'11 GA DE Stephon Tuitt (Signed Notre Dame LOI)

[tadman95]

ND coaching staff will attempt to visit Tuitt today

Don't know how likely it would be for him to change his mind again, probably not very likely, but after months of being committed, I think he owes them a little face time. I think he's an upright person, would be surprised if he doesn't meet with them.

 

[irish4ever]

We shouldn't kid ourselves about how "replaceable" Tuitt is going to be. He is the one guy this year that could stack O-linemen up in the face of Quarterbacks with brute force bull-rushes even though everyone knew it was coming. That sort of preternatural strength combined with an innate sense of leverage is NOT easily teachable. You see a lineman in the SEC powerhouse D-lines who can just erupt into the opposing backfield on a somewhat regular basis, and all of a sudden the offense is three-&-out. We don't have anybody like that. Most teams don't have anybody like that. Heck, even most Pro teams don't have anybody like that. Tuitt can be like that. A diesel locomotive ... and he was coming to ND. @#%&##!!!

I doubt there are any knowledgeable Irish "recruitniks" that blows off the fact that the Irish had a stud DL committed that has since decided to decommit yet views him as easily "replaceable". It does hurt to see him go, but you have to look at it this way .... before the Irish had Tuitt, but NOT Ishaq and Lynch. After this past week or so shook out, the Irish have Ishaq and Lynch, but no Tuitt. IF one had to choose, any knowledgeable Irish "recruitnik" would definitely "trade" a Tuitt for both Ishaq and Lynch!

 

[Irish Fam]

Pete Sampson from rivals says that Tuitt is meeting with Tech coaches earlier today and Notre Dame is scheduled to visit later

 

[bornready85]

Pete Sampson from rivals says that Tuitt is meeting with Tech coaches earlier today and Notre Dame is scheduled to visit later

Interesting.

Also-Has anyone noticed that ISD is avoiding the story of Tuitt switching to GT for some reason? It's not on their twitter update page and it's no where to be found on the front page. It may be a "nothing" but it seems a bit odd.

 

[Cali_domer]

Pete Sampson from rivals says that Tuitt is meeting with Tech coaches earlier today and Notre Dame is scheduled to visit later

He will remain with GT, it is a courtesy kind of call.

 

[IrishinSyria]

He will remain with GT, it is a courtesy kind of call.

That's my read to; it would be rather schizo of him to flip twice in the same week.

 

[DillonHall]

I would never count out Coach Kelly. Also, I hope Aaron and Ishaq have been in contact with Stephon the past couple days.

 

[tko]

That's my read to; it would be rather schizo of him to flip twice in the same week.

or he could wait til NSD and make sure his boys fax their LOI's and then turn around and send his to ND, taking care of everyone!

 

[Cali_domer]

I would never count out Coach Kelly. Also, I hope Aaron and Ishaq have been in contact with Stephon the past couple days.

They started class so I think they can no longer contact Tuitt, am I right on that?

 

[NDinMemphis]

ISD isn't reporting anything b/c they haven't "heard it from the horses mouth", so to speak.

 

[Irish Fam]

personally, i see him staying at GT. I read an article yesterday saying that he did not want to be known as a "decommiter"... just can't see this kid decommiting twice

 

[DillonHall]

They started class so I think they can no longer contact Tuitt, am I right on that?

I think it's allowed. I'm pretty sure Michael Floyd was in contact with Seantrel Henderson throughout the process last year.

 

[twig21]

He will remain with GT, it is a courtesy kind of call.

To quote Lee Corso "not so fast my friend" I would love to, but in reality I think you are right. But look at how bizarre this recruiting year is. I would be suprised but not shocked if he changed his mind once again.

 

[IrishLax]

That's my read to; it would be rather schizo of him to flip twice in the same week.

Or maybe the first meeting is to see if the GT coaches deliver the sack of cash they promised and if not then he'll go back to ND.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

its not over until his signs....

 

[Sherm Sticky]

its not over until his signs....

^This

 

[ndfi78]

They started class so I think they can no longer contact Tuitt, am I right on that?

You are wrong, they have pre-existing relationships so there is no issue. AFAIK, there isn't an issue if a current player calls a recruit either, as long as the coaches don't ask them too. Of course, you get into a gray area of who asked what and I think it is avoided in most cases.

 

[Ironman8]

Word is Diaco flied down to Hotlanta this morning. Hopefully his magic touch works one more time.

 

[Ironman8]

Per ESPN:

A couple of weeks before ESPNU 150 defensive end Stephon Tuitt (Monroe, Ga./Monroe Area) made his switch from Notre Dame to Georgia Tech, his head coach Matt Fligg could see it coming.
"We went to San Antonio together for the Army All-American Bowl and I could see him starting to think about it there," Fligg said.

One thing that was bugging Tuitt was the thought that he didn't want to decommit from anywhere.

"He didn't want that on his résumé, he didn't want that on his conscience," Fligg added. "But I told him, 'son, this is your future and you have to do what's best for you.'"

In the end the best for the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder was committing to Georgia Tech where he will be one of the highest-rated recruits to step into the program.

