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

[NDPhilly]

Reminds me so much of the Keith Marshall recruitment.

 

[BeauBenken]

I think everyone is just baffled by the idea that a kid who says religion is a big priority to him could possibly be so full of it.

I'd like to point out that my post doesn't only stand if he doesn't come here. Even if Juju does come to ND, he was clearly BS'ing some West Coast people.

 

[SoDakDomer]

Not picking on you, but I'm amazed that many people hang on the words spoken by 17-18 yr old kids as "gospel".......its recruiting, some play the game, some don't, but there aren't many guarantees in this game.

The biggest thing I have learned in following recruiting in the past several years is look at what the recruit does and not what he says. The actions are always greater than the words. IMO

 

[Emcee77]

The biggest thing I have learned in following recruiting in the past several years is look at what the recruit does and not what he says. The actions are always greater than the words. IMO

The GoldenITF Rule of recruiting. It's true. In addition to the obvious facts that 17-18 kids just aren't always very articulate and change their minds frequently, recruits commonly tailor their comments to their audience ... they will often tell ND staff/reporters one thing another school's staff/reporters something else. There are so many reasons to take everything they say with a grain of salt.

 

[ThePiombino]

The biggest thing I have learned in following recruiting in the past several years is look at what the recruit does and not what he says. The actions are always greater than the words. IMO

This. A thousand times this!!!

 

[magogian]

The biggest thing I have learned in following recruiting in the past several years is look at what the recruit does and not what he says. The actions are always greater than the words. IMO

Mike Frank, is that you?

 

[Irishnuke]

I'm curious why we continue to take what these kids say as gospel regarding academics and religion when they continue to make decisions that completely contradict their words.

Manti T'eo was the exception, not the rule.

Right? I mean you can't possibly be a Christian in Sodom...er...I mean Oregon.

 

[dwshade]

What are they supposed to report when the kid keeps telling them he's legitimately interested in ND? He played the game, and a lot of people took it hook, line, and sinker.

Then they aren't very good at what they do. Other people figured it out.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think everyone is just baffled by the idea that a kid who says religion is a big priority to him could possibly be so full of it.

I think this is spot on.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I'd like to point out that my post doesn't only stand if he doesn't come here. Even if Juju does come to ND, he was clearly BS'ing some West Coast people.

Maybe, but maybe not.

I don't know JuJu other than quotes that I read and the cynical response is probably warranted.

However, when Manti came to ND, he said he did so because it would challenge him and make him a better man (religiously as well). What if JuJu decides that the "easy" religious route is ND and the challenge is Oregon? That perhaps, he will be better off spiritually because it forced him to think differently or spread the word himself?

I am not saying JuJu is or is not full of shit. But when it comes to something that is as personal as religion, I am not inclined to call someone out since I have no idea what s/he is thinking.

 

[gkIrish]

Too many people are equating choosing Oregon/USC with making a choice that contradicts "faith" or "religion." It's not like he is choosing a career as a criminal over a career as a priest. Going to Oregon and going to church are not mutually exclusive.

It's not like he has ever said he would be going to the school that is the most "religious." He just said that was a big factor in his decision. Maybe he changed his mind or other factors have surpassed any unique advantage ND ever had.

 

[BeauBenken]

Maybe, but maybe not.

I don't know JuJu other than quotes that I read and the cynical response is probably warranted.

However, when Manti came to ND, he said he did so because it would challenge him and make him a better man (religiously as well). What if JuJu decides that the "easy" religious route is ND and the challenge is Oregon? That perhaps, he will be better off spiritually because it forced him to think differently or spread the word himself?

I am not saying JuJu is or is not full of shit. But when it comes to something that is as personal as religion, I am not inclined to call someone out since I have no idea what s/he is thinking.

I'm not holding it against him. He can do whatever he wants. But I think he's definitely been playing some head games with people, and posters here can't believe that such an upstanding young gentleman would do something like that.

 

[ThePiombino]

I'm not holding it against him. He can do whatever he wants. But I think he's definitely been playing some head games with people, and posters here can't believe that such and upstanding young gentleman would do something like that.

Anyone who is genuinely surprised by any of this is either A) new to the recruiting scene or B) delusional.

 

[Grahambo]

I could definitely be misinterpreting some data here but some may be taking this personal.

 

[Emcee77]

Maybe, but maybe not.

I don't know JuJu other than quotes that I read and the cynical response is probably warranted.

However, when Manti came to ND, he said he did so because it would challenge him and make him a better man (religiously as well). What if JuJu decides that the "easy" religious route is ND and the challenge is Oregon? That perhaps, he will be better off spiritually because it forced him to think differently or spread the word himself?

I am not saying JuJu is or is not full of shit. But when it comes to something that is as personal as religion, I am not inclined to call someone out since I have no idea what s/he is thinking.

