'16 AL LB Ben Davis (Alabama Verbal)

[ThePiombino]

The Recruit Whisperer

 

[Irishokie]

Stranger with candy.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Man, it's getting ugly in here!

 

[Irish#1]

His dad really enjoyed the visit and was very impressed with what ND offers with the academics. Said he thinks it's important for recruits to visit schools they're interested in to remove any doubts, and right now there aren't any with ND. Also said he's looking forward to Kelly's in home visit.

There may not be any doubts, but I seriously doubt the trip did nothing more than validate ND as a great school.

I agree with what Cack had to say.......in all likelihood, we don't end up with him, however, Denson got him on campus, from Alabama, in the middle of January.......no matter how pessimistic you are, this is a recruiting win for Notre Dame. Getting, arguably the nation's best HS LB on campus this time of year from the deep south, is huge!!!! I'm glad he enjoyed his visit, and while not overly excited about him coming here, will wait anxiously for his decision!!

Never understood this thought process. I get the idea behind getting him on campus, but if he doesn't come to ND how is that a win? His visit or our hat on the table isn't going to resonate with other recruits. Not being pessimistic, just realistic. Will gladly take him if he were to shock everyone.

 

[dublinirish]

There may not be any doubts, but I seriously doubt the trip did nothing more than validate ND as a great school.



Never understood this thought process. I get the idea behind getting him on campus, but if he doesn't come to ND how is that a win? His visit or our hat on the table isn't going to resonate with other recruits. Not being pessimistic, just realistic. Will gladly take him if he were to shock everyone.

often recruit's coach's are involved in their decision making process. Impress the coach's and they can help you out down the line (especially if they are from powerful football HS)
Example in point, Robert Beal. His coach learnt all about ND through the recruitment of Lorenzo Carter.

It's not a "win" per say but it's somewhat positive outcome. ND has the financial clout to recruit like this, so it's no harm and doing it.

 

[Irish#1]

often recruit's coach's are involved in their decision making process. Impress the coach's and they can help you out down the line (especially if they are from powerful football HS)
Example in point, Robert Beal. His coach learnt all about ND through the recruitment of Lorenzo Carter.

It's not a "win" per say but it's somewhat positive outcome. ND has the financial clout to recruit like this, so it's no harm and doing it.

Not being a smart arse here, but I get that. Irish coaches visiting a HS can do that with HS kids and their coaches. Don't disagree that it's a positive. I just don't buy getting a kid on campus is a win if he picks another school. Just MO. I'm sure there are plenty on this board that disagree.

 

[ThePiombino]

Not being a smart arse here, but I get that. Irish coaches visiting a HS can do that with HS kids and their coaches. Don't disagree that it's a positive. I just don't buy getting a kid on campus is a win if he picks another school. Just MO. I'm sure there are plenty on this board that disagree.

I tend to agree with you that it's not a win unless we land a commitment, but perhaps we're looking at it wrong. Maybe it's more along the lines of losing the battle, but winning the war/

 

[IrishFanForever23]

No clue how you can think coming in third is better than being the top choice no matter how small the chance.

Of course you would want to be top choice, but for you to say ND didn't do as good as you had hoped I think is ridiculous. The fact they got the kid on campus in January, and have moved up on his list, is a win for now. There's always been a slim to none chance this kid comes to ND, but we're still in the discussion for now. Which, if he doesn't visit, ND is probably dropped completely.

 

[Cackalacky]

often recruit's coach's are involved in their decision making process. Impress the coach's and they can help you out down the line (especially if they are from powerful football HS)
Example in point, Robert Beal. His coach learnt all about ND through the recruitment of Lorenzo Carter.

It's not a "win" per say but it's somewhat positive outcome. ND has the financial clout to recruit like this, so it's no harm and doing it.

