'13 GA ILB Nigel Bowden (Vandy Verbal)

[greyhammer90]

good for him. I love it when kids make a good choice academically. Better we lose him to Vandy than to Alabama.

 

[BGIF]

Hehe.

Question: When kids commit early, such as this guy, to a good school like Vandy. Are those the first guys we typically would try and poach later in the recruiting cycle since they are likely to not have admission issues? I would really like to steal this kid away although doubtful it will ever come close.

Thinking back over those that have switched to ND, Vandy doesn't jump out as a "pipeline". That could be more from the talent level. I do recall a WR a couple of years ago that ND was courting and he committed to VU. Some people here were sure he would switch to ND but he didn't.

VU recruits in general are likely to be acceptable to ND Admissions than most other schools which in late January can be an asset when you're looking for one guy to fill a hole. Today the NCAA requires 16 core courses to be eligible for a scholarship but about a dozen years ago the NCAA only required 12. At that time ND, Vandy and only few others required 16.

Interestingly in the AJC article on Bowden's commitment to VU he stressed their academics (he's got a 3.5 GPA) and that VU stresses their educational benefit to prospects. He noted that coach Franklin, who he likes quite a lot, notes that NFL means "Not For Long". It's a smart approach to counter the SEC football factories with 50% grad rates.

ND can offer both aspects but hasn't offered. Bowden only has offers from VU, UTN, MISS, and MSST as of now. GT was supposed to be close to an offer but Bowden didn't wait. He claims he likes VU's academics, the coach, and Nashville. Of VU's 4 verbals so far, 3 are from GA.


Nigel Bowden, 4-star LB, commits to Vanderbilt (UPDATED) | AJC College Sports Recruiting

March 24, 2012, by Michael Carvell, AJC

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“I was planning on going back to Georgia Tech for another Junior Day, and then going back to Vanderbilt. But today, everything came together.

“I love the coaches. Coach [James Franklin] is so passionate about everything with football. He doesn’t really talk a lot about putting players in the NFL, like other schools do. The other ones send you mail about all the guys they’ve put into the NFL.

“Vanderbilt sends you mail talking about academics and education. Coach Franklin doesn’t want to bring up the NFL because [a low percentage] of college players make it. He said the NFL doesn’t stand for the National Football League … but for ‘Not For Long.’

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