'12 MD ATH Ronald Darby (Florida State Signee)

[Irish4Life09]

Weird dream ends an even stranger truth: I pray Im not a clairvoyant.

Wanna tell me the lotto #'s for tomorrow? lmao

 

[johnnykillz]

See page #95.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Just have to wait and see. I have been about this kid for nearly a year now. He seems to be a good fellow--good luck, Ron!

 

[arahop]

I think we will get Wright, Neal, Armsteads, and Fuller. While it does suck that we are losing a world-class athlete and an island, I think Wright can be potentially as good and if not better. Neal and Fuller are both freakish athletes and everybody knows about the Armsteads. As long as we keep everyone in the mix we'll be fine. You guys are underestimating Jackson, Brown, Wood, and Atkinson who all will be good next year.

I can guarantee we don't get more than 3 of those guys.
Source=Me

 

[Chicago Irish Fan]

Wow. It's times like these that I really hate recruiting. Though I guess if there were anyone that could reseal the deal, it would be Kelly and this staff.

 

[EddytoNow]

Darby would be a great recruit, but if he wants to go elsewhere so be it. The difference between this coaching staff and the previous three staffs is that they continue to recruit until National Signing Day. Darby may or may not be gone, but the coaching staff will do their best to regain his commitment and signature. In the meantime, they are putting together one special class with or without Darby. We are still very much in the running for Wright, Neal, Westercamp, both Armsteads, Fuller and likely others we don't even know about.

Things will work out just fine. I'd love to have Darby, but if he decides to sign elsewhere the sky is not falling. We have George Atkinson and Davaris Daniels to return kicks. We have Jamouris Slaughter, Austin Collingsworth, Eliar Hardy, Bennett Jackson, Josh Atkinson, Jalen Brown, C.J. Procise, Josh Turner, Elijah Shumate, Tee Shepherd, etc. for the defensive backfield. We just got Amir Carlisle to transfer to ND. IMO, we've got a top two wide-receiver in Deontay Greenberry. We've added two quality running backs in Will Mahone and Keivarae Russell. We've added depth to a quality offensive line. We will have one of the best defensive lines in college football. Manti Teo is returning for his senior year. Cam McDaniel will play a more prominent role. The quarterbacks will have another year of experience/preparation. Chuck Martin will be coaching the offense.

The question is no longer do we have any quality players? The question now centers on which players earn starting roles and the competition for each position because of the added depth recruited this year and last.

We've lost recruits before and we will lose them in the future. Notre Dame will survive Darby's decommitment. However, if he reconsiders and signs with ND it just makes our defensive back class that much better.

In the meantime, let's go after the Armsteads, Fuller, Wright, Westercamp, Garnett, and anyone else that will add depth at positions of need.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm surprisingly not upset about this.

I wouldn't trade Darby for any other CB on our board, but we all knew he'd been wavering for a while. After Tuitt, Lynch, Prestwood, and Carlisle, if there's any chance of bringing Darby back into the fold, this staff will do it.

And even failing that, we'll end up with an excellent consolation prize (Wright, Poole, etc.).

In other news, didn't Omar Hunter decommit under very similar circumstances? Only ND verbal at the UA AA game, everyone else got in his ear, and he flipped? Maybe we should ask our recruits not to support that game anymore.

 

[Zwidmanio]

The decommitment is unfortunate news. I'm sure the staff is on it and I hope they can re-secure his commitment. Darby is a special athlete and ND could surely use him.

Either way, I wish him the best and hope he truly makes the best decision for himself. While I believe that ND offers much more to a student athlete than nearly all other schools, you never know what situations and desires another individual has.

With that being said, I have to comment on some of the attitudes and comments that I've witnessed this evening. Hearing that Darby decommitted was disappointing. However, reading some of the ignorant and disrespectful comments from others that I feel I share a common bond with (being our love of ND) was far more disappointing. Particularly for a fanbase that holds themselves to a higher standard and also generally lives up to those higher standards it was sad to see.

In addition, isn't it somewhat ironic that the young man who decommitted was apparently turned off by similar comments made on a Facebook page (read a few pages back if it's still there). I think most of us are adults here. If a decision, or indecision, by a young man is enough for you to get so worked up, perhaps you should reprioritize your life. I realize that this is a messaging board on the internet, which is not generally the place to go looking for calm and rational thought, but I don't understand why that excuses communication that goes far beyond what most of us would accept in day to day face to face contact.

