'17 IN QB Hunter Johnson (Northwestern Transfer)

[irishff1014]

No big surprise. I have been saying for the last month they need to secure a good 2nd option.

 

[NCND]

Just WIN baby.

 

[GBdomer]

The phone in the Clifford home should already be ringing. Package him and Bockhorst? Things should get interesting. Wonder why the staff was so confident in this one.

Clifford was rubbed the wrong way I believe and always knew was second fiddle to HJ. Bockhorst just isn't good enough enough....maybe just for now. But if they didn't offer him during II it's not like he's done anything to improve his stock that the staff hasn't seen. Probably will wait on his junior film plus with Lugg and Gibbons on the board what's the rush? This honestly sucks losing him should be able to clean up in Indiana. Now lost out on Roberston, Mack and now HJ. Luckily 2017 class is loaded with QBS, would like to see McCaffery get an offer. For some reason I think Book commuting rubbed Johnson the wrong way, he seem to mention that the other day.

 

[dad4aa]

Clifford was rubbed the wrong way I believe and always knew was second fiddle to HJ. Bockhorst just isn't good enough enough....maybe just for now. But if they didn't offer him during II it's not like he's done anything to improve his stock that the staff hasn't seen. Probably will wait on his junior film plus with Lugg and Gibbons on the board what's the rush? This honestly sucks losing him should be able to clean up in Indiana. Now lost out on Roberston, Mack and now HJ. Luckily 2017 class is loaded with QBS, would like to see McCaffery get an offer. For some reason I think Book commiting rubbed Johnson the wrong way, he seem to mention that the other day.

Would be very sad if that is true. A mid-tier, not even top 30 2016 QB commits to ND and it bothers him but he is fine with a top 10 2016 QB to committing to Tennessee?

 

[koonja]

I doubt our 2016 QB (I don't even know his name) bothered Johnson. Tennessee simply did a great job recruiting him, and he loved every visit. It is what it is.

 

[SoIll]

Clifford was rubbed the wrong way I believe and always knew was second fiddle to HJ. Bockhorst just isn't good enough enough....maybe just for now. But if they didn't offer him during II it's not like he's done anything to improve his stock that the staff hasn't seen. Probably will wait on his junior film plus with Lugg and Gibbons on the board what's the rush? This honestly sucks losing him should be able to clean up in Indiana. Now lost out on Roberston, Mack and now HJ. Luckily 2017 class is loaded with QBS, would like to see McCaffery get an offer. For some reason I think Book commiting rubbed Johnson the wrong way, he seem to mention that the other day.

No bigger fan of Book than me, but if Hunter Johnson is afraid of Ian Book... I don't think we want him

 

[GBdomer]

Would be very sad if that is true. A mid-tier, not even top 30 2016 QB commits to ND and it bothers him but he is fine with a top 10 2016 QB to committing to Tennessee?

He says he was caught off guard by it. We told him many times we won't take or offer a QB till we know what HJ does and then we take Book. Was that the final say? Probably not but I think his relationship with the Tennessee staff was much better instead of one guy just recruiting him to ND. We got out worked IMO and Hunter was just more comfortable at UTjr

 

[Jackalope1977]

I doubt our 2016 QB (I don't even know his name) bothered Johnson. Tennessee simply did a great job recruiting him, and he loved every visit. It is what it is.

I agree 100%. If he's worried about Book then why wouldn't he be worried about Guarantano (Tennessees 2016 QB commit.) Everybody takes a QB every cycle, he is just loving him some Tennessee. Long way to go though.

 

[BobbyMac]

No bigger fan of Book than me, but if Hunter Johnson is afraid of Ian Book... I don't think we want him

Thank you, this.

He says he was caught off guard by it. We told him many times we won't take or offer a QB till we know what HJ does and then we take Book. Was that the final say? Probably not but I think his relationship with the Tennessee staff was much better instead of one guy just recruiting him to ND. We got out worked IMO and Hunter was just more comfortable at UTjr

It was reported that they reached out to him and told him beforehand and that both QB's had worked with the same QB coach in the summer. From what was reported, this isn't the problem.

