'15 FL S Ben Edwards (Stanford Verbal)

[Irish#1]

Hate to lose the kid, but how can anyone say the coaches didn't do everything to land the kid? It's just speculation. We're not part of the conversations.

 

[Rocket89]

Some perspective on the notion of getting outworked...

Stanford has offered 5 safeties this cycle. In total, they send out offers to about a third of what the Irish put out there. So in reality, we're chasing at minimum twice as many recruits as Stanford.

Now, it may be that we were out worked (the definition of which can fit many different scenarios) but I doubt we'd be happy with either of these two scenarios:

1. Only a dozen commits heading into January.

2. Pressing hard for Edwards at the expense of other safeties only to see Edwards pick Stanford anyway.

Should we focus our energy a little better? Perhaps but when you're in need of another safety I don't think taking Stanford's route of only sitting on a couple guys is a smart strategy. I'd rather be burned like this with Edwards and still have some irons in the fire.

Stanford turned up the heat when Florida came calling and he bought it, telling us the Cardinal just wanted him more. Not much else to see. Stanford has their own style (and it's risky) but it paid off here.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Some more perspective…

We are currently losing recruiting battles to Stanford, USC, UCLA. . . . not Purdue, Duke, BYU.

Right now, those are our peers. You win some you lose some to your peers.

I am not sure if we are the hardest workers, but I am also not sure how you sell the ND brand, compared to other schools.

IMHO, 7-5 is the big issue. Some of that is on the coaches some is on the team.

Once again, I am not saying its all roses, but the "Everything is Awesome! or Everything Sucks!" mentality is exhausting.

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Loy it seems likely but he hasn't gained admission to Stanford yet.

 

[drake29]

Some more perspective…

We are currently losing recruiting battles to Stanford, USC, UCLA. . . . not Purdue, Duke, BYU.
Right now, those are our peers. You win some you lose some to your peers.

I am not sure if we are the hardest workers, but I am also not sure how you sell the ND brand, compared to other schools.

IMHO, 7-5 is the big issue. Some of that is on the coaches some is on the team.

Once again, I am not saying its all roses, but the "Everything is Awesome! or Everything Sucks!" mentality is exhausting.

Except we haven't beaten out USC, UCLA or Stanford for any recruits this cycle....

 

[Buster Bluth]

Except we haven't beaten out USC, UCLA or Stanford for any recruits this cycle....

And the recruiting cycle isn't over...

 

[drake29]

What do you mean "right now"? If you are talking recruiting...

- Our incoming QB looks like an absolute stud - but was our plan B to arguably the top QB in the country.

- Our incoming Center is the best in the country

- Looks like we'll land Tillery - You mean the kid that has been committed for almost a year? God I hope so, but I won't believe it until he faxes in his LOI

- I like our 3 LBs a lot

- Our WR haul looks solid - FIFY

- We landed a 4-star safety a couple of days ago (everyone always discounts ESPN and Scout until we land a kid that is a 4star "only" on Rivals and 247) - Perhaps the fact that we have 2 safeties on the roster, might lose our best safety recruit, and our other safety recruit is a 5-8, 170 kid who can't do anything but lead with his helmet on exposed and vulnerable WRs...but man he hits hard. At least dad has $$$. And this 4 star, in state safety has a mediocre offer list at best and wasn't even offered by this staff until the well ran dry on other recruits...

- Looks like we are leading for the TE we all want - Who is committed to another program with a notoriously shady HC. What do you think Mora will do when he realizes Chris Clark won't be a back up option now that Michigan has Harbaugh locked up. Time for some trickeration from Jimmy boy.

- We may still have a shot with Soso, and "plan B" is pretty darn good. - Maybe a shot with Soso....who is plan B? Jones aka USC "silent"? Agree, he is very good. Sucks we'll have to go against him for 3 or 4 years.



.

Thanks to this past season, recruiting for the remainder of this season and into next season looks shot to shit.

 

[drake29]

And the recruiting cycle isn't over...

Who are we competing for vs Stanford, USC, and UCLA...Ron and Al Jones? We'll see. We just lost to Stanford for Ben Edwards, RJ is all but locked up for SC and AJ still hasn't swapped schools...I'll be pleasantly surprised and very happy if I'm wrong....I'm just quickly losing faith in this coaching staff.

 

[irishff1014]

And the recruiting cycle isn't over...

And on 24/7 our class right now as it sits is better then both of theirs.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Who are we competing for vs Stanford, USC, and UCLA...Ron and Al Jones? We'll see. We just lost to Stanford for Ben Edwards, RJ is all but locked up for SC and AJ still hasn't swapped schools...I'll be pleasantly surprised and very happy if I'm wrong....

The sky isn't falling so stop acting like it.