This prior portion is really only for a select few, but really, if you're capable of it, try thinking before you post and stop catching feelings like you're a hormonal teenager.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

In addition, isn't it somewhat ironic that the young man who decommitted was apparently turned off by similar comments made on a Facebook page (read a few pages back if it's still there).

Did Darby really comment on some of the crap being posted in the Bang Bang Notre Dame FB group?

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Did Darby really comment on being some of the crap being posted in the Bang Bang Notre Dame FB group?

No, not that I saw. My opinion is that this has been in the works for some time and this was him avoiding the fall-out.

 

[Rhode Irish]

These are always tough situations for me. On one hand, I recognize that this is part of the recruiting process, and I respect the fact that these kids have to do what they think is best for them. These kids shouldn't care about what college football team I root for. So I can't be "mad" at a kid that doesn't want to play for my team.

On the other hand, I honestly have a very difficult time understanding how any kid would not want to come to ND if given the choice. And yeah, OK, maybe I'm a bit biased. But, particularly in Ronald's case, I really have a hard time understanding what could lead to him de-committing. Maybe he isn't ready to go so far away from home. Who knows. But based on the little I know, I have a hard time not feeling like this decision is a terrible one, and he could regret it for the rest of his life. It makes me sad for my football team and sad for him. But I'm not mad at the kid.

I hope ND fans show enough class to leave him be to make his own decision. At the end of the day, he has far more at stake than we do in this.

 

[irishtrinity]

Wow can't believe it... We needed his speed..

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

did diaco really put in work tonight?

 

[koonja]

No, not that I saw. My opinion is that this has been in the works for some time and this was him avoiding the fall-out.

About a month ago I did see Darby comment to a person or number of people about Deonte and Tee taking visits to USC. It wasn't too much, something along the lines of let them live their lives and do what's best for them.

 

[Zwidmanio]

No, not that I saw. My opinion is that this has been in the works for some time and this was him avoiding the fall-out.

Disclaimer: I really don't want to stir up any false rumors. I don't recall where I saw that in the flurry of posts earlier, but I recall somebody that somebody mentioned that he had left the FB group after a lot of negativity geared towards Tee and DG for taking visits. I also recall that the poster was somebody that I generally take seriously, but not who exactly. I read often, post very rarely.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Disclaimer: I really don't want to stir up any false rumors. I don't recall where I saw that in the flurry of posts earlier, but I recall somebody that somebody mentioned that he had left the FB group after a lot of negativity geared towards Tee and DG for taking visits. I also recall that the poster was somebody that I generally take seriously, but not who exactly. I read often, post very rarely.

He did post something to that effect in the FB group, and he left the group as soon as he decommitted. But it's a big leap to assume that negative fan commentary directed at two other recruits was a contributing cause of his decommitment.

On the other hand, I honestly have a very difficult time understanding how any kid would not want to come to ND if given the choice. And yeah, OK, maybe I'm a bit biased. But, particularly in Ronald's case, I really have a hard time understanding what could lead to him de-committing. Maybe he isn't ready to go so far away from home. Who knows. But based on the little I know, I have a hard time not feeling like this decision is a terrible one, and he could regret it for the rest of his life. It makes me sad for my football team and sad for him. But I'm not mad at the kid.

This is just my gut feeling, but after Lynch, Tuitt, Prestwood, and Carlisle, I like our chances of getting Darby to recommit. Some of the schools he's allegedly considering offer significantly inferior academics (Clemson and FSU), and I'd be utterly shocked if he chose Maryland. USC is always a danger, but they've got their own issues as well.

 

[koonja]

He did post something to that effect in the FB group, and he left the group as soon as he decommitted. But it's a big leap to assume that negative fan commentary directed at two other recruits was a contributing cause of his decommitment.



This is just my gut feeling, but after Lynch, Tuitt, Prestwood, and Carlisle, I like our chances of getting Darby to recommit. Some of the schools he's allegedly considering offer significantly inferior academics (Clemson and FSU), and I'd be utterly shocked if he chose Maryland. USC is always a danger, but they've got their own issues as well.

ROI time.

 

[Zwidmanio]

No, not that I saw. My opinion is that this has been in the works for some time and this was him avoiding the fall-out.

He did post something to that effect in the FB group, and he left the group as soon as he decommitted. But it's a big leap to assume that negative fan commentary directed at two other recruits was a contributing cause of his decommitment.



