'12 FL OLB Noor Davis (Stanford Verbal)

[ACamp1900]

yeah plenty of time left either way...

 

[Ironman8]

Even if he does pick Florida, there is still plenty of time left in the game.

Definitely, but the drastic change in plans just to me signals maybe something significant.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Please correct me if this is just an irrational fit of optimism, but...

Davis is smart (4.3 GPA). Academics are a stated priority for this family; they've visited some ivy league schools. He's mentioned an interest in business; ND has the #1 undergrad business program in the nation.

If all that is true, how can Florida and Auburn hope to compete with us? If his top five included Stanford, Northwestern, etc. I might be more concerned, but Florida and Auburn? We're either the clear favorite, or Noor isn't the kid we think he is.

My hope is that the Davises had a recent family meeting, and in light of their priorities, ND wins and there's no point in continuing his recruitment.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Please correct me if this is just an irrational fit of optimism, but...

Davis is smart (4.3 GPA). Academics are a stated priority for this family; they've visited some ivy league schools. He's mentioned an interest in business; ND has the #1 undergrad business program in the nation.

If all that is true, how can Florida and Auburn hope to compete with us? If his top five included Stanford, Northwestern, etc. I might be more concerned, but Florida and Auburn? We're either the clear favorite, or Noor isn't the kid we think he is.

My hope is that the Davises had a recent family meeting, and in light of their priorities, ND wins and there's no point in continuing his recruitment.

I get what you are saying, but Florida is a very strong academic school and you can get a great education there. Now, they'll try and steer most players away from tough classes and their grad rate pales in comparison to ND's, but make no mistake about it - there are some great people that come out of that program. If he really wants to get a quality education, it can be had there.

What do you think of Myron Rolle? Is he a bad kid? He chose Florida St, and now he is a Rhodes Scholar. How about the Alabama QB, who is a GREAT human being and carried a 4.0. Think he's a bad kid?

Just because a kid is a great student and doesn't choose ND, doesn't make him a bad kid. There are other circumstances that could be at play that we don't know about. Florida, in Noor's case, has built a close relationship to him and they are the local school. Maybe he is close to his grandma and she wants to see him play in person and can't travel far. Maybe he loves his gf and wants to stay close to her. Maybe he's a super smart kid who also just happens to love hot blondes, which are in great supply in Gainesville. Maybe he believes in Coach Mauschamp and wants to win in the SEC, which FL has been doing a lot of this decade. You simply never know.

This is an insanely difficult decision for kids to choose a school so far away from home and who aren't Irish fans like us. Whatever he chooses, he still seems like a great kid and we should wish him the best.

Hope he chooses ND, but I'd say all things considered, FL is in the driver's seat...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I get what you are saying, but Florida is a very strong academic school and you can get a great education there. Now, they'll try and steer most players away from tough classes and their grad rate pales in comparison to ND's, but make no mistake about it - there are some great people that come out of that program. If he really wants to get a quality education, it can be had there.

What do you think of Myron Rolle? Is he a bad kid? He chose Florida St, and now he is a Rhodes Scholar. How about the Alabama QB, who is a GREAT human being and carried a 4.0. Think he's a bad kid?

Just because a kid is a great student and doesn't choose ND, doesn't make him a bad kid. There are other circumstances that could be at play that we don't know about. Florida, in Noor's case, has built a close relationship to him and they are the local school. Maybe he is close to his grandma and she wants to see him play in person and can't travel far. Maybe he loves his gf and wants to stay close to her. Maybe he's a super smart kid who also just happens to love hot blondes, which are in great supply in Gainesville. Maybe he believes in Coach Mauschamp and wants to win in the SEC, which FL has been doing a lot of this decade. You simply never know.

This is an insanely difficult decision for kids to choose a school so far away from home and who aren't Irish fans like us. Whatever he chooses, he still seems like a great kid and we should wish him the best.

Hope he chooses ND, but I'd say all things considered, FL is in the driver's seat...

Point taken, but my argument wasn't simply that "All smart kids must come to ND."

He wants to major in business, no? I could swear I read that somewhere. ND's Mendoza College of Business is #1; UF's Warrington College of Business Administration is #42. That's a pretty significant gap, further emphasized by the fact that ND is *the* best.

Perhaps I'm trying too hard to put a positive spin on this. My point was that, assuming we can take Davis at his word about the importance of academics and his interest in business, it's plausible that we're a clear favorite and that he's pulling the trigger early for that reason.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

"It was an awesome experience," Davis said. "I had an opportunity not only to meet with Coach (Will) Muschamp and all the other coaches, but also President Bernie Machen and the Athletic Director, Jeremy Foley. It was an outstanding trip. I learned a lot of new things and had a great experience. Florida will definitely be in my top five and will be high on my list."

