'14 TX DE Grant Blankenship (Oklahoma Transfer)

[phgreek]

I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything, but the bolder is simply incorrect. There are kids nearly every cycle that end up being either low character, poor attitude or simply a douche. It's just a fact of life with every type of organization on the planet. It's no different with Notre Dame.

This isn't just my opinion, btw.

...Bubble burst...I'm laughing. I'll take your word for it. Yea there will be a Lynch, or two, a rarity if you will, but I just always thought ND was different.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

kid made it to Notre Dame...Hard to believe attitude can be a problem. Stranger things have indeed happened...I just hope if that is the case, someone with some sway in his life helps him get right.

Being 6'5", 270 and some athleticism covers a multitude of sins.

I have a vague memory of another defensive end recruit (5-Star rating to boot.) who spread his grandfather's ashes on the Notre Dame campus before his negative attitude took him back to his home state of Florida. He's playing in the NFL now, but Notre Dame was better off without him. Sometimes good athletes develop a sense of superiority after being placed on a pedestal with all the attention received during the recruitment process. Most of these players can be confident in their own ability and still blend into the team chemistry. Others just never get the team concept. We are looking for confident players, those who use practice time to make their case to be on the field on Saturdays. Time will tell if Grant uses this as motivation to work hard and return to the team or takes the easy way out and transfers somewhere else with lower standards.

Douchiness from polar opposites.

Probably have a couple kids every cycle who believe they should be playing, and are pissed...and that manifests itself in some acting out...I get that. Thats to be expected based on their mental makeup. Probably have kids who aren't the most outgoing or friendly...thats to be expected too. I don't know this kid's issue, or if he has one at all...but the issues being described seem not to be competition issues, or hyper-focus...but real flaws. I'd think truly and overtly flawed kids would be a rarity. I still believe a kid deciding to go to ND knows what it is, and wants to be better....understands what it means to choose ND...understands this isn't tOSU...and they generally embrace that. So yea, I can fathom a douchy kid...played with my share...but we weren't at ND either.

But what makes Grant special is that he never did anything to warrant it.

After his 'missed fumble' last year, especially when it showed him talking back to the coach that was trying to instruct him, and that he was apparently laying on a line of bullshit, as well, I lost all confidence that Grant would be a contributor.

Big Mike McG.....who by the way, is the last guy I'd want to fight.

From what I heard, it wasn't much of a fight. Like after Grant started it (because Mike was being unfair to him by driving his ass into the ground on every play,) there were two sounds, Mike hitting Grant, and Grant hitting the floor. (A bit of colorful hyperbole, but not so far from the truth. It was over almost before it started.)

From what I also heard, Mike didn't like to mention it, while Grant was quick to question who "won" it.

On Mike McGlinchey :

I'm surprised Big Mike didn't pumble the lil prick.

I will say this though, takes a lot of balls to front on Mike. The dude looks like an angry version of John Cena.

Only much bigger.

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

 

[Henges24]

I'm stratching my head wondering how half of this information is allowed on this board. I brought up a fight that happened in the locker room with LNIII and the post was deleted and I was spoken to about it.

Is it because LNIII is a "more respected" player than Blankenship? Or is it more about the respect of who initially posted the information. Someone clear the air for me.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm not trying to burst your bubble or anything, but the bolder is simply incorrect. There are kids nearly every cycle that end up being either low character, poor attitude or simply a douche. It's just a fact of life with every type of organization on the planet. It's no different with Notre Dame.

This isn't just my opinion, btw.

Well it's not eveyone's opinion. Because of the Fiesta Bowl, I've been around a team every year going back to Urban's Utah squad and WITHOUT QUESTION, ND players carry themselves differently than any of the other teams. Not so shockingly, the only team that I've seen that is like ND is... Stanford. Are there bad apples that get through? Absolutely. do the same amount of bad apples get through? No. Does an expected culture keep most bad apples in line? It sure helps. The reason you get into ND, Stanford, Navy, Army, Duke... is because you have consistently made the right choices and held yourself to a higher standard in various facets of your life.

I'm surprised Big Mike didn't pumble the lil prick.

I will say this though, takes a lot of balls to front on Mike. The dude looks like an angry version of John Cena.

