'12 CA CB Tee Shepard (Ole Miss Transfer)

[Rack Em]

Irish fans, do you rather beat people off and have kids committed or just go out and recruit and have no commitments?

I usually don't get involved in that...

 

[Aerosmith777]

Nice to get the train moving with a big time prospect. The past few years, its usually been someone a little less coveted to break the ice.

February 2012 is a looooooong way off. Hope they can hold on to him. Seems like he's really looking forward to coming to ND though, so that's encouraging.

Got to love how they start off filling (at least partially) what is probably the biggest need in this class with the first commit. I wonder if he'll stay at corner? Lemming has him listed as the best free safety in the country.

 

[Ben E.]

congrats Tee!!! finally we broke the seal!

 

[ryno 24]

Congrats Tee you will be welcome at ND hope senior year goes well and stay healthy

 

[bert2834]

Welcome to the team!!

Excellent pickup!

 

[Irish Man3]

I honestly don't care where he ends up in the secondary. He has the size and speed to play anywhere in Notre Dame's backfield. Stud pick-up to kick things off. I'm hoping Notre Dame lands two more solid recruits in the secondary for this class.

 

[HoosierIrish]

WOW, what a great pickup, I admit kelly was my second option at coach when he was hired because I thought he'd be all offense, and i LOVE defense. I was dead wrong, we are going to have everything for a NC defense.

 

[Riddickulous]

Check out this gem from the Michigan Rivals board. The title of the thread is "How did NOTRE DAME get Tee Shepard today?":

"I swear that program must be dirty to get all this talent on the defensive side of the ball. How do you get a kid from California who has scholarships from every major school in the country to commit this early? He is the top DB in the west and you pluck him straight out of USC backyard. He picked the ****hole in southbend over offers from Bama, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Florida, LSU. He said he wanted to make a name for himself at ND and that they are on the track up. Sounds like Brian Kelly must have a lot of money and houses to give away!!"

 

[NDPhilly]

Check out this gem from the Michigan Rivals board. The title of the thread is "How did NOTRE DAME get Tee Shepard today?":

"I swear that program must be dirty to get all this talent on the defensive side of the ball. How do you get a kid from California who has scholarships from every major school in the country to commit this early? He is the top DB in the west and you pluck him straight out of USC backyard. He picked the ****hole in southbend over offers from Bama, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Florida, LSU. He said he wanted to make a name for himself at ND and that they are on the track up. Sounds like Brian Kelly must have a lot of money and houses to give away!!"

hahaha jelous much?

 

[mgriff]

I'd be mad if I was a Michigan fan. Our trajectories are going in opposite directions.

 

[Irish Man3]

How can they talk about dirty programs? How did they get their high profile 5* athlete last year? What was his name......

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

My West Coast bias absolutely loves this! Reps to Denbrock and the entire staff for what they are doing. I bet Lane and Eddy O are already working on how to get "hostesses" to Fresno every weekend. Stick it Lane!

 

[jason_h537]

Uh huh...Yeah... Uh...Take it...Cali Bitcheessssssssss!!!!!!!!!!

Definite top 100 DB with size, physicality, and agility. My #1 target this year and he is Irish

Nice to see Denbrock step up.

Will be at the Spring Game as well

 

[Sweetness34]

Great pick up, I was wondering when he was going to pull the trigger. Welcome Tee, can't wait for you to sign and to see you play.

 

[Old Man Mike]

The USC nation apparently rated our first young stud pretty highly. Here is a quote from one of their boards regarding the need to go only for the most elite players this year:

"One thing for sure USC will be after the big time HS players. I don't think your going to see many 3 stars in the next three classes. USC is going to be taking a shot at the Andrus Peat, Zach Banner, Freddie Tagaloa, Tee Shepherd, Keith Marshall Donal Green-Beckham type players. The Trojans already have a big time commitment from Arik Armstead."

By the way, that board talks as if they'll be limited to as few as SEVEN scholarship offers this year beyond the three they have, and the general conception is that it will be ten. Most of their commentary is that if Kiffen doesn't get at least FOUR elite O-linemen this class they may be screwed in two years. Last year's O-line class had a bit of desperation-look about it, as Kiffen signed two unrated linemen and a two-star to go with a three-star, a four-star and his one acknowledged stud [Hobbi].

