Who's Next? - 2026 Edition

[DCK_1981]

Wouldn't that be the perfect close, and basically be done with the class with the exception of maybe revisiting Vallejo or the USC DT who was supposedly silently committed to us before Bowden left?

I just don’t understand how you decommit based on the recruiting coordinator leaving. Position coach is get but it’s just the behind the scenes guy.

 

[benneboy]

USC is doing shady business with their recruiting. Basically legally binding their recruits to their commitments.

It won't work though. Kids don't like being held hostage and the whole "if you decommit you'll have to pay us back the $100k" is only effective if Auburn isn't willing to write you that same check to make up for it. And there's a lot of Auburns out there willing to do that close to signing day when they get desperate.

The mercenary approach has been proven out multiple times as an ineffective strategy, but I guess when you're desperate and a mediocre football program you don't have a lot of options.

 

[allenm5333]

I just don’t understand how you decommit based on the recruiting coordinator leaving. Position coach is get but it’s just the behind the scenes guy.

The cali de? My understanding is usc got him on campus, offered a big deal contingent on him shutting it down

 

[allenm5333]

It won't work though. Kids don't like being held hostage and the whole "if you decommit you'll have to pay us back the $100k" is only effective if Auburn isn't willing to write you that same check to make up for it. And there's a lot of Auburns out there willing to do that close to signing day when they get desperate.

The mercenary approach has been proven out multiple times as an ineffective strategy, but I guess when you're desperate and a mediocre football program you don't have a lot of options.

They tried it year 1 at ND with Bowden. Failed then too

 

[Dale]

I am in the middle on this topic. The kids are actively getting paid to commit so clearly they don’t get to keep it if they decommit. That seems pretty logical and not shady. It certainly can backfire though as you’ve made the process more transactional than rooted in relationships and actual choice. But we will have to get used to the buyout type talk. I think the risk with a little of these kids in the 2023 - 2024 class is they were getting one year, front loaded deals and then just bouncing. In the future you should see more multi year deals. We’ve just been in the murky gray area.

 

[arrowryan]

I am in the middle on this topic. The kids are actively getting paid to commit so clearly they don’t get to keep it if they decommit. That seems pretty logical and not shady. It certainly can backfire though as you’ve made the process more transactional than rooted in relationships and actual choice. But we will have to get used to the buyout type talk. I think the risk with a little of these kids in the 2023 - 2024 class is they were getting one year, front loaded deals and then just bouncing. In the future you should see more multi year deals. We’ve just been in the murky gray area.

Playing the highest bidder game for high school kids has yet to work. SC is paying their commits $20k/month to stay committed. And they’re legally binded to that. So if a kid commits to USC and wants to change his mind in the future, he likely can’t do that. Seems like a recipe for a terrible locker room, imo.

 

[Dale]

So if a kid commits to USC and wants to change his mind in the future, he likely can’t do that.

Sure they can, just give back the money.

 

[arrowryan]

Sure they can, just give back the money.

Oh c’mon lol. You and I both know they are spending that money.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Oh c’mon lol. You and I both know they are spending that money.

In a lot of these cases for these kids too, it likely is money that their family actually needs and/or the kids are pressured into giving family members.

 

[Dale]

Then don’t commit yet or don’t take the money yet. Idk we also can’t treat getting paid hundreds of thousands like babies anymore.

You signed a contract to get paid money. You broke said contract. It’s not charity.

Agree it is risky by USC. But it’s not like an immoral business practice.

 

[Sea Turtle]

The next would be Golden, Premer or Finley, if we are assuming ND closes.

Finley is 7/4. Golden and Premer have no date. You would have to miss on Finley to get to Fitzgerald on 7/5.

It just grew like Pinocchio's nose.

Yes, my tomato plant is a huge ND fan.

 

[arrowryan]

Then don’t commit yet or don’t take the money yet. Idk we also can’t treat getting paid hundreds of thousands like babies anymore.

