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

[wizards8507]

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?

How many teams have a fourth running back that gets carries? I doubt GAIII was going to get many touches even if he had stayed.

 

[Emcee77]

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?

It'll be interesting to see how this works out. We know what to expect from McDaniel and Folston. But Amir seemed to lose his focus this year, GB's been injured (but reportedly impressive when healthy), and Mahone's been injured.

I think we all expect GB to get meaningful time when healthy. I don't expect Mahone to crack the rotation this year. I could see him playing the McDaniel role in 2015 as an inside runner, behind Folston.

Amir is an X factor, imo. I thought he looked great against Michigan and crappy the rest of the year. Kelly has said nothing but complimentary things about him, but we all watched him drop way too many easy catches. Don't know what the issue is. Personally, I'm hopeful that he will thrive with a creative, mobile QB. When teams have to respect the QB's running ability, it creates more space for running backs and slot receivers in the running game and short passing game.

 

[IrishLax]

Basically a Darron Thomas situation. Knew he wasn't going to touch the ball next year.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

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?

Isaiah McKenzie.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Basically a Darron Thomas situation. Knew he wasn't going to touch the ball next year.

Bingo!

You are looking at GB, Folston, Cam and Amir next year.

Best of luck to GA III in the NFL. Hope he carves out a nitch.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

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.

This. Cierre was 10x the player as GAIII and had some pretty impressive measurables. Anybody team that gives up more than a 7th should get their heads examined.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

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

I just took 6 BCS teams as an example. I guess we could see Amir carry it on avg. ~2 times a game

Auburn: 3 RBs >25 carriers
FSU: 4RBs> 25 carries (Ryan Green had 33 mostly in mop up)
Oklahoma: 3RBs >25 carries
Alabama: 3RBs > 25 carries
Clemson: 4 RBs> 25 carries (4th RB carries were all in blow outs)
Ohio State : 4RBs>25 carries (14 of Elliot's 30 carries were in a 76-0 win over Florida A&M)

 

[LoveThee]

Just wondering, because people say players can always come back to finish their degree, is it guaranteed when players sign their LOI that they can come back to the school at any time? Because I could see a player who was admitted based on his football playing ability not being readmitted in a situation like this unless there is some sort of guarantee.

 

[Irish8248]

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

I heard they have medicine for that

 

[ulukinatme]

Well, bye.

You forgot the .gif

Autoban for saying anything negative about Rees but celebration gifs because a running back who averaged 6 yards per carry went pro.

It's not like Tommy didn't have tons of yards and TDs, he just happened to have more INTs than a guy like Quinn or Clausen. Not a fair comparison to those guys given the fact Tommy wasn't as athletic and was asked to throw the ball more than we should have been throwing. Constantly getting into situations where we have to chuck the ball 30-40 times a game is a bad idea unless your QB is incredibly elite. Tommy should have just been asked to manage the game.

As far as GAIII, the guy has an obvious attitude problem, that's probably the biggest issue here and why people are rejoicing. Aside from that, he may have 6 YPC, but he's the definition of inconsistency for a guy that should have all the physical tools. When it comes down to it, he's a home run threat, nothing more. Half the time he can't find the hole, or he will find the hole and he goes down on initial contact. What kind of back can't fight out of a tackle or extend the play a few yards, especially at 225 pounds? Cam gets more yards after initial contact. George will get stonewalled a number of times, then he'll magically break a big one and bring up his YPC. He doesn't learn from these mistakes, especially when it comes to his pad level. Consistency is very important for a running back. It's better to have a back that will always get you 3-5 yards, than a back that will get you a bunch of 1-2 yard gains and maybe a 10+ yarder later.

I wish George well. I'm not terribly happy that he's leaving, but I'm not broken up over it either. It would have been nice to have him for returns, as that's where he shines the most. We'll be fine at running back if Folston continues to get better, Cam stays Cam, and GB gets healthy. Theres also Mahone and AC, who knows what those two will do. Our backfield will be fine next year, GAIII taking off won't hurt it.

 

[Irish YJ]

Good luck GA3.

Next!

 

[ThePiombino]

Best of luck to GAIII. I truly hope he finds a home in the NFL.

That said, I think it was a dumb, emotion-driven move.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Just wondering, because people say players can always come back to finish their degree, is it guaranteed when players sign their LOI that they can come back to the school at any time? Because I could see a player who was admitted based on his football playing ability not being readmitted in a situation like this unless there is some sort of guarantee.

I don't know the answer to this but if they leave school in good academic standing why wouldn't they be let back?

 

[Emcee77]

Just wondering, because people say players can always come back to finish their degree, is it guaranteed when players sign their LOI that they can come back to the school at any time? Because I could see a player who was admitted based on his football playing ability not being readmitted in a situation like this unless there is some sort of guarantee.

I think all students, once admitted, can come back after an absence, if the absence was voluntary (i.e., the student wasn't thrown out due to poor conduct or poor grades or anything like that). I've never heard of someone leaving voluntarily and then having to reapply.