I tend to agree. He says that religion is important to him and he likes that ND is a place that will encourage him to grow in that area, but if he doesn't pick ND that won't mean it is all bullshit. It just means that, weighed in the balance, ND's institutional commitment to religion was outweighed by other factors.

And speaking generally, I don't see why it shouldn't. You can practice your religion anywhere. It's not like he won't be able to find other committed Christians at Oregon or SC. As Ndaccountant pointed out, some people might even prefer it because they feel they have a greater opportunity to live the life of an apostle.

If he had said that he wanted to go to school in a place where a broad cross-section of the student body has a deep interest in faith so as to be around a maximum of committed Christians, then going elsewhere would contradict those statements and I would see why people would be inclined to call him out. But I don't see the contradiction in saying faith is important to you and then going to a public or non-sectarian school.

 

[Redbar]

I don't know, I read that the ND staff is telling him that they would like to use him at WR as a freshman, since he has the athletic ability to contribute immediately, but his future would always be at safety. If so, and if he is fine with that, I don't see any reason to cool on him. As we saw with Redfield this year, it takes a while to learn the safety position and he might struggle to get on the field early there anyway, so the WR-gradually-becoming-a-safety plan might be a nice way to get as much on-field time out of him as we can.

I get that is what we are telling him, but what he is saying last I read is that he is leaning towards not playing defense and focusing on offense. If that is his intention then that may have impacted his position on our board.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

His parents told him, in front of Kelly and Denbrock, that ND is the perfect fit for him and they are comfortable with him coming here.

Wilfong's CB: cloudy

 

[ThePiombino]

His parents told him, in front of Kelly and Denbrock, that ND is the perfect fit for him and they are comfortable with him coming here.

Wilfong's CB: cloudy

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH. Enjoy the left coast.

 

[Irish#1]

Irish#1 Magic 8 Ball.

What's the status of JuJu?

 

[Irish#1]

Not picking on you, but I'm amazed that many people hang on the words spoken by 17-18 yr old kids as "gospel".......its recruiting, some play the game, some don't, but there aren't many guarantees in this game.

Is it just me or do we NOT get this stuff from the O linemen? Seems like MOST are pretty cut and dry when it comes to the recruitment, even the 5 star boys.

 

[GBdomer]

There is a lot of stuff out there saying he is gonna pick Oregon.

 

[NDBoiler]

There is a lot of stuff out there saying he is gonna pick Oregon.

You're like 3 hours behind dude

 

[Emcee77]

I thought all this Oregon stuff was just blowing smoke but it's becoming impossible to ignore.

 

[PANDFAN]

I get that is what we are telling him, but what he is saying last I read is that he is leaning towards not playing defense and focusing on offense. If that is his intention then that may have impacted his position on our board.

we told him that he would start out on offense while learning the def

 

[ThePiombino]

I honestly don't care where he goes, as long as it's not SC.

 

[GBdomer]

According to Biggens the LB Polly DB coach says he will be a Duck,

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What if JuJu decides that the "easy" religious route is ND and the challenge is Oregon? That perhaps, he will be better off spiritually because it forced him to think differently or spread the word himself?

That's rich. He's apparently leaning toward Gommorah, so we generously speculate that he may be feeling more missionary than monk lately? Those who take recruiting too personally and publicly indict these kids for their decisions are always deserving of scorn, but one can definitely go too far in the other direction as well.

Is it just me or do we NOT get this stuff from the O linemen? Seems like MOST are pretty cut and dry when it comes to the recruitment, even the 5 star boys.

As a position group, OL tend to be the most intelligent guys on the field. No surprise that they treat the process like a business decision, and shut it down early with minimal drama. That's a big reason why ND and Stanford have recruited OL so well recently.

 

[Ndaccountant]

That's rich. He's apparently leaning toward Gommorah, so we generously speculate that he may be feeling more missionary than monk lately? Those who take recruiting too personally and publicly indict these kids for their decisions are always deserving of scorn, but one can definitely go too far in the other direction as well.



As a position group, OL tend to be the most intelligent guys on the field. No surprise that they treat the process like a business decision, and shut it down early with minimal drama. That's a big reason why ND and Stanford have recruited OL so well recently.

My point was that it is dangerous to speculate in either direction. Whether the kid meant it or not is moot. We think anytime a kid mentions academics and religion as being important we automatically conclude that if he goes elsewhere, he wasn't truthful. Fact is, many things are important when it comes to weighing a decision and things like religion and education can play a role in recruiting, but it might not be THE role.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I think another reason why Offensive Lineman aren't into drama is because they, even the best ones, are like supporting actors.

 

[Pachuco]

Oregon is fine by me, especially since USC has been the presumed choice since Kiffin's exit.

I can't remember who said it, but the third factor that has seemingly emerged as a priority is likely proximity to home. That could be a very valid reason for ruling ND out. The discussion about religion needs to take a backseat now...

By all means, quack away, JuJu.... if that's your thing.

"The enemy of my enemy..."