'12 VA OLB Ken Ekanem (Virginia Tech Signee)

NDPhilly · Nov 1, 2011

I'd think we would start pursuing him harder now that we have 2 spots open at OLB as opposed to one. We may have been slow playing him because we have a great shot with Odenigbo.

WhoDeyIrish · Nov 1, 2011

Irish Man3 said:
ND is most certainly in the mix for Ekanem. Especially considering the fact that his attention will pick up with Perkins opening things up.

We would have taken Perkins and Odenigbo, so my guess is that we would take Ekanem and Odenigbo.

Hard to tell if distance will play a factor in the end, but with his interest in Oregon and ND it's hard to see that being an issue.

Good point!

Irish8248 · Nov 1, 2011

Who Dey -- You in Dayton? I go to UDSL

BGIF · Nov 30, 2011

Ekanem, Special On & Off Field

Christian McCollum
11/30

...

Ekanem has already cut a long list of scholarship offers down to five – Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Pittsburgh and North Carolina.

Ekanem hasn’t taken any official visits yet, but has talked about taking a trip to South Bend as early as this weekend. That won’t happen as Centreville is playing Hermitage in the state semifinal on Saturday, but he is sure he’ll get out to Notre Dame at some point.

...

Ekanem, Special On & Off Field

The Irish offer came in May and it was clearly a big one. Ekanem was pulled out of class to learn that he was being offered a scholarship to Notre Dame and his classmates and teacher were waiting for the good news when he returned.

“The whole class cheered and the teacher stopped class and had him call his mom,” Haddock said. “There have been some neat things, not just football-wise, but in the school, where he’s been looked up to. It’s been a pretty neat experience.

About what ND offers:

The fact that Notre Dame is looking for prospects like that only reinforces Ekanem’s interest in the Irish.

“They’re a very, very classy program that I would love to be in,” Ekanem said.

NDdomer2 · Nov 30, 2011

We haven't heard much on this kid yet he has kept us in his top schools. Is his interest legit?

GoldenIsThyFame · Nov 30, 2011

NDdomer2 said:
We haven't heard much on this kid yet he has kept us in his top schools. Is his interest legit?

A lot of kids don't really start the process until after their season is over which is why there are long spells between updates (see Neal, Davonte).

His interest is very legit.

NDdomer2 · Nov 30, 2011

“In 19, 20 years of coaching, I could probably count on one hand the kids who have possessed all of the attributes that Ken has. One of which I coached years ago, played at Penn State and played seven, eight years in the NFL. Another kid that I consider similarly is playing football at Yale, obviously a pretty good academic institution. I would put Ken, football-wise, probably better than those two players and certainly his character fits right in with that. I would consider it very rare and I feel very lucky to coach a kid like Kenny.”

“They’re a very, very classy program that I would love to be in,” Ekanem said.

“Long term, I think he would like to go to a school that can help him get to the NFL.

Those were the three quotes that stood out to me the most.

NDdomer2 · Nov 30, 2011

GoldenIsThyFame said:
A lot of kids don't really start the process until after their season is over which is why there are long spells between updates (see Neal, Davonte).

His interest is very legit.

Thanks GITF!

Whiskeyjack · Nov 30, 2011

He seems like a better fit for Cat than Dog.

Where my Dawgz at? (Don't get up; I'll show myself out.)

Irish Man3 · Nov 30, 2011

In my opinion, he is our best remaining bet at an athletic outside linebacker. His interest is absolutely legit and the Irish are after him pretty hard. Look for a late decision though unless one school knocks him of his feet. Not an EE as far as I've heard.

jason_h537 · Nov 30, 2011

NDdomer2 said:
We haven't heard much on this kid yet he has kept us in his top schools. Is his interest legit?

Very legit. Will visit soon, VTech could challenge.

IrishLax · Nov 30, 2011

jason_h537 said:
Very legit. Will visit soon, VTech could challenge.

