'11 CA ATH George Atkinson III (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[Kingbish01]

And I pray to God he learns how to lower his shoulder.

Ya, you hit the hole standing up straight in the NFL you might die.

 

[arrowryan]

Ya, you hit the hole standing up straight in the NFL you might die.

He won't make it till the second preseason game if he doesn't

 

[philipm31]

4th round means NO guaranteed money.

OTOH, an ND degree in whatever he was studying would likely mean INSTANT job security, even in this tough job market.

Really terrible advice that he got from his dad.

Just AWFUL advice. Goodness.

 

[ryno 24]

Someone is going to take a chance on him because of his unreal speed and the fact that he is 6'1 and 225.

He is was not a great football player, but NFL teams believe with his athleticism that they can make him good.

 

[philipm31]

He won't make it till the second preseason game if he doesn't

IF he is even drafted or a roster invitee, which is unlikely, seeing as how he does not lower his pads, and has demonstrated little to not vision as a RB.

He was a decent college player, but he is not anywhere near as talented as someone like Cierre Wood, and he was a UFA who made the Texans, but had little to no true impact on the field.

I hope he can re-enrolls after this next year, instead of pursuing his father's dream of him playing in the NFL.

 

[Emcee77]

4th round means NO guaranteed money.

OTOH, an ND degree in whatever he was studying would likely mean INSTANT job security, even in this tough job market.

Really terrible advice that he got from his dad.

Just AWFUL advice. Goodness.

He will be able to finish his degree if the NFL doesn't work out, even if he has to pay his own way for the two more semesters he needs. This isn't a poor kid.

 

[philipm31]

And that is not a knock on Cierre, just an observation that someone who did run with vision, lower pads and was able to catch, block and be a versatile back was not even drafted.

Cierre was really really talented, but even he went undrafted and the gap between what he offered you as a player and what GAIII does is enormous.

 

[Buster Bluth]

4th round means NO guaranteed money.

OTOH, an ND degree in whatever he was studying would likely mean INSTANT job security, even in this tough job market.

Really terrible advice that he got from his dad.

Just AWFUL advice. Goodness.

He can always come back.

The percentage of carries he'd receive in 2014 is much lower than in 2013. If he's going to the NFL, the time is now.

 

[philipm31]

He will be able to finish his degree if the NFL doesn't work out, even if he has to pay his own way for the two more semesters he needs. This isn't a poor kid.

I never said he was poor.

I was pointing out that the advice that he received from his father was atrocious.

 

[PANDFAN]

I never said he was poor.

I was pointing out that the advice that he received from his father was atrocious.

why..he wasn't improving next year w/ even less carries....could get hurt so why not take a chance....he can always come back for degree, can't always come back from injury

 

[phgreek]

I would look for the Raiders to draft him in the 3rd round based upon speed alone. That is their MO.

another heyward-bay moment ...

Al is dead, and it seems there is less of that...but he is a legacy to the Raider Org...who knows...

 

[philipm31]

He can always come back.

The percentage of carries he'd receive in 2014 is much lower than in 2013. If he's going to the NFL, the time is now.

Not if he signs with an agent.

If he does not get drafted and wants to come back to get his degree, I think he would be much better off.

And what is the point of going pro if you know that your grade is 4th or lower already?

Sure it is better to go now, if you think you will actually be able to make a difference and make a team, or if your eligibility is used up, but to go pro when your initial grade is that low just does not make sense.

ESPECIALLY since he could graduate from ND and have instant job security, making good money right out of college.

Just shameful that his father is taking advantage of his kid like this.

 

[Kak7304]

4th round means NO guaranteed money.

OTOH, an ND degree in whatever he was studying would likely mean INSTANT job security, even in this tough job market.

Really terrible advice that he got from his dad.

Just AWFUL advice. Goodness.

He was going to drop on the depth chart and his stock would sink even further. Strike while the iron is hot (or less cold, in this case).

I don't understand the people saying the guys are better off finishing their degrees. He still earned all those credits and can finish at any time. RBs have a short shelf life so give that NFL dream a shot and finish at ND later.

 

[Emcee77]

I never said he was poor.

I was pointing out that the advice that he received from his father was atrocious.

You said that he'd get no guaranteed money if he were drafted in the fourth round or later, but he'd have instant job security with an ND degree. I was pointing out that there is no risk in deciding to put his studies on hold. He won't improve his draft position by staying, nor will he lose the opportunity to finish his degree by going, as perhaps Tuitt or a player from a less affluent family might, because he can always come back and pay his own way at ND. He will either make it in the league or will he come back to ND to finish his degree. He might as well give the NFL a shot now rather than risk injury or a disastrous season in which he plays even less than he did this year. So I don't think his dad's advice was bad at all.

 

[PANDFAN]

Not if he signs with an agent.

If he does not get drafted and wants to come back to get his degree, I think he would be much better off.

And what is the point of going pro if you know that your grade is 4th or lower already?

Sure it is better to go now, if you think you will actually be able to make a difference and make a team, or if your eligibility is used up, but to go pro when your initial grade is that low just does not make sense.

ESPECIALLY since he could graduate from ND and have instant job security, making good money right out of college.

Just shameful that his father is taking advantage of his kid like this.

but maybe his dream is to play in the nfl...prob a likely chance it is....and this is his best opportunity....makes perfect sense to me

 

[Booslum31]

I'm a little bit concerned for GAIII:

- 3rd on ND Depth Chart
- 70% of NFL kicks going into the endzone
- Running style
- Um...questionable receiving skills

Someone up above threw out a 3rd round pick to the Raiders....I just hope he gets drafted.