You signed a contract to get paid money. You broke said contract. It’s not charity.

Agree it is risky by USC. But it’s not like an immoral business practice.

They can still get around it without paying it back. Just enter the portal asap.

 

[SWirishfan]

Then don’t commit yet or don’t take the money yet. Idk we also can’t treat getting paid hundreds of thousands like babies anymore.

You signed a contract to get paid money. You broke said contract. It’s not charity.

Agree it is risky by USC. But it’s not like an immoral business practice.

In the military, it was called the devil's money. You got paid as a senior O3/junior O4 to stay in for 5 more years...until the 15 year mark usually. Which left only 5 more years to get to retirement. Many regretted taking the payments.

I don't think that Faust's or Shylock's contracts were worse by any measure.

 

[Dale]

The other school would also effectively offer to buy you out most likely

 

[fightingirish26]

PolishDomer is to Ili what irishandy was to Keon Keeley...they ain't happening, boys

 

[allenm5333]

We need to pony up for the Houston qb

 

[IRISHbluehen]

I mean there is certainly some mechanism to get out, they've already had decommitments (K Brown, X Griffith). Would be interested in knowing if theyre signing contracts with comapnies in NIL friendly states, I don't think they could sign one with a collective (?). But then again, I really have no idea.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Oh c’mon lol. You and I both know they are spending that money.

While probably true in most cases, I guarantee there will be situations where players do decommit and repay the school, likely financed in part by the flipping school.

See Dale’s buyout comment above, my bad.

 

[Rocketman84]

Oh c’mon lol. You and I both know they are spending that money.

They make it back at the next school to pay😂😂

 

[Rocketman84]

The other school would also effectively offer to buy you out most likely

Pretty much sums it up

 

[Rizzophil]

So what's the fearless forecast for B Robinson moving his date up to 7/6?

 

[KPENN]

So what's the fearless forecast for B Robinson moving his date up to 7/6?

3 straight days of WR commits for Mike Brown

 

[NDFAN2008]

People can give Brown crap all they want but he was somewhat handicapped with a run first offense and a QB who couldn’t really throw until the end of the year. You gotta give credit where credit is due. He’s gotta get some credit for landing Fields and Pauling now if the WR’s come out and suck this year we can circle back. But I’m expecting a big year with a main core of Fields, Pauling, Greathouse, Faison, Burress, Gilbert, Williams , kk Smith they should be a top 10 unit.

 

[arrowryan]

3 straight days of WR commits for Mike Brown

One has to hit, right?

 

[Rocketman84]

People can give Brown crap all they want but he was somewhat handicapped with a run first offense and a QB who couldn’t really throw until the end of the year. You gotta give credit where credit is due. He’s gotta get some credit for landing Fields and Pauling now if the WR’s come out and suck this year we can circle back. But I’m expecting a big year with a main core of Fields, Pauling, Greathouse, Faison, Burress, Gilbert, Williams , kk Smith they should be a top 10 unit.

If he can get all 3 he can start to get some credit but the WR recruiting as of today in his tenure has been...🤔😐

 

[Dale]

The next would be Golden, Premer or Finley, if we are assuming ND closes.

Finley is 7/4. Golden and Premer have no date. You would have to miss on Finley to get to Fitzgerald on 7/5.

I’m counting this as #SCOOP

 

[pumpdog20]

Fitz, Robinson, Finley, and Golden... finish the story!

 

[Rocketman84]

Fitz, Robinson, Finley, and Golden... finish the story!

Can't forget Reddish and that would mean ALL 28 June visitors committed!! So far 23/28 this is AMAAAZING!

 

[pumpdog20]

We are #2 in 24/7 where they have 6 of our guys as 3 stars, that are actually 4 star composite.
Wonder if we'd be #1 if they got their head out their butts.

 

[Floribama50]

Fitz, Robinson, Finley, and Golden... finish the story!

And flip Vallejo!