'16 MI WR Donnie Corley (Offer)

[TheTurningPoint]

ND is in his Top 3. He just needs to get out and take some more visits.

 

[Johannes]

Wiltfong with the CB to MSU. Says the tide has turned in favor of the Spartans.

 

[INLaw]

Wiltfong with the CB to MSU. Says the tide has turned in favor of the Spartans.

Getting to be a broken record with msu this year...damnit lol

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Is MSU projected to have a strong season next year? Because if they struggle and we play up to our potential, I could see us sniping a few of these guys back even if they commit to MSU. We've been holding our own in recruiting on the back of 9-4 and 8-5 seasons. If we get to 10-2 or 11-1 next year though, we should turn back into a recruiting juggernaut a la 2012.

 

[Luckylucci]

Per Wiltfong, he almost committed to MSU over the weekend. Staff will be in to see him today.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Invited to The Opening and to the US Army All American Bowl.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats on earning your spot in the premier football experience of the year. Welcome to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheOpening?src=hash">#TheOpening</a> finals. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOTOPEN?src=hash">#GOTOPEN</a> <a href="http://t.co/6BeZebL1vm">pic.twitter.com/6BeZebL1vm</a></p>— The Opening (@TheOpening) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpening/status/594989456752386050">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blessed to say I have been invited to play in the US Army All American Game &#55357;&#56495; <a href="http://t.co/AUFyD7cBXo">pic.twitter.com/AUFyD7cBXo</a></p>— Donnie Corley (@Hit_Squad9) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hit_Squad9/status/594985910774603777">May 3, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not a bad few days for Detroit WR Donnie Corley. The Opening invite and now Georgia offers <a href="https://t.co/DMeZdDHs6i">https://t.co/DMeZdDHs6i</a></p>— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomVH/status/595393292466036737">May 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[Irish Storm]

I have to ask. Any relation to Don Corley from The Godfather?

 

[NDinMich]

I have to ask. Any relation to Don Corley from The Godfather?

You talking bout this guy?

 

[longliveautrydenson]

You talking bout this guy?

No that's The Grandfather, specifically Nicco Fertitta's

 

[PANDFAN]

After camp ended the four-star wide receiver from King High School in Detroit grabbed a coveted invitation to The Opening Finals later this summer. He’ll be joined by dozens of other elite football prospects on the NIKE campus, including four-star teammate LaVert Hill.
Both players also received invitations to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
“It’s amazing to get invited to The Opening,” Corley said. “Not a lot of people can say they did that. It’s a good achievement.”
Adding those offseason accolades enhances a reputation only growing with the spring evaluation period now well under way.
Corley added Alabama and USC offers recently to a list that already included Arizona State, Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin, among others.
Notre Dame made Corley one of its first visits last week when associate head coach Mike Denbrock and defensive line coach Keith Gilmore, the area recruiter, visited school.
“Coach Denbrock and coach Gilmore actually came to the school and talked to my coach,” Corley said. “I called them after they left. We had a good conversation about getting back down there and maybe even camping at the camp they’re having. That’s pretty much it.”
Corley is considering a return visit for Irish Invasion next month. Either way, the Irish have been keeping themselves in play as the field grows more competitive.
“Really just the education part of it,” Corley said. “Having a Notre Dame degree is amazing. And then they have some great facilities and a great coaching staff. I love it.”
Corley had been working with a top five in recent weeks but scratched that after Alabama and USC offered. Instead he’s looking at some potentially new and return visits to gather more information.
Four-star linebacker Daelin Hayes, a friend and USC commitment, wants to get Corley to Los Angeles for a visit.
“Definitely wanna get back to Tennessee,” Corley said. “My whole family lives down there. It’s a nice place. And then I just thought about USC. Daelin is committed there, so we were talking about getting out there just to visit and stuff like that. Those are probably the two schools I wanna get back to soon.”
Corley doesn’t plan to factor distance but will be looking at depth charts and some other factors.
“Really I’m just going to try and nail down depth charts and stuff like that just to see,” he said. “Like Michigan State is losing a lot of receivers. That’s kinda good for me and two of my teammates are already up there. So just like the depth charts and stuff.”
How long it will take to gather more information and use it to make a verbal commitment remains an open question. Corley could stretch things into the fall for some official visits.
“I wanna take my official visits but I want to get it over with,” Corley said. “I don’t know. I’m kinda lost right now.”


scout

 

[drake29]

no bueno

 

[Booslum31]

no bueno

This!

