This is just another example of Notre Dame fans assuming we were a lock with a kid for whatever reason
Sentreal goes to an Irish pipeline school so he is a lock
Hurst is from Indiana, hes a lock
Tailor Jones, Jordan Hicks, Kyle Prater, Anthoony Barr, and Nick Montana all have family at Notre Dame so they are locks
This hype was built by the fans not the recruits. If we win we will still have a top 10 or 5 class but the recruiting expectations were all assumed
Expectations are always assumed that's why they're called expectations rather than results. Expectations are the leading casue of divorce. (No joke)
Contrary to your post I don't think many ND fans thought any of these recruits were a lock. Rather that ND enjoyed some advantage in the recruiting process through legacies or teammates.
Wasn't it the recruiting services driving for hits that beat the drum of legacies, teammates, "pipelines" will neglecting to mention the recruits own relationship with ND (rooting for ND, attending games, and such) or mentioning if the "pipeline" coach was still this kid's coach.
Hurst lives in Indiana but it's not were he was from, was it? His father had ties to an SEC program not ND's, and Hurst himself stated an interest in playing in the SEC. So he committed to UNC. So much for the SEC lock!
Henderson had commented in interviews about ND and Floyd and had mentioned camping this summer at ND (among several other places). ND had the same record then as they have today as all those interview were after the bowl games. So our record didn't change his mind. I for one was hopeful for Henderson (and Hurst but thought him much less likely) but never saw any statement of his that indicated ND was better than short list material. Now for reasons not explained ND doesn't make the Long Short List.
Tai-lor Jones flat out stated he was looking around regardless of where his parents went to school. ND was one of many. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't ND now 1A as he's is a soft verbal to SU and he is supposed to be taking an offical to ND? Considering ND's depth at WR, I was dubious that we'd get any top ranked WRs this year. I still am despite the interest.
Jordan Hicks has always mentioned OSU or UTX strongly, hasn't he? I don't ever recall reading ND was among the leaders but in the next tier of his interests.
Prater's tie to ND is a cousin. Prater is looking to be a 4 year starter. He's well aware of Floyd, Tate, et al on ND's depth chart. I'd bet his NFL career plan doesn't include wearing his cousin's jersey. Nice if it happens but not part of his plan.
Anthony Barr's got lots of blood ties but he's also expressed an interest in staying at RB. Does he agree his future is better served playing college ball at another position? Other college coaches are telling him he can play for them at RB. Does he go where he likes what he hears? I think ND is in a strong position with him but wouldn't call it a lock. Not at this point.
Nick Montana has a father's shadow he may not wish to walk in. Many people have commented on that - although he hasn't. I think that's a foolish concern if he has it. He could never play for the Niner's if that was the case. He also has a brother who's thunder he may not want to steal but then weren't they on the same HS team? Did he choose a different HS school so as not to impinge upon his brother?
Many of these kids may not care for the rigors of ND academics nor the rigors of ND's Res Life regardless that their father made it though. They may feel that the difference between them and Yeatman could only a point 0.02 blood alcohol level away. They could go to UF, FSU, USC and screw up and be one of the boys. Some of them may connect better with a position coach or a recruiter at a different college than with the ND counterpart, or like Toma follow a friend to a different place after making their own plans.
As in life, legacies and teammates get you an intro but they don't guarantee a job, a contract, or a LOI. And nowhere is that more true that ND.
A kid growing up in Texas who's dad played for the Horns is more likely to follow those footsteps as dad stayed INSTATE, played INSTATE, made his home INSTATE, and the kid grew up INSTATE. Friends, teachers, counselors, classmates will predominately come from and stay INSTATE. A kid that graduates from Texas is more likely to make his home in Texas. An kid from Texas who goes to ND is more than likely to find a job somewhere other than Texas.
I think quite a few ND fans were hopeful that the familarity some of these kids had with ND would help carry the day. I don't think many people though these kids were locks ND if they actually read what these kids said in interviews rather than what an ND interviewer wrote about the kid.
I'm disappointed but not astounded. Arrelious Benn astounded me. Somebody else hustled, planted a seed, and nutured it while ND took him for granted. The only locks have signed contracts on LOI day. And even there for than once somebody broke the lock.
Sure hope Henderson has a change of heart.
If not on to the next offer.