I tend to agree with you that it's not a win unless we land a commitment, but perhaps we're looking at it wrong. Maybe it's more along the lines of losing the battle, but winning the war/

This is the way I look at it:

1. Elite football prospects from the south are generally, not Catholic, not educated in a manner consistent with elite higher educated schools, and not accustomed to existing in the weather of Lakeside Indiana. These are all easy targets for neg recruiting and in general are very likely to work against us with these elite southern recruits.
2. Notre Dame is generally negative recruited against for their academic standards of student athletes. (Even Jeff Burris was told by an instate coach that he was not gonna be able to cut it at ND and that the should just stay in state. Jeff took that as a challenge. Thankfully he did.)
3.Without the assistance of knowledgeable adults these kids, who are very insulated from the rest of the country for many reasons, probably are not able to fully grasp the opportunity the ND presents them. We need adults in the mix that can say to a kid... "Listen dude... these guys are a legit opportunity all the way around. You can't go wrong here. Getting an offer from them is something you should strongly consider Here are the reasons why...."
4. To my knowledge, ND has never had a foothold in the south recruiting wise. As of right now, under Kelly, we have made massive gains in exposure in Georgia, Southern Florida and Texas. They have been trying to get into Alabama. Getting Bo Scarborough to show up was a big win. He did not have the academic requirements to even enroll in Alabama on time so he was not coming to to ND but regardless, he showed up and had great things to say.

So with all that being said, for Autry to go into Gordo, get arguably the best LB in the southeast to show up in the dead of winter, give him and his dad a 10 experience vaulting us up to a Top 3 position, is a massive win. BY the reports both Ben and his dad's opinion and understanding of ND were significantly altered for the better. I say this because, now, his dad, knows what ND is about. Ben knows what ND is about. We are not selling them a bunch of crap. ND is a different aisle and we require different kids. Ben quite clearly fits that mold. Other recruits who are friends with Ben will know he went to see us and that hopefully he will say that they should also check ND out. So that when Autry shows up to see them, they know, hey... maybe I should listen.

 

[GoIrish41]

This is the way I look at it:

1. Elite football prospects from the south are generally, not Catholic, not educated in a manner consistent with elite higher educated schools, and not accustomed to existing in the weather of Lakeside Indiana. These are all easy targets for neg recruiting and in general are very likely to work against us with these elite southern recruits.
2. Notre Dame is generally negative recruited against for their academic standards of student athletes. (Even Jeff Burris was told by an instate coach that he was not gonna be able to cut it at ND and that the should just stay in state. Jeff took that as a challenge. Thankfully he did.)
3.Without the assistance of knowledgeable adults these kids, who are very insulated from the rest of the country for many reasons, probably are not able to fully grasp the opportunity the ND presents them. We need adults in the mix that can say to a kid... "Listen dude... these guys are a legit opportunity all the way around. You can't go wrong here. Getting an offer from them is something you should strongly consider Here are the reasons why...."
4. To my knowledge, ND has never had a foothold in the south recruiting wise. As of right now, under Kelly, we have made massive gains in exposure in Georgia, Southern Florida and Texas. They have been trying to get into Alabama. Getting Bo Scarborough to show up was a big win. He did not have the academic requirements to even enroll in Alabama on time so he was not coming to to ND but regardless, he showed up and had great things to say.

So with all that being said, for Autry to go into Gordo, get arguably the best LB in the southeast to show up in the dead of winter, give him and his dad a 10 experience vaulting us up to a Top 3 position, is a massive win. BY the reports both Ben and his dad's opinion and understanding of ND were significantly altered for the better. I say this because, now, his dad, knows what ND is about. Ben knows what ND is about. We are not selling them a bunch of crap. ND is a different aisle and we require different kids. Ben quite clearly fits that mold. Other recruits who are friends with Ben will know he went to see us and that hopefully he will say that they should also check ND out. So that when Autry shows up to see them, they know, hey... maybe I should listen.