This is just my gut feeling, but after Lynch, Tuitt, Prestwood, and Carlisle, I like our chances of getting Darby to recommit. Some of the schools he's allegedly considering offer significantly inferior academics (Clemson and FSU), and I'd be utterly shocked if he chose Maryland. USC is always a danger, but they've got their own issues as well.

I agree that it's a big leap, which is why I tried to emphasize, perhaps poorly, that the information was second hand knowledge from a post that I had read earlier in the thread. Additionally, I was merely trying to illustrate the point that ignorant and disrespectful comments made towards young men considering ND as a school are not productive and can generally only have a negative affect.

Aside from that, I agree with your other point. Our coaching staff's knack at getting some of these guys back is very impressive. I wouldn't count anything out until after signing day.

 

[SoIll]

he's not even that good..

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

This sucks. I'm not giving up on Darby but it doesn't look good.

 

[Kak7304]

I strongly suggest everyone check out Louis Nix's recruiting profile to see the post Whiskeyjack made a few minutes ago. It really provides some perspective and insight into what these kids deal with during their recruitment.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/201...-10-fl-dt-louis-nix-notre-dame-signee-26.html

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

does anyone have any of Darby's direct comments? Also, there was some chatter about Bobby D being in a hotel close to his home.. I don't know everyone's humor/personality, so if that was a joke it was way over my head, but can anyone verify if Diaco put in some work tonight before the dead period?

 

[military_irish]

It sucks that he decommitted but this is the life of following recruiting. I hope he comes back but nothing is guaranteed. I wish him well

 

[SaltyND24]

Did Darby really comment on some of the crap being posted in the Bang Bang Notre Dame FB group?

Whiskey, when I was still in that facebook group, it was right around the time that the rumors started kicking up about Tee and Deontay taking a trip USC when the comment by Darby was made...Some jacka$$es were saying how they couldn't understand why TEE and DGB would ever want to visit "the enemy" and were having nuclear meltdown...Darby, from what I recall, said something to the likes of, "Ridiculous that people can't let ya'll live your lives...smh"

It was once said, that that group may have done more bad than good...but I believe that our staff will keep up seriously back in contention...Here's to praying that all that CAN be done, WILL be done

 

[Rocky2820]

Whiskey, when I was still in that facebook group, it was right around the time that the rumors started kicking up about Tee and Deontay taking a trip USC when the comment by Darby was made...Some jacka$$es were saying how they couldn't understand why TEE and DGB would ever want to visit "the enemy" and were having nuclear meltdown...Darby, from what I recall, said something to the likes of, "Ridiculous that people can't let ya'll live your lives...smh"

It was once said, that that group may have done more bad than good...but I believe that our staff will keep up seriously back in contention...Here's to praying that all that CAN be done, WILL be done

Two decommits now and both were part of that facebook group, right?

I believe Kelly still has his in-house left with Darby. I imagine he's been saving it until late in the game because he knew this possibility existed. Time to go balls out for Darby (and Poole and Wright).

 

[Buster Bluth]

I believe Kelly still has his in-house left with Darby. I imagine he's been saving it until late in the game because he knew this possibility existed. Time to go balls out for Darby (and Poole and Wright).

This.

Kelly knows what he is doing. I am not slitting my wrists over this just yet. the staff has been through these situations a number of times and know what to do.

Everyone needs to realize that this isn't over. Hell, unless Diaco is in his livingroom with Kelly, it hasn't really even started.

 

[HawaiianIrish]

Braddah Ron you listen to your mind and follow your heart. Notre Dame or not I wish you and all these other young student athletes the best of luck.....

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[buddyirish]

im sad now

 

[SBjandy7]

Even when he committed I always had the thought that he would end up elsewhere. Hopefully BK and the staff can turn him back to ND before NSD. Might as well send Diaco over there at 4:30 in the morning, seemed to work with Ishaq

 

[BeauBenken]

Hey Ron, now was not a good time for this. Classes start back up tomorrow and I just spent 40 minutes trying to read up on what I missed. lol

Ron was honestly going to end up as one of my favorite players. I could just tell. I hope he still can and does though.

I believe I said it on Shaq Thompson's thread a LONG time ago... (You know, the first time he eliminated us. lol):

Whiskey, he follows you. Just happen to tweet your ROI stats...

And I would love to see this kid playing for us, but if he can't (or any other player) recognize how big of an opportunity and privilege it is to play for ND, then the two aren't meant to be.

I hope Ron call fall back in love with ND, but if not, it just wasn't meant to be.