Notre Dame center Dan Wenger transfers to Florida

[BeauBenken]

Notre Dame center Dan Wenger transfers to Florida

Former St. Thomas Aquinas standout Dan Wenger has transferred from Notre Dame to Florida, his high school coach confirmed.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I would imagine BK doesnt feel comfortable playing him with all of those concussions, if thats the case cant blame him

 

[BeauBenken]

And I believe Braxton Cave outright won the position battle. Which says something for Cave, Wenger was considered one of the better college football centers.

Wish he wouldn't have chosen Florida though I hate them

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I would imagine BK doesnt feel comfortable playing him with all of those concussions, if thats the case cant blame him

Bingo.

A 3rd major concussion could turn Wenger into a vegetable, and Kelly would be crucified for it. He made the right decision.

 

[BeauBenken]

Here's to Wenger's safety though. I still think he's an Irish man.

 

[bert2834]

Good luck to Mr. Wenger.

Hope he has a great and healthy season!

 

[PLACforever]

Bingo.

A 3rd major concussion could turn Wenger into a vegetable, and Kelly would be crucified for it. He made the right decision.

In all seriousness, let's hope he doesn't end up like Dave Duerson, that would be a real tragedy regardless of where he transferred to.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In all seriousness, let's hope he doesn't end up like Dave Duerson, that would be a real tragedy regardless of where he transferred to.

I agree completely. He must feel he's got a shot at the NFL; why else would you risk your life for one final year of college football?

I respect his right to make this decision, but it's certainly not what I would do in his situation.

 

[NCDomer]

Anyone consider he wanted to play for Weis? A lot of players really liked him despite the on-field shortcomings.

 

[Fan of the Irish]

Anyone consider he wanted to play for Weis? A lot of players really liked him despite the on-field shortcomings.

I think that had some to do with his decision but I have also heard that BK did not feel it was safe to play him and did not want to take the chance of him getting any more concussions.

 

[Ben E.]

good for him, i know i would do anything to play again!

 

[johnnykillz]

Good luck to Dan. I pray for his health and appreciate his work ethic. I hope he wins the starter position for the Gators and has a healthy/productive season.

Bless him dear lord.

Remember fellas: He's Irish. He always will be...

 

[Old Man Mike]

Ouch, ouch, ouch...it's none of my business I guess but I REALLY hoped that he wouldn't put himself out there again. DAMM, I'm afraid for him. Our school did the hard but correct thing; the old warrior shouldn't be risking this. In a way, you must admire his courage, but this is just not worth that gamble. And WHY is Florida allowing it?? The guy needs our prayers, folks.

 

[tadman95]

Agree OMM! Wish him the best....

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Ouch, ouch, ouch...it's none of my business I guess but I REALLY hoped that he wouldn't put himself out there again. DAMM, I'm afraid for him. Our school did the hard but correct thing; the old warrior shouldn't be risking this. In a way, you must admire his courage, but this is just not worth that gamble. And WHY is Florida allowing it?? The guy needs our prayers, folks.

Amen to that. This really is scary and very risky. I wish him all the best.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I wish him well.

 

[calvegas04]

Extra scholarship to give out =)

 

[BGIF]

Extra scholarship to give out =)

No it isn't. This isn't a new revelation. Kelly told Wenger and his family back in March that he was not cleared by the ND medical staff and he would not be playing again at ND. He was not getting another year at ND. Wenger intended to go to UF back then.

Here's a link to the topic thread which discusses the Eric Hansen article on the matter.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/notre-dame-football/59480-wenger-florida-2.html

 

[woolybug25]

Like was said, we already knew that he wouldn't be playing his 5th year at ND. There is no extra scholarship.

The whole thing is bewildering to me. I have always thought of Weis as an honorable man who truly cares about his players. There are many examples that suggest this, but this is tough for me to swallow. Weis recruited Wenger. He coached him. Now, he is taking a clear risk with his future health. I understand that if it wasn't Florida, it would be somewhere... but how is Weis going to look Wenger's parents in the eye if he gets another concussion, one that causes immediate and longterm damage?

I wish Wenger the best though, and hope that he gets through it with good health and gets a chance to use his Notre Dame degree for future success.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

6th year.

 

[pkt77242]

Like was said, we already knew that he wouldn't be playing his 5th year at ND. There is no extra scholarship.

The whole thing is bewildering to me. I have always thought of Weis as an honorable man who truly cares about his players. There are many examples that suggest this, but this is tough for me to swallow. Weis recruited Wenger. He coached him. Now, he is taking a clear risk with his future health. I understand that if it wasn't Florida, it would be somewhere... but how is Weis going to look Wenger's parents in the eye if he gets another concussion, one that causes immediate and longterm damage?

