'16 GA ATH Demetris Robertson (Georgia Transfer)

[Irish#1]

Loy saying that from what he's hearing it sounds like the ND staff is not really pursuing this anymore. We'd take him but we aren't recruiting him. I'm wondering if that is the reason he's signing this paperwork with Cal and GT. Probably trying to reinvigorate a dying recruitment, lol

Also makes you wonder if Bama and UGA tired of his shenanigans?

 

[ThePiombino]

Wow, pretty sure I called this becoming an "Isaiah McKenzie'esque" recruitment a while back. Boy was I wrong. This is WAY more entertaining lololol

 

[greyhammer90]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

 

[Irish#1]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

Not really. I don't have a problem either. The dome is still going to be there whether he becomes Irish or not. Very few here had a problem when he wanted to wait on SAT scores. The obvious concern now is, what he or his brother have been stating for a long time appear not to be the real reason for delaying. Some are frustrated, because he would get an outstanding education, play at the most historical football program in the country, have a chance to make the playoffs and more than likely become a high draft pick if he became Irish, yet he's not pulled the trigger. People are wondering why he can't see the pot of gold right in front of him. Wooly may be right about something else besides academics going on here.

 

[Blaise]

The kid should take as long as he needs.. It's his life... I have no problem... Just like I have no problem with ND saying, look, we recruited you, you know everything there is to know about us.. We will give you a weekly phone call to check in, but besides that we are done with this recruiting... If you want to sign you have a spot, If you don't, best luck

 

[dublinirish]

Also makes you wonder if Bama and UGA tired of his shenanigans?

tired of a sketchy recruitment process? Nah, they live for this shit. The shadier it is, the more they lap it up

 

[PANDFAN]

Loy saying that from what he's hearing it sounds like the ND staff is not really pursuing this anymore. We'd take him but we aren't recruiting him. I'm wondering if that is the reason he's signing this paperwork with Cal and GT. Probably trying to reinvigorate a dying recruitment, lol

andrew at rivals said we haven't as of yesterday

 

[NDdomer2]

Also makes you wonder if Bama and UGA tired of his shenanigans?

as soon as it was reported he signed aid paperwork with Cal it said to me that the big boys have moved on.

IMO, you dont sign aid papers with teams that werent even in your top 4 (stanford, nd, uga, bama) if your top 4 are still options.

 

[Irish Man3]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

I would have no problem with the timeline if he wasn't wasting resources and time from each coaching staff that he's leading on. Numerous cancelled visits and ridiculous games since NSD. There's no way that by March of his senior season, he hasn't at least permanently narrowed his list to a top three.

Again, no issue with the time line. Big issue with the bad information coming out of his camp daily.

 

[drake29]

I would have no problem with the timeline if he wasn't wasting resources and time from each coaching staff that he's leading on. Numerous cancelled visits and ridiculous games since NSD. There's no way that by March of his senior season, he hasn't at least permanently narrowed his list to a top three.

Again, no issue with the time line. Big issue with the bad information coming out of his camp daily.

I have a real hard time feeling sorry for programs and coaches in regards to wasted time and resources. Most of the big colleges are making tens of millions of dollars each year off of these kids and the coaches are all making 6 figures or more. These kids get an education that doesn't get them nearly what it used to. He's faced with the biggest decision of his young life, so what if he doesn't jump through hoops to please coaches and fanbases? Either you want the kid for your team or you don't.

 

[connor_in]

My two cents...

It is what it is. If he shows up on our doorstep, fine, and we will always hold our breath on if he stays or not since he is so hesitant to commit. If he doesn't , too bad for us, but whoever gets him will have to set that watch for themselves. I am not sure what resources ND (or any other school) is putting in to him other than texts and phone calls so I am not sure that part of the equation matters too much anymore.

 

[Rocket89]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

Sure there is. If you're completely sold on the school and your decision. If you've exhausted all the research and done your homework. If you're ready to stop playing the recruiting game after two plus years of phone calls, texts, and absurd amounts of mail.

All completely normal and important reasons to sign a LOI and that's why nearly everyone does so on NSD.

It was cute when this was solely about Robertson trying to get into Stanford and we were told ND was his second choice. He was brave to be doing things on his own timeline and making sure he checked off all the boxes before deciding. Really, really good sell (particularly from the ND side) of making DR into a ground breaking recruit doing things his way and spurning the LOI.

