'15 NV S Nicco Fertitta (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Cackalacky]

Layin out linemen. #fuckyeah.

 

[johnnycando]

I see it!

Zibby jr.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

This fall, Fertitta is working towards trying to land a scholarship from Notre Dame. He got a chance to visit the Irish campus during the spring and sees the program and school as a very good fit.

“That’s definitely the top school,” Fertitta said, adding he’s being recruited by Notre Dame assistant Tony Alford. “Football isn’t life. You have to have life after football. If I get a degree from there, it’s education first, I’m set for life.”

There is also the major stage of college football in South Bend.

“A winning program obviously, a good education and Notre Dame is a place where I can express my religion.”

Fertitta’s father would be more than okay with Notre Dame as the next destination.

“Notre Dame, going to the campus is an experience in itself,” he said.

“Ultimately it’s going to be Nicco’s choice. He wants to play big-time football. I think one of the things that’s interesting about Nicco is it’s not a situation where he has to stay close to home. He can go wherever he wants because we can go watch him play wherever he is. There is no boundaries. I’m encouraging him, whether it’s the Pac 12 or even looking on the East Coast or wherever it might be.”

Besides Notre Dame, Fertitta has taken recent visits to Utah for its spring game and he also checked out Colorado. This fall he plans to get back to Notre Dame and Utah for games.

Nicco Fertitta, Son Of UFC CEO, Is A Football Prospect To Watch

It was either with Starks in the spring or Alize Jones in the summer



Pipeline

New highlights from the team camp Bishop Gorman and other schools took part in this week.

He is a hell of a football player and does the little things right. He knows what he cant do, and he doesnt do it. That is somewhat uncommon for D1 high school athletes.


Nicco Fertitta Summer 2014 Highlights | Irish Turning Point

I don't know why so many people are down on the kid. He might be undersized but he seems to be a smart player and hits with bad intentions. I'm a fan.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

This kid is a jack-hammer!

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> S commit Nicco Fertitta (<a href="https://twitter.com/NFsoCrucial">@NFsoCrucial</a>) snags an interception during <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IrishInvasion&src=hash">#IrishInvasion</a> camp tonight. <a href="http://t.co/81NegOdlcu">http://t.co/81NegOdlcu</a></p>— Robert Franklin (@TheRobFranklin) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRobFranklin/statuses/480177400567717888">June 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Killinit#NotreDame Nicco Fertitta (<a href="https://twitter.com/NFsoCrucial">@NFsoCrucial</a>) turned some heads at the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IrishInvasion&src=hash">#IrishInvasion</a>. Story: <a href="http://t.co/DrkI5mmvVe">http://t.co/DrkI5mmvVe</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/BGInews">@BGInews</a> (VIP)</p>— Dana White (@danawhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/danawhite/statuses/480435262397243392">June 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[yankeeND]

Everything I see on this kid is positive. We are lucky to have him!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Things have really evened out since his lackluster acceptance upon committment.

This player is a key factor in determining BVG's eye for talent.

 

[NDPhilly]

Drop fertitta and take both

 

[BeauBenken]

Drop fertitta and take both

I imagine Phork saying this for some reason...

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_Avn2nT16FA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Drop fertitta and take both

Your dislike for Fertitta is strong.

 

[NDPhilly]

Your dislike for Fertitta is strong.

I don't see why we take a low 3 star with a low ceiling so early when we have two great CBs still on the board. Yeah I know he "fills a need" but we could have waited until the end of the cycle to offer him.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I don't see why we take a low 3 star with a low ceiling so early when we have two great CBs still on the board. Yeah I know he "fills a need" but we could have waited until the end of the cycle to offer him.

My name is ndaccountant and I approve this message.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I don't see why we take a low 3 star with a low ceiling so early when we have two great CBs still on the board. Yeah I know he "fills a need" but we could have waited until the end of the cycle to offer him.

Bishop Gorman pipeline?

Lol I can't answer your question. I actually am high on him and think he could be a good Nickle or starting safety. But, I understand your frustration.

 

[yankeeND]

Bishop Gorman pipeline?

Lol I can't answer your question. I actually am high on him and think he could be a good Nickle or starting safety. But, I understand your frustration.

Yeah I like Fertitta's game too. I get what Philly is saying, but I think he will be a very solid player for us. The Bishop Gorman pipeline doesn't hurt either like you said. Nor does the exposure of who his father is. Not that it should make any difference who his father is.

