'15 IN ILB Darrin Kirkland Jr. (Tennessee Verbal)

[BobbyMac]

Do you guys feel ND would take Barajas, Bilal AND Kirkland? Seems like there's a lot of either / or talk over the last few posts.

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[CanadalovesND]

Do you guys feel ND would take Barajas, Bilal AND Kirkland? Seems like there's a lot of either / or talk over the last few posts.

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Sure.

Barajas at SAM, Bilal at WILL, and Kirkland/Coney at MIKE.

 

[BobbyMac]

Sure.

Barajas at SAM, Bilal at WILL, and Kirkland/Coney at MIKE.

I get that part but I'm talking about the numbers. I don't follow how many slots are available or projected needs as closely as player talent.

 

[jspags10pg]

Since Bilal is very academically focused maybe he is waiting to hear the resolution of the frozen 5. If I were an academic centered recruit I'd like to know what the truth is in all that. If the 5 kids are just getting screwed over (which I doubt to some degree) then maybe he wont want to risk going down the same path as those guys.

Maybe he wants to commit to ND but is just biding his time until that mess is resolved and some specifics are discussed to him about exactly what happened. Maybe the university will never release details to the public but a coach can probably give a recruit some info on the situation once it's resolved.

Just some food for thought. I could be way off.

And I'd take Kirkland too. We never have a full 85 on scholarship. Even if he isn't a perfect fit scheme wise or doesn't have great versatility, it's worth the offer, IMO. He's obviously talented and could play a role for quality depth at the very least.

And if Coney wants on board, take him too. I hate being under 85 constantly.

However all these recruitment's play out, I think everyone needs to just relax a bit. The staff obviously knows what they're doing and knows more of what goes on behind the scenes.

 

[stlnd01]

Since Bilal is very academically focused maybe he is waiting to hear the resolution of the frozen 5. If I were an academic centered recruit I'd like to know what the truth is in all that. If the 5 kids are just getting screwed over (which I doubt to some degree) then maybe he wont want to risk going down the same path as those guys.

Maybe he wants to commit to ND but is just biding his time until that mess is resolved and some specifics are discussed to him about exactly what happened. Maybe the university will never release details to the public but a coach can probably give a recruit some info on the situation once it's resolved.

Eh. Maybe. But even if that's the case, why not OV? Or even hit up the Purdue game? It's not like he's far away, and no harm in seeing the place (and perhaps getting some firsthand intel on the 5 situation). Anyway, I can dig the kid taking his time and steering clear of the limelight. No biggie, and if he moves on, we move on.
As for who you take, I'd take all of 'em. The numbers game never really seems to matter in the end.

 

[Irish2155]

Eh. Maybe. But even if that's the case, why not OV? Or even hit up the Purdue game? It's not like he's far away, and no harm in seeing the place (and perhaps getting some firsthand intel on the 5 situation). Anyway, I can dig the kid taking his time and steering clear of the limelight. No biggie, and if he moves on, we move on.
As for who you take, I'd take all of 'em. The numbers game never really seems to matter in the end.

Because he was busy doing something else. It is not a big deal to him.

 

[jspags10pg]

Eh. Maybe. But even if that's the case, why not OV? Or even hit up the Purdue game? It's not like he's far away, and no harm in seeing the place (and perhaps getting some firsthand intel on the 5 situation). Anyway, I can dig the kid taking his time and steering clear of the limelight. No biggie, and if he moves on, we move on.
As for who you take, I'd take all of 'em. The numbers game never really seems to matter in the end.

I hear ya. I don't get why he doesn't want to OV either but I'm fine with it if it isn't a big deal to him. He's been to campus already...just not for a game. I like his approach much more than the Chris Clark or Andrew Williams approach. His current team probably means a lot to him and he wants to give his all towards that...and if that's the case, I can definitely respect that.

Or maybe there's a reason none of us know of...family issues, personal life...you never know. I just know I'm not gonna jump on the kid (not saying you are at all) for not visiting...even if he goes somewhere else. Seems like a very respectful kid to me.

 

[koonja]

Anyone know if his twitter bio previously said anything about UM? I don't follow him, but just looked at his page, and there's nothing in his bio about UM. Probably a good sign either way, but moreso if it was pro-UM, which I bet it was since he was a vocal commit.

 

[GBdomer]

I might be different here but I never thought Coney was coming. If we want a Mike LB this class I think it should be Kirkland

 

[Irish YJ]

Anyone know if his twitter bio previously said anything about UM? I don't follow him, but just looked at his page, and there's nothing in his bio about UM. Probably a good sign either way, but moreso if it was pro-UM, which I bet it was since he was a vocal commit.

He removed it.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Kirkland retweeted Crawford's tweet and added the three 100's on the end. I guess that means it was a good trip.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“<a href="https://twitter.com/1ShaunCrawford">@1ShaunCrawford</a>: Good time chilling with <a href="https://twitter.com/_KIRKjunior">@_KIRKjunior</a> yesterday! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoND?src=hash">#GoND</a>” &#55357;&#56495;&#55357;&#56495;&#55357;&#56495;</p>— Darrin Kirkland Jr. (@_KIRKjunior) <a href="https://twitter.com/_KIRKjunior/status/518801160983953408">October 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NDhoosier]

offer him now BVG or members on this board will never forget it!