 

[ACamp1900]

The point has been made, but if he burns it at the combine he'll get drafted.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Not if he signs with an agent.

If he does not get drafted and wants to come back to get his degree, I think he would be much better off.

And what is the point of going pro if you know that your grade is 4th or lower already?

Sure it is better to go now, if you think you will actually be able to make a difference and make a team, or if your eligibility is used up, but to go pro when your initial grade is that low just does not make sense.

ESPECIALLY since he could graduate from ND and have instant job security, making good money right out of college.

Just shameful that his father is taking advantage of his kid like this.

As has already been said, if things don't work out in the NFL, his Dad pays for one year of college and he's got instant job security etc, etc.

This is not a choice of NFL or never get his degree. This is not a poor family.

His Dad may have said some improper things a week or two back. But in no way would I say he is doing his kid wrong if his recommendation is to go pro. To call that advice "shameful" is over the top.

 

[philipm31]

why..he wasn't improving next year w/ even less carries....could get hurt so why not take a chance....he can always come back for degree, can't always come back from injury

What is the point of coming to ND if the ONLY reason you come here is to make it in the NFL, where it has been noted that fewer than 2 percent of all NCAA players are even drafted?? He could even be a Grad Assistant, if he wanted, so he could remain part of the team, but instead he is making a decision based on his own father's wishes.

He can just not come back to the team, get his degree and have a job making 50K or more, which is better than a LOT of people have these days.

If he tears up his knee or suffers a TBI because of football--and the way he runs, who would doubt it not happening at some point?--then he is kinda screwed, whether or not it is in the NFL or the NCAA.

Getting a degree from ND would set him up for LIFE, not just a few years.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I wish GA the very best of luck! I understand why he decided to leave, he has to take his shot now IMO. Hopefully someone picks him up and he is given a chance.

 

[CanadalovesND]

What is the point of coming to ND if the ONLY reason you come here is to make it in the NFL, where it has been noted that fewer than 2 percent of all NCAA players are even drafted?? He could even be a Grad Assistant, if he wanted, so he could remain part of the team, but instead he is making a decision based on his own father's wishes.

He can just not come back to the team, get his degree and have a job making 50K or more, which is better than a LOT of people have these days.

If he tears up his knee or suffers a TBI because of football--and the way he runs, who would doubt it not happening at some point?--then he is kinda screwed, whether or not it is in the NFL or the NCAA.

Getting a degree from ND would set him up for LIFE, not just a few years.

And like people have been saying... he can come back and finish the necessary credits to earn his degree.

 

[ab2cmiller]

And like people have been saying... he can come back and finish the necessary credits to earn his degree.

I don't think he is reading those parts of the posts.

 

[Irishnuke]

I don't know if this helps team chemistry or not, but it definitely doesn't from a purely football perspective. Amir is supposed to fill in for him? Lol. Amir hasn't done shit. Hopefully he'll improve or BK will figure out how to use him, which ever needs to happen more.

So our backfield will be Folston, GB, Cam, and...? Is Amir going to get carries? Mahone?

 

[philipm31]

What can I say? I just think that he should have gotten his degree.

Hell, if he is THIS motivated to play in the NFL, then he should have gotten his degree in three years.

#JustSaying

 

[IrishFaninTX]

Not if he signs with an agent.

If he does not get drafted and wants to come back to get his degree, I think he would be much better off.

And what is the point of going pro if you know that your grade is 4th or lower already?

Sure it is better to go now, if you think you will actually be able to make a difference and make a team, or if your eligibility is used up, but to go pro when your initial grade is that low just does not make sense.

ESPECIALLY since he could graduate from ND and have instant job security, making good money right out of college.

Just shameful that his father is taking advantage of his kid like this.

I don't think he meant he can come back to play but that he can always come back to get his degree. Lots of players do it. Jimmy Clausen for one. I don't think GAIII will make it in the NFL but if that is his dream who are we to say he shouldn't go for it? He wasn't going to get a lot of carries next season so now is probably the time to see if he can get lucky and get drafted. If he doesn't, then he can go back and finish his last year.

 

[philipm31]

I don't think he is reading those parts of the posts.

I am and I still don't see why he is hellbent on risking his health for a dream that he will make an NFL team when he does not need to do so.

OTOH, it certainly helps the team because now we do not have to worry about his carries and can focus on developing our other running backs who will undoubtedly make much more of an impact than GA did.

I wish him the best, but I still think the decision is just silly.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I don't know if this helps team chemistry or not, but it definitely doesn't from a purely football perspective. Amir is supposed to fill in for him? Lol. Amir hasn't done shit. Hopefully he'll improve or BK will figure out how to use him, which ever needs to happen more.

So our backfield will be Folston, GB, Cam, and...? Is Amir going to get carries? Mahone?

Why do we need a 4th RB to get carries?

 

[CanadalovesND]

Why do we need a 4th RB to get carries?

In case of injuries, player development, experience.. you know, the normal shit.

 

[rikkitikki08]

hahaha what? Good luck to him I suppose. Someone will take a chance on him if he runs a crazy time at the combine. 7th round pick at best in my opinion.

Do you think his dad had anything to do with his decision? His pop seemed to really sour on ND for some reason

 

[Booslum31]

The point has been made, but if he burns it at the combine he'll get drafted.

There will be a lot of guys "burning" at the combine...he'll need more than that.