 

[BGIF]

QUOTE=LoveThee;1202892]Just wondering, because people say players can always come back to finish their degree, is it guaranteed when players sign their LOI that they can come back to the school at any time? Because I could see a player who was admitted based on his football playing ability not being readmitted in a situation like this unless there is some sort of guarantee.[/QUOTE]

No, it's not even guaranteed that the signee will attend the school he signed with. See Oversigning.

Scholarships are also for 1 year and get renewed annually at most schools. If a player leaves schools for academic or other reasons, such as discipline, the school does not have to take the person back.

Players that leave for the NFL can return at the school's choice but obviously on their own dime as they forfeit their eligibility for an NCAA scholarship.

If the player was in good academic standing when they left I can't see why any school wouldn't allow them back. ND shoots for 100% graduation. They'd prefer it in 4 years but want to see the student complete their requirements regardless of interruption.

Even the football factories want them back if they can help boost the school's graduation rate which now is monitored and can result in penalties for a program.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Interesting little stat tidbit I read: GA3 is the ND all-time leader in kickoff return yards.

 

[BGIF]

I think all students, once admitted, can come back after an absence, if the absence was voluntary (i.e., the student wasn't thrown out due to poor conduct or poor grades or anything like that). I've never heard of someone leaving voluntarily and then having to reapply.

http://admissions.nd.edu/assets/68037/readmission_application.pdf

A student who has discontinued study in a degree-seeking program at
Notre Dame may be eligible for readmission to the University. To be
readmitted, a student must be approved by all of the following offices:

College to which the student applies
Office of Student Affairs
Office of Student Financial Services

You don't go back to University Admissions for a review of your HS courses and Test Scores but you do have to apply to the college (of the UND) that you attended.

 

[BGIF]

Best of luck to GAIII. I truly hope he finds a home in the NFL.

That said, I think it was a dumb, emotion-driven move.

Hear! Hear!


And I hope he has the intelligence and maturity to come back to finish. It's a lifetime move.

 

[Emcee77]

http://admissions.nd.edu/assets/68037/readmission_application.pdf



You don't go back to University Admissions for a review of your HS courses and Test Scores but you do have to apply to the college (of the UND) that you attended.

Ah ok thanks ... that makes sense.

 

[NDohio]

Well, didn't expect this today.

Good Luck GAIII - I hope you make a roster and can follow your dreams.

Maybe now we can narrow our number of running backs getting touches and get them into the flow of the game.

 

[Irish YJ]

Well, didn't expect this today.

Good Luck GAIII - I hope you make a roster and can follow your dreams.

Maybe now we can narrow our number of running backs getting touches and get them into the flow of the game.

Really want to see the Folston/Bryant combo. Would love to see Cam as a gritty Z. Brings to mind Wes Welker size, but faster.

 

[NDohio]

Really want to see the Folston/Bryant combo. Would love to see Cam as a gritty Z. Brings to mind Wes Welker size, but faster.

Yep

 

[Ironman8]

Really want to see the Folston/Bryant combo. Would love to see Cam as a gritty Z. Brings to mind Wes Welker size, but faster.

I think Torii Hunter Jr. could tear up the slot next year.

 

[greyhammer90]

Really want to see the Folston/Bryant combo. Would love to see Cam as a gritty Z. Brings to mind Wes Welker size, but faster.

Cam faster than Wes?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DvOHbxBAEN8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Irishnuke]

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

I'm not saying we need one to get carries every game. I think we need one for injuries, suspensions, whatever. If #4 never carries the ball then great, that's a good thing. I guess if something happens and we need an emergency RB that Amir and Mahone, or hopefully IM, can be put back there.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I think Torii Hunter Jr. if given half a chance will tear up the slot next year.

Fixed it for you.

I talked with Mariel Zagunis, I can't remember exactly, but I think she has gone to school for her undergraduate degree for over ten years. I don't think ND has a problem taking a student athlete in good standing back.

 

[irishff1014]

A head scratching decision. He was at best a good player. I would be surprised to see him drafted.

 

[phgreek]

Thanks for some really fun memories GAIII. The sparty return, the Trojan return, the runs against Miami, Navy, et al.

Good luck in the league...

 

[tdbaum1]

Hmmmm...that's interesting news. Wish him the best best but it seems like he's reaching a bit. I guess his stock isn't going to get any higher than it is now though. As for his time at ND it felt like he just never reached the potential we (or I) thought he had. I'm not sure what caused me to believe he was going to be a huge star, but it just never came to fruition. Something was just missing.

 

[Junkhead]

Good luck to him, had a few great plays. Still makes me wonder why bother going early when chances are he won't be drafted anyway. (crowded backfield?) Darius Walker ring a bell? He must see the writing on the wall for next year with Folson/Bryant. Anyway, hope he surprises at the combine/draft.