 

[ACamp1900]

Forgive me if i missed it, but why the hell haven't they offered???

 

[CanadalovesND]

Forgive me if i missed it, but why the hell haven't they offered???

BVG has yet to review his film.

 

[irishknight35]

Forgive me if i missed it, but why the hell haven't they offered???

I've seen two explanations posted.

1. BVG hasn't broken down enough film of Kirkland to offer quiet yet

2. Kirkland's offer is dependent on Coney's decision this month.

 

[ACamp1900]

BVG has yet to review his film.

Someone posted that earlier and I thought they were joking... thx

 

[irishknight35]

3. Or he has been a skunkbear commit for so long he needs to air out a little bit before we offer him salvation

 

[BobbyMac]

I find it hard to understand when CBK is quoted as saying, "We are going to recruit you hard" that an offer isn't immediately extended... especially for the nations most physically ready high school middle linebacker.

I've been on both sides of the recruiting game and it just seems odd that a 4 star, all state / all american candidate is told he will be 'recruited hard' but not given an offer. What don't they know about him yet? Could they just be waiting on admissions to give them the thumbs up? Dare I ask how long something pertaining to academics and football could take at ND?

I hope he has the resume because I've been championing his cause for the past year.

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[BobbyMac]

I've seen two explanations posted.

1. BVG hasn't broken down enough film of Kirkland to offer quiet yet

2. Kirkland's offer is dependent on Coney's decision this month.

He who picks first, picks best. Let them know that there is 1 spot and we'd love to have ya both but that isn't in the numbers. It appears that the smart pick is Kirkland if you read what the services are saying.

This could end up being another Tommy Schutt and Sheldon Day. ND got that one right by accepting the first guy and letting the hesitant one walk. Hopefully, the Irish end up with another Indy product in this cycle.

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[woolybug25]

"It isn't in the numbers"... Ha... Pffft...

Call me when we're at 85...

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm of the 'desperate PTSD fan' school... if he can play in the defensive front seven, is a high three star or better and has any interest at all in ND.... done. offered.

Offer,... all of them.

 

[BeauBenken]

He who picks first, picks best. Let them know that there is 1 spot and we'd love to have ya both but that isn't in the numbers. It appears that the smart pick is Kirkland if you read what the services are saying.

This could end up being another Tommy Schutt and Sheldon Day. ND got that one right by accepting the first guy and letting the hesitant one walk. Hopefully, the Irish end up with another Indy product in this cycle.

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Hah. You remember the Schutt situation different than I do.

Tommy wanted to commit, and he tried to, but the staff called up Sheldon Day and told him he could commit right then and have the spot, but if not, it would go to Tommy.

So really, the hesitant one was the one who ended up prospering, not the one who was quick to jump on the offer.

 

[BobbyMac]

Hah. You remember the Schutt situation different than I do.

Tommy wanted to commit, and he tried to, but the staff called up Sheldon Day and told him he could commit right then and have the spot, but if not, it would go to Tommy.

So really, the hesitant one was the one who ended up prospering, not the one who was quick to jump on the offer.

I believe Schutt was on his way to his high school to announce that evening when he was informed Day beat him to it and his offer was pulled. It could be true that the staff called Day and told them that he had till Schutt announced to get the spot. If they did, well played coaches, well played.

On the other hand, with the drama that DT has caused since that day with defections, graduation and injuries, maybe they should have taken both. Schutt may have performed better in South Bend than he has in Columbus. Who knows, it's all good now.

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[Ironman8]

I think it's possible BVG will somehow lose track of time and not be able review Kirkland's tape until next week (after Coney's visit to Florida, where he should decide shortly after).

 

[Irish2155]

I know Kirkland plays at LC but wasn't sure where to put this.

Carmel plays at Warren tonight, number one and two in Indiana. WC is Day's school. They played in the state finals last year with Warren winning 7-6. Should be a great game.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think it's possible BVG will somehow lose track of time and not be able review Kirkland's tape until next week (after Coney's visit to Florida, where he should decide shortly after).

You should be a fortune teller/psychic. Per II we haven't been in much contact with him since his visit to campus. Pretty obvious read through for Coney.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Damn feel bad for Kirkland if ND is where he wants to be.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Damn feel bad for Kirkland if ND is where he wants to be.

He wanted to be a skunkbear, until UM turned into a dumpster fire. Now he's opportunistically looking to jump ship. Can't feel too bad for the kid under those circumstances.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

He wanted to be a skunkbear, until UM turned into a dumpster fire. Now he's opportunistically looking to jump ship. Can't feel too bad for the kid under those circumstances.

I thought even before he committed to Michigan he was looking for an Irish offer...

 

[Luckylucci]

He wanted to be a skunkbear, until UM turned into a dumpster fire. Now he's opportunistically looking to jump ship. Can't feel too bad for the kid under those circumstances.

Yea I don't feel bad for the kid at all. We asked him to come to Irish Invasion and workout, he didn't think it was necessary. So, we didn't offer and he committed to ScUM.