This recruiting class currently sits at #11 in the country, well within the margin of error to challenge for playoffs and New Years Day bowls in the future. Not bad for a team that'll likely finish 7-6.

I'm just quickly losing faith in this coaching staff.

The simple fact that they've held this class together in spite of tanking during November should be enough to warrant praise.

Fans bitched about losing so many recruits and players out of 2011/2012 and the staff adapted and found good football players who don't waver. And yet, more bitching...

They don't need your faith, they're not out there trying to prove themselves to you. Fans' incessant negativity goes completely ignored, and even laughed at by coaches everywhere. There are about 110 programs around the country that would trade classes with Brian Kelly and 100% of programs want somebody from this class. There aren't many programs out there who will be able to match 2013/2014/2015 on the field, so as they become upperclassmen and win please just sit there quietly.

 

[Crazy Balki]

The sky isn't falling so stop acting like it.

This recruiting class currently sits at #11 in the country, well within the margin of error to challenge for playoffs and New Years Day bowls in the future. Not bad for a team that'll likely finish 7-6.



The simple fact that they've held this class together in spite of tanking during November should be enough to warrant praise.

Fans bitched about losing so many recruits and players out of 2011/2012 and the staff adapted and found good football players who don't waver. And yet, more bitching...

They don't need your faith, they're not out there trying to prove themselves to you. Fans' incessant negativity goes completely ignored, and even laughed at by coaches everywhere. There are about 110 programs around the country that would trade classes with Brian Kelly and 100% of programs want somebody from this class. There aren't many programs out there who will be able to match 2013/2014/2015 on the field, so as they become upperclassmen and win please just sit there quietly.

Agreed. What happened with the falling out of the '11 and '12 classes can't be helped. A lot left on their own merits or because they were acting a fool. Unfortunately, a select few teams can afford that much attrition. We're not one of those. It doesn't just hurt from a personnel and talent aspect, but mostly leadership. I was more confident with a guy like Joe Schmidt leading this motley crew of hooligans on the field than I do a true sophomore.

2013, 2014 and 2015 so far look excellent. 2014 and '15 especially, because they're big on depth, big on athleticism and they're legitimately committed. Kelly basically had to go back to square one with this group. No vets to lead the way and show them the ropes, so Kelly had to return to basics. Not to mention 1st year of a new defensive scheme and a new play caller/OC.

 

[NDWorld247]

I question if we really got "out-worked" here. The recruiting game and managing the numbers is really complex and I don't think it's as simple as "Edwards thinks Stanford needed him more so we got out-worked". I'm not saying we didn't want him or he wasn't a take, but ask yourself how hard would you push for Edwards given the following:

1. Assume ESB is a silent commit and/or commits later this week, we flip Aliz'e Jones as many expect, and we land one more RB (Soso, Jones, or more likely, Cronkrite), which IMO is a MUST and the only absolute NEED remaining in this class. I believe these three assumptions are reasonable.

2. Assume that we don't lose any of our six DB recruits, namely McKinney, before NSD.

3. Accepting Edwards commitment means you're not inviting back one of the following 5Y options: Golson, Martin, Schmidt, Carlisle, Ishaq. These are my top five 5Y targets but substitute your own if you'd like.

Four years of Edwards is better than one year of Carlisle, right? Okay, but it's not that simple. Not only is Edwards taking Carlisle's spot, but he's also taking the spot of a 2016 recruit as every 5Y we bring back in 2015 opens up a spot in the 2016 class. This is a critical point as the 2016 class is going to be MUCH smaller than we are use to.

This is more appropriate for a 2016 thread post NSD, but as of right now:

- Only five seniors run out of eligibility after the 2015 season (C. Brown, KVR, Day, Romeo, Shumate). Day declaring for the draft this year doesn't change the numbers if they replace him with a 5Y rather than a 2015 recruit.
- Another six will be eligible for a 5Y in 2016 (Stanley, S. Daly, J. Jones, Prosise, M. Harrell, J. Turner). Let's say only one is asked back in 2016 as the others go pro or are not impact players. That's five more spots opened up. Total is 10 now.
- We only have four 5Y asked back in 2015 because you wanted Edwards.

That's 14 scholarships open for 2016. Of course attrition will happen and we'll end up with more available, but it's going to be a SMALL class unless a lot of transfers, medicals and NFL defections from the IrishMob (e.g. Jaylon) happen in the next year.

So, accepting Edwards commitment right now means we lose a key piece to our 2015 championship run (i.e. the 5Y we turn away to make room for Edwards now) AND we lose a highly coveted spot in the 2016 class, all for our 7th DB commit in this class. I'd much rather keep that 5Y player around and shoot for a better prospect in 2016. I think this is what the staff is considering as they close out the 2015 class.

