'08 PA WR/TE Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt Verbal)

[johnnd05]

Thanks for all the insight, IUB! I'm always happy to see new posts from you.

 

[benneboy]

To this point I still think he is the most exciting recruit out there. I hate to beat a dead horse in the form of numbers but just to get a perspective on what could be:

Coming out of High School per Rivals:

Calvin Johnson:
Ht: 6'4"
WT: 210
Forty: 4.44
Vertical: 36"
Bench: 250 lbs

Jonathan Baldwin:
Ht: 6'6"
WT: 225
Forty: 4.40
Vertical: 43" (From the Scout article)
Bench: 320 lbs

 

[irishunclebill]

There does seem to be nothing but upside for Baldwin. I'm not really sure why Scout is not as high on him, but he is very highly rated by everyone else. In one of their pre-season evals, Rivals has Baldwin is listed as one of their top 5 WR recruits with names such as Julio Jones, AJ Green, DJ Shoemate, and Dan Buckner. If the 4.4 is correct, and at this point in time, none of the colleges recruiting him seem to doubt it, you are looking at a faster Plaxico Burress with a better attitude, which would all seem to indicate that Baldwin has the potential to be a dominant college wide-out.

 

[johnnd05]

To this point I still think he is the most exciting recruit out there. I hate to beat a dead horse in the form of numbers but just to get a perspective on what could be:

Coming out of High School per Rivals:

Calvin Johnson:
Ht: 6'4"
WT: 210
Forty: 4.44
Vertical: 36"
Bench: 250 lbs

Jonathan Baldwin:
Ht: 6'6"
WT: 225
Forty: 4.40
Vertical: 43" (From the Scout article)
Bench: 320 lbs

:jawdrop: Damn. Let's make this kid ours.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Get this guy to ND quick. That size with that speed....unstoppable. With Goodman, Kamara, and alll our tall ass TE's. One hell of a offense.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Just a reminder for all of those making the Calvin Johnson comparison.

Even if the nubers are completely correct, which I doubt, there is more to it than that. Johnson has absolutely great hands, plus a WR needs to learn how to adjust his body during the route and in the air to shield the defender from the ball, especially the big recievers. All on top of knowing which route to run in the first place or when to break it off, and then going out and doing it. I've heard from Rick Mirer's best friend that, that was actually one of Keyshawn Johnson bigger problems. Announcers on TV would sit around and critizie the QB's for not finding Johnson because he was wide open, but what they didn't know is that he often ran the wrong route, so the QBs often didn't have any idea where he was on the field. One crucial play during a Monday night game while they were both on the Jets comes to mind, but that's mostly because I hear about it the next day during Tues's afternoon practice.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Baldwin will be on campus in South Bend today, according to scout.

 

[scooper]

Man, I'd love to land this kid. There is immediate need for a big fast WR.

 

[irishunclebill]

Hey, Scoop, I'm going to be on campus this weekend too. Maybe I'll run into Baldwin at the Grotto and give him some good advice on why he should come to ND. Have any suggestions?

I am of course, just kidding.

 

[scooper]

Hey, Scoop, I'm going to be on campus this weekend too. Maybe I'll run into Baldwin at the Grotto and give him some good advice on why he should come to ND. Have any suggestions?

I am of course, just kidding.

Give him one of the bricks that fell from the basillica. He'll think it's divine intervention.

 

[irishunclebill]

Give him one of the bricks that fell from the basillica. He'll think it's divine intervention.

LOL- Great idea.

 

[IrishCalves]

I was going to say shave his head, and spray paint his "dome" gold, but basillica bricks might take the cake.

 

[GoIrish41]

any word on baldwin's unofficial? haven't heard anything about it other than he visited.

 

[jiggafini19]

One of his assistant coaches went with him.

He's looking for an eduation first and foremost. His number one goal is to graduate.

Maybe that is why he's looking at ND a little harder. He was in attendance at the PSU game back in September.

 

[GoIrish41]

One of his assistant coaches went with him.

He's looking for an eduation first and foremost. His number one goal is to graduate.

Maybe that is why he's looking at ND a little harder. He was in attendance at the PSU game back in September.

Good to see a guy with his priorities straight. Thanks Jigga.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Give him one of the bricks that fell from the basillica. He'll think it's divine intervention.