I mean, there's gotta be some context to DR's decision process. He wants to see about Stanford. He wants to retake the SAT again. Or maybe he'll decide before he gets his last score back. Then he'll throw away his last official visit before he gets his last score back. Or maybe he wants to run track. Or maybe he wants to go to school with his sister. Maybe he's going to cancel another visit.

If this kid is supposed to the gold standard of how to go about bypassing signing a LOI he seems to be failing miserably at creating a consistent and understandable approach to doing so. Yeah, players rights hooray and coaches/schools make millions, so good for him. I just think no matter which way you look at it this kid has set a poor example.

 

[RDU Irish]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

I agree with this. Not like he is late reporting to camp anywhere yet. Why not give yourself the guaranteed four year deal and better transfer flexibility? ND knocks the first point off the table but most schools it SHOULD be a legitimate concern for any student athlete.

 

[koonja]

Is it weird that I really don't have an issue with the kid? I mean it sucks as a ND fan that it happened to us, but I've always been in support of five stars refusing to sign a LOI. When you're in the a five star's position there's no reason to do it. The kid doesn't owe anyone anything, especially not the school he's going to (likely) make a lot of money for in the future.

I get that. But in March signing financial aid agreement with what will presumably end up being Stanford, GT, ND, Georgia, and Bama? Do you really have to keep all of those schools, staffs, and fans' hopes up at this point? Are you REALLY considering actually going to all 5 of them in a month from now? You can't rule it down to like 2 or 3?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I get that. But in March signing financial aid agreement with what will presumably end up being Stanford, GT, ND, Georgia, and Bama? Do you really have to keep all of those schools, staffs, and fans' hopes up at this point? Are you REALLY considering actually going to all 5 of them in a month from now? You can't rule it down to like 2 or 3?

Yeah, but as others have said I think there are at most two schools keeping their hopes up; one on your list, and the other being Cal.

Stanford is clearly gone.

Sounds like Geo and Bama are, too.

And reports are that ND has moved on.

Soooo . . .

 

[greyhammer90]

Sure there is. If you're completely sold on the school and your decision. If you've exhausted all the research and done your homework. If you're ready to stop playing the recruiting game after two plus years of phone calls, texts, and absurd amounts of mail.

All completely normal and important reasons to sign a LOI and that's why nearly everyone does so on NSD.

It was cute when this was solely about Robertson trying to get into Stanford and we were told ND was his second choice. He was brave to be doing things on his own timeline and making sure he checked off all the boxes before deciding. Really, really good sell (particularly from the ND side) of making DR into a ground breaking recruit doing things his way and spurning the LOI.

I mean, there's gotta be some context to DR's decision process. He wants to see about Stanford. He wants to retake the SAT again. Or maybe he'll decide before he gets his last score back. Then he'll throw away his last official visit before he gets his last score back. Or maybe he wants to run track. Or maybe he wants to go to school with his sister. Maybe he's going to cancel another visit.

If this kid is supposed to the gold standard of how to go about bypassing signing a LOI he seems to be failing miserably at creating a consistent and understandable approach to doing so. Yeah, players rights hooray and coaches/schools make millions, so good for him. I just think no matter which way you look at it this kid has set a poor example.

Why does he need to "set an example"? At the end of the day, he has everyone by the ear and is in a position of power to determine where he wants to be. We can continue pretending that this is an amateur league all we want, but in reality he's a highly-sought after future employee with an elite skill set that is worth a ton of $$$. He knows this, the programs know this, we know this. He's working on his own timeline because there is absolutely no reason not to. Especially when you consider that as soon as he signs that LOI, he won't be in a powerful position for years. He won't get another meaningful say about the program or position he's in until it's time for him to sign his second contract in the NFL.

Like I said, it sucks that it's a recruit we are so heavily involved in, but I see no reason why a kid in a position like should be cowed into signing anything before he wants to.

(And like someone else said above, I reject the argument that he should do it to "respect the coaches' time". The coaches get paid an absurd amount of money based on the entertainment value of a sport wherein a five-star kid of this caliber will only (likely) see a fraction of his net worth.)

 

[koonja]

Yeah, but as others have said I think there are at most two schools keeping their hopes up; one on your list, and the other being Cal.

Stanford is clearly gone.

Sounds like Geo and Bama are, too.

And reports are that ND has moved on.

Soooo . . .

I don't think Bama is gone. I think he signs there. Gut feeling.

