'17 IN QB Hunter Johnson (Northwestern Transfer)

[Irish YJ]

I hope we get him, but it will make it easier for me if he chooses UT. When a kid choses USC, or Stanford, UGA, Texas, or even Alabama or Ohio State, it's a tough loss, but if a kid gets so caught up in recruiting that he choses a Butch Jones led Tennessee over Notre Dame, I think he's kind of a chump. Seriously, unless he grew up a huge fan (which may be a possibility), UT just doesn't stand out. Like Nebraska, they need a perfect storm and zero standards to be great.

UT is on the rise DN. Would not be surprised if they took the east.
His dad is a big UT fan.
Jones is a good coach, and great recruiter. He's done wonders the last couple years. I mean of all the SEC teams, UT fans are definitely the best overall (nice, respect visiting fans), so why all the hate. I became a UT fan during a visit to the last ND/UT game in Knoxville. We were underdogs, but won late in the 4Q. Fans were totally cool. Partied with the RV crowd the entire evening. Plus, lots of Irish love in Knoxville.

 

[Irishman77]

I am one of the biggest optimist here, but I always felt he will be a Vol. however I feel that will be the best thing for him and ND. Give meMaliik the next 3 years!

 

[BobbyMac]

If he chooses UT it's not like he's got a clear path to the top of the depth charts. He'll be coming in 2 years after the #6 and #7 dual threat QB's and the #5 pro style and one year after #6 overall QB in Guarantano. You have to figure 2 of the class of '15 guys will redshirt and. That's 4 guys in your path the same age or younger than Wimbush.

I wonder if he goes UT now and Wimbush has to burn his redshirt year if that changes his thinking?


.

 

[woolybug25]

Bunch a chicken-littles up in here. Kid takes a planned visit to a school we all knew was in his "top group" and you're all jumping off the ship. Talk about knee jerk responses.

Guys like Wiltfong haven't changed their ND CB. Hell, there's even a Vol beat writer that has ND as the landing spot. We are leading the CB votes at 57%. He is a local kid that has visited a ton of times. As mentioned, our depth chart is set up better for him. We're a significantly better education, and we are a better football team.

I still like our chances.

 

[PANDFAN]

Didn't he want to make it back to ND before the end of the summer? Anything on him not wanting to do that?

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his hs camp starts which would negate him coming for mid week visit, then ND going to Culver they aren't allowed to have any contact and so it would push into season...that's according to rivals on why he prob won't make it back right now

 

[gkIrish]

Bunch a chicken-littles up in here. Kid takes a planned visit to a school we all knew was in his "top group" and you're all jumping off the ship. Talk about knee jerk responses.

Guys like Wiltfong haven't changed their ND CB. Hell, there's even a Vol beat writer that has ND as the landing spot. We are leading the CB votes at 57%. He is a local kid that has visited a ton of times. As mentioned, our depth chart is set up better for him. We're a significantly better education, and we are a better football team.

I still like our chances.

This. And the day an elite kid with half a brain picks the Tennessee f'ing Volunteers over Notre Dame will be a sad day.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Wiltfong just changed his CB to cloudy. All aboard the Tate Martell train.

 

[PANDFAN]

Wiltfong just changed his CB to cloudy. All aboard the Tate Martell train.

pfff that train is headed to A&M or USC

 

[IrishLion]

This. And the day an elite kid with half a brain picks the Tennessee f'ing Volunteers over Notre Dame will be a sad day.

Eh, I wouldn't go that far with it.

Butch Jones is a good coach that runs a QB-friendly system (when he has the right QB in place, much like BK), he's a great recruiter, and he's got the clout of the SEC-mystique behind him. All decent reasons to pick Tennessee, as long as "academics" isn't your biggest concern.

 

[ThePiombino]

Bunch a chicken-littles up in here. Kid takes a planned visit to a school we all knew was in his "top group" and you're all jumping off the ship. Talk about knee jerk responses.