 

[IrishLax]

I don't see why we take a low 3 star with a low ceiling so early when we have two great CBs still on the board. Yeah I know he "fills a need" but we could have waited until the end of the cycle to offer him.

He brings so much value in this class beyond his football talents. He's a leader, is actively recruiting guys, has a great personality and work ethic, etc.

His scholarship is completely irrelevant to who we do or do not sign in this class. He fills a unique spot for the class, and the staff is going to actively try to aim over the "number" to account for natural attrition. This is a year where our 5th year situation is uniquely good giving them great flexibility on who they sign/don't to round out the class.

 

[GBdomer]

Canada that's a very good point and your make some valid examples in your posts. But there are mods across the Notre Dame websites who don't understand this commitment.

He isn't fast enough or big enough to play corner. I know the kid loves to hit people and isn't afraid of anything. But it drives me nuts when we don't offer kids who say they want a Notre Dame offer and reach out to the staff to try to get one.

Watch Garrett Taylor's highlight tape and watch Nicco's. I am in no means saying Nicco isn't a good football player but I just never understood the early offer and verbal before we even tried to recruit his position. It's basically like we gave up trying to recruit anyone else at the position.

I hope Nicco kills it at ND and proves me wrong.

 

[Irish Man3]

I don't see why people are so down on Nicco. The guy can flat out ball. Sure his measurables aren't great, but he has 2 things that make a very good safety. 1) Quick reaction time. 2) Sure tackling.

He makes up for his lack of elite speed by quickly process where the ball is going and getting in the right position to make the play. Once he gets there, he is able to take the carrier down without the fear of missing. He is also a hard hitter with good tackling mechanics. He seems to know when to home in and drill somebody in order to try to jar the ball loose, and when to go for the legs and just bring him down.

I don't think his commitment will change anything regarding Ross or Reid. Kelly plans on loading up on DB's this year anyway, and I'd imagine those two are takes no matter what.

Respect this but disagree. Having another Austin Collinsworth doesn't get us any closer to "closing the gap" between ND and the elite. Nicco is a kid that everyone should be happy to have on board and support any Irish football player. However, lets call a spade a spade.

I was shocked they accepted his commitment after already having McKinney on board. At least so early. The staff evaluates talent far better than myself so I obviously respect the process, but I'm not just gonna sit and drink the koolaid of every low ceiling 3* player.

 

[dwshade]

I'm just amazed that people already know what a kid who hasn't even played his SR. year of HS is going to be 5 years from now. National Champ FSU took a kid from HS named Terrance Brooks who was 5-10, 160, rated 3 stars and lower that Fertitta is now. He was their starter at FS last year and drafted by the NFL. Alabama took a 3 star 5-11 195 HS LB names Vinnie Sunseri, also rated lower than Fertitta, and turned into a starting safety who also was drafted by the NFL. The top teams in the country aren't full of 4 and 5 stare players. Like any team they have to find some 2-3 star players and develop them into contributors.

 

[dad4aa]

I'm just amazed that people already know what a kid who hasn't even played his SR. year of HS is going to be 5 years from now. National Champ FSU took a kid from HS named Terrance Brooks who was 5-10, 160, rated 3 stars and lower that Fertitta is now. He was their starter at FS last year and drafted by the NFL. Alabama took a 3 star 5-11 195 HS LB names Vinnie Sunseri, also rated lower than Fertitta, and turned into a starting safety who also was drafted by the NFL. The top teams in the country aren't full of 4 and 5 stare players. Like any team they have to find some 2-3 star players and develop them into contributors.

+1

 

[Crazy Balki]

I'm just amazed that people already know what a kid who hasn't even played his SR. year of HS is going to be 5 years from now. National Champ FSU took a kid from HS named Terrance Brooks who was 5-10, 160, rated 3 stars and lower that Fertitta is now. He was their starter at FS last year and drafted by the NFL. Alabama took a 3 star 5-11 195 HS LB names Vinnie Sunseri, also rated lower than Fertitta, and turned into a starting safety who also was drafted by the NFL. The top teams in the country aren't full of 4 and 5 stare players. Like any team they have to find some 2-3 star players and develop them into contributors.

This. Plenty of examples of low-rated players that turned into elites. Shilique Calhoun, Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Morris Claiborne, Kelvin Sheppard, Ben Gardner, Trent Murphy, Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Everett Golson, Chris Watt, etc.