Yeah right. There would be an outcry that would force the NCAA to hammer ND for giving gifts to recrutis.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Baldwin seemed to really enjoy his recent visit to ND. One of the first things he mentioned was how much he liked the campus, and the close proximity of all the classes and the stadium. After meeting with coach Weis for about 30 min. he took a tour with Coach Latina and Dave Peloquin. He also said that they sat down with him to break down film of how ND uses thier big WRs (Samardzija and Stovall), how they get them open, what type of routes he'd be running, and how they are utilized in the redzone. He ended with this quote.

"I saw everything I expected to see. I’m still going to go on the rest of my unofficials, but I was pretty impressed with what I saw here. I’m going to go to Ohio State and another school that’s close to home

 

[GoshenGipper]

I think ND at least has a decent shot with Baldwin now.

 

[Irishknight1023]

When does he want to announce? is he going to take all of his officials?

 

[IrishCalves]

The closest thing to a quote I could find from Baldwin was a scout article saying, "I want to take my time and see what happens. There's no need to rush."

 

[irishunclebill]

More from Pittsburgh Sports Insider, this time something of interest to ND fans.

A recruiting Insider for PSI told us tonight that he’s being told that in the end, Aliquippa WR Jonathan Baldwin will decide between Pitt and Notre Dame. We were expecting Michigan to be a finalist but according to our Insider it’s between Pitt and Notre Dame, with Pitt being the leader.

Posted by Pittsburgh Sports Insider on Sunday, May 27th, 2007 at 9:24 pm.

Again, I don’t know anything about this blog, but if there is any truth to the rumor about it being between ND & Pitt, that would be another critical blow to the scUM fans who also though Baldwin was a an eventual scUM recruit. Also, remember that the story is from Pittsburgh, so saying that Pitt is the leader right now does not mean much. I’m not going to take too much from this, but it should be interesting down the road to see if there is any accuracy to any of these comments on Hale, Pryor, & Baldwin. One thing I do know is if there is any truth to the Baldwin comment then you would have to like ND’s chances here.

 

[notredomer23]

Who would want to go to pitt, a team that wins 1 to 2 big east games a year, over notre dame? i think he is ours if this source is correct

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I think that even their name sucks...Pitt. Only thing that might be of consideration is vicinity or playing time.

 

[Irish93]

Also, remember that the story is from Pittsburgh, so saying that Pitt is the leader right now does not mean much.

I've found that these guys are pretty straight shooters. Sure, they have been wrong before. But, my impression is that they try to get the accurate scoop.

 

[IrishCalves]

The wild card in this is the hoops programs. I know its a clichéd notion, but he is pretty sincere about looking at a program with decent hoops - much in the same as Terrelle Pryor. Its hard to tell which sport he favors most, or will in college, but if he's serious about hoops, Pitt has ND beat in that category. I like our chances, but I'll take the source for it's word that Pitt is in the lead.

All I'm saying is, a) we don't know WHY he has it down to those two specifically, and b) its WAY too early to say he's ours or isn't ours. There may not even be a spot for him by the time he decides. Way too early with this kid.

 

[notredomer23]

Well, hes a 3 star in basketball so i would think we have a pretty good shot with him since usually the best we get our 3 stars

 

[Irish52]

His size and speed would be a significant addition to our wide receiver corp. Let's hopes he decides to trust his future with us.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Yeah I think that the Pitt basketball and location will certainley help them. From what i've taken from recent past articles is that he won't be deciding anytime soon so who knows what can change from now to then. Don't under estimate Weinsteds ability to recruit, he may not be a good coach but has had some pretty good recruiting classes since he's been there. If Zook can do it then Weinsted can too, it wouldn't be smart to underestimate Pitt's chances here if it is true.

 

[irishfan81]

I don't think he's even close to committing anywhere yet. I think it might take awhile before he does. Some of these sources are crap. I see Baldwin being turned into a TE once he goes somewhere and the strength coach gets ahold of him he'll be 6-6 240-60 range because he's a stringbean. Got Kevin Durant's body. Not a football body yet. But if he can still run that 4.4 when he adds some weight then I see him as a reciever but for now I think he's a tight end. We don't need anymore Tight Ends!!!! We have Rudolph and Fauria, Ragone, Reuland that should be enough for the next 4 years.

 

[Irishknight1023]

Well every team i've heard of his recruiting him as a WR including ND and USC. Just because we have a strength and conditioning program doesn't mean that we automatically put 30 pounds on every recruit come in. Most say around the same weight and work their body to the position they play.