I wish Wenger the best though, and hope that he gets through it with good health and gets a chance to use his Notre Dame degree for future success.

Not sure this is a decision Weis got to make. Medical staffs make the decision on wether a player is cleared, not the coaches.

 

[woolybug25]

Not sure this is a decision Weis got to make. Medical staffs make the decision on wether a player is cleared, not the coaches.

The coaches have no say in who gets scholarships to play for their teams?

If Weis got over ruled by by Muschamp, thats one thing. But no medical person within UF is going to override Weis on whether a kid gets to be a member of the team. They can say "no" to a kid being healthy enough to play, but they can't force the coaching staff to put a player on the team.

 

[pkt77242]

The coaches have no say in who gets scholarships to play for their teams?

If Weis got over ruled by by Muschamp, thats one thing. But no medical person within UF is going to override Weis on whether a kid gets to be a member of the team. They can say "no" to a kid being healthy enough to play, but they can't force the coaching staff to put a player on the team.

I agree that coaches get all the say in who gets a scholarship but when it comes to medical issues they go by what the medical staff tells them. If their medical staff gives him a clean bill of health and he can help them this coming year, then I completely understand why they took him.

I am not saying that I would do the same just that it is understandable why they took him.

 

[BGIF]

Dan Wenger: Notre Dame center Dan Wenger transferred to Florida - OrlandoSentinel.com

By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel
10:22 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2011

... "I'm aware of Danny Wenger transferring to the University of Florida," said George Smith, Wenger's coach at St. Thomas Aquinas. "It's a very good situation for both parties. ...

Keep in mind this is all coming from his HS coach not from UF.

Smith said Wenger plans to enroll at the end of June. He indicated that Wenger would get medical clearance to play.

"It's all cleared, all cleared up," Smith said.

Interesting that his coach says "It's all cleared up" right after the sentence, "He indicated that Wenger would get medical clearance to play." Again this is the HS coach not a UF coach nor a UF medical staff member. I suspect at Wenger/Wenger's family found a doctor with a dissenting opinion from that of the ND medical staff. This involves risk assessement. One professional says, "No" while another says, "I don't don't see evidence of permanent damage." They probably had a dissenting opinion when he was trying to convince ND to let him play. If you go to enough professionals you can find one that says what you want to hear.

ND with Dave Duerson's death still fresh (ND All-American/All Pro that died from effects of repeated head trauma) as well as that of Declan Sullivan ("He was in our care and we didn't protect him.") evaluated Wenger medical history/condition and decided to "protect" Wenger and said in effect, "Sorry you're done. We won't allow you to strap a helmet on again here."

That evaluation and decision took place around March. Duerson died in February. Wenger has since graduated from ND. He's not "transferring". He's completed his undergrad work and got a sheepskin. He'll be enrolling in a GRADUATE school different from his undergrad school.

BUT Wenger isn't enrolling until June. SO he hasn't taken a physical by the UF medical staff yet (this isn't the NFL). Wenger or family may have shown his medical evaluation (from the dissenting professional who said "OK" and it "looks OK" on paper. Rest assured UF will still evaluate him after he's a becomes a student there. The lawsuit they would receive if his has a subsequent head injury mandates that.

Werner, a 6-foot-4, 298-pound center, would help Florida with one of its greatest positions of need. Florida has 13 scholarship offensive linemen and is replacing Mike Pouncey, who was taken 15th overall in the NFL Draft, at center.

Sam Robey was listed atop the depth chart at the start of spring practice, but Florida moved Jonotthan Harrison to center during spring practice/

Florida offensive line coach Frank Verducci coached that position at Notre Dame in 2009.

The Gators have a hole at center, ND doesn't. Perhaps a callous comment but relevant just the same. Robey was a backup Right Guard who apparently didn't fill the need and Harrison was a backup Left Guard who is exciting Verducci, Weis, and Muschamp. They NEED a center - now.

Smith wasn't sure what degree Wenger would pursue. Since he has already graduated, Wenger would have to enroll in a graduate program Notre Dame doesn't offer.

It's unclear whether Wenger has applied or been accepted at Florida. He would also need a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible to play football at Florida.

A "minor" point among internet fans but again if he's not enrolled must less accepted, he can't be given a physical by UF medical staff.

The NCAA waiver should be a paper exercise. Wenger already applied to the NCAA and was granted a medical 6th year FOR ND. BUT the NCAA requires a new application if the student athlete is attending a different school. I have no idea what the timing is on a recertification for a 6th year at a new school. It would probably behoove him to get enrolled now so the paperwork can be completed prior to preseason practice.