 

[NDdomer2]

The issue with book could have been less about him being part of the '16 class and more about being told ND wasn't going to take 16 qb. Thus Tenn having a qb in 16 too and ring no concern.

 

[Irish YJ]

the kid just likes UT.
kids can change their minds though.
almost a year and a half till NSD.

 

[Rocknes Ghost]

It's a deep burn...

Has the season started yet? Time to go out and start putting some W's under the belt. Still a long way to February 2017.

 

[CanadalovesND]

He's the only 2017 QB the Irish have offered.

Keytaon Thompson was offered back in February.

Keytaon Thompson, Landry-Walker, Dual-Threat Quarterback

Keytaon Thompson - Yahoo! Sports

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2017-recruiting-profiles/252231-17-la-qb-keytaon-thompson-offer.html

Called ND one of his 'dream schools' along with Ohio State.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Just a question for some of you guys more familiar than me. I'm an ND fan because I had family in South Bend. They were big ND fans. Does ND own the state of Indiana like some of these huge state schools own their state for the most part? Is there a fanatic loyalty? Seems we should own the in state prospects, but I'm not sure. 2 5 star QBs from the state in 5 years is pretty sick.

 

[BobbyMac]

This hurts from a marketing (recruiting) point of view. If you have the #1 QB, the #1 TE, a stellar season which they are going to have (dag gummit) you have the makings of a historic class. This hurts for that reason and that is very important no doubt. Are there a couple of other QB's I'd rather have at ND from '17 if all things were the same? Yes. BUT, he's the #1 QB and he's from Indy so those are both great reasons to take him over Dylan McCaffrey or Tua Tagovailoa.

Would I stop recruiting him? No. Let each team's season do some talking for the staff. Start reaching out to other '17 QB's. Two weeks ago, Rivals had 4 QB's with ND listed as an interest. Today there are 13. So they have been in contact with plenty of recruits.

Let's take a look at some of the uncommitted players:

1. Dylan McCaffrey. #4 QB-Pro. This is where my want list starts and ends. Any chance? Probably not. His Dad is Ed who went to Stanford then to the NFL. His brother Christian is Stanford's RB and his other brother is Max who is at Duke... where his uncle Billy played basketball (before leaving for Vandy) and his Mom's family had a bunch of Duke athletes including her Father, David Sime who was the world record holder in the 100 and 200 in the 50's. So Stanford and Duke seem like the obvious choices but Uncle Bill did break out and go to Vandy so Dylan to ND isn't impossible right? I'd offer tomorrow.

2. Ryan Kelly from Chandler Basha in AZ. #3 QB-Pro. The name says it all. They passed on Patrick O'Brien in '16, how can a kid named Ryan Kelly not be interested in ND? Offer.

3. Tua Tagovailoa. #2 QB-Dual. Hawaii. Oregon hasn't offered yet and SC has. Everybody has him going to one or the other. Should they offer? Yes, of course. You never know when the next Robby Toma will drag his buddy to Indiana.

4. The Georgia Four. The state of Georgia has 4 Top 10 QB's. #2 Brady Hockman's committed to UGA. None of them are going to Tech. Alabama has a top 5 kid in state. Auburn doesn't need him. Florida has Jake Allen. Tennessee has 3 class of '15's, Guarantano in '16, HJ in '17. That leaves FSU, Clemson, SC and maybe Miami in the local schools. ND should be able to zero in on one of the 3.Davis Mills, Jake Fromm or Chad Brice.

5. Keytaon Thompson. 4 star Dual Threat QB. New Orleans. Rivals has said ND is in on him but I'll believe ND has a shot after his OV and he's seen at the airport in an Irish jersey he just got from Marshall's.