"Their academics are great at the University of Florida," Davis said. "They are second in the nation among public schools. They have great academic programs and great athletics. They have an awesome business school and communications department."

From a post by Ironman8 earlier in the thread.

If he's seriously comparing business programs, we have to come out on top over Florida, no?

I also recall reading that his family moved Florida just before he started high school, so the pull to stay in state isn't as strong for Noor.

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

Okay we already had a debate about Florida v Notre Dame academics a few pages back, and we concluded that Notre Dame is obviously better but UF is still good. It's reputation in the state is great & the smartest kids in the state go there.

We are all obviously biased but as NDinLA said, there are usually other confounding variables. You never know what the kid is thinking.

Btw, doesn't look good for us come Friday but it's a marathon not race. If he signs on NSD, nobody is going to care if he early commited to any school last May.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Btw, doesn't look good for us come Friday but it's a marathon not race. If he signs on NSD, nobody is going to care if he early commited to any school last May.

Why doesn't it look good for us? Are we worried simply because we're competing with Florida for an in-state kid?

Florida watchers were as surprised as we were by the early announcement date. I've yet to find a shred of evidence-- aside from the usual speculation about sun, girls, and being close to home-- for why Florida has the lead on us.

Are we just snakebit from having lost so many recruits to Urban Meyer during the Weis years?

 

[johnnykillz]

Regardless of the outcome: We gonna get ours fellas.

Guaranteed.

That being said (typed), I hope we secure this kiddo.

 

[jason_h537]

No one knows anything in this case. Most insiders were surprised by him moving his date up. It appears that it will come down to UF and ND but who knows.

couple notes:
He wants to major in Business: Usually when a kid knows his major he is serious about academics but both schools have good business programs
Distance is not an issue: He is not originally from Florida, born in Cali and i believe he lived in another state before the family moved to Florida

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He wants to major in Business: Usually when a kid knows his major he is serious about academics but both schools have good business programs

Am I wrong to think that the difference between #1 and #42 is pretty significant?

I agree with you that kids who have a major in mind are usually serious about academics; I'd go one further and argue that Davis is likely to put significant weight on the relative quality of the two business programs.

I suppose he could think #42 is "good enough"; especially if he has other factors pulling him to Florida like proximity to home, sun, and girls. But any football fan can attest that there's a big difference between finishing #1 in the polls and #42; why should academics be any different?

Besides, ND's alumni network in national; Florida's is pretty well limited to its state.

If Davis is seriously considering the relative academic merits of Florida and ND-- and I think can we can reasonably infer that he is from his interviews-- then we've got to stand a good chance of getting his verbal this Friday.

 

[jason_h537]

Am I wrong to think that the difference between #1 and #42 is pretty significant?

Yes it is significant but 42 out of how many business schools in the United States? One thing that bothers me is the idea that kids can only get an education at ND.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yes it is significant but 42 out of how many business schools in the United States? One thing that bothers me is the idea that kids can only get an education at ND.

Bloomberg Business ranked 113 undergrad business programs.

I would never imply that kids can only get an education at ND. For instance, for recruits that only look at "academics" generally, I think schools like Florida can make a compelling case that ND isn't that much better.

My point with Davis is that once a kid picks a major and starts really comparing programs-- depending on the major-- I think that invariably favors ND. The more importance a recruit puts on academics, the better we're likely to look.

 

[BeauBenken]

Yes it is significant but 42 out of how many business schools in the United States? One thing that bothers me is the idea that kids can only get an education at ND.

Seeing as I'm certainly not attending ND, you're right. There are plenty of quality...check that... great educations to be found across the entire nation. So is it true that a kid can only get an education at ND? No. But it is true that you can only get a Notre Dame education at Notre Dame.

 

[jason_h537]

Seeing as I'm certainly not attending ND, you're right. There are plenty of quality...check that... great educations to be found across the entire nation. So is it true that a kid can only get an education at ND? No. But it is true that you can only get a Notre Dame education at Notre Dame.

haha unfortunately i don't hear many kids say i want a Notre Dame education before they decide. I may be in the minority but i feel good about Noor Davis

 

[Whiskeyjack]

haha unfortunately i don't hear many kids say i want a Notre Dame education before they decide. I may be in the minority but i feel good about Noor Davis

I do too! That's the point I'm trying to get across. We've got reasons to be optimistic as well.

 

[Riddickulous]

Riddickulous predicts: No verbal.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Riddickulous predicts: No verbal.

Thank you...

 

[Irish Man3]

I dont know if this has been posted so I apologize, but he will release a top 5 tonight.

 

[Irish Man3]

No order:

ND
Florida
Stanford
USC
Alabama

No Auburn ladies.

