'12 AZ WR Davonte Neal (Arizona Transfer)

[military_irish]

What story? According to Neal's own comments, there was a medical emergency in the family that caused the delay. He also said that he never wavered.

I think he meant the reporter wanted him to go to Arizona.

 

[Kansas Irish]

Here's a concise article explaining a few things that went on:

Conflict Surrounding Neal's Decision
""The biggest part wasn't the schools (Notre Dame or Arizona), it was what family was going to come (to the school) and what family had to stay (at home)."

Then it went on how the ultimate decision was made. I thought the newspaper article part was interesting.

 

[woolybug25]

I think he meant the reporter wanted him to go to Arizona.

oh... my bad [/hands in pockets, kicks at the dirt]

nothing to see here.

 

[clashmore_mike]

https://twitter.com/#!/cmorgancbsfoxaz

comments can go here

 

[woolybug25]

https://twitter.com/#!/cmorgancbsfoxaz

comments can go here

Nice. Thanks dude.

reps

 

[ChiRish]

https://twitter.com/#!/cmorgancbsfoxaz

comments can go here

I hope he receives a few comments and apologizes. Someone like him, a reporter of prep athletics, should know better than to personally attack someone without knowing the facts. Hell, even the basic JOURNALIST part of him should know that. We're all entitled to our opinions, but that doesn't mean a particular opinion won't make you sound like a douche.

 

[ChiRish]

Another thing that pisses me off too. I feel like these articles now are like old school retraction letters in newspapers. No one cares about them. All people read was all the drama filled, no fact-based nonsense yesterday. Really, that's what you see nonstop nowadays.

I normally wouldn't care, but this is how a "reputation" is somehow developed for players, and later might turn into "character issues." I even remember reading some blurb today about how Davonte is a boom or bust prospect, depending on how hard he works. Seriously!? From all accounts the dude is the hardest working guy on his team. He even showed the kids a video of him busting hard in the off season!

The point is, I hate that living in the twitter universe we do today can adversely affect someone like this so much. How much would you bet that if he ends up going to the NFL as a high pick that somewhere in an article describing him he gets labeled as difficult or a prima donna because of his announcement. The whole "get there first" attitude has been taken to pathetic levels these days. I hate it.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think he meant the reporter wanted him to go to Arizona.

Yeah that was my point.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I normally wouldn't care, but this is how a "reputation" is somehow developed for players, and later might turn into "character issues." I even remember reading some blurb today about how Davonte is a boom or bust prospect, depending on how hard he works. Seriously!? From all accounts the dude is the hardest working guy on his team. He even showed the kids a video of him busting hard in the off season!

It was Mike Farrell that said it. He said he is the epitome of a boom or bust and talent isn't the issue, just if he is willing to work hard.

 

[ChiRish]

It was Mike Farrell that said it. He said he is the epitome of a boom or bust and talent isn't the issue, just if he is willing to work hard.

Yeah I just didn't think that was ever an issue with Davonte. I guess I just feel that people are now going to portray him as some difficult kid to work with. It's garbage.

 

[laservet]

He's a heck of a talent and a great get for ND. Major upside.

My brother knows him and his family well. When Neal transferred to Chapparal to play football he shopped himself around to a number of high school coaches before settling on Chap so all the drama over his decision now is just more of the same. BK needs to take a strong hand right from the start to keep dad out of the picture.

 

[TexasForever]

It was Mike Farrell that said it. He said he is the epitome of a boom or bust and talent isn't the issue, just if he is willing to work hard.

Mike Farrell has also held firm to the "OSU walked away first" story and tweeted something to the effect of "now you see why OSU turned him away" yesterday. It is absolute garbage because these journalists smear these kids' reputations before they even step foot on campus based on hearsay and "sources."

 

[rikkitikki08]

Glad to have him............nothing more nothing less. Let him come in and prove himself and we will be just fine

 

[phgreek]

Haha classic. Man, I really wish they would replace him. Mayock is great at what he does, which is a real rarity in the business. I wish NBC could find someone legit to stick in the booth with him.

I still like Charles Davis in that spot...they could take turns doing play by play and the coverage would be unbeatable...Two guys who know their stuff in the booth at the same time...no way...its just too smart for NBC to do that.

I think someone like Blackledge would work. He knows his stuff but he's transitioned into an all around good broadcast guy...