6. They've already had Sean Clifford, Tyler Lytle, Lindell Stone and Jack Coan on campus. There's no hurry on Sean if he's as Irish crazy as they say. He's a low level 4 star so he's no slouch so far, just have to look around first. I wish HE was Ian Book this year. Hate that a kid who is so openly pro Irish can't get the offer but they need the best possible player in '17, especially if Wimbush doesn't redshirt. Tyler Lytle has to prove what he is on the field this fall. He was behind Travis Waller at Servite last year and this year will have former ND TE Oscar McBride for his OC. Lindell Stone is at Woodberry Forest where half the team is from. So the staffs are close. Jack Coan was an ND Lacrosse commit who decided to play football instead. All 4 are nationally ranked and at least solid 3 star prospects.

7. Tristan Gebbia. 4 star QB Pro Calabasas. CA He's the best in LA metro for 2017. ND always has a chance, I guess.

8. 3 other names to watch.
A. Chase Garbers Corona Del Mar, CA. Rising Jr. that was behind incoming ND PWO Pete Bush until Bush was injured last year. Supposedly likes ND. Could come out of nowhere like Patrick O'Brien this year or maybe more like Matt Fink did after his junior year.
B. Rocky Lombardi Des Moines, IA. Has been on Rivals interest list for a while. Gets name points if nothing else.
C. Chris Katrenick Algonquin, IL. Same as Lombardi. Has been on the interest list.

That's all I have just from reading around.

.

 

[dad4aa]

This hurts from a marketing (recruiting) point of view. If you have the #1 QB, the #1 TE, a stellar season which they are going to have (dag gummit) you have the makings of a historic class. This hurts for that reason and that is very important no doubt. Are there a couple of other QB's I'd rather have at ND from '17 if all things were the same? Yes. BUT, he's the #1 QB and he's from Indy so those are both great reasons to take him over Dylan McCaffrey or Tua Tagovailoa.

Would I stop recruiting him? No. Let each team's season do some talking for the staff. Start reaching out to other '17 QB's. Two weeks ago, Rivals had 4 QB's with ND listed as an interest. Today there are 13. So they have been in contact with plenty of recruits.

Let's take a look at some of the uncommitted players:

1. Dylan McCaffrey. #4 QB-Pro. This is where my want list starts and ends. Any chance? Probably not. His Dad is Ed who went to Stanford then to the NFL. His brother Christian is Stanford's RB and his other brother is Max who is at Duke... where his uncle Billy played basketball (before leaving for Vandy) and his Mom's family had a bunch of Duke athletes including her Father, David Sime who was the world record holder in the 100 and 200 in the 50's. So Stanford and Duke seem like the obvious choices but Uncle Bill did break out and go to Vandy so Dylan to ND isn't impossible right? I'd offer tomorrow.

2. Ryan Kelly from Chandler Basha in AZ. #3 QB-Pro. The name says it all. They passed on Patrick O'Brien in '16, how can a kid named Ryan Kelly not be interested in ND? Offer.

3. Tua Tagovailoa. #2 QB-Dual. Hawaii. Oregon hasn't offered yet and SC has. Everybody has him going to one or the other. Should they offer? Yes, of course. You never know when the next Robby Toma will drag his buddy to Indiana.

4. The Georgia Four. The state of Georgia has 4 Top 10 QB's. #2 Brady Hockman's committed to UGA. None of them are going to Tech. Alabama has a top 5 kid in state. Auburn doesn't need him. Florida has Jake Allen. Tennessee has 3 class of '15's, Guarantano in '16, HJ in '17. That leaves FSU, Clemson, SC and maybe Miami in the local schools. ND should be able to zero in on one of the 3.Davis Mills, Jake Fromm or Chad Brice.

5. Keytaon Thompson. 4 star Dual Threat QB. New Orleans. Rivals has said ND is in on him but I'll believe ND has a shot after his OV and he's seen at the airport in an Irish jersey he just got from Marshall's.

