'16 CA DE Oluwole Betiku (USC Verbal)

[ThePiombino]

It will obviously come down to just how important academics really are in his recruitment. I'm leary on buying into the importance of academics in this recruitment because of visits he's taking. TAMU and FSU hardly scream academia to me. ND stands a chance because it's not like any other school on his list. ND will hit a home run or fade almost immediately following his visit.

I'm sorry, but I can't take a kid for his word about how important academics are when his top-2 are A&M and FSU.

 

[Irish#1]

Coaches are closing the deals left and right. You never know.

 

[Irish2155]

True, but I think this still undersells his recruiting chops:

2011- Niklas, Atkinson bros
2012 - Shepard, Greenberry
2013 - Vanderdoes, Redfield
2014 - Luatua
2015 - St. Brown

He's been directly responsible for winning a lot of our biggest recruiting battles during Kelly's tenure.

Don't know if I'd quite call all of those "wins"...Niklas, Redfield, Luatua and St. Brown yes. Maybe one of the two Atkinson bros.

 

[Irish2155]

While you guys have been debating Denbrock, 6 of the last 7 crystal balls at 247, including Wilfong's have gone to A&M for Betiku.

They have to put it somewhere, don't they? If obviously wouldn't point towards UCLA any longer.

 

[PANDFAN]

he is VISITING a&m on his own dime for halloween 2 weeks after just officialing there and wants to see fsu again....we have a huuuuuuuuuuge uphill battle

 

[ThePiombino]

he is VISITING a&m on his own dime for halloween 2 weeks after just officialing there and wants to see fsu again....we have a huuuuuuuuuuge uphill battle

Dear God, maybe we should just focus all our positive energy on Hayes lol

 

[Irish2155]

Dear God, maybe we should just focus all our positive energy on Hayes lol

He is new to this country, did I read that right? He probably looks for any reason to spend the weekend on a college campus. I know I did at that age. Wouldn't read too much into the extra visits. The shamrock tweet looks good though.

I don't think we'll get a real good vibe until his ND visit. That degree speaks volumes, especially when your family is in a different continent...have to believe a world class education is important to them.

 

[NDPhilly]

he is VISITING a&m on his own dime for halloween 2 weeks after just officialing there and wants to see fsu again....we have a huuuuuuuuuuge uphill battle

Southern college girls man

 

[stlnd01]

For a kid like this (not from Texas), what is the point of going to A&M? All these CB's are coming off a visit, and it'll subside.

That said (and I hate to say it), but if weather's really a factor, I'd bet he winds up at USC. I know he's not SoCal For Life, but he's at their best feeder high school and whatever U.S. support system he has is right there. When they get the coaching thing sorted out, they'd be crazy not to go hard after him. He'll look around and realize he doesn't have to move to College Station or Tally (or South Bend) to get everything he wants out of a football scholarship.

 

[drake29]

I'm sorry, but I can't take a kid for his word about how important academics are when his top-2 are A&M and FSU.

Myron Rolle was a safety that played for Florida State that also happens to be a Rhodes Scholarship recipient.

 

[Classic Irish]

Myron Rolle was a safety that played for Florida State that also happens to be a Rhodes Scholarship recipient.

And he is the exception that proves the rule. I suspect they promised him all kinds of things to attend Florida State (e.g. automatic admission to their medical school, etc...).

 

[Sherm Sticky]

And he is the exception that proves the rule. I suspect they promised him all kinds of things to attend Florida State (e.g. automatic admission to their medical school, etc...).

You want to know the real reason Rolle went to FSU...simple...one man...named...Tom Lemming


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[drake29]

And he is the exception that proves the rule. I suspect they promised him all kinds of things to attend Florida State (e.g. automatic admission to their medical school, etc...).

The problem I have with the rule is that you don't know any of these kids. You have no idea which kids this rule applies to - only that if they want to go to a school that isn't ND, Stanford, Duke or Northwestern you automatically lump them in with everyone else. That's an ignorant assumption to make - just like your suspicion that FSU offered Rolle some sort of shady deal to get him to go to FSU. Maybe, just maybe, the kid was very serious about academics, felt he could work hard enough at FSU to achieve his goals, play for a very popular football program (and coach), and be on a campus with a ton of very attractive young women. Sounds like he had a better plan that 99% of us. What makes you think that Betiku isn't capable of earning a meaningful degree from A&M or FSU?