Theisman, I like the guy, but he and Mayock would skewer refs if they were in the booth together...no one wants that (well I do, but no one in the network does)

My wild card is Freddy Coleman...guy is just smooth. Don't know if he can call a game, but he is interesting/compelling and his voice doesn't make me nuts.

Nessler would work fine too...

Its time for an update. Rotate Hammond to another gig...

 

[Grahambo]

I still like Charles Davis in that spot...they could take turns doing play by play and the coverage would be unbeatable...Two guys who know their stuff in the booth at the same time...no way...its just too smart for NBC to do that.

I think someone like Blackledge would work. He knows his stuff but he's transitioned into an all around good broadcast guy...

Theisman, I like the guy, but he and Mayock would skewer refs if they were in the booth together...no one wants that (well I do, but no one in the network does)

My wild card is Freddy Coleman...guy is just smooth. Don't know if he can call a game, but he is interesting/compelling and his voice doesn't make me nuts.

Nessler would work fine too...

Its time for an update. Rotate Hammond to another gig...

Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge are my favorite duo.

I do like Mayock and I would love if Gus Johnson was partnered with him.

 

[NDinFL]

Gus motherf*ckin Johnson...

Been on that bandwagon for years

Just picture it: "Kiel drops back....looking, LOOKING, FIRESSS!! And it's CAUGHT BY NEAL TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! OH BABY, THIS NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL".

Like sweet music to my ears.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

How do you expect this to not be deleted?

 

[NDinFL]

How do you expect this to not be deleted?

I don't.

Although I did use Davonte's name

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Well, I was actually aiming at all the posts before yours . . .

 

[Grahambo]

Gus motherf*ckin Johnson...

Been on that bandwagon for years

Just picture it: "Kiel drops back....looking, LOOKING, FIRESSS!! And it's CAUGHT BY NEAL TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! OH BABY, THIS NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL".

Like sweet music to my ears.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9fPamV6LsV8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[NYIrish14]

Sorry if this has been posted already. Came down to ND and Arkansas. Sounded like he originally wanted Arizona.

Scout.com: Neal Reflects On Decision

 

[TerryTate]

Sorry if this has been posted already. Came down to ND and Arkansas. Sounded like he originally wanted Arizona.

Scout.com: Neal Reflects On Decision

Where does it say that?

Unrelated to your post, but Scout.com is terrible. That article contained 0 insight from the Neal's. The only quote is from BK's public statement on having Neal in this class.

 

[NYIrish14]

Where does it say that?

Unrelated to your post, but Scout.com is terrible. That article contained 0 insight from the Neal's. The only quote is from BK's public statement on having Neal in this class.

It's a link to a video interview with Davonte right after his announcement.

 

[JughedJones]

Yup, he totally said it it came down to Ark and ND, per Davonte's own words.

He wanted to stay home, his Dad told him to make a better decision than Arizona.

Sounds like Dad would have been OK with him making an academic first or football first decision... but UofA was neither of those.

ND is both. ND wins.

 

[ChiRish]

Sorry if this has been posted already. Came down to ND and Arkansas. Sounded like he originally wanted Arizona.

Scout.com: Neal Reflects On Decision

Thought it was a great interview, actually. That's what I was looking for since the whole thing happened. Kid sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders. He was confident with his decision and I think we can all believe that he wasn't wavering. It's always great to see elite athletes care about their education. Makes ND the best place to be.

 

[NDinFL]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9fPamV6LsV8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You, sir, are gentleman and a scholar

 

[peoriairish]

Sorry if this has been posted already. Came down to ND and Arkansas. Sounded like he originally wanted Arizona.

Scout.com: Neal Reflects On Decision

In that interview, he said the next 4 years. Great to hear that he seems committed to stay at school and finish his degree. This kid seems like he's got a great head on his shoulders and doesn't have any of the 'character issues' that have been said. Glad he's Irish.

 

[D-BOE34]

Heggie at C...BCS baby!

How dare you steal my post!!! (Pocic thread, post #42)

Its all gravy baby!

 

[Grahambo]

You, sir, are gentleman and a scholar

No, Gus Johnson is a gentleman and a scholar.

 

[NDinFL]

No, Gus Johnson is a gentleman and a scholar.

And a hero.

Buckets