Since the news is minimal for a few days, and I have no clue as to the circumstances of his decision and the reality of the situation now, I feel completely qualified to offer my opinion.
It's pretty likely that Mr. Darby will develop into a great player over the next few years. Certainly his speed gives him a leg up on that likelihood, or maybe inevitability.
When he committed a few months back, he obviously saw in Notre Dame something that compelled him to make that decision. It seems to me that nothing has changed since then. Same school, same ethics, same academics, campus, students, professors, weather, coach, tradition, etc.....
Now maybe his priorities have changed, people grow and learn and he's a smart kid, I just can't see his core values being that different now.
Notre Dame is at a distinct disadvantage in college football now. Over signing, gray shirting, cutting players, those are big and unfair advantages for the schools that do that. The number of recruits eligible to get in Notre Dame are limited, and we aren't going to get all of the ones who can. I am constantly amazed at the guys we do get. I'll give the coaching staff credit for that.
Even with our limitations in getting players, the day will come when we have the right makeup to compete at the highest level. We're closer than we've been in a while. Maybe we can't sustain that level year to year like an Alabama, but we can be in the conversation. Even the Alabama's of the world have their off years.
I can't pull for those schools, ethically they have sold out to the game and money. Successfully competing by doing things the right way, taking care of our kids and their future means that when that success happens for Notre Dame, it will mean so much more.
As far as Darby goes, I want him. I want him first because of the kind of kid he is. He's not a media hog, he's not tweeting every thought he has. He's a good kid that fits Notre Dame. I also believe his skills, while significant at any school. will be the stuff of Legends at Notre Dame. Twenty years later we still compare to Rocket. Darby's impact could be that legendary, especially if we win. If he goes somewhere else, he'll have an impact for sure but one thing he won't have is being the "Darby of Notre Dame".
I wish him success, and I'm going to be a little grumpy if we ultimately lose him. But, I will also have Aunt Bea's apple pie to soothe my wounds, and Otis' apple cider to raise my spirits.
And yea, I had nothing better to do this morning.
