Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[Kingbish01]

In the case of Knight, and Bowen, neither truly fit the typical profile of recruit that works well at ND.

Going further:

- Knight was very fond of ND, but he was more fond of attention, and an easier road. Also, his family was looking to benefit from his recruitment as well, above simply the up front NIL he was going to receive.

- Bowen ran hot, and cold, and was easily manipulated. He loves attention. He was also a bit blinded by a girl, and other personal relationships at Oklahoma.

Of course, there was also Oregon, and that was entirely related to them throwing an offer his way at the last minute that was truly absurd.

As far as his family is concerned, his father was looking for the largest NIL deal possible, while his mother was primarily interested in his education. His mother preferred ND from start to finish.

- Keeley loved ND then, and still loves them now. Even when he signed with Alabama, that's not what he truly wanted. He was being pushed by his family to maximize NIL as well. (By family, I mean his entire family)

Thanks for the insight! I always assumed there had to be more to it, because it happened pre NIL a few times too, but now a mix of culture and $$ make the most sense.

 

[NDpendent]

There's always the chance that any coach may leave. However, everyone would be very surprised if Marcus leaves any time soon. ND would have to absolutely burn bridges with him, and Joanna for him to want to leave. It's damn sure not going to ever come down to money because ND will match anyone to keep Marcus.

You have given a lot of great Intel but this has to be the best. Would love for MFMF to take the title of winningest coach from that purple man

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Of the 3, Keeley would have been most likely to finish his career at ND.

Hell, two months ago it looked like he might!

 

[Irish5Saint]

He definitely wanted/wants to.

So is it family at this point holding him back or is it admissions/credits?

 

[StPaul_Irish]

He definitely wanted/wants to.

They why doesn't he? He is an adult now yeah?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

If ND didn't get Minchey what would have happened in 2023? @Merckxe525

As he mentioned, circling back to Carr, but ND also had some some PWO offers out there that they would have converted to full fledge offers. Jack Lausch was one(I think) and there was another kid who was/is a high level baseball prospect from out west.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

They why doesn't he? He is an adult now yeah?

He was an adult then too.

Keeley likes/loves Alabama. He likes/loves ND too. Keeley is a legit good person. He's comfortable at Alabama but ND will always have a soft spot in his heart.

There is family pressure to stay at Alabama but he also likes it there..and the staff there.

(Not saying you're doing this) but when a kid doesn't choose ND, 99.9% of the time it's nothing nefarious or underhanded or bad. These guys all make their decisions and most times it's done in good faith and spirit and no one is hurt by it. Keeley just really likes it at Alabama plus a bit of family stuff..but even if his family wasn't in his ear...by this point he might still stay there.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

As he mentioned, circling back to Carr, but ND also had some some PWO offers out there that they would have converted to full fledge offers. Jack Lausch was one(I think) and there was another kid who was/is a high level baseball prospect from out west.

This was the baseball-football PWO I was talking about

Baseball star Roch Cholowsky previews Notre Dame football trip

The latest on two-sport star Roch Cholowsky ahead of his official visit to Notre Dame...

247sports.com

(His trip was canceled because Minchey decided to visit/commit)

His film was FUN though...

 

[Kingbish01]

He was an adult then too.

Keeley likes/loves Alabama. He likes/loves ND too. Keeley is a legit good person. He's comfortable at Alabama but ND will always have a soft spot in his heart.

There is family pressure to stay at Alabama but he also likes it there..and the staff there.

(Not saying you're doing this) but when a kid doesn't choose ND, 99.9% of the time it's nothing nefarious or underhanded or bad. These guys all make their decisions and most times it's done in good faith and spirit and no one is hurt by it. Keeley just really likes it at Alabama plus a bit of family stuff..but even if his family wasn't in his ear...by this point he might still stay there.

I get that, but what's confusing to me is.....He's not playing there and it's a position of need for ND. In short, why ride the pine there and end up with a Bama degree when the flip side is Play at ND (Or not same boat he's in now) and end up with an ND degree. Just seems like a silly decision, and I figured it wasn't his. I always assumed ND closed the door on him.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

I get that, but what's confusing to me is.....He's not playing there and it's a position of need for ND. In short, why ride the pine there and end up with a Bama degree when the flip side is Play at ND (Or not same boat he's in now) and end up with an ND degree. Just seems like a silly decision, and I figured it wasn't his. I always assumed ND closed the door on him.

Keeley is making good money at Bama. He has friends on the team now. He's made deep connections with the staff. A staff who thinks he might be ready to break out this coming season.

The Alabama almuni base treats their players well too after graduation. He's ~20 years old and doesn't want to leave family, friends, coaches, girlfriend(?) etc. He has a life there. These decisions aren't easy and many times expand beyond football and academics.

I think too often fans have this disconnected view of players moving. There is emotional weight to it for some(a lot?) of these guys.

ND has never closed the door on him. Keeley would be welcomed tomorrow. Just doesn't want to leave Bama right now.

 

[Irish5Saint]

Merck, this might be dumb to ask but: is Shields going to connect to the Gug with all the construction being done, or will it truly be separate? Like do they intend on knocking down walls to the Gug to connect the buildings?

 

[Katzenboyer]

I get that, but what's confusing to me is.....He's not playing there and it's a position of need for ND. In short, why ride the pine there and end up with a Bama degree when the flip side is Play at ND (Or not same boat he's in now) and end up with an ND degree. Just seems like a silly decision, and I figured it wasn't his. I always assumed ND closed the door on him.

