Who's Next? - 2026 Edition

[IrishLion]

Gonna be honest. I had that same thought. I said yep this aint on lion. Gonna tip my cap and eat my humble pie.

pie covered in Cincinnati’s finest chili

You are a gentleman, a scholar, and a man of overall fine taste

 

[NDFAN2008]

- Yes, some players do receive advances of varying amounts. Typically, an advance involves an agreement to remain in the class, or to pay that money back.

- A player of Golden's status, would typically get advancement offers ranging from 15%-20% up front. In rare cases, if a school is being extremely aggressive, someone of Golden's status may be extended an offer of 40%-50% upfront on the overall first season package.

Thanks for the response appreciate it

 

[Irish5Saint]

- Yes, some players do receive advances of varying amounts. Typically, an advance involves an agreement to remain in the class, or to pay that money back.

- A player of Golden's status, would typically get advancement offers ranging from 15%-20% up front. In rare cases, if a school is being extremely aggressive, someone of Golden's status may be extended an offer of 40%-50% upfront on the overall first season package.

Good to hear we’re playing that game. Ends up being a smart move if you know a guy is locked in and you can pay him off the books.

 

[irishandy]

Hey Merck thanks for all of the info., it is appreciated. Since ND has invested this far into Grubbs I hope it works out where he stays apart of this class and in the end however ND stepped up to get Premer I think they step up the same way to get Golden apart of this class.

 

[NDohio]

The advances are a huge step forward. I am also curious if ND is trying to have guys contractually locked up for multiple years.

This really is a whole new world…

 

[IAIrish]

Hey Merck thanks for all of the info., it is appreciated. Since ND has invested this far into Grubbs I hope it works out where he stays apart of this class and in the end however ND stepped up to get Premer I think they step up the same way to get Golden apart of this class.

Freudian slip?🤔

 

[allenm5333]

@Merckxe525 how does the staff feel shit Grubb’s qb coach?

 

[NDFAN2008]

I just don’t see Grubbs having a better year when Williams transferred out so his go to WR is gone

 

[IrishAttorney]

- Yes, some players do receive advances of varying amounts. Typically, an advance involves an agreement to remain in the class, or to pay that money back.

- A player of Golden's status, would typically get advancement offers ranging from 15%-20% up front. In rare cases, if a school is being extremely aggressive, someone of Golden's status may be extended an offer of 40%-50% upfront on the overall first season package.

As always, great insight!

 

[IrishAttorney]

I just don’t see Grubbs having a better year when Williams transferred out so his go to WR is gone

In addition, I believe his o line is inexperienced. This is a prescription for
disaster.

 

[NDRock]

Merck, any chance Freeman and company contact UAE and Giannetti to see what protocol they use to keep Pogacar from ever getting tired? Would be nice for our guys to be fresh as a daisy in the 4th quarter of games. Doubt the NCAA has any testing for whatever Mauro is doing.

 

[NDRock]

No doubt. Pogi is just on a whole other level. The entire peloton could be hyperventilating, and Pogi will be sitting up, spinning at 400 watts, breathing through his nose, while having a snack. It’s just absurd lol.

It’s insane. Was really hoping for a battle this year but that’s not happening. Guy legitimately hasn’t had a bad day in two years. Crazy stuff.

 

[NDMatt91]

 

[irishu]

I don’t know how to react after watching that

 

[calvegas04]

I don’t know how to react after watching that

Curious how did you end up reacting?

 

[irishu]

Curious how did you end up reacting?

Uncomfortably

 

[Sea Turtle]

I have a question for Merck but it may be seen as somewhat divisive and controversial. But it's also pretty important so will ask anyway.

Van Halen or Van Hagar?

 

[MacIrish75]

I have a question for Merck but it may be seen as somewhat divisive and controversial. But it's also pretty important so will ask anyway.

Van Halen or Van Hagar?

Van Hagar, easily.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

No love for Gary Cherone?

 

[Rockin’Irish]

No love for Gary Cherone?

Good vocalist but never fit well with the Van Halen boys.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Van Hagar, easily.

Hagar had the better catalog overall, but Halen had the best individual songs.

 

[IrishInFl]

I have a question for Merck but it may be seen as somewhat divisive and controversial. But it's also pretty important so will ask anyway.

Van Halen or Van Hagar?

 

[ShroudedInMystery]

99.9% of us appreciate what you bring to the site. Just do what the rest of us to and ignore people when they have a temper tantrum, or better yet, mute them. I have one poster on here that I have muted. Their negativity was insufferable. I have found my irishenvy reading time much more enjoyable without him.

Thank you for introducing me to the mute button! I immediately muted one person who IMO brings absolutely nothing to the table. No, that's not a GrangerIrish reference.

 

[AlaskanIrish]

Van Hagar, easily.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Thank you for introducing me to the mute button! I immediately muted one person who IMO brings absolutely nothing to the table. No, that's not a GrangerIrish reference.

It’s lonely at the top.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Many people are unhappy with his quarterback coach. Many.

Any QB coach that starts spewing that his boy is a "generational QB" as a JR in high school ........ that guy is a douche.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Merke, thanks for all you bring.

I find the QB situation in 26 interesting. If something doesn’t work out for a prospect ending up at ND, it’s usually a Deuce or Dante situation which is similar to other recruiting other positions where flips happen all the time.

With the QB position unique, does ND keep the “prepared to any situation” quiet enough where they just communicate with one prospect? Or if they have put out the feels for concerns over the QB coach, the development, etc, that they cast a wider net (3-5 prospects)?

 

[NDhoosier]

Many people are unhappy with his quarterback coach. Many.

I never liked that guy from the moment I saw him. The dude just screams "douche-canoe."

 

[NDFAN2008]

Merke, thanks for all you bring.

I find the QB situation in 26 interesting. If something doesn’t work out for a prospect ending up at ND, it’s usually a Deuce or Dante situation which is similar to other recruiting other positions where flips happen all the time.

With the QB position unique, does ND keep the “prepared to any situation” quiet enough where they just communicate with one prospect? Or if they have put out the feels for concerns over the QB coach, the development, etc, that they cast a wider net (3-5 prospects)?

I think Carr is gonna be QB 1 but they’ll have packages for Minchey especially in goal line situations

 

[IrishSpartan]

If he continues at this pace - if - he's going to challenge just about every meaningful record that Merckx currently holds. Also, at this pace, Cavendish isn't going to hold the Tour De France stage record for long, either.

What’s with all the Dia Bell chatter in the media these days? Is there actually smoke there?