 

[GoldenDomer]

This is what happens when the Super Bowl> Recruiting

 

[Luckylucci]

Could be announcing in the next month with some of his teammates. MSU looks like the favorite with OSU in close contention. Per Wiltfong. No mention of ND, obviously not a good sign unless we can get him on campus for II.

 

[Irish YJ]

thought ND was in the driver seat earlier.

 

[Luckylucci]

thought ND was in the driver seat earlier.

We were, but when other schools get these kids on campus multiple times and we're out on the road this is what happens. ND is doing a very poor job, currently, of understanding where some of these kids are in the process. ND wants to have these kids on campus over the summer. Well, if a kids timeline is sooner than that then either we have to change our strategy or be ok with missing out in the short term. I'm expecting II to be a big time event and its going to have to be to get some momentum here. Otherwise, we're going to be putting all our eggs in a 10+ win season.

 

[Irish YJ]

We were, but when other schools get these kids on campus multiple times and we're out on the road this is what happens. ND is doing a very poor job, currently, of understanding where some of these kids are in the process. ND wants to have these kids on campus over the summer. Well, if a kids timeline is sooner than that then either we have to change our strategy or be ok with missing out in the short term. I'm expecting II to be a big time event and its going to have to be to get some momentum here. Otherwise, we're going to be putting all our eggs in a 10+ win season.

Thank you LL

 

[woolybug25]

We were, but when other schools get these kids on campus multiple times and we're out on the road this is what happens. ND is doing a very poor job, currently, of understanding where some of these kids are in the process. ND wants to have these kids on campus over the summer. Well, if a kids timeline is sooner than that then either we have to change our strategy or be ok with missing out in the short term. I'm expecting II to be a big time event and its going to have to be to get some momentum here. Otherwise, we're going to be putting all our eggs in a 10+ win season.

Well, to be fair, i'm sure BK is going all in this season. I think he knows the stakes here. Another 8 win season and he'll be on the hot seat. For right or wrong.

 

[Luckylucci]

Well, to be fair, i'm sure BK is going all in this season. I think he knows the stakes here. Another 8 win season and he'll be on the hot seat. For right or wrong.

I get it, doesn't mean I have to like it. If we do bomb this year relative to what we expect 7-8 wins let's say and BK gets canned or is on the hot seat. Recruiting next year will be harder. It's not an all is lost scenario at this point in time but it's closer to that than ideal. Maybe better put this way, we 're in an uphill battle at this point. Can we win, of course but the odds are stacked against us (purely a recruiting metaphor). National recruiting is going to have to be very good to make up for the Midwest problems we're having.

With that said, I expect them to really pull off something at II as Elston was very confident when he was interviewed on it during the spring. Either he's full on lost it or it should turn some heads

 

[jerboski]

I get it, doesn't mean I have to like it. If we do bomb this year relative to what we expect 7-8 wins let's say and BK gets canned or is on the hot seat. Recruiting next year will be harder. It's not an all is lost scenario at this point in time but it's closer to that than ideal. Maybe better put this way, we 're in an uphill battle at this point. Can we win, of course but the odds are stacked against us (purely a recruiting metaphor). National recruiting is going to have to be very good to make up for the Midwest problems we're having.

With that said, I expect them to really pull off something at II as Elston was very confident when he was interviewed on it during the spring. Either he's full on lost it or it should turn some heads

I am hoping for the best in regards to II however how does the list of attendees look in your opinion? I feel it is a little light, getting Hunter on campus again is huge but I would like to see more 2017 big name recruits attend to give them this event some pop. I know Hunter is possible and I think Malone Hatcher but who else is in???

 

[Luckylucci]

I am hoping for the best in regards to II however how does the list of attendees look in your opinion? I feel it is a little light, getting Hunter on campus again is huge but I would like to see more 2017 big name recruits attend to give them this event some pop. I know Hunter is possible and I think Malone Hatcher but who else is in???

Let me preface this by saying, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here (as I may not agree) but there strategy is pretty clear. Identify the best possible talent and fit, regardless of location, for ND now and recruit them for the duration. I don't believe they view a lof of these early commitments as such, and they're willing to take their time and put together their board carefully and accurately. I would assume that means now is game time. This week should be about organizing that board and zeroing in on the prospects they want/like and the ones they can get. Therefore, I believe we'll see even more names added to II over the coming two weeks.