It's UVa or ND. Trust me on this one.

jason_h537 · Nov 30, 2011

IrishLax said:
It's UVa or ND. Trust me on this one.

What if I don't want to, huh?

irishff1014 · Nov 30, 2011

IrishLax said:
It's UVa or ND. Trust me on this one.

I don't know Va Tech doesn't normally let this type of talent slip away from them.

IrishLax · Nov 30, 2011

irishff1014 said:
I don't know Va Tech doesn't normally let this type of talent slip away from them.

That's actually not how it works. VT has recruited the hell out of the 757 for years... which is rife with under-the-radar skill position talent. Most of the players that make it big with them are not 4 :s:

style guys coming out of HS... they are 3 :s:

and below where VT trusts their network of HS coaches on who has upside. In addition, they've had very strong pull from the MD, NC and other parts of VA... but hardly a monopoly. With Mike London at UVa, they don't have a monopoly on anything anymore. Beamer is quickly headed the direction of Joe Paterno over the next 10 years and London (through his roots at Richmond) is recruiting Virginia as good or better than VT this year.

UVa is "in" right now. And with someone like Ekanem, who is a really well put together ND-style guy, what UVa sells carries a lot of weight. Tech will be a factor and he may end up there, but everyone I've talked to thinks he's going to Virginia or possibly ND if we have room.

Riddickulous · Dec 1, 2011

Scheduled an OV to Notre Dame. Not sure of the specifics because I didn't have access.

clashmore_mike · Dec 1, 2011

Riddickulous said:
Scheduled an OV to Notre Dame. Not sure of the specifics because I didn't have access.

Is that from Sapp? I saw that he had a recruiting update other than in home visits that he was going to post after midnight.

NDPhilly · Dec 1, 2011

I got it gime one secomd

Riddickulous · Dec 1, 2011

clashmore_mike said:
Is that from Sapp? I saw that he had a recruiting update other than in home visits that he was going to post after midnight.

Yes.

Tonight was the first time I watched his tape, and I must say...I'm impressed.

NDPhilly · Dec 1, 2011

Official visit will be Dec 16. Other finalists are Pitt, UNC, Oregon, and Va Tech (so much for UVA)

Riddickulous · Dec 1, 2011

NDPhilly · Dec 1, 2011

Seems like a real good kid.

clashmore_mike · Dec 1, 2011

Is that a joke? No audio coming through on that video.

Riddickulous · Dec 1, 2011

clashmore_mike said:
Is that a joke? No audio coming through on that video.

I can definitely hear it.

NDPhilly · Dec 1, 2011

clashmore_mike said:
Is that a joke? No audio coming through on that video.

Put the volume all the way up. I couldn't here it at first either

clashmore_mike · Dec 1, 2011

hmmm weird. Volume all the way up on youtube and my laptop, can hear other youtube videos fine. I'll try on my phone.

Cali_domer · Dec 1, 2011

Wow, Mom isn't in our corner.

koonja · Dec 1, 2011

No Access

Me2SouthBend · Dec 1, 2011

Riddickulous said:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FrnKMIHzqP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In this interview, Ekanem refers to Notre Dame as "the most prestigious school in the nation".

Also says that he wants to major in Business in case he isn't able to make it in the NFL, wants to be set for life. Yes young man, ND is the right place for you. Whiskey, have you set this man up with the information he needs to make an informed decision? ND vs. VT, Pitt, Oregon, UNC with the ROI, Grad rate spreadsheet please.

beryirish · Dec 1, 2011

Pros: Notre Dame first to come to mind when asked who he is considering.....says it's the most prestigious school in the nation....wants to go to the NFL but be set for life so wants a meaningful degree...wants to major in business....doesn't mind redshirting but would like to play early...set first official to ND

Cons MOM is a little concerned on the distance topic but hopefully if she goes with him on the OV it will change everything.

'12 VA OLB Ken Ekanem (Virginia Tech Signee)

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