 

[greyhammer90]

I get that. But in March signing financial aid agreement with what will presumably end up being Stanford, GT, ND, Georgia, and Bama? Do you really have to keep all of those schools, staffs, and fans' hopes up at this point? Are you REALLY considering actually going to all 5 of them in a month from now? You can't rule it down to like 2 or 3?

I partially responded to this in my other post, but from my perspective:

1) the schools & coaches make a ton of money off this sport and players like him, so I don't feel sorry for them having to work on a kid's timeline;

2) stuff the fans. We aren't owed anything. It's our own stupid fault we follow the enrollment decisions of high schoolers for an amateur sport.

 

[dublinirish]

I don't think Bama is gone. I think he signs there. Gut feeling.

yup the shadier this recruitment becomes the more i think he signs with UGA or Bama and his brother gets a new job somewhere close to those universities..

 

[RDU Irish]

yup the shadier this recruitment becomes the more i think he signs with UGA or Bama and his brother gets a new job somewhere close to those universities..

ding ding ding! We have a winner!

 

[koonja]

I partially responded to this in my other post, but from my perspective:

1) the schools & coaches make a ton of money off this sport and players like him, so I don't feel sorry for them having to work on a kid's timeline;

2) stuff the fans. We aren't owed anything. It's our own stupid fault we follow the enrollment decisions of high schoolers for an amateur sport.

I think the staffs deserve a little more respect than that. And I doubt he's actually considering going to all of those schools at this point.

I made the analogy before and if you don't buy it that's fine, but it's the waitresses job to wait on my at a restaurant. Doesn't mean I should use her time to explain the whole menu to me, just to end up ordering a soda and leaving.

 

[connor_in]

I think the staffs deserve a little more respect than that. And I doubt he's actually considering going to all of those schools at this point.

I made the analogy before and if you don't buy it that's fine, but it's the waitresses job to wait on my at a restaurant. Doesn't mean I should use her time to explain the whole menu to me, just to end up ordering a soda and leaving.

 

[NDdomer2]

yup the shadier this recruitment becomes the more i think he signs with UGA or Bama and his brother gets a new job somewhere close to those universities..

but this could have happend months ago. the SEC doesnt wait until after signing day to get shady. they do it immediately as they know the other teams are trying as well.

Did they have to wait for some old man to retire mid march? what would have been the hold up if this is the end scenario?

 

[greyhammer90]

I think the staffs deserve a little more respect than that. And I doubt he's actually considering going to all of those schools at this point.

I made the analogy before and if you don't buy it that's fine, but it's the waitresses job to wait on my at a restaurant. Doesn't mean I should use her time to explain the whole menu to me, just to end up ordering a soda and leaving.

That's fine that you feel that way, but a waitress is continent-sized bridge from a coach that is paid hundreds of thousands, if not millions, to sell (often in manipulative and underhanded ways) to 18 year old kids a "lifestyle" that is usually based on pretty immature power & wealth fantasies.

You can argue that ND sells its degree and doesn't sell such a lifestyle, but I would ask what major we were promoting when we sent down an 18-wheeler to his house.

And just to be clear, I'm totally fine with coaches doing that, including ND coaches. But don't ask me to feel sorry for them.

 

[Rocket89]

Why does he need to "set an example"? At the end of the day, he has everyone by the ear and is in a position of power to determine where he wants to be. We can continue pretending that this is an amateur league all we want, but in reality he's a highly-sought after future employee with an elite skill set that is worth a ton of $$$. He knows this, the programs know this, we know this. He's working on his own timeline because there is absolutely no reason not to. Especially when you consider that as soon as he signs that LOI, he won't be in a powerful position for years. He won't get another meaningful say about the program or position he's in until it's time for him to sign his second contract in the NFL.

Like I said, it sucks that it's a recruit we are so heavily involved in, but I see no reason why a kid in a position like should be cowed into signing anything before he wants to.

(And like someone else said above, I reject the argument that he should do it to "respect the coaches' time". The coaches get paid an absurd amount of money based on the entertainment value of a sport wherein a five-star kid of this caliber will only (likely) see a fraction of his net worth.)

You're implying that he's setting an example by making a power move not signing his LOI. Is that what Robertson is really doing this for? This doesn't seem like a calculated power move at all--in fact the complete opposite.

All the other talk about amateurism and money doesn't seem to have anything to do with Robertsons decision process.

This is what I'm trying to say. There's this undercurrent that is praising DR for what he's doing and then trying to shoehorn all these positive storylines into his actions. When in reality he's been as disorganized, wishy washy, and unsure about things as you can get. I don't see why that should be applauded because poor little DR trying to decide against all these millionaire coaches.