Guys like Wiltfong haven't changed their ND CB. Hell, there's even a Vol beat writer that has ND as the landing spot. We are leading the CB votes at 57%. He is a local kid that has visited a ton of times. As mentioned, our depth chart is set up better for him. We're a significantly better education, and we are a better football team.

I still like our chances.

Wiltfong just changed his CB to cloudy. All aboard the Tate Martell train.

Still feeling confident, Wooly?

 

[longliveautrydenson]

pfff that train is headed to A&M or USC

Maybe a couple of rides in Lorenzo Fertitta's private plane could change his mind...

 

[IrishLax]

If they win this, it's simply about negative recruiting. Everyone is drastically overthinking this. Tennessee has been pounding Johnson that he doesn't "fit" with ND's QBs (i.e. dual threat guys) and that BK/Sanford is going to leave ND before Johnson is done in South Bend. Our response was "well yeah no coach can promise they'll be in the same place for the next 5+ years."

The best thing we can hope for is that this drags out past his current intended announcement date, because I have no doubt we have a far more impressive season than Tennessee.

Tennessee hasn't won more than 7 games in seven straight seasons. Their CEILING is worse than our FLOOR under BK... and most people aren't happy with the seasons where we hit the floor at 8-5. Butch Jones -- despite his rampant oversigning and blue/gray/purple/fuchsia shirting -- has shown minimal improvement from his predecessors, despite playing in one of the easiest divisions in football.

Their pitch right now is all based on promises. If you let the season play out and see Butch is full of hot air, then the decision becomes clear.

 

[ThePiombino]

If they win this, it's simply about negative recruiting. Everyone is drastically overthinking this. Tennessee has been pounding Johnson that he doesn't "fit" with ND's QBs (i.e. dual threat guys) and that BK/Sanford is going to leave ND before Johnson is done in South Bend. Our response was "well yeah no coach can promise they'll be in the same place for the next 5+ years."

The best thing we can hope for is that this drags out past his current intended announcement date, because I have no doubt we have a far more impressive season than Tennessee.

Tennessee hasn't won more than 7 games in seven straight seasons. Their CEILING is worse than our FLOOR under BK... and most people aren't happy with the seasons where we hit the floor at 8-5. Butch Jones -- despite his rampant oversigning and blue/gray/purple/fuchsia shirting -- has shown minimal improvement from his predecessors, despite playing in one of the easiest divisions in football.

Their pitch right now is all based on promises. If you let the season play out and see Butch is full of hot air, then the decision becomes clear.

Agree with this 100%. I have no doubt he's being sold a bill of good, ESPECIALLY when you consider Tenn has no advantage over ND other than maybe the female population. Oh, and they play in the SEC, but I'm not sure either of those things are a factor here. I wonder of Tennessee still plays the Peyton Manning card these days.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Tennessee does play the Peyton Manning card when it comes to quarterbacks. They would be dumb not to. He is still relevant in the NFL and in todays culture.

I think it's great this kid has the means and opportunities to visit these schools multiple times and isn't on anyones timeline but his. You simply dont see that these days. Is that good for Notre Dame? I think he would be a welcome addition to the 2017 class in South Bend, but if he chooses Tennessee, it would be tough losing the top player in Indiana for a second year. However, 2017 is very deep in QB talent and there are some guys I like a lot better than Johnson that Notre Dame would have a great shot at landing.

But, this is one that if Notre Dame does land, it'd be huge and if they don't it will be due to the kid doing his due diligence and not making an impulse decision. Props to him and his family for doing so.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Losing him to UT would not be a good look. Looks like the 2016 class might be one of the lower ranking classes BK has had at ND, so 2017 really needs to be stellar. Landing Hunter is critical to achieving that from both perception and having him recruit for you. There are other QB's around, but all the eggs seem to be in this basket. So, getting another QB will take some time.

I know kids change minds and progress thru the next two years can change his perception, but final decision or not, him choosing UT would be a blow.

 

[IrishLion]

Butch Jones -- despite his rampant oversigning and blue/gray/purple/fuchsia shirting -- has shown minimal improvement from his predecessors, despite playing in one of the easiest divisions in football.