Or...the staff is lazy and got out-worked...blah blah blah... I don't know. Just throwing a different perspective out there.

 

[L-cart ND-ana]

What is one thing that is going positively right now?

After Tuesday the season is over and after Feb 2 signing day will be over...... for some it would be good to get 2014 done so we can, As Tressman would say "finish our notes and prepare for next season."

I am ok with how things are shaping up because I realize why this team tanked. Get healthy, get some time away and all will be well come April for the Spring game.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I question if we really got "out-worked" here. The recruiting game and managing the numbers is really complex and I don't think it's as simple as "Edwards thinks Stanford needed him more so we got out-worked". I'm not saying we didn't want him or he wasn't a take, but ask yourself how hard would you push for Edwards given the following:

1. Assume ESB is a silent commit and/or commits later this week, we flip Aliz'e Jones as many expect, and we land one more RB (Soso, Jones, or more likely, Cronkrite), which IMO is a MUST and the only absolute NEED remaining in this class. I believe these three assumptions are reasonable.

2. Assume that we don't lose any of our six DB recruits, namely McKinney, before NSD.

3. Accepting Edwards commitment means you're not inviting back one of the following 5Y options: Golson, Martin, Schmidt, Carlisle, Ishaq. These are my top five 5Y targets but substitute your own if you'd like.

Four years of Edwards is better than one year of Carlisle, right? Okay, but it's not that simple. Not only is Edwards taking Carlisle's spot, but he's also taking the spot of a 2016 recruit as every 5Y we bring back in 2015 opens up a spot in the 2016 class. This is a critical point as the 2016 class is going to be MUCH smaller than we are use to.

This is more appropriate for a 2016 thread post NSD, but as of right now:

- Only five seniors run out of eligibility after the 2015 season (C. Brown, KVR, Day, Romeo, Shumate). Day declaring for the draft this year doesn't change the numbers if they replace him with a 5Y rather than a 2015 recruit.
- Another six will be eligible for a 5Y in 2016 (Stanley, S. Daly, J. Jones, Prosise, M. Harrell, J. Turner). Let's say only one is asked back in 2016 as the others go pro or are not impact players. That's five more spots opened up. Total is 10 now.
- We only have four 5Y asked back in 2015 because you wanted Edwards.

That's 14 scholarships open for 2016. Of course attrition will happen and we'll end up with more available, but it's going to be a SMALL class unless a lot of transfers, medicals and NFL defections from the IrishMob (e.g. Jaylon) happen in the next year.

So, accepting Edwards commitment right now means we lose a key piece to our 2015 championship run (i.e. the 5Y we turn away to make room for Edwards now) AND we lose a highly coveted spot in the 2016 class, all for our 7th DB commit in this class. I'd much rather keep that 5Y player around and shoot for a better prospect in 2016. I think this is what the staff is considering as they close out the 2015 class.

Or...the staff is lazy and got out-worked...blah blah blah... I don't know. Just throwing a different perspective out there.

How do those numbers work, since the idea was that Kelly and Co were going after 1 more Safety, after Williams committed.

 

[Rocket89]

Per Loy it seems likely but he hasn't gained admission to Stanford yet.

Well that adds another wrinkle. Edwards might end up being one of the rare 4-commit recruits.

 

[drake29]

The sky isn't falling so stop acting like it.

This recruiting class currently sits at #11 in the country, well within the margin of error to challenge for playoffs and New Years Day bowls in the future. Not bad for a team that'll likely finish 7-6.



The simple fact that they've held this class together in spite of tanking during November should be enough to warrant praise.

Fans bitched about losing so many recruits and players out of 2011/2012 and the staff adapted and found good football players who don't waver. And yet, more bitching...

They don't need your faith, they're not out there trying to prove themselves to you. Fans' incessant negativity goes completely ignored, and even laughed at by coaches everywhere. There are about 110 programs around the country that would trade classes with Brian Kelly and 100% of programs want somebody from this class. There aren't many programs out there who will be able to match 2013/2014/2015 on the field, so as they become upperclassmen and win please just sit there quietly.

1 - I realize the sky isn't falling, but this staff/team hasn't had anything positive go it's way in quite a while. I understand football is cyclical. There are peaks and valleys, right now ND is still rolling downhill in a fairly deep valley. In regards to your statement that ND is well within the "margin for error" for BCS playoffs - the point is to build the recruiting class to the point where the margin for error is minimal. Right now there are still plenty of holes to fill on this roster.

2 - "The simple fact that they've held this class together in spite of tanking during November should be enough to warrant praise." - This recruiting cycle isn't over. Tillery is a risk to flip, Prentice McKinney might be an academic casualty, Tevon Coney might flip to Florida, Blake Barnett flipped to Bama. If they keep the remaining players, I will certainly heap praise upon this coaching staff, until then, I don't sweat it. I just wait for bombs to drop so I'm not surprised anymore.