 

[EddytoNow]

Why does he need to "set an example"? At the end of the day, he has everyone by the ear and is in a position of power to determine where he wants to be. We can continue pretending that this is an amateur league all we want, but in reality he's a highly-sought after future employee with an elite skill set that is worth a ton of $$$. He knows this, the programs know this, we know this. He's working on his own timeline because there is absolutely no reason not to. Especially when you consider that as soon as he signs that LOI, he won't be in a powerful position for years. He won't get another meaningful say about the program or position he's in until it's time for him to sign his second contract in the NFL.

Like I said, it sucks that it's a recruit we are so heavily involved in, but I see no reason why a kid in a position like should be cowed into signing anything before he wants to.

(And like someone else said above, I reject the argument that he should do it to "respect the coaches' time". The coaches get paid an absurd amount of money based on the entertainment value of a sport wherein a five-star kid of this caliber will only (likely) see a fraction of his net worth.)

The position of power is the problem. No coach wants a player dictating from a position of power. Every player, 5-Star or otherwise, should select a program that he wants to play for and then submit to the coach's authority. Let the coaches teach you how to play at the college level and, hopefully, beyond. The coaches of all the above programs have let DR know where he fits in their program. If he can't make up his mind, all of these schools should move on. DR may or may not prove to be a good college player. However, he will not make or break any of the programs under consideration.

If they haven't done so already, these programs should give DR a deadline and then move on. None of them need a head case on their roster.

If the speculation (my own included) is inaccurate and certain academic standards need to be met before admission, then that will be revealed in due course.

 

[drake29]

I still don't understand how the kid is a headcase just because he hasn't picked his school yet. I don't blame him. I don't really care. If ND stops recruiting him, I think it's pretty weak. He's the top WR in the country. If you could go back in time and convince Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco, or any other great WR that occasionally caused drama to come to your school - you do it. Hell, ND had Michael Floyd who was a source of drama - did they give up on him? The resources at these schools are almost limitless. Go all out to try to land him. Or I guess we could tuck our tails between our legs and give up because 'it took too long'.

PS

If we've stopped recruiting him because he told us to back off or he doesn't think it will work - I'm totally fine with that. But that's not the same thing...

 

[stlnd01]

I still don't understand how the kid is a headcase just because he hasn't picked his school yet. I don't blame him. I don't really care. If ND stops recruiting him, I think it's pretty weak. He's the top WR in the country. If you could go back in time and convince Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco, or any other great WR that occasionally caused drama to come to your school - you do it. Hell, ND had Michael Floyd who was a source of drama - did they give up on him? The resources at these schools are almost limitless. Go all out to try to land him. Or I guess we could tuck our tails between our legs and give up because 'it took too long'.

PS

If we've stopped recruiting him because he told us to back off or he doesn't think it will work - I'm totally fine with that. But that's not the same thing...

I don't think he's a headcase b/c he hasn't committed yet. And I don't think he owes the coaches (or certainly the fans) anything in this. The kid has every right to take his time and good on him for doing so.
But at this point it does feel like there's something going on here that's not being reported publicly - whether it's test scores or family issues or whatever. And when that happens in a recruitment it rarely ends in a happy, productive three-to-four year player for Notre Dame. So, frankly, I'm fine with us leaving the door open but moving on.

 

[T Town Tommy]

https://www.dawgnation.com/football...ng-on-with-5-star-receiver-demetris-robertson

A little more background on DRob from Jeff Sentell over at dawgnation.

 

[greyhammer90]

You're implying that he's setting an example by making a power move not signing his LOI. Is that what Robertson is really doing this for? This doesn't seem like a calculated power move at all--in fact the complete opposite.

All the other talk about amateurism and money doesn't seem to have anything to do with Robertsons decision process.

This is what I'm trying to say. There's this undercurrent that is praising DR for what he's doing and then trying to shoehorn all these positive storylines into his actions. When in reality he's been as disorganized, wishy washy, and unsure about things as you can get. I don't see why that should be applauded because poor little DR trying to decide against all these millionaire coaches.

I think you're mischaracterizing my point a bit. I don't think the kid is a hero and I think there have been issues with his communication. But, again, he doesn't owe anyone good communication. The "undercurrent" I'm getting from most posts on here is that Robertson should follow the same process as everyone else, and for some reason he's wrong if he doesn't. I disagree with that.