Outstanding post!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

This is the way I look at it:

1. Elite football prospects from the south are generally, not Catholic, not educated in a manner consistent with elite higher educated schools, and not accustomed to existing in the weather of Lakeside Indiana. These are all easy targets for neg recruiting and in general are very likely to work against us with these elite southern recruits.
2. Notre Dame is generally negative recruited against for their academic standards of student athletes. (Even Jeff Burris was told by an instate coach that he was not gonna be able to cut it at ND and that the should just stay in state. Jeff took that as a challenge. Thankfully he did.)
3.Without the assistance of knowledgeable adults these kids, who are very insulated from the rest of the country for many reasons, probably are not able to fully grasp the opportunity the ND presents them. We need adults in the mix that can say to a kid... "Listen dude... these guys are a legit opportunity all the way around. You can't go wrong here. Getting an offer from them is something you should strongly consider Here are the reasons why...."
4. To my knowledge, ND has never had a foothold in the south recruiting wise. As of right now, under Kelly, we have made massive gains in exposure in Georgia, Southern Florida and Texas. They have been trying to get into Alabama. Getting Bo Scarborough to show up was a big win. He did not have the academic requirements to even enroll in Alabama on time so he was not coming to to ND but regardless, he showed up and had great things to say.

So with all that being said, for Autry to go into Gordo, get arguably the best LB in the southeast to show up in the dead of winter, give him and his dad a 10 experience vaulting us up to a Top 3 position, is a massive win. BY the reports both Ben and his dad's opinion and understanding of ND were significantly altered for the better. I say this because, now, his dad, knows what ND is about. Ben knows what ND is about. We are not selling them a bunch of crap. ND is a different aisle and we require different kids. Ben quite clearly fits that mold. Other recruits who are friends with Ben will know he went to see us and that hopefully he will say that they should also check ND out. So that when Autry shows up to see them, they know, hey... maybe I should listen.

çan't give reps but... nailed it.

 

[RDU Irish]

"Its just different" tells me the kid gets it - now it is up to him to decide. Not much more you can ask than for 5 star recruits to "get it" and make a fully informed decision.

As for the cold whiners - I always quote Kory Minor's mother - "I can buy you a coat, but I can't buy you a Notre Dame education" - which I would expand to "experience" since the education is only part of the overall growth one stands to gain from Our Lady's campus.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

"Its just different" tells me the kid gets it - now it is up to him to decide. Not much more you can ask than for 5 star recruits to "get it" and make a fully informed decision.

As for the cold whiners - I always quote Kory Minor's mother - "I can buy you a coat, but I can't buy you a Notre Dame education" - which I would expand to "experience" since the education is only part of the overall growth one stands to gain from Our Lady's campus.

Yeah, he isn't coming. I have no hope for that but I'm just glad he enjoyed the visit and saw what ND had to offer. I wish him luck at Bama because he seems like a thoughtful kid who will do big things in crimson.

 

[beryirish]

Ben Davis Twitter:

Great home visit with @CoachJPruitt (new bama DC). ELEPHANT ELEPHANT. CHANGE OF PLANS. I will be taking my official visit to Alabama this weekend.

 

[dad4aa]

Of course you would want to be top choice, but for you to say ND didn't do as good as you had hoped I think is ridiculous. The fact they got the kid on campus in January, and have moved up on his list, is a win for now. There's always been a slim to none chance this kid comes to ND, but we're still in the discussion for now. Which, if he doesn't visit, ND is probably dropped completely.

I never said we didn't make a move and the visit went well. Disappointed he made the statement we are third right after the visit...which most likely means that's as far as we get with him. What I still don't understand is how, after I stated I was disappointed we didn't do as well as I hoped. you can quote "this is better". Obviously the hope and dream is we pulled even after the visit. How is running 3rd better than tied for first?