3 - I would hope that this staff is out trying to please as many fans possible. Fans want to see their team win recruiting titles, football games, and championships. Basically they want their school to be Bama without sacrificing "who they are" - no small task at Notre Dame. That said - fans are EXACTLY who coaching staffs need to make happy. Fans include big money donors and people that have pull around the program. If they are unhappy, you don't have job security. But maybe I'm wrong, maybe Brady Hoke sat around and laughed his fat ass off sitting over a bucket of fried chicken last year when fans were calling for his job...I don't know, I wasn't there.

4 - Finally, don't tell me to sit here silently if ND wins football games just because I'm not a sunshine pumper like you. Fans have differing opinions over the actions of their favorite teams all the time. You think they deserve praise because even though they lost 5 of their last 6 - and likely 6 of their last 7 - they have held onto their recruiting class up to this point. Any casual fan would tell you things aren't going well right now.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I question if we really got "out-worked" here. The recruiting game and managing the numbers is really complex and I don't think it's as simple as "Edwards thinks Stanford needed him more so we got out-worked". I'm not saying we didn't want him or he wasn't a take, but ask yourself how hard would you push for Edwards given the following:

1. Assume ESB is a silent commit and/or commits later this week, we flip Aliz'e Jones as many expect, and we land one more RB (Soso, Jones, or more likely, Cronkrite), which IMO is a MUST and the only absolute NEED remaining in this class. I believe these three assumptions are reasonable.

2. Assume that we don't lose any of our six DB recruits, namely McKinney, before NSD.

3. Accepting Edwards commitment means you're not inviting back one of the following 5Y options: Golson, Martin, Schmidt, Carlisle, Ishaq. These are my top five 5Y targets but substitute your own if you'd like.

Four years of Edwards is better than one year of Carlisle, right? Okay, but it's not that simple. Not only is Edwards taking Carlisle's spot, but he's also taking the spot of a 2016 recruit as every 5Y we bring back in 2015 opens up a spot in the 2016 class. This is a critical point as the 2016 class is going to be MUCH smaller than we are use to.

This is more appropriate for a 2016 thread post NSD, but as of right now:

- Only five seniors run out of eligibility after the 2015 season (C. Brown, KVR, Day, Romeo, Shumate). Day declaring for the draft this year doesn't change the numbers if they replace him with a 5Y rather than a 2015 recruit.
- Another six will be eligible for a 5Y in 2016 (Stanley, S. Daly, J. Jones, Prosise, M. Harrell, J. Turner). Let's say only one is asked back in 2016 as the others go pro or are not impact players. That's five more spots opened up. Total is 10 now.
- We only have four 5Y asked back in 2015 because you wanted Edwards.

That's 14 scholarships open for 2016. Of course attrition will happen and we'll end up with more available, but it's going to be a SMALL class unless a lot of transfers, medicals and NFL defections from the IrishMob (e.g. Jaylon) happen in the next year.

So, accepting Edwards commitment right now means we lose a key piece to our 2015 championship run (i.e. the 5Y we turn away to make room for Edwards now) AND we lose a highly coveted spot in the 2016 class, all for our 7th DB commit in this class. I'd much rather keep that 5Y player around and shoot for a better prospect in 2016. I think this is what the staff is considering as they close out the 2015 class.

Or...the staff is lazy and got out-worked...blah blah blah... I don't know. Just throwing a different perspective out there.

Honestly I think this is probably the case. But what do I know.

 

[koonja]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I officially got accepted into Stanford University today!</p>— Ben Edwards (@Ben_Edwards_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ben_Edwards_/status/555124548148797440">January 13, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

Happy for him. Sucks for us.

 

[Luckylucci]

From last night, Ben texted Loy that he's done with recruiting and is headed to Stanford. I really hope come Thursday the staff has a better plan in place than what we see right now.

 

[Rizzophil]

Anyone know if he's starting for the Tree?

 

[Rocket89]

Anyone know if he's starting for the Tree?

Don't think so, at best the 3rd option but likely the 4th.

Zach Hoffpauir is coming back after a year of pro baseball and is likely teaming up with returning starter Dallas Lloyd.

 

[BobbyMac]

Don't think so, at best the 3rd option but likely the 4th.

Zach Hoffpauir is coming back after a year of pro baseball and is likely teaming up with returning starter Dallas Lloyd.

Edwards will back up Lloyd at SS. I get the feeling Justin Reid starts at FS.

Side note: Greatest HS game I ever saw, Hoffpauir and Peoria Centennial vs Scottsdale Chaparral w/ Devonte Neal in the state semis in '11 or '12.