'16 CA WR Javon McKinley (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

stpeteirish

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The story almost makes it sound like the biggest hangup is whether the team wants/has room for him. I can't imagine why that'd be an issue.

His one mistake aside, McKinley by all accounts seems like a high-character kid, who has stuck out a college career that probably didn't go quite as he'd hoped, and last year worked his way into being an important contributor to our offense, even if it didn't always show up on the stat sheet. Also I think there's benefit to having fifth-year guys in the program, even if they're not front line starters. And we'll have the scholarships.

Really hope this works out.

It seems pretty obvious what the issue is-85 schlorships. McKinley is "on the bubble" and someone has to leave while he's working to get a spot. The fact that he doesn't have a definite spot in Jan indicates that the staff doesn't see him as a "must keep" player.

Someone will leave, they always do, and if he stays out or trouble and still wants in after graduating he'll probably get a spot.
 

stlnd01

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It seems pretty obvious what the issue is-85 schlorships. McKinley is "on the bubble" and someone has to leave while he's working to get a spot. The fact that he doesn't have a definite spot in Jan indicates that the staff doesn't see him as a "must keep" player.

Someone will leave, they always do, and if he stays out or trouble and still wants in after graduating he'll probably get a spot.

The last count I saw had us at 86 guys, without McKinley (this is post-Skowronski/Kmet/Phil updates). It would be... unprecedented?... for us not to lose a couple more between now and the start of the season. But I'd imagine if McKinley doesn't have a spot at Notre Dame he'd like to know that and move on for a 5Y elsewhere?

Maybe there's a couple more recruits they're gunning for we don't know about. But hard to see us even having 85 guys by the Navy game, let alone being above. In the end this won't be an issue.
 

Prof K

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At 6'2" 220 could he play some TE? I never thought he was a top blocking WR, but maybe?
 

irishandy

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Bring him back. He may not have experience on the field, but he has experience within the program.
 

Irishize

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He's not a need unless Austin flunks another drug test or Skowronski has more ankle problems, in which case I suspect we'd rather have him than not. Even if he's the No. 3 big WR I see no downside to having Javon McKinley on our football team.

Exactly! The off season is a long haul. Plenty of time for 18-22 year olds to make dumb choices & get caught.
 

Wingman Ray

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WR to TE is never going to have a serious blocker unless you are talking about blocking DBs that happen to get too close to the LOS but it would make for a good receiving target.

More than anything, it gives a player a position rather than walking papers.
 

Domina Nostra

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McKinley is a perfectly good college WR. The fact that he is not a star doesn't mean he is not valuable as a rotation guy.
 

Irishize

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From Javon’s mom. Great advice for parents with a child being recruited:

To Recruits, a prime example. Don’t choose a school based on the Coach relationship you develop. We asked our son to pick a school that if all the coaches left, he will still be happy he chose it. The coach left a year later but Javon McKinley is still getting his Degree in May!

EPyKt_dUEAApigt


And this wasn’t meant as disrespect to Coach Sanford or any coach. Just the realization that the coaches a recruit develops relationships with in recruiting could be gone in less than a year.
 
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stlnd01

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The savvier recruits (and hopefully their parents) realize this is a business and coaches are going to come and go. Pick the school. Don’t pick a young up-and-coming assistant (certainly not who’s never stayed at one place for more than two years).

I’d be curious what % of recruits play their entire college career with/for the assistant coaches that recruit them. Even at Notre Dame in this era of relative stability. Is Elston the only assistant coach who was there in 2016?
 

BobbyMac

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Coach Del for being the first coach to believe in him as a sophomore in HS and offering him his first scholarship to ASU. Such a Blessing for you to be together at Notre Dame. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBestIsYetToCome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBestIsYetToCome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️☘️ <a href="https://t.co/pcvwaevD8z">https://t.co/pcvwaevD8z</a></p>— StillStrill (@stillstrill) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillstrill/status/1261829427786219520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m so excited about my oldest son graduating from college. I had to go back into my time capsule and pull out some old rap skills to spit for him one time! Not bad for an old lady. 🤣 Congratulations Javon McKinley! <a href="https://twitter.com/mcjavon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mcjavon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/classof2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#classof2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoIrish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoIrish</a> ☘️☘️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/proudmom?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#proudmom</a> <a href="https://t.co/b6zPT6d0aZ">pic.twitter.com/b6zPT6d0aZ</a></p>— StillStrill (@stillstrill) <a href="https://twitter.com/stillstrill/status/1262057451588694016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

NDBoiler

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Congratulations to Javon for turning things around after an early stumble at ND.

Any word on when he will know if he can come back for 2020?
 

greyhammer90

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Not being given enough credit for his block on Wlliams long touchdown run. He practically blocked his cornerback out of the endzone. That touchdown doesn't happen without that big boy block.
 

GrangerIrish24

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Not being given enough credit for his block on Wlliams long touchdown run. He practically blocked his cornerback out of the endzone. That touchdown doesn't happen without that big boy block.

i was just coming here to say the same thing
 

PANDFAN

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Not being given enough credit for his block on Wlliams long touchdown run. He practically blocked his cornerback out of the endzone. That touchdown doesn't happen without that big boy block.

agreed, however rarely creating any kinds of separation from a db isn't helping in the passing game...he always looks so awkward running, like he is tripping over something or can't seem to keep steady..many times when the view panned out to see the whole field, it's like he seems to have Revis island on him at all times
 

BobbyMac

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This is the guy I told you about in 2014.

He might break PFF’s all time blocking grade tonight.

Del builds blocking WR’s like no one else I know of.
 

BobbyMac

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BK in his presser:

He's coming on. I mean, it's just one of those things where sometimes it just takes longer. He's a beast. He just needs to think that way more often. I think he's starting to think that way. I mean, I think he is, isn't he? Aren't you? He's starting to think that way (smiling). He can't be defended. I mean, there's nobody I don't think in college football that can defend that kid. I mean, [Asante] Samuel is one of the best corners in the country. He didn't have much of a chance defending him. If he just continues to work the way he's been working, he's been one of our better practice players, he is a great leader with those wide receivers. I've been telling him he's got a chance to do some special things
 

zelezo vlk

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Didn't Boykin need the same kinda thing to happen? Once he got that confidence everything just clicked into place?
 
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