, Morgan, Luatua, Nelson/McKenzie and have two flex spots remaining that you could give to a decent 5th year candidate if you miss on Quick or Elam... and you have a choice between bringing back Collinsworth or taking some new blood with a guy like Hendrix.

Also, you can have guys like Hill potentially waiting in the wings to see what happens with Yeargin (most think he's solid) and what not. And you also have potential transfers/medicals... does someone like Jalen Brown or Anthony Rabasa or Josh Atkinson hit the road? Does one of our myriad of severely injured guys take a medical? Will be interesting to watch.

I seriously doubt that considering they are all just one year away from graduating.

With us, it's usually an underclassmen that transfer (Kiel, Ferguson, Neal, Badger).

And Mike Frank's numbers are off.... Not counting Lombard:

Seniors: (George Atkinson III, Josh Atkinson, Jalen Brown, Everett Golson, Cam McDaniel, DaVaris Daniels, Amir Carlisle, Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack, Conor Hanratty, Nick Martin, Matt Hegarty, Chase Hounshell, Tony Springmann, Ishaq Williams, Ben Councell, Joe Schmidt, Anthony Rabasa, Jarrett Grace, Matthias Farley, Eilar Hardy & Kyle Brindza) - 23

Juniors: (William Mahone, C. J. Prosise, Chris Brown, Ronnie Stanley, Mark Harrell, Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones, Romeo Okwara, Elijah Shumate, Nicky Baratti, John Turner, KeiVarae Russell & Scott Daly) - 13

Sophomore: (Malik Zaire, Tarean Folston, Greg Bryant, James Onwualu, Torii Hunter Jr., Corey Robinson, William Fuller, Hunter Bivin, Steve Elmer, John Montelus, Mike McGlinchey, Colin McGovern, Isaac Rochell, Jacob Matuska, Jaylon Smith, Michael Deeb, Doug Randolph, Max Redfield, Cole Luke, Devin Butler & Rashad Kinlaw) - 23

...23 + 13 + 23 = 59.

Currently, 20 commits (yes, I am counting mckenzie) = 79.

6 spots left for 5th years + recruits.


***EDIT: I see what Mike Frank did there. He wasn't counting McKenzie, but did with Lombard essentially filling as the 79th spot***

 

[CanadalovesND]

Yep. I keep saying we will lose a few to transfers and at the top of my speculation list is the Atkinson brothers...


Also...no mention of JuJu?

Again, why would they transfer when they are a year away from graduating? Both do run out of eligibility, but if Josh does not play as a senior, he'll save an extra year so he can play at another school as a 5th year senior.

As for JuJu, things have been trending towards USC.