The sanctions-thing may well slam the door on their nether parts afterall, despite Kiffen's "creative" mass signing this year. Gotta admit it; I really feel sorry for them---NOT.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

Awesome news! Glad to see that 4.71 taken care of haha

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Check out this gem from the Michigan Rivals board. The title of the thread is "How did NOTRE DAME get Tee Shepard today?":

"I swear that program must be dirty to get all this talent on the defensive side of the ball. How do you get a kid from California who has scholarships from every major school in the country to commit this early? He is the top DB in the west and you pluck him straight out of USC backyard. He picked the ****hole in southbend over offers from Bama, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Florida, LSU. He said he wanted to make a name for himself at ND and that they are on the track up. Sounds like Brian Kelly must have a lot of money and houses to give away!!"

This makes me happy.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Check out this gem from the Michigan Rivals board. The title of the thread is "How did NOTRE DAME get Tee Shepard today?":

"I swear that program must be dirty to get all this talent on the defensive side of the ball. How do you get a kid from California who has scholarships from every major school in the country to commit this early? He is the top DB in the west and you pluck him straight out of USC backyard. He picked the ****hole in southbend over offers from Bama, Michigan, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Florida, LSU. He said he wanted to make a name for himself at ND and that they are on the track up. Sounds like Brian Kelly must have a lot of money and houses to give away!!"

That jealousy at its purest form......i cant wait for shepard to tee bag the future quarterback of michigan, wait what???!?!

 

[johnnykillz]

Fantastic news... I was looking forward to the first pick-up of this 2012 class, and what a way to do it!

 

[RyCo1983]

I know its such a slow part of the year...but this is a GREAT pickup. LOVE THIS.

Can't wait to see him on Saturdays!

 

[rtrn2glory]

Very good news...not worried about the 40 time, he seems to be a more athletic blanton with the size. As many have said we win games we will hold on to these early commits. This really could help reel in a few guys earlier than expected. I like that he's coming to the spring game he seems to be a guy that's gonna recruit for us.

Great early get, hopefully it gets the snowball rolling!!!

 

[Ironman8]

Further tidbit from the SBT:

Shepard has yet to visit Notre Dame, but Quinn cited the relationships Shepard has built with the Irish coaches and knowledge of the school as big reasons he was able to come to a conclusion.

"He wouldn’t make the decision," Quinn said, "if he wasn’t qualified to make the decision."

Shepard certainly seems qualified to play either cornerback or safety in college. Lemming called Shepard the top safety in the country, but also a guy who would easily fit at corner.

"It just depends on where Notre Dame needs him," Lemming said.

"I think it’s up to what the (Notre Dame) staff wants him to do," Quinn added.

What Quinn wants to do next fall is use Shepard as much as possible before he enrolls at ND next June. Shepard played cornerback as a junior and will spend a lot of time there again next fall. He’ll also, however, find himself at safety, as well as occasionally on offense.

Quinn, who has been coaching for 15 years, cited Shepard’s physical style of play.

"He plays like he’s 220, 210 (pounds)," Quinn said. "He plays like he’s a linebacker."

Quinn acknowledged the possibility that Shepard could take official visits to other schools. The coach, however, stressed that Shepard is solid with his commitment.

"He’s a guy of his word," Quinn said. "His commitment to Notre Dame is real and very, very strong."

South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football: Irish get fast start on 2012 recruits

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Further tidbit from the SBT:



South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football: Irish get fast start on 2012 recruits

Did Lemming say that before or after he committed? I have noticed that Lemming favors ND. A lot of teams fans who follow recruiting hate him because of it. I find it hilarious (I work with a FSUcks fan) lol.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Did Lemming say that before or after he committed? I have noticed that Lemming favors ND. A lot of teams fans who follow recruiting hate him because of it. I find it hilarious (I work with a FSUcks fan) lol.

That would be nice info. to know. eitherway i'm glad we got him...he can play early

 

[Riddickulous]

Did Lemming say that before or after he committed? I have noticed that Lemming favors ND. A lot of teams fans who follow recruiting hate him because of it. I find it hilarious (I work with a FSUcks fan) lol.

There's rumors that he tries to steer recruits towards Notre Dame.

 

[NDPhilly]

There's rumors that he tries to steer recruits towards Notre Dame.

Is that illegal. I wouldn't think it is because he's not getting paid by the university to do it. It's like say your friends a Michigan fan and he try's to steer you there

 

[IrishInFl]

There's rumors that he tries to steer recruits towards Notre Dame.

That's not a rumor, it's true.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

That's not a rumor, it's true.

I believe he got in trouble one time for steering Myron Rolle to ND. He told Myron something like: You should go to ND you will be a star.

 

[IrishInFl]

I believe he got in trouble one time for steering Myron Rolle to ND. He told Myron something like: You should go to ND you will be a star.

Remember the whole Lorenzo Booker incident? There you go.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Remember the whole Lorenzo Booker incident? There you go.

Both are good examples