 

[dad4aa]

This is the way I look at it:

1. Elite football prospects from the south are generally, not Catholic, not educated in a manner consistent with elite higher educated schools, and not accustomed to existing in the weather of Lakeside Indiana. These are all easy targets for neg recruiting and in general are very likely to work against us with these elite southern recruits.
2. Notre Dame is generally negative recruited against for their academic standards of student athletes. (Even Jeff Burris was told by an instate coach that he was not gonna be able to cut it at ND and that the should just stay in state. Jeff took that as a challenge. Thankfully he did.)
3.Without the assistance of knowledgeable adults these kids, who are very insulated from the rest of the country for many reasons, probably are not able to fully grasp the opportunity the ND presents them. We need adults in the mix that can say to a kid... "Listen dude... these guys are a legit opportunity all the way around. You can't go wrong here. Getting an offer from them is something you should strongly consider Here are the reasons why...."
4. To my knowledge, ND has never had a foothold in the south recruiting wise. As of right now, under Kelly, we have made massive gains in exposure in Georgia, Southern Florida and Texas. They have been trying to get into Alabama. Getting Bo Scarborough to show up was a big win. He did not have the academic requirements to even enroll in Alabama on time so he was not coming to to ND but regardless, he showed up and had great things to say.

So with all that being said, for Autry to go into Gordo, get arguably the best LB in the southeast to show up in the dead of winter, give him and his dad a 10 experience vaulting us up to a Top 3 position, is a massive win. BY the reports both Ben and his dad's opinion and understanding of ND were significantly altered for the better. I say this because, now, his dad, knows what ND is about. Ben knows what ND is about. We are not selling them a bunch of crap. ND is a different aisle and we require different kids. Ben quite clearly fits that mold. Other recruits who are friends with Ben will know he went to see us and that hopefully he will say that they should also check ND out. So that when Autry shows up to see them, they know, hey... maybe I should listen.

Great post...reps

 

[ab2cmiller]

Flipped his OV to Auburn and Alabama because it was going to be more convenient.

Good news is that Ben says we have moved up to #2, the bad news is that he says Georgia and Bama are tied for #1. Not sure how that makes us number 2. LOL

Gordo 5-star Ben Davis switches visit plans, talks Notre Dame official | AL.com

Ben Davis, the state's top prospect and a five-star linebacker from Gordo, flipped his official visit plans for the last two weekends and has an adjustment to his top five.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Davis will visit Alabama this weekend and Auburn next. Originally, it was going to be Auburn then Alabama.

Davis said he has his football banquet this weekend, so he can go to Tuscaloosa, leave for his banquet in Gordo (30-minute drive) and return to Tuscaloosa. It was more convenient to switch the dates.

He visited with Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt on Monday morning.

"It was great," Davis said. "He was asking me how I was doing with everything and how things are going with basketball."

Speaking of basketball, Davis broke a backboard at rival Northside recently while dunking. He's a forward for the Green Wave.

"We've got some more games coming up, so be on the lookout. They called my school. I don't know if we had to pay for it. I don't know how we did it."

Davis returned from his Notre Dame official visit on Sunday.

"It went real well," Davis said. "It was better than I expected. Really nice campus, great community. You get great networking up there. It's cold, but it's a real special place. It's different, and you really can't describe it.

Davis now says that Notre Dame has moved up to No. 2, and said Alabama and Georgia "are kind of sharing No. 1."

He said Auburn follows Notre Dame and then LSU. He officially visited LSU and Georgia last fall.

Notre Dame assistant Autry Denson will visit Davis this week on Wednesday.

I've been there a lot, so just looking forward to getting comfortable with the coaches and seeing how they are, seeing the relationship they have with each other and the educational side, first.

Davis will announce his decision on Signing Day on ESPN.