Position of need? Maybe before last year, but in 2025 ND returns Bothelho, Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham, Tuihalamaka, and Loghan Thomas. All of those guys got significant snaps last year at edge. Keeley very well might have an easier path to playing time at Bama.

 

[IrishSpartan]

Is there any worry about prep for Pot of Gold day? With the whole department being limited will our statement day have any issues.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Merck, can you talk about the dynamic between Kelly and Hiestand during those years?

 

[stlnd01]

Position of need? Maybe before last year, but in 2025 ND returns Bothelho, Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham, Tuihalamaka, and Loghan Thomas. All of those guys got significant snaps last year at edge. Keeley very well might have an easier path to playing time at Bama.

I thought Keeley put on a bunch of weight and would now profile (for us) more at the big DE position than his original yyper role. So really more competing with Young and Burnham than the others. I’d gladly work him into that rotation.

 

[irishandy]

Thanks for all of the information Merck!

Great to see these names emerge as leaders: Carr, Love, Viliamu-Asa, Bowen, Greathouse.

If Keeley were to transfer is the door shut on him transferring to ND?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Position of need? Maybe before last year, but in 2025 ND returns Bothelho, Traore, Bryce Young, Burnham, Tuihalamaka, and Loghan Thomas. All of those guys got significant snaps last year at edge. Keeley very well might have an easier path to playing time at Bama.

I wouldn’t expect much from Traore or Bothelho untile mid-season. Those were both serious injuries that take awhile to get back into playing form.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Really appreciate you Merckster, the insight you are providing is really enjoyed!

 

[zelezo vlk]

I wouldn’t expect much from Traore or Bothelho untile mid-season. Those were both serious injuries that take awhile to get back into playing form.

Tbh I don’t expect much from Botelho at all. A ruptured patellar tendon is very hard to come back from at all.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Merck - I want to say several posts ago you mentioned the program’s desire to lean heavily into analytics in future years. The success of Treash, their recent change in situational play calling, player evaluation, and success on the field supports this.

You seem to have connections to the program, so I wanted to ask: if I believed I could directly contribute, who would I even contact? You could DM me. I won’t give all the details, but I have an incredibly strong background in math, data science, and sports.

100% believe that there’s serious modeling to be done on game flow, recruiting tendencies, NIL valuation & that we’re now close enough in talent where this would be the edge to bring us a natty.

 

[BeauBenken]

Merck - I want to say several posts ago you mentioned the program’s desire to lean heavily into analytics in future years. The success of Treash, their recent change in situational play calling, player evaluation, and success on the field supports this.

You seem to have connections to the program, so I wanted to ask: if I believed I could directly contribute, who would I even contact? You could DM me. I won’t give all the details, but I have an incredibly strong background in math, data science, and sports.

100% believe that there’s serious modeling to be done on game flow, recruiting tendencies, NIL valuation & that we’re now close enough in talent where this would be the edge to bring us a natty.

I love this board.

We've got math geniuses, lawyers, and then you've got drunk Ball State grads like me. Very diverse.

 

[ulukinatme]

I love this board.

We've got math geniuses, lawyers, and then you've got drunk Ball State grads like me. Very diverse.

What about genius lawyers that graduated from Testicle Tech?

 

[BeauBenken]

What about genius lawyers that graduated from Testicle Tech?

We got a law school?

 

[Katzenboyer]

I wouldn’t expect much from Traore or Bothelho untile mid-season. Those were both serious injuries that take awhile to get back into playing form.

Bothelho got injured Week 3, Traore Week 5. If they aren't ready to go for the opening of the season, something has gone terribly wrong.

 

[INLaw]

We got a law school?

Lol 🤦🏻‍♂️. Down to 3 total iu iu indy and notre dame. Valpo closed 🪦

 

[FU BK]

We got a law school?

I tried to lay the gavel down at Dill St back in my day...lol

 

[DillonHall]

Bothelho got injured Week 3, Traore Week 5. If they aren't ready to go for the opening of the season, something has gone terribly wrong.

I think most football players would say they needed 12+ months to feel like themselves after a serious leg injury. I'm more optimistic Botelho will be ready to be a difference maker at the start of the season. We'll see how much they participate in fall camp

 

[jprue24]

Merckxe525, in his latest Draft Big Board, Dane Brugler commented on the 55th(pfft) player on his board, "As he's back from his second hip surgery, Morrison's medicals will be critical for his final grade."

I haven't seen that confirmed anywhere else. I thought Morrison only had the scope in Oct. Did he have a second surgery on his left hip?

Edit - Figured out it happened in high school.

 

[spoonidentity]

Bothelho got injured Week 3, Traore Week 5. If they aren't ready to go for the opening of the season, something has gone terribly wrong.

I love Bothelo and was so happy to see his improvement last year. But if he truly tore his patellar tendon, I don't know if he'll ever reach the same level again. It's a bad injury

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Merckxe525, in his latest Draft Big Board, Dane Brugler commented on the 55th(pfft) player on his board, "As he's back from his second hip surgery, Morrison's medicals will be critical for his final grade."

I haven't seen that confirmed anywhere else. I thought Morrison only had the scope in Oct. Did he have a second surgery on his left hip?

He had a torn hip labrum. Pretty sure he needed season ending surgery.