 

[Bluto]

The problem I have with the rule is that you don't know any of these kids. You have no idea which kids this rule applies to - only that if they want to go to a school that isn't ND, Stanford, Duke or Northwestern you automatically lump them in with everyone else. That's an ignorant assumption to make - just like your suspicion that FSU offered Rolle some sort of shady deal to get him to go to FSU. Maybe, just maybe, the kid was very serious about academics, felt he could work hard enough at FSU to achieve his goals, play for a very popular football program (and coach), and be on a campus with a ton of very attractive young women. Sounds like he had a better plan that 99% of us. What makes you think that Betiku isn't capable of earning a meaningful degree from A&M or FSU?

There's no way in hell FSU empowers a kid with this kind of football potential to major in any major that is even close to challenging in terms of academics. He could do it sure but programs like are FSU structured to discourage that.

 

[Classic Irish]

The problem I have with the rule is that you don't know any of these kids. You have no idea which kids this rule applies to - only that if they want to go to a school that isn't ND, Stanford, Duke or Northwestern you automatically lump them in with everyone else. That's an ignorant assumption to make - just like your suspicion that FSU offered Rolle some sort of shady deal to get him to go to FSU. Maybe, just maybe, the kid was very serious about academics, felt he could work hard enough at FSU to achieve his goals, play for a very popular football program (and coach), and be on a campus with a ton of very attractive young women. Sounds like he had a better plan that 99% of us. What makes you think that Betiku isn't capable of earning a meaningful degree from A&M or FSU?

If you want to believe that, you're welcome to do so. I've taught at top private universities and very large state universities, so I'm not that naive.

FYI, Rolle majored in PE at Florida State. That should tell you something.

 

[Classic Irish]

There's no way in hell FSU impowers a kid with this kind of football potential to major in any major that is even close to challenging in terms of academics. He could do it sure but programs like FSU structured to discourage that.

Exactly. Rolle majored in PE (aka exercise science, aka kinesiology)---not pre-med, not biology, not biochemistry, but PE.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Exactly. Rolle majored in PE (aka exercise science, aka kinesiology)---not pre-med, not biology, not biochemistry, but PE.

Didn't he go to Oxford for Medical Anthropology or something?


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[drake29]

If you want to believe that, you're welcome to do so. I've taught at top private universities and very large state universities, so I'm not that naive.

FYI, Rolle majored in PE at Florida State. That should tell you something.

Don't twist my words. All I'm saying is that MAYBE there's a chance that this kid is sincere. MAYBE writing him off as a kid that only wants to play football and pussy instead of school is wrong. MAYBE he still wants a full college experience that he doesn't believe these other institutions could provide him. Who knows? I just think it's a bit narrow minded and below us to make assumptions based on the decision that a 17-18 year old kid makes. He can be immature to an extent and still value some of the bling the other schools sell him, but when they discourage him from his intended major he may tell them to piss off.

 

[IrishEyesAreSmiling]

Hopefully Betiku is all about academics, fingers crossed

 

[D-BOE34]

I have asked this several times on here and I don't remember getting a response. Since when did an education not matter? Very rarely does it matter where you get it from unless you venture into certain fields. Every person I know with a degree got it from a state school and I know a lot of very successful people. Why can't that be a recruit? I get a lot of kids say academics are important and then go and not graduate after 4 years but a lot of kids wouldn't have an opportunity to even go to college if they didn't have football. Why isn't that ever talked about?

As much as I love ND, if I had my chance to take 5 officials I would. I would also consider a few other schools for the simple fact that a degree would be free and that would be my #1 priority. ND isn't for everyone academically. I hated school but I knew it was important. For that reason I would be open to a few options and not just ND.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I have asked this several times on here and I don't remember getting a response. Since when did an education not matter? Very rarely does it matter where you get it from unless you venture into certain fields. Every person I know with a degree got it from a state school and I know a lot of very successful people. Why can't that be a recruit? I get a lot of kids say academics are important and then go and not graduate after 4 years but a lot of kids wouldn't have an opportunity to even go to college if they didn't have football. Why isn't that ever talked about?