 

[BobbyMac]

Ben Davis Twitter:

Great home visit with @CoachJPruitt (new bama DC). ELEPHANT ELEPHANT. CHANGE OF PLANS. I will be taking my official visit to Alabama this weekend.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great home visit with <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJPruitt">@CoachJPruitt</a> 🐘🐘. 🚨CHANGE OF PLANS🚨 I will be taking my OV to Alabama this Weekend. <a href="https://t.co/Wvq8DFaVjT">pic.twitter.com/Wvq8DFaVjT</a></p>— Mr. UNO™〽️ (@bendavis_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/bendavis_1/status/689149276333731841">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


That tweet drops and the board be like:

 

[beryirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great home visit with <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJPruitt">@CoachJPruitt</a> &#55357;&#56344;&#55357;&#56344;. &#55357;&#57000;CHANGE OF PLANS&#55357;&#57000; I will be taking my OV to Alabama this Weekend. <a href="https://t.co/Wvq8DFaVjT">pic.twitter.com/Wvq8DFaVjT</a></p>— Mr. UNO™〽️ (@bendavis_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/bendavis_1/status/689149276333731841">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


That tweet drops and the board be like:

hahaha - that's the first time I've seen that GIF all the way through. There's one of it with lil jon's Turn Down for What. When they all go crashing is when the beat drops. Hilarious.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Flipped his OV to Auburn and Alabama because it was going to be more convenient.

Good news is that Ben says we have moved up to #2, the bad news is that he says Georgia and Bama are tied for #1. Not sure how that makes us number 2. LOL

Gordo 5-star Ben Davis switches visit plans, talks Notre Dame official | AL.com

That is the kind of thing he could learn at a fine academic institution like Notre Dame.

 

[Irish#1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great home visit with <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJPruitt">@CoachJPruitt</a> 🐘🐘. 🚨CHANGE OF PLANS🚨 I will be taking my OV to Alabama this Weekend. <a href="https://t.co/Wvq8DFaVjT">pic.twitter.com/Wvq8DFaVjT</a></p>— Mr. UNO™〽️ (@bendavis_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/bendavis_1/status/689149276333731841">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


That tweet drops and the board be like:

Just for those maintaining that faint glimmer of hope.

 

[Cackalacky]

Pruitt be like:

 

[connor_in]

Pruitt be like:

Rudy?????

 

[RDU Irish]

So it really is one vs two. ND is a completely different cat than Bama/UGA. So he can take the high road or the low road, and the low road splits. He is leaning toward easy street in the SEC but the challenging hike up the mountain is intriguing. Give me a 10% chance on 5 star kids on signing day and I will take it all day versus not even being in consideration.

 

[Cackalacky]

Again... we are talking Kobe beef vs a steak and BJ.

 

[dad4aa]

Rudy?????

I'm thinking Encino Man

 

[connor_in]

I'm thinking Encino Man

Yes, it is...it was more a comment on how apropos it was to use a gif of the guy that played Rudy

 

[Cackalacky]

I work and exist on multiple levels. Yall keep up.

 

[Circa]

This is a *win* in the sense that Denson is creating good relationships in the South.

Right now, it's resulted in one of the nation's top players making a courtesy visit. But if Denson keeps working on those relationships, those courtesy visits could become "serious" visits in the next couple of years. Coaches/parents/players/schools see Denson working hard and getting guys interested, and eventually one of those guys will pull the trigger for the good guys.

At least, that's the hope. That's why some might consider this a win.

I agree completely.
I just don't think some of us understand how much It means to some of these kids to get offered and brought in for an official visit to the UND. It's HUge for the guys and we just act like It's another school. These guys are all crazy when Georgia southern offers. Georgia being the pinnacle along with Bama. If they are academically proficient and aren't afraid of the work they gotta throw down we would be champions every year! Go ask some of them and If you gain trust you'll see.

 

[GoldenDomer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Having a great lunch at Legends Cafe in Gordo AL with two Legends. Quenton Knox and <a href="https://twitter.com/autrydenson">@autrydenson</a>!!

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JOINTHEF16HT?src=hash">#JOINTHEF16HT</a>

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/shocktheworld?src=hash">#shocktheworld</a></p>— Mike Elston (@CoachMikeElston) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMikeElston/status/689906057569792004">January 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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