Their pitch right now is all based on promises. If you let the season play out and see Butch is full of hot air, then the decision becomes clear.

Idk, Jones has only been there for two seasons, and he had to put out the dumpster fire that Dooley created before actually elevating his program. They were treading water in his first year in 2013, but they took a step forward last year, especially at the end of the year when they finally found their QB.

I don't think it's been "minimal improvement" at Tennessee, even though the win column doesn't reflect it. It's actually a lot like BK's first two years at ND... the program is improving noticeably even though the win column stays the same, and they are setting up for a pretty good third year (NOT a national championship run though lol).

 

[zelezo vlk]

It's hard not to have an upward swing when you were/are as bad as Tennessee has been. Let the hype die down from the visit then lets reevaluate.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[IrishLax]

Idk, Jones has only been there for two seasons, and he had to put out the dumpster fire that Dooley created before actually elevating his program. They were treading water in his first year in 2013, but they took a step forward last year, especially at the end of the year when they finally found their QB.

I don't think it's been "minimal improvement" at Tennessee, even though the win column doesn't reflect it. It's actually a lot like BK's first two years at ND... the program is improving noticeably even though the win column stays the same, and they are setting up for a pretty good third year (NOT a national championship run though lol).

I don't really buy that. They beat zero ranked teams last year, they were flat out bad even if "improved" slightly from being an utter trainwreck. They went 0-5 against ranked teams, and had one win by more than a TD against a Power 5 opponent (Kentucky) during the regular season. They could've been as bad as 1-8 against Power 5 teams in the regular season, but they won a squeaker against 3-9 Vandy and 6-6 South Carolina in OT.

They definitely improved, but improving from "utterly terrible" to "still really bad" is nothing to be optimistic about. They look like they will win 8 games tops this year even with 3 cupcakes because of the tough game against Oklahoma.

 

[drake29]

Tennessee does play the Peyton Manning card when it comes to quarterbacks. They would be dumb not to. He is still relevant in the NFL and in todays culture.

I think it's great this kid has the means and opportunities to visit these schools multiple times and isn't on anyones timeline but his. You simply dont see that these days. Is that good for Notre Dame? I think he would be a welcome addition to the 2017 class in South Bend, but if he chooses Tennessee, it would be tough losing the top player in Indiana for a second year. However, 2017 is very deep in QB talent and there are some guys I like a lot better than Johnson that Notre Dame would have a great shot at landing.

But, this is one that if Notre Dame does land, it'd be huge and if they don't it will be due to the kid doing his due diligence and not making an impulse decision. Props to him and his family for doing so.

wut?

 

[IrishLion]

I don't really buy that. They beat zero ranked teams last year, they were flat out bad even if "improved" slightly from being an utter trainwreck. They went 0-5 against ranked teams, and had one win by more than a TD against a Power 5 opponent (Kentucky) during the regular season. They could've been as bad as 1-8 against Power 5 teams in the regular season, but they won a squeaker against 3-9 Vandy and 6-6 South Carolina in OT.

They definitely improved, but improving from "utterly terrible" to "still really bad" is nothing to be optimistic about. They look like they will win 8 games tops this year even with 3 cupcakes because of the tough game against Oklahoma.

I don't think an 8-win season against that schedule would be too terrible, considering where they've come from. I think they can split one of Arkansas/Georgia to possibly make it to 9 wins. So I don't agree that they are "still really bad."

But we can agree to disagree. I may just have too much faith in Jones, but I really think the program is noticeably deeper already, and I don't watch THAT much Tennessee football. I also think that, despite being better in terms of depth, their success mainly hinges on QB play because it's a Butch Jones offense, and it appears that Dobbs may finally be Tennessee's answer. If I were a Tennessee fan, I wouldn't be unhappy with 8/9 wins at all, especially if that means they are in the running for a spot in the SEC 'chip (which 8/9 most likely means they are).

 

[Irish#1]

Well, I honestly don't have anything credible to offer at this time that hasn't already been said.