 

[Irish Man3]

Notre Dame: “I had a great trip to Notre Dame. I was so impressed with the religion on campus. It wasn't just the Catholicism, but the overall ministry for God. The coaches took a lot of time with me. I had the opportunity to meet with all of the coaches, most of the players, and in total I spent eight hours touring the campus and all of the football facilities. It is such a great place. I knew their history was great, but seeing it visually was even more special. I saw the seven Heisman Trophy winners, the 11 National Championships that they have won, all of the bowl games, accolades, and everything that the program is about. The coaches stated that Notre Dame is going to compete for more National Championships and that they are going to win one soon. They want me to play the outside linebacker positions. They really feel that I can make a difference in that role. Coach Brian Kelly was great in our meeting and so were all of the other coaches. Notre Dame is such a great academic institution with a powerful alumni base.”


Florida: “The University of Florida has outstanding academic programs and great athletics. They have an awesome business school and communications department. Coach Muschamp said that I could fit in an impactful way playing the SAM linebacker spot. In the 3-4 I would be down on the line and in the 4-3 I would be back in a stack position. They feel that I can do a lot of things off the edge as a pass rusher, but also as a flat coverage guy. I can do a lot of different things that can throw an offense off. They play in the SEC which is a great conference. Florida is an outstanding school and it is very close to where I live. The place where I live is pretty big Gator Country and all of my friends and neighbors are fans. My parents and especially my little brother could be a part of my college experience.”

Stanford : “When you mention Stanford University, people across the world know what an outstanding academic institution Stanford is. I established great rapport and a strong relationship with Coach Shaw and all of their coaches. Their graduation rate is one of the best in the nation. I absolutely love their defensive package. They are very aggressive. I watched them play in the Orange Bowl and I loved the way their defense attacked. They kept constant pressure on Tyrod Taylor and I envisioned myself in that position trying to make plays. I am also being recruited by Stanford Baseball as well. Football, baseball, and distance considerations will all take back seat to academics when it comes time to making my college decision. My family is very big on me being a student-athlete, where the student comes first. They have really pushed me hard in the classroom and I know Stanford University will challenge me in the same way.”

Alabama : “The University of Alabama is an icon in the college football world. From national championships to All-Americans to producing professional athletes...their football program is the epitome of success. Their stadium holds over 100,000 die-hard fans and they play in arguably the toughest conference in the country...the SEC. I have watched them over the years and their 3-4 defense is extremely appealing to me. I see myself as a traditional outside linebacker who can excel at the first level...using my hands and shoulders on offensive tackles and tight ends or using my speed off the edge as a pass rusher or dropping in space to defend the pass. Alabama has an outstanding business program which I intend to major in and to also pursue my Master's Degree. I have developed great rapport with Coach Saban and Coach Williams.”


University of Southern California: “Despite all of the issues that have recently happened, USC has always been a powerhouse football program and a great school. From Heisman Trophy Winners to National Championships to their history of producing All-American linebackers...they are just a great program. They are outstanding academically. My aunt attended and graduated from USC. I was born in Los Angeles and I have numerous family members in the area, so it's just a great, great option to have. It's a great school so you really can't go wrong both academically or athletically. Southern California is such a great place to call home and there are so many different things to do there.”

 

[Ironman8]

Sounds like Florida to me. The chance to have his family watch him play and "take part in the experience" seems like a real big deal to him, and rightfully so.

Of course, I hope I am woefully wrong.

 

[Irish2015]

idk with those comments it just seems he does more gushing about Notre Dame than any of the others probably just my jaded opinion

 

[IrishInColumbus]

lol @ comparing Florida's business school to Notre Dame's, or Stanford's graduation rate to Notre Dame's.

 

[t3hjc]

I actually feel better after seeing those quotes. He said more about us than he did the other schools and he also seemed more impressed with what Notre Dame offers off the field than what the other schools do.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

The only schools that you can cross off from those comments in my opinion are Alabama and USC. He will be a great get for whiever get him, as he sounds like a great kid... I just hope it's us.

 

[GBdomer]

expect Diaco to make a 4:30 visit Friday morning.

 

[IrishLax]

Bold prediction: USC.

Realistic prediction: Florida. I'm no psychic but the way he slightly distorts the truth of what Florida offers as a school + his emphasis on the specific position he would play + talking about his family being a part of his college career = the logical choice.

I'm not expecting Notre Dame to get his commitment tomorrow... but if he does end up taking OVs I like our chances a lot more.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

expect Diaco to make a 4:30 visit Friday morning.

"How do you like your eggs Mr. Davis" he asks with perfectly coiffed hair and mirrored shoes.

 

[Domina Nostra]

That was very impressive. Wherever he goes, he proved he is a solid kid. I wish him nothing but the best.

(The fact that Auburn is not on the list speaks volumes by itself.)