6. They've already had Sean Clifford, Tyler Lytle, Lindell Stone and Jack Coan on campus. There's no hurry on Sean if he's as Irish crazy as they say. He's a low level 4 star so he's no slouch so far, just have to look around first. I wish HE was Ian Book this year. Hate that a kid who is so openly pro Irish can't get the offer but they need the best possible player in '17, especially if Wimbush doesn't redshirt. Tyler Lytle has to prove what he is on the field this fall. He was behind Travis Waller at Servite last year and this year will have former ND TE Oscar McBride for his OC. Lindell Stone is at Woodberry Forest where half the team is from. So the staffs are close. Jack Coan was an ND Lacrosse commit who decided to play football instead. All 4 are nationally ranked and at least solid 3 star prospects.

7. Tristan Gebbia. 4 star QB Pro Calabasas. CA He's the best in LA metro for 2017. ND always has a chance, I guess.

8. 3 other names to watch.
A. Chase Garbers Corona Del Mar, CA. Rising Jr. that was behind incoming ND PWO Pete Bush until Bush was injured last year. Supposedly likes ND. Could come out of nowhere like Patrick O'Brien this year or maybe more like Matt Fink did after his junior year.
B. Rocky Lombardi Des Moines, IA. Has been on Rivals interest list for a while. Gets name points if nothing else.
C. Chris Katrenick Algonquin, IL. Same as Lombardi. Has been on the interest list.

That's all I have just from reading around.

.

Thanks for the great synopsis. Reps

 

[BobbyMac]

Just a question for some of you guys more familiar than me. I'm an ND fan because I had family in South Bend. They were big ND fans. Does ND own the state of Indiana like some of these huge state schools own their state for the most part? Is there a fanatic loyalty? Seems we should own the in state prospects, but I'm not sure. 2 5 star QBs from the state in 5 years is pretty sick.

As a rule, no. ND owns from Elkhart along the toll road back to Chicago. Maybe the Hankerson kid from Washington will get a look? I heard he was show out at Michigan City until the game got called due to a brawl. That's all you can count on in Indiana, the Region. If there were more recruits from the area, they'd be ND leans every time. They had "owned" Fort Wayne with Eifert and Jaylon then '16 happened. They cleaned up in Indy in '15, have nothing in '16 (sort of a weak class unless Javon Swann puts on 20lbs and dominates this year) now with HJ in the '17 class things are starting off poorly. The Indy area is with the MIC and HCC schools have really risen to national prominence. The MIC was voted Top 5 conference in the country recently. Still, overall I'd rather be the second pick in Ohio than the first pick in Indiana.

 

[woolybug25]

As a rule, no. ND owns from Elkhart along the toll road back to Chicago. Maybe the Hankerson kid from Washington will get a look? I heard he was show out at Michigan City until the game got called due to a brawl. That's all you can count on in Indiana, the Region. If there were more recruits from the area, they'd be ND leans every time. They had "owned" Fort Wayne with Eifert and Jaylon then '16 happened. They cleaned up in Indy in '15, have nothing in '16 (sort of a weak class unless Javon Swann puts on 20lbs and dominates this year) now with HJ in the '17 class things are starting off poorly. The Indy area is with the MIC and HCC schools have really risen to national prominence. The MIC was voted Top 5 conference in the country recently. Still, overall I'd rather be the second pick in Ohio than the first pick in Indiana.

Who knows, his team was part of a nasty brawl this week with Michigan City. There are actually talks of suspending their season. Hopefully they just suspend the kids that were part of the actual brawl (I honestly don't know if Hankerson took part or not. I'm guessing not), and not punish everyone for a couple of people's bad decision.

Brawl ends Indiana football game in first half; schools working on discipline | USA Today High School Sports | USA Today High School Sports

 

[BGIF]

Bummer. I'd like to hear his official reasons for deciding on Tennessee.

Indiana winters.

 

[BobbyMac]

Who knows, his team was part of a nasty brawl this week with Michigan City. There are actually talks of suspending their season. Hopefully they just suspend the kids that were part of the actual brawl (I honestly don't know if Hankerson took part or not. I'm guessing not), and not punish everyone for a couple of people's bad decision.