As much as I love ND, if I had my chance to take 5 officials I would. I would also consider a few other schools for the simple fact that a degree would be free and that would be my #1 priority. ND isn't for everyone academically. I hated school but I knew it was important. For that reason I would be open to a few options and not just ND.

Long story short, not every progam allows you to prioritize academics. Some make you take the minimum credits, in BS classes, and slide by so you can concentrate on football.

NDs academics are great, but what sets them apart is the committment that the kid gets an actual education, not just checks the boxes for NCAA qualifyication.

So most agree that you can hypothetically get a good education almost anywhere, but not every college football program is helpful in that regard, and some are down right unhelpful. Not a lot of 19 yo football players have the character, determination, and foresight to take that responsibility on themselves, especially when football seems so important for those 4 years.

 

[BeauBenken]

Exactly. Rolle majored in PE (aka exercise science, aka kinesiology)---not pre-med, not biology, not biochemistry, but PE.

Physical Education and Exercise Science are NOT the same thing, and Rolle majored in Exercise Science.

Feel free to argue the validity of the degree, but saying they are the same thing is just false. And as Sherm said, as a Rhodes Scholar, he went to Oxford (not Mississippi, the nice one in England) and earned a Masters of Science in Medical Anthropology.

 

[IrishLax]

I have asked this several times on here and I don't remember getting a response. Since when did an education not matter? Very rarely does it matter where you get it from unless you venture into certain fields. Every person I know with a degree got it from a state school and I know a lot of very successful people. Why can't that be a recruit? I get a lot of kids say academics are important and then go and not graduate after 4 years but a lot of kids wouldn't have an opportunity to even go to college if they didn't have football. Why isn't that ever talked about?

As much as I love ND, if I had my chance to take 5 officials I would. I would also consider a few other schools for the simple fact that a degree would be free and that would be my #1 priority. ND isn't for everyone academically. I hated school but I knew it was important. For that reason I would be open to a few options and not just ND.

I have a friend who is about 5 years younger than me, never took school that seriously growing up, and went to an SEC school. He got an entry level sales job with a Fortune 100 company out of college and has kicked so much ass at it that he makes way more money than I do... and I make a considerable amount of money.

You can be successful with a degree from anywhere (or no degree at all). However, with respect to football recruits there are two things to consider:
1) ND's support structure and degree paths are rather unique in how they enable student-athletes to not only earn degrees but earn meaningful degrees and parlay them into careers. The high graduation rates cannot be understated, but it's even more impressive when you consider there is no "general studies" like Michigan. In the grand scheme of things, this should matter a lot to a prospective student-athlete.
2) The alumni network at Notre Dame takes care of athletes much better than "Big State School X"... when I have time later, I'll try to pull a list of the jobs/internships the lacrosse student-athletes had this past year thanks to networking (both staged events and behind the scenes) pushed forward by ND. When you contrast that to Bama... in that Bag Man expose that came out awhile ago they talked a lot about how the opposite is the case. No one helps the players post-graduation, and in fact they encourage them to get into HS football coaching.

As a final note... yeah, what you major in does matter, and especially in engineering there are a lot "Big State Schools" with fantastic programs. So what you're looking to do with your career should always have a big impact on where you choose to go to school. My company has a ton of Stanford, Cornell, ND, etc. grads. But the only school we actually go recruit? Penn State, because their architectural engineering program produces perfect entry level candidates.

 

[Grahambo]

Exactly. Rolle majored in PE (aka exercise science, aka kinesiology)---not pre-med, not biology, not biochemistry, but PE.

And did it in 2.5 years and was a Rhodes Scholar.

"Rolle is the founder of 'Our Way to Health' – an educational childhood anti-obesity program for Native Americans currently operating in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo Indians. Rolle, in conjunction with Florida Secretary of Children and Family Services, George Sheldon, runs a week-long Myron Rolle Wellness and Leadership Academy for Foster Care children in the State of Florida. In 2011, Rolle, along with 2006 Rhodes Scholar Garrett Johnson, created the "Emerging Scholars Project" – a program to help underrepresented college students become viable candidates for national fellowship opportunities."