Another factor in the switch was probably distance.

"Do I think distance had a factor? Absolutely," Fligg said. "We're about 12 hours from South Bend right now and Stephon's got family in Florida that's even farther away. I think you add in that distance and yeah, he got some cold feet."

However, Fligg doesn't want anyone to think that the decision came down to choosing one staff over another.

"Stephon loved Notre Dame and he loved the coaching staff there," Fligg added. "He and Coach [Chuck] Martin had a very close relationship."

When Tuitt visited Notre Dame in September he "fell of love with the program" according to Fligg and committed immediately.

Despite several overtures and even a visit to Auburn, Tuitt remained firm to Notre Dame. But a final visit to Georgia Tech proved to be enough to make a change.

"We had talked about the advantages and disadvantages of both programs a long time ago," Fligg said. "And he was happy with his decision to go to Notre Dame. When he decided he was going to take visits again I thought 'oh gosh' because you want your players to commit and stick. But I was going to support him wherever he went and I understood why he had second thoughts."

After sleeping on things Monday night and meeting with Fligg Tuesday, Tuitt decided to make the switch just one day before the Notre Dame coaches were set to arrive at the school for a visit.

"He knew if he was going to do it [Tuesday] was the day," Fligg said. "And he's loved Georgia Tech for a long time. He has a great relationship with coach [Andy] McCollum too."

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

personally, i see him staying at GT. I read an article yesterday saying that he did not want to be known as a "decommiter"... just can't see this kid decommiting twice

Ummm, that ship has sailed.

I know these aren't you words, but it seems a silly thing for him to say - though personally I have no problem with people changing their minds and figuring out what is best for them. So with that, I'll be just as silly and give Stephon a message:

Whatever you do, be the best at it. Don't just stop at one decommitment, you can acheive more - decommit again and commit to Auburn; then decommit again - just end up Irish come February!!! Lynch did it, so can you

 

[nd1]

can not really blame him because it is close to home and it was he wants to go to start with.

 

[PLACforever]

Regardless of why he decomm'd,
Best of luck Stephon!

 

[irishpat183]

It is pretty strange that the High School coach would say something like that "no accepting any phone calls or visits..." when it's this close to signing day. Anything could happen.

If you're ND, keep at it. But I think GT is where he'll end up. Just gotta be positive with what we got and hope for Huggy to choose ND!!!

 

[barbee]

Stephon

Stephon

If we have a chance of getting Stephon T. back to ND, I would think his friendships he made
with the other Irish commits in the Army all star game would be a big plus.

 

[mattchless]

If it's true that we are indeed getting a shot to at least speak to him in person, I hope Chuck Martin and Mike Elston are going along with Bob Diaco.

Sidenote: Weird how much the decommitments can mirror a break-up. Like what are the coaches going to even say?
Tuitt is saying, it's not you, it's me, and you just have to accept that.

The process of getting excited about a commitment and their potential contributions to the team, and the disappointment and desperation that ensues in wanting them back after having those visions crystalized in your mind.

 

[BGIF]

Smart money says his coach got paid. Or ends up on the GT staff in a few years.
Otherwise there is no reason for statements like, "they will not be accepting any phone calls or in home visits unless they are a GT coach", he's protecting his investment.

Regardless of how or why he decomm'd,
Best of luck Stephon!

That's a potent allegation. Are you and the "smart money" ready to file a NCAA complaint? Or just slander the coach?

It's happened before but I don't see "they will not be accepting any phone calls or in home visits unless they are a GT coach", as evidence of illegal activity.

I take the statement at face value, that the prospect and parent(s) are deeply conflicted and made that request. If they didn't, they take Kelly's call.

Kelly and company will do what they feel is appropriate. I don't see them running up the white flag when adversity appears. That's ClausentoEvans M.O.

 

[woolybug25]

Saw this on another site

Saw this on another site

Told y'all this isnt over....

"Tuitt's high school coach really wants Tuitt at GT and has been in his ear about GT the whole time. But Tuitt's mom is more like Alice Lynch and wants her son to go to ND. Diaco is on his way to Atlanta to have a talk with him at his house set up by the mom."*

*per Scout

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Mama knows best

 

[Ironman8]

Told y'all this isnt over....

"Tuitt's high school coach really wants Tuitt at GT and has been in his ear about GT the whole time. But Tuitt's mom is more like Alice Lynch and wants her son to go to ND. Diaco is on his way to Atlanta to have a talk with him at his house set up by the mom."*

*per Scout

Bet Diaco's hair is perfectly coifed and his shoes can be used as mirrors.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Smart money says his coach got paid. Or ends up on the GT staff in a few years.

Otherwise there is no reason for statements like, "they will not be accepting any phone calls or in home visits unless they are a GT coach", he's protecting his investment.

Totally agree. Coach Fligg is a suspect. My guess is that he is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the college football recruiting process, although I admit I've never even heard of the guy until yesterday. It is just hard to believe that anyone would choose to play football at GT over ND, especially since he obviously understands what ND is about. Its not like GT is Texas or Alabama (which would also be poor decision, IMO, but would at least be explainable).