The significance of a graduate program ND doesn't offer is a loophole to get around the NCAA requirement to sit out a year when transferring - with a undergraduate degree. If Wenger enrolls for an MBA, UF wouldn't be able to grant him a scholarship as ND offers that.


Overall I find this a very sad situation.

 

[Cali_domer]

Dan Wenger: Notre Dame center Dan Wenger transferred to Florida - OrlandoSentinel.com

By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel
10:22 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2011



Keep in mind this is all coming from his HS coach not from UF.




Interesting that his coach says "It's all cleared up" right after the sentence, "He indicated that Wenger would get medical clearance to play." Again this is the HS coach not a UF coach nor a UF medical staff member. I suspect at Wenger/Wenger's family found a doctor with a dissenting opinion from that of the ND medical staff. This involves risk assessement. One professional says, "No" while another says, "I don't don't see evidence of permanent damage." They probably had a dissenting opinion when he was trying to convince ND to let him play. If you go to enough professionals you can find one that says what you want to hear.

ND with Dave Duerson's death still fresh (ND All-American/All Pro that died from effects of repeated head trauma) as well as that of Declan Sullivan ("He was in our care and we didn't protect him.") evaluated Wenger medical history/condition and decided to "protect" Wenger and said in effect, "Sorry you're done. We won't allow you to strap a helmet on again here."

That evaluation and decision took place around March. Duerson died in February. Wenger has since graduated from ND. He's not "transferring". He's completed his undergrad work and got a sheepskin. He'll be enrolling in a GRADUATE school different from his undergrad school.

BUT Wenger isn't enrolling until June. SO he hasn't taken a physical by the UF medical staff yet (this isn't the NFL). Wenger or family may have shown his medical evaluation (from the dissenting professional who said "OK" and it "looks OK" on paper. Rest assured UF will still evaluate him after he's a becomes a student there. The lawsuit they would receive if his has a subsequent head injury mandates that.





The Gators have a hole at center, ND doesn't. Perhaps a callous comment but relevant just the same. Robey was a backup Right Guard who apparently didn't fill the need and Harrison was a backup Left Guard who is exciting Verducci, Weis, and Muschamp. They NEED a center - now.




A "minor" point among internet fans but again if he's not enrolled must less accepted, he can't be given a physical by UF medical staff.

The NCAA waiver should be a paper exercise. Wenger already applied to the NCAA and was granted a medical 6th year FOR ND. BUT the NCAA requires a new application if the student athlete is attending a different school. I have no idea what the timing is on a recertification for a 6th year at a new school. It would probably behoove him to get enrolled now so the paperwork can be completed prior to preseason practice.

The significance of a graduate program ND doesn't offer is a loophole to get around the NCAA requirement to sit out a year when transferring - with a undergraduate degree. If Wenger enrolls for an MBA, UF wouldn't be able to grant him a scholarship as ND offers that.


Overall I find this a very sad situation.

It is very concerning. I wish him the best at Florida and I pray that it works for him. He will always be Irish.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

There is no need to ruin your body from football, I hope he doesn't get another concussion.

 

[Rack Em]

I'm just going to throw this out there.

When I talked to Danny back in November/December he was excited about having Brian Kelly pleading his case to the NCAA for a 6th year. He wanted to come back to ND even though it seemed Braxton Cave was the incumbent starter at center and Kelly wanted him to come back enough that he would argue with the NCAA. He even told me how good Kelly was at getting extra years of eligibility for his players. Knowing him as well as I do, I honestly don't think the position battle would have deterred him from staying at ND.

Danny still feels he has another year of football left, but Kelly and the rest of the staff just can't justify putting him on the field. Understandable on both accounts. I never had a chance to actually sit down and talk to him about it, but I'd say the comfortability of Weis and Verducci was a major factor in where he transferred.

I, like all here, wish him the best and pray for his safety. Danny's a genuinely great guy and will land on his feet no matter where life takes him. I'm proud to know him and be a fellow ND grad.

Yes, I did graduate this past weekend. Somehow I slipped through the cracks...

 

[BeauBenken]

I, like all here, wish him the best and pray for his safety. Danny's a genuinely great guy and will land on his feet no matter where life takes him. I'm proud to know him and be a fellow ND grad.

Yes, I did graduate this past weekend. Somehow I slipped through the cracks...

Congratz to you graduating!

My guess though is that Weis, being father figure players always labeled him, will take good care of Wenger. At least, I hope.

 

[rtrn2glory]

so does this give us an extra scholly for this year?

 

[woolybug25]

so does this give us an extra scholly for this year?

no