Let's not act like all he did was basket weaving.

 

[Classic Irish]

Physical Education and Exercise Science are NOT the same thing, and Rolle majored in Exercise Science.

Feel free to argue the validity of the degree, but saying they are the same thing is just false. And as Sherm said, as a Rhodes Scholar, he went to Oxford (not Mississippi, the nice one in England) and earned a Masters of Science in Medical Anthropology.

At many schools, it is the same thing. At most schools, they are grouped in the same academic department (Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science). Again, as an academic, neither are considered particularly rigorous. That's why a lot of athletes major in it. Most students who intend to embark on a career in medicine do not major in exercise science. They major in pre-med, biology, etc... So let's agree to disagree.

I'm not denying he's a good student. But someone who is really serious about academics---REALLY serious---does not turn down offers from schools like Stanford and ND to go to Florida State. Unless, of course, there was some kind of enticement---and, no, I'm not suggesting a monetary enticement.

 

[Classic Irish]

And did it in 2.5 years and was a Rhodes Scholar.

"Rolle is the founder of 'Our Way to Health' – an educational childhood anti-obesity program for Native Americans currently operating in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo Indians. Rolle, in conjunction with Florida Secretary of Children and Family Services, George Sheldon, runs a week-long Myron Rolle Wellness and Leadership Academy for Foster Care children in the State of Florida. In 2011, Rolle, along with 2006 Rhodes Scholar Garrett Johnson, created the "Emerging Scholars Project" – a program to help underrepresented college students become viable candidates for national fellowship opportunities."

Let's not act like all he did was basket weaving.

That's great. I'm not disparaging him as a person. I said he was the exception that proves the rule. But sorry, I don't buy this argument that one player with a strong academic background going to Florida State therefore legitimizes the claims of all players talking up the academic angle who are interested in FSU. Yes, a person can get a good education anywhere, but that only goes so far. Otherwise, that's suggesting that it doesn't make a difference where you attend college.

 

[Rocknes Ghost]

The very top performers at ND, Stanford and many state schools are similar. It's the bottom performers where you find huge differences.

 

[GBdomer]

I think you guys are giving ND a better shot then they have. Every kid says academics is important yet look at the schools he's visiting. He hates the cold and that's part of the reason he cut Penn State even before his falling out with Lavar Arrington who is no longer his guardian.

A 247 source stated yesterday "Wole is headed to A&M" so unless we knock it out of the park and then he comes back for an unofficial I just don't see this happening at all. Get them on campus and who knows I guess we will see. He loves LA so I still think he ends up at USC or UCLA

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think you guys are giving ND a better shot then they have. Every kid says academics is important yet look at the schools he's visiting. He hates the cold and that's part of the reason he cut Penn State even before his falling out with Lavar Arrington who is no longer his guardian.

A 247 source stated yesterday "Wole is headed to A&M" so unless we knock it out of the park and then he comes back for an unofficial I just don't see this happening at all. Get them on campus and who knows I guess we will see. He loves LA so I still think he ends up at USC or UCLA

I'm pretty sure the only reason Penn State was in the conversation was because of Arrington. In addition, them getting embarrassed by Temple in week 1 probably made the decision to drop them quite easy.

You're also forgetting that he's yet to visit, and that's a HUGE X-factor in his recruitment.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I'm pretty sure the only reason Penn State was in the conversation was because of Arrington. In addition, them getting embarrassed by Temple in week 1 probably made the decision to drop them quite easy.

You're also forgetting that he's yet to visit, and that's a HUGE X-factor in his recruitment.

Even if he visits, I'll bet anyone anything they want that he ain't coming to ND.

He ain't into academics, and he has stated several times that he doesn't like the cold and wants to play in warm weather. He's basically a pipe dream.

Still gotta go after him if you're the staff bc he is stating that he's interested, but he still beyond a long shot. His actions and words to other teams' reporters repeatedly say so...