 

[CanadalovesND]

This. Plenty of examples of low-rated players that turned into elites. Shilique Calhoun, Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Morris Claiborne, Kelvin Sheppard, Ben Gardner, Trent Murphy, Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Everett Golson, Chris Watt, etc.

As a ND fan, you should know that Chris Watt was very highly rated... Borderline five star. Actually, I believe Scout listed him as a 5 star.

Also, Kelvin Sheppard elite? Nah. Good college linebacker, but not elite.

 

[IrishLax]

I'm just amazed that people already know what a kid who hasn't even played his SR. year of HS is going to be 5 years from now. National Champ FSU took a kid from HS named Terrance Brooks who was 5-10, 160, rated 3 stars and lower that Fertitta is now. He was their starter at FS last year and drafted by the NFL. Alabama took a 3 star 5-11 195 HS LB names Vinnie Sunseri, also rated lower than Fertitta, and turned into a starting safety who also was drafted by the NFL. The top teams in the country aren't full of 4 and 5 stare players. Like any team they have to find some 2-3 star players and develop them into contributors.

Well said. Not to mention guys like Clay Matthews who was a walkon and "too small" to play LB, or Cody Grimm who was a 5'10" walkon safety at Virginia Tech who turned into a multi year starter and NFL player.

 

[drake29]

This. Plenty of examples of low-rated players that turned into elites. Shilique Calhoun, Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Morris Claiborne, Kelvin Sheppard, Ben Gardner, Trent Murphy, Zach Ertz, Tyler Eifert, Everett Golson, Chris Watt, etc.

This is true, but most of these guys have something Nico does not....Elite measurables. When you are Notre Dame or Bama, Lsu, USC, etc - when you take a flyer on a developmental player he's got to at least have good baseline vitals to work with - height, weight, overall athleticism. Nico is a decent athlete but he doesn't have the upside to warrant a scholarship off this early in the process.

 

[Irish Man3]

I love the examples of 3* prospects that have made a name for themselves. That argument always cracks me up. For every one low rated 3* guy that has made it there's 500+ that dont do shit and fall through the cracks. The ratio of high 4* & 5* guys is far different.

I hope Fertitta comes in and sets the world on fire.

 

[Crazy Balki]

As a ND fan, you should know that Chris Watt was very highly rated... Borderline five star. Actually, I believe Scout listed him as a 5 star.

Also, Kelvin Sheppard elite? Nah. Good college linebacker, but not elite.

I think I mistook Watt for Cave. I thought that Watt was a 3-star, but that was actually Cave. I didn't actually look up Watt's credentials. However, I remember Kelvin Sheppard being the headline for LSU in 2010. That is enough to convince me he is elite in college. He is a decent LB in the pros as well.

 

[Crazy Balki]

This is true, but most of these guys have something Nico does not....Elite measurables. When you are Notre Dame or Bama, Lsu, USC, etc - when you take a flyer on a developmental player he's got to at least have good baseline vitals to work with - height, weight, overall athleticism. Nico is a decent athlete but he doesn't have the upside to warrant a scholarship off this early in the process.

I have to disagree with you there. Dennard wasn't exactly up there athletically than Nicco was, nor was Waynes. Sure, they may have been a bit faster, but they didn't show the pursuit that Fertitta had in their films.

 

[dwshade]

This is true, but most of these guys have something Nico does not....Elite measurables. When you are Notre Dame or Bama, Lsu, USC, etc - when you take a flyer on a developmental player he's got to at least have good baseline vitals to work with - height, weight, overall athleticism. Nico is a decent athlete but he doesn't have the upside to warrant a scholarship off this early in the process.

This is nonsense. The guys I mentioned, Brooks and Sunseri, did not have elite measurables. As Irish Lax mentioned Clay Matthews did not have elite measureables. Darqueze Dennard was a 2 star who wasn't athletically elite.

 

[irishfan]

Fertitta seems like the type of kid who might not be a "true" starter ever but who you can plug and play in and he can excel in spots. I can see him doing very well against the triple option, as I love him as a Safety in the box. Maybe he'll be nothing more than a ST player, but he plays reckless like Mathieu and I could see him being great blitzing off the edge on 3rd downs or covering RBs out of the backfield on passing downs.

Even if he all he ever amounts to is a special teams ace and a solid backup Safety, that's valuable. We could've used that last year badly.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Why don't we take this argument to Nico's thread?