Only 7 inches and 60lbs bigger. The Undertaker is more like it. If McG wasn't a guaranteed NFL guy, he'd be a shoe in for pro wrestling. Throw Nelson in there with him. They are atypical Homo Sapiens Sapiens.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I'm stratching my head wondering how half of this information is allowed on this board. I brought of a fight that happened in the locker room with LNIII and the post was deleted and I was spoken to about it.

Is it because LNIII is a "more respected" player than Blankenship? Or is it more about the respect of who initially posted the information. Someone clear the air for me.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I thought the deal with LNIII was more horseplay than fight. Also, yes LNIII was a starter, and well respected, but his playing days weren't over.

Much different with Blankenship. He has never shown himself to have the same kind of character. He has never made an impact. His was a unilateral example of aggression, which served no purpose, but to get his ass put in place. Which is why it was even mentioned. Someone asked for corroborative evidence that Blank had some behavioral issues. It was a good example.

Finally, not only is Blank not an impact player, but unlike Nix, Blank's playing days for the Irish are probably over. Kelly sounded like that was a done deal in the way he phrased it, with the tone of his voice, and with his body language. As soon as our Fantastic Florida Freshman Failure had one foot out of the door, all things became fair game with him, including his treatment of women, and attitude in the classroom.

I'm just sayin'.

 

[IrishLion]

I'm stratching my head wondering how half of this information is allowed on this board. I brought of a fight that happened in the locker room with LNIII and the post was deleted and I was spoken to about it.

Is it because LNIII is a "more respected" player than Blankenship? Or is it more about the respect of who initially posted the information. Someone clear the air for me.

I wasn't a mod at the time, but LNIII's horseplay/fight was also never verified. Some said it was a fight, others said horseplay.

Plus, this particular instance is done and over with. It's not an ongoing story, so there is no risk to this particular speculation.

 

[greyhammer90]

Come on guys keep it classy. It's really disheartening to see a kid about whom rumors are circulating immediately get called a prick, douche, arrogant, and entitled by fans who have never even met the guy.

 

[NDVirginia19]

I'm not going to comment on his character, but I've met him and this does not surprise me at all

 

[ACamp1900]

Come on guys keep it classy. It's really disheartening to see a kid about whom rumors are circulating immediately get called a prick, douche, arrogant, and entitled by fans who have never even met the guy.

and a bunch of 'bye' comments... I'm with grey, we know nothing but rumor and he's still a part of the team (not that a player no longer being on the team would justify anything but you get the point).

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm not going to comment on his character, but I've met him and this does not surprise me at all

I'm not going to try to sell you a car but is $199/mo sound like something you could afford?

 

[woolybug25]

and a bunch of 'bye' comments... I'm with grey, we know nothing but rumor and he's still a part of the team (not that a player no longer being on the team would justify anything but you get the point).

What I know is not a rumor, for the record.

I'll abstain from further comments though. Despite the fact that negative comments for players/recruits like Lynch, etc are commonplace on this board with no recourse. I get why it's sensitive though and will respect the board.

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm prepared to close the book on those who won't make it from the 2014 DL class (except for future graduate transfers). I got the numbers right, if not the right players. Surprisingly, Jay Hayes survived the storm and even my Matuska concern worked itself out.


From Johnathan Bonner's thread in August 2014:

Don't take this the wrong way but there will be some defections in this group. Prediction #1... Williams becomes the next Justin Tuck or he's at Western Mich. after 2 years. If Blankenship and Trumbetti stay at DE... Hill or Bonner will leave. If Blankenship slides inside one of the DT's transfers from '13-'14-'15.

Is this something else that you picked up at Buffalo Wild Wings, because I can't wait to hear more.

Pass it around, I want some.

LOL!

Time for a sig bet?

4 DE's in the same class... I will stand by my assertion that one leaves.

As far as a DT leaving if Blankenship slides over... I may pull back on that one now that Cage and/or Mokuwuah will get more minutes this year with Springmann's early retirement.

Still don't know about Matuska if he gets behind the class of '15 players...

 

[Domina Nostra]

Obviously we don't know these guys, so I'm talking about appearances. But I remember seeing Grant Blankenship in his high school photos and thinking, this kid is not going to fit in at ND.

No knock on him, just knew it was going to be a culture clash.