 

[Irish YJ]

I don't really buy that. They beat zero ranked teams last year, they were flat out bad even if "improved" slightly from being an utter trainwreck. They went 0-5 against ranked teams, and had one win by more than a TD against a Power 5 opponent (Kentucky) during the regular season. They could've been as bad as 1-8 against Power 5 teams in the regular season, but they won a squeaker against 3-9 Vandy and 6-6 South Carolina in OT.

They definitely improved, but improving from "utterly terrible" to "still really bad" is nothing to be optimistic about. They look like they will win 8 games tops this year even with 3 cupcakes because of the tough game against Oklahoma.

You may be right, but I think you'll be saying something different at the end of the season.

Looking back at 2014, except for the bowl win, our regular season crown jewel was a squeaker win against Stanford at home. Stanford ended up unranked at the end of the year. In terms of the final AP poll, we did not beat a top 25 either.

UT got shelled in two games (OK, Ole Miss) but were competitive in all other games including UGA (which was back and forth the entire game), and Bama. They should have beat FL, which is the only bad loss IMO. ND, got shelled the same number of times (ASU, USC), and lost a very bad one to NW.

Now you can talk about injuries, which clearly impacted ND down the stretch, but even so, you can't use that card for a bad NW loss.

At the end of the day, our losses (using final AP poll) were to #24 at home, #20 away, #12 away, #6 away and NW at home. UTs losses were OK away, #9 away, Florida at home, #17 away, #4 at home, #14 at home. Minimal difference especially with Dobbs as a first year guy.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Is signing day for 2017 kids this week?

 

[Irish YJ]

Is signing day for 2017 kids this week?

next week.

 

[Ndaccountant]

UT Schedule breakdown for this year. Best results would be a 10 win season. Worst results would by a 5-6 win season. Chances are they win 7 or 8, pull off one upset but lose some toss-up games. The thing they have going for them is that the east is REALLY bad.

Long shots to win:
at Bama

Less than 50% chance to win:
UGA
Oklahoma
Arkansas

Toss up games:
South Carolina
at Florida
at Mizzou
at Kentucky

Should Win:
BGSU
North Texas
Vandy
Western Carolina

 

[jspags10pg]

wut?

I really liked Keytaon Thompson's tape but I don't recall his competition level or how his grades were but his tape is amazing. He fits ND's CURRENT offense better but I'd be thrilled to land Hunter too. I'm curious to know TP's and other posters thoughts on who we'd go after/who is best/who we have a legit shot with... if we do miss on Hunter. Still haven't lost hope on Johnson though. I REALLY hope we land him but the sky isn't falling if we don't.

 

[Ndaccountant]

You may be right, but I think you'll be saying something different at the end of the season.

Looking back at 2014, except for the bowl win, our regular season crown jewel was a squeaker win against Stanford at home. Stanford ended up unranked at the end of the year. In terms of the final AP poll, we did not beat a top 25 either.

UT got shelled in two games (OK, Ole Miss) but were competitive in all other games including UGA (which was back and forth the entire game), and Bama. They should have beat FL, which is the only bad loss IMO. ND, got shelled the same number of times (ASU, USC), and lost a very bad one to NW.

Now you can talk about injuries, which clearly impacted ND down the stretch, but even so, you can't use that card for a bad NW loss.

At the end of the day, our losses (using final AP poll) were to #24 at home, #20 away, #12 away, #6 away and NW at home. UTs losses were OK away, #9 away, Florida at home, #17 away, #4 at home, #14 at home. Minimal difference especially with Dobbs as a first year guy.

ND did beat 5 power 5 teams prior to LSU, 6 if you include Navy.

UT wins were Utah State, Ark State, Chatt, South Carolina, UK & Vandy.
ND wins were Rice, Stanford, Cuse, North Carolina, Purdon't, Navy & Michigan.

Personally, Michigan and USC cancel out, Purdon't and Vandy cancel out, UK and UNC are about equal. After that, you are left with Stanford, Rice, Cuse & Navy versus Utah State, Ark State and Chatt. There is a clear difference there.