Brawl ends Indiana football game in first half; schools working on discipline | USA Today High School Sports | USA Today High School Sports

Yeah... I'm from City. A lot of people back home calling for heads to roll and the season to be cancelled. Also heard that Hankerson looked like Devon Hester.

 

[woolybug25]

Yeah... I'm from City. A lot of people back home calling for heads to roll and the season to be cancelled. Also heard that Hankerson looked like Devon Hester.

It's annoying that they are calling for that. I'm hearing the same from the SB side as well. I think the kids involved (there's tape, pretty easy to figure out) and the coaching staffs both should be reprimanded. The coaches for not having control of their players and/or making an environment conducive to good decision making.

But cancelling the season ruins a year for all of the kids not involved, the cheerleaders, the marching band, etc, etc. Why punish everybody because some kids got out of hand?

 

[GBdomer]

The issue with book could have been less about him being part of the '16 class and more about being told ND wasn't going to take 16 qb. Thus Tenn having a qb in 16 too and ring no concern.

Yes, this is what I meant.

 

[BabyIrish]

Just a question for some of you guys more familiar than me. I'm an ND fan because I had family in South Bend. They were big ND fans. Does ND own the state of Indiana like some of these huge state schools own their state for the most part? Is there a fanatic loyalty? Seems we should own the in state prospects, but I'm not sure. 2 5 star QBs from the state in 5 years is pretty sick.

I lived in between Indy and West Lafayette and I was in a small minority of Irish fans. Not a lot of ND talk was going on. It could be different in Indy or south of Indy but I'm not sure.

 

[Irish#1]

He seemed to be trending away recently so this shouldn't be a shock. He's just started his junior season so I wouldn't close the door just yet. Let's see what happens after the season is over.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Honestly, it is what it is. His dad was in UT's corner from the beginning (from what I understand, he was a UT grad), so having the most effective recruiter living in his own household can change things. I know if I was a D1 prospect and I committed to a school other than ND, my family would literally disown me. And I'm not kidding either. I had to "not apply before the deadline" to get them off of me going to ND. Looking back, it was the best decision I made in my entire life. ND would have kicked my ass out before I graduated (it took me a couple of years to mature). My dad took the hint (thank god he supported me as long as I went to a good academic school), but my family still gave me shit afterwards. It took them 3 years to "accept it".

Remember guys, a lot of our commits seem to have a similar trend and that is: their mom or dad is in our corner. If Hunter's dad was really set on him going to UT, it didn't matter what BK or staff could do.

 

[connor_in]

Just a question for some of you guys more familiar than me. I'm an ND fan because I had family in South Bend. They were big ND fans. Does ND own the state of Indiana like some of these huge state schools own their state for the most part? Is there a fanatic loyalty? Seems we should own the in state prospects, but I'm not sure. 2 5 star QBs from the state in 5 years is pretty sick.

I live 20 minutes from campus and while a majority are ND fans, it is very common to find people here who hate the school. They don't like that it dominates the local area news-wise.

 

[calvegas04]

If his stats don't get better as the season continues this will not be a big loss

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Bummer. I'd like to hear his real reasons for deciding on Tennessee.

FIFY

I don't know much about this. I have read what is printed, listen to what is in the wind, and considered every opinion I have heard, but the filter I am going to look at this recruitment through is ; "Is this kid just a another high maintenance recruit!"

• We have the possibility of Brandon Wimbush playing (almost) as long for ND as Hunter would, and I cannot clearly see having Hunter as an advantage at this point, with Brandon's skills; and,
• ND is in a situation where the entitlement seems to be at low tide. All three (four, and next year five) quarterbacks seem to have an excellent work ethic, and real leadership capability.
• Plus, all three of these quarterbacks have been champions in states with much better competition. I don't think any have "dropped a season opener by 20 plus points."

 

[OCIrish]

His isn't sour grapes on my part, because I wasn't sold on him coming to ND......not because he isn't talented, because he is incredibly gifted. I just didn't see him fitting the offense all that well, but that's just me. Good luck in Rocky Top, Tennessee got themselves a very talented QB!

 

[greyhammer90]

Any plans to take visits?