With that said, its a decent group of a few big fish with some underrated talent mixed in. Getting Caleb Kelly on campus is huge. DB is a huge need and there are a few guys that I like (regardless of ranking) that I think we have good shots at. Carlos Becker, Studstill, and Jalen Elliot. I'd take commitments from Studstill and Becker on the spot, like them that much. Depending on Elliots workout, I might there as well. Good all around athlete. We are also getting Cameron Lewis and Craig Watts to come as well. They might be long shots at this point but getting an LSU commit in Cameron Lewis to come on his own dime is quite the move. He's one of the big fish that I mentioned above. Lastly, you have Callaway and Janarius Robinson slated to come and those two are also big time players at their respective positions.

Would I feel the same as my previous post if this list stays static, no. However, I don't expect it to. I'll actually being fairly surprised if we don't make a run here at guys like Corley, Kareem, etc. Again, some of this is based on optimism and some of it is understanding that the staff really wanted to see what was out there nationally prior to hunkering down and getting into the next leg of recruiting.

 

[BeauBenken]

I'm not all too worried about Donnie Corley.

 

[NDWorld247]

Let me preface this by saying, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here (as I may not agree) but there strategy is pretty clear. Identify the best possible talent and fit, regardless of location, for ND now and recruit them for the duration. I don't believe they view a lof of these early commitments as such, and they're willing to take their time and put together their board carefully and accurately. I would assume that means now is game time. This week should be about organizing that board and zeroing in on the prospects they want/like and the ones they can get. Therefore, I believe we'll see even more names added to II over the coming two weeks.

With that said, its a decent group of a few big fish with some underrated talent mixed in. Getting Caleb Kelly on campus is huge. DB is a huge need and there are a few guys that I like (regardless of ranking) that I think we have good shots at. Carlos Becker, Studstill, and Jalen Elliot. I'd take commitments from Studstill and Becker on the spot, like them that much. Depending on Elliots workout, I might there as well. Good all around athlete. We are also getting Cameron Lewis and Craig Watts to come as well. They might be long shots at this point but getting an LSU commit in Cameron Lewis to come on his own dime is quite the move. He's one of the big fish that I mentioned above. Lastly, you have Callaway and Janarius Robinson slated to come and those two are also big time players at their respective positions.

Would I feel the same as my previous post if this list stays static, no. However, I don't expect it to. I'll actually being fairly surprised if we don't make a run here at guys like Corley, Kareem, etc. Again, some of this is based on optimism and some of it is understanding that the staff really wanted to see what was out there nationally prior to hunkering down and getting into the next leg of recruiting.

This is in no way directed at you or anyone else specifically, and doesn't really apply to Corley so my apologies, but it's something that's hitting home for me at the moment and I want to get it off my chest and maybe bring up a point that I don't think a lot of people take into consideration when looking at the big picture of ND's national recruiting strategy.

Being a national recruit, or a prospect desperately searching for offers, is ridiculously expensive. I'm talking thousands of dollars. The experience I'm going through right now is with guys searching for their first offer, but I think the financial burden is comparable to a national recruit who isn't necessarily looking to stay home (i.e. many guys ND is targeting this cycle).

I'm currently working with six guys from my high school (we are loaded this year) who have FBS and FCS interest, but no offers yet. One recruit comes from money, two have some money, but three of them have zero financial help from mom (dad isn't in the picture) so I've stepped in to make sure they are doing everything possible (e.g. as many prospect camps as possible) to earn a scholarship. It's financially overwhelming, for both me and even the parents with some money, but the alternative (i.e. not going to camps and relying on film) is a gamble I'm not willing to let them take. I could go on and on but I'm going to stop there and try and bring it back to the discussion of getting kids to II.

In my opinion, any kid we get to II (or at any other time during the cycle) that needs to get on a plane to get to South Bend is a huge win. Most of those kids/families are making a sacrifice to be there. Of course there are kids/families like Joe Schmidt or Nico Fertita who can make it no problem, but my guess is the majority of these top recruits don't come from a lot of money and ND isn't the only school they're looking to visit. Just because a top target from CA, TX or FL doesn't come to II doesn't mean we are out of it. A lot of these kids are probably waiting for the free trip this fall. You want mom or dad on campus too? Multiply the costs by 2 or 3 or 4, etc.

As for ND's strategy this cycle...I wish we had a few more Midwest commits at this point, or in a better position with some