 

[Irish YJ]

OK @ home less than 50%. OK was unranked at the end of the year...
UGA @ home. UT almost beat them last year at UGA. UGA does not have a QB right now.

I look at it like this.
8 is very doable if the take everything from 80% up, drop one that they should, and take one of the 3 toss ups. If things come together, 9-10 would not shock me.

Gimmes 95%
Bowling Green
W Carolina
North Texas

Almost a gimme 80-95%
S Carolina
Vanderbilt

Should win 60-80%
Oklahoma
@Florida
@Kentucky

Toss up 40-60%
Arkansas
UGA
@Missouri

Losses
@Bama

UT Schedule breakdown for this year. Best results would be a 10 win season. Worst results would by a 5-6 win season. Chances are they win 7 or 8, pull off one upset but lose some toss-up games. The thing they have going for them is that the east is REALLY bad.

Long shots to win:
at Bama

Less than 50% chance to win:
UGA
Oklahoma
Arkansas

Toss up games:
South Carolina
at Florida
Mizzou
at Kentucky

Should Win:
BGSU
North Texas
Vandy
Western Carolina

 

[IrishLax]

You may be right, but I think you'll be saying something different at the end of the season.

Looking back at 2014, except for the bowl win, our regular season crown jewel was a squeaker win against Stanford at home. Stanford ended up unranked at the end of the year. In terms of the final AP poll, we did not beat a top 25 either.

UT got shelled in two games (OK, Ole Miss) but were competitive in all other games including UGA (which was back and forth the entire game), and Bama. They should have beat FL, which is the only bad loss IMO. ND, got shelled the same number of times (ASU, USC), and lost a very bad one to NW.

Now you can talk about injuries, which clearly impacted ND down the stretch, but even so, you can't use that card for a bad NW loss.

At the end of the day, our losses (using final AP poll) were to #24 at home, #20 away, #12 away, #6 away and NW at home. UTs losses were OK away, #9 away, Florida at home, #17 away, #4 at home, #14 at home. Minimal difference especially with Dobbs as a first year guy.

The point is that everyone here believes that ND's 8-5 season was unacceptable. Even if excused by the absurd amount of injuries + Frozen Five suspensions that cost us 3 starters before the year even got going, a blown call against an FSU team that would go undefeated in the regular, and two losses directly related to the inability to hold a football... people still look at that season and say "that was unacceptable horsecrap, and we better step forward next year."

Yet Tennessee's unequivocally worse 7-6 is spun as "encouraging progress" and seen as a harbinger of great things to come... and Tennessee is #13 in the pre-season FPI.

I'm not saying that ND is great and Tennessee sucks... I'm saying that Tennessee hasn't hit 8 wins once in the better part of a decade, but is effectively outselling ND with promises of a bright future. Harbaugh turned around a 0 win Stanford team faster than this "rebuild" is going, despite every built in program overhaul measure available to Jones.

I expect them to win 7-8 regular season games this year, with potential for 9 with good breaks. But I cannot rationalize how that is good enough for a #1 QB to pick that school 18+ months before his NSD, unless the major impetus is early PT + facilities.

 

[Ndaccountant]

OK @ home less than 50%. OK was unranked at the end of the year...
UGA @ home. UT almost beat them last year at UGA. UGA does not have a QB right now.

I look at it like this.
8 is very doable if the take everything from 80% up, drop one that they should, and take one of the 3 toss ups. If things come together, 9-10 would not shock me.

Gimmes 95%
Bowling Green
W Carolina
North Texas

Almost a gimme 80-95%
S Carolina
Vanderbilt

Should win 60-80%
Oklahoma
@Florida
@Kentucky

Toss up 40-60%
Arkansas
UGA
@Missouri

Losses
@Bama

I don't think you are respecting what UGA & OU have. Remember, OU lost Knight for a few games as well as many others. Injuries, missed FG's and other issues plagued them last year. They are not your typical 8-5. much like ND.

UGA doesn't need a QB with the RB's they have. They will be just fine.