I also thought he was going to be much better than he was. I wonder how much fitting in and being comfortable/happy have to do with production?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

and a bunch of 'bye' comments... I'm with grey, we know nothing but rumor and he's still a part of the team (not that a player no longer being on the team would justify anything but you get the point).

What I know is not a rumor, for the record.

I'll abstain from further comments though. Despite the fact that negative comments for players/recruits like Lynch, etc are commonplace on this board with no recourse. I get why it's sensitive though and will respect the board.

There is rumor, and there is rumor. The broad range is something made up with no veracity, versus something that is all but confirmed with sources noted.

All I have posted in this thread is based upon what I have heard from ND students that know Grant, from members of the Rockne Heritage Foundation, that wouldn't really say a bad thing about anyone, let alone someone involved in the football program, and someone I know, that has spoken to someone 'employed' by ND, someone that is close to the situation.

They are good enough sources for me, but I understand if you don't lend them credence. I am not going to reveal their names for obvious reasons, not because they or I am hyperbolizing in even the slightest degree.

 

[greyhammer90]

There is rumor, and there is rumor. The broad range is something made up with no veracity, versus something that is all but confirmed with sources noted.

All I have posted in this thread is based upon what I have heard from ND students that know Grant, from members of the Rockne Heritage Foundation, that wouldn't really say a bad thing about anyone, let alone someone involved in the football program, and someone I know, that has spoken to someone 'employed' by ND, someone that is close to the situation.

They are good enough sources for me, but I understand if you don't lend them credence. I am not going to reveal their names for obvious reasons, not because they or I am hyperbolizing in even the slightest degree.

I don't think you understand my point. Even if a player of ours is a douchebag to the power of 10, what possible good does it do to talk trash about him on the team message board?

Number one, he's a kid. Lots of kids are douchebags, lots of kids grow out of it. Some don't. Number two, even if the Pope is the one telling you he's a jerk, it does no good for the look of the fanbase or the culture of the board to call a current player a douchebag unless his actions are either illegal (and thus actually newsworthy) or so public and damning that it cannot be ignored. (See: Baylor player tweeting about not getting to hook up with chicks because of rape allegations here.)

The point of this isn't that we shouldn't be calling him a douche because it's untrue, the point is that we shouldn't be calling him a douche because we should be better than that. That's some mgoblog type bullsh*t.

Although, on the subject of whether or not him actually being a jerk is true, I will say it's fascinating how it just so happens to coincide that every player that ends up transferring or leaving the program was "selfish" or "wasn't well liked" or is a "douche". And its amazing how the internet news fairies always happen to bring this up when any rumor of a transfer is started (or even worse, when the player is *gasp* playing below expectations).

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I don't think you understand my point. Even if a player of ours is a douchebag to the power of 10, what possible good does it do to talk trash about him on the team message board?

Number one, he's a kid. Lots of kids are douchebags, lots of kids grow out of it. Some don't. Number two, even if the Pope is the one telling you he's a jerk, it does no good for the look of the fanbase or the culture of the board to call a current player a douchebag unless his actions are either illegal (and thus actually newsworthy) or so public and damning that it cannot be ignored. (See: Baylor player tweeting about not getting to hook up with chicks because of rape allegations here.)

The point of this isn't that we shouldn't be calling him a douche because it's untrue, the point is that we shouldn't be calling him a douche because we should be better than that. That's some mgoblog type bullsh*t.

Although, on the subject of whether or not him actually being a jerk is true, I will say it's fascinating how it just so happens to coincide that every player that ends up transferring or leaving the program was "selfish" or "wasn't well liked" or is a "douche". And its amazing how the internet news fairies always happen to bring this up when any rumor of a transfer is started (or even worse, when the player is *gasp* playing below expectations).

You calling me a fairy, Clark?

About the order of events. Player B is a douche-clown. Player B acts like a douche-clown, repeatedly. Because he gets extra special treatment for being a student athlete, everyone is more discrete.

Then, just as it is getting painful, the discrete witnesses of said douche-clowniness redouble their effort at remaining tight lipped because everyone realizes in a cold sweat panic, that the douche-clown may actually leave. This is motivation because A) The kid is a future AA; or IV) the kid is one of the few players on the roster at a position of need.

So when it all becomes unbearable because of the weight of having a story demonstrating such great drama, especially for those that don't want any drama in their lives, and it is clear the kid is going to leave, wash out, or has already left, the dam busts wide open.

Kind of like it did with the wide receiver a number of years ago who was suspended from the Sun Bowl, his last game in an Irish uniform. It was like almost a year later, well after he graduated (or didn't) that it came out what a prince of a guy he was!

Or like the kid from NJ that was separated from the program a few years back. Within a month or so of a fluff piece extoling his virtue, it came out that he stole repeatedly from teammates, his fellow students, and dorm residents, and lied about it and other random stories that helped his many nefarious endeavors.

That is the way it works not because people become so black-hearted so quickly, but because they try to give the couple of these kids that have come along the benefit of the doubt. Maybe to much benefit, for too long.

And frankly, if someone shows a consistent pattern of ill adjusted behavior (particularly as the chances of them changing at the age these kids are is almost zero,) I am not overly concerned about whether his memory is raked over the coals.

It is much different if it is a one time deal, like Will Mahone. Granted Will liked to party, but the horrible thing that happened to him was a one time thing, and he has made reparations, including taking complete responsibility for his actions. That is a totally different thing. And if anyone would have treated him negatively, I would have been the first one to jump to his defense.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

You calling me a fairy, Clark?

About the order of events. Player B is a douche-clown. Player B acts like a douche-clown, repeatedly. Because he gets extra special treatment for being a student athlete, everyone is more discrete.

Then, just as it is getting painful, the discrete witnesses of said douche-clowniness redouble their effort at remaining tight lipped because everyone realizes in a cold sweat panic, that the douche-clown may actually leave. This is motivation because A) The kid is a future AA; or IV) the kid is one of the few players on the roster at a position of need.

So when it all becomes unbearable because of the weight of having a story demonstrating such great drama, especially for those that don't want any drama in their lives, and it is clear the kid is going to leave, wash out, or has already left, the dam busts wide open.

Kind of like it did with the wide receiver a number of years ago who was suspended from the Sun Bowl, his last game in an Irish uniform. It was like almost a year later, well after he graduated (or didn't) that it came out what a prince of a guy he was!

Or like the kid from NJ that was separated from the program a few years back. Within a month or so of a fluff piece extoling his virtue, it came out that he stole repeatedly from teammates, his fellow students, and dorm residents, and lied about it and other random stories that helped his many nefarious endeavors.

That is the way it works not because people become so black-hearted so quickly, but because they try to give the couple of these kids that have come along the benefit of the doubt. Maybe to much benefit, for too long.

And frankly, if someone shows a consistent pattern of ill adjusted behavior (particularly as the chances of them changing at the age these kids are is almost zero,) I am not overly concerned about whether his memory is raked over the coals.

It is much different if it is a one time deal, like Will Mahone. Granted Will liked to party, but the horrible thing that happened to him was a one time thing, and he has made reparations, including taking complete responsibility for his actions. That is a totally different thing. And if anyone would have treated him negatively, I would have been the first one to jump to his defense.

Who on the team right now is most likely to decommit? But seriously.

The current college football player I'd love to know most about people's true opinions on right now might have to be Josh Rosen personally.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Quick poll : Does anyone believe moving Jay Hayes to WDE and shuffling the whole defensive end chart around, (with the addition of KK, and signals that moving DH to DE from a hybrid linebacker position is a done deal,) earlier in the spring, isn't preemptive of the situation that has developed with Grant?

 

[rtrn2glory]

Don't know anything about what went down but all I needed to see was him looking at that fumble last year in stead of jumping on it. His motor was lacking and I remember BK flying his shit on him.

 

[TheChosen1]

Quick poll : Does anyone believe moving Jay Hayes to WDE and shuffling the whole defensive end chart around, (with the addition of KK, and signals that moving DH to DE from a hybrid linebacker position is a done deal,) earlier in the spring, isn't preemptive of the situation that has developed with Grant?

No

 

[IrishLax]

Had a shit attitude the minute he arrived on campus. What a waste of potential.

Bogs... I wouldn't be surprised if what we're going for is a more stout DL against the run (our run defense was our biggest issue last year) that then tries to employ a different group of players for passing downs and/or use linebackers and safety blitzes for pressure. Specifically, Rochelle-Cage-Jones-Jay Hayes is going to be pretty hard to move off the ball... and then you could run Daelin Hayes-Rochelle-Jones-Trumbetti on 3rd and passing down (assuming you can sub).

I'm hopeful that a scheme tweak is getting the starting DL to really stuff the run, and that the staff will end up being more willing to use straightforward linebacker blitzes from all three positions (as well as Tranquill or whatever DBs are in for Dime/Nickel) because they won't be worried about getting gashed in the run game. I thought they really tried to protect Schmidt last year and accordingly didn't do nearly enough with the WILL position.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Had a shit attitude the minute he arrived on campus. What a waste of potential.

Bogs... I wouldn't be surprised if what we're going for is a more stout DL against the run (our run defense was our biggest issue last year) that then tries to employ a different group of players for passing downs and/or use linebackers and safety blitzes for pressure. Specifically, Rochelle-Cage-Jones-Jay Hayes is going to be pretty hard to move off the ball... and then you could run Daelin Hayes-Rochelle-Jones-Trumbetti on 3rd and passing down (assuming you can sub).

I'm hopeful that a scheme tweak is getting the starting DL to really stuff the run, and that the staff will end up being more willing to use straightforward linebacker blitzes from all three positions (as well as Tranquill or whatever DBs are in for Dime/Nickel) because they won't be worried about getting gashed in the run game. I thought they really tried to protect Schmidt last year and accordingly didn't do nearly enough with the WILL position.

Is Tillery not in this discussion?

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I'm not going to try to sell you a car but is $199/mo sound like something you could afford?

I'm not going to laugh but LOL!

 

[IrishLion]

Who got suspended from the Sun Bowl?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Had a shit attitude the minute he arrived on campus. What a waste of potential.

Bogs... I wouldn't be surprised if what we're going for is a more stout DL against the run (our run defense was our biggest issue last year) that then tries to employ a different group of players for passing downs and/or use linebackers and safety blitzes for pressure. Specifically, Rochelle-Cage-Jones-Jay Hayes is going to be pretty hard to move off the ball... and then you could run Daelin Hayes-Rochelle-Jones-Trumbetti on 3rd and passing down (assuming you can sub).

I'm hopeful that a scheme tweak is getting the starting DL to really stuff the run, and that the staff will end up being more willing to use straightforward linebacker blitzes from all three positions (as well as Tranquill or whatever DBs are in for Dime/Nickel) because they won't be worried about getting gashed in the run game. I thought they really tried to protect Schmidt last year and accordingly didn't do nearly enough with the WILL position.

Is Tillery not in this discussion?

I am going to bring these posts over to the Spring Game thread. But for the sake of continuity, I thought today's preview of Hayes - Jones - Tillery - Rochell, with Cage included was pretty complete. They were indeed stout. I am not sure I have seen better defensive line play in a spring game.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Irish A-to-Z: Grant*Blankenship <a href="https://t.co/suRmO0GwCg">https://t.co/suRmO0GwCg</a></p>— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDonNBC/status/735237648114028545">May 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I thought Blankenship was gone then saw in notes from a BK presser that he is still on roster and has to hit some marks in summer school to determine his status. Suprised to see this, I thought it was due to team rule violations not academics, any idea whats up with him?

 

[NDVirginia19]

I don't think anybody really knows but Grant and the coaching staff. Even the rest of the team doesn't really know

 

[ResLife Hero]

Just saw this and hope it's right:
Kelly gives positive updates on injuries and academics – Inside the Irish

“Our grades came in. We’re all good,” Kelly told the Tribune. “We feel good about everybody coming back, and now it’s just a matter of getting guys in the right position and going and playing.”

That likely means reserve defensive end Grant Blankenship has worked his way out of the doghouse. It also means that the Irish staff doesn’t expect any surprises from incoming freshmen or outgoing veterans, as we’ve seen in the past with preseason losses like Bo Wallace, Kolin Hill or Jhonny Williams.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Just saw this and hope it's right:
Kelly gives positive updates on injuries and academics – Inside the Irish

I don't think Kelly was including Blakenship, as he stated he wasn't with the team at this time, or I might be misremembering. I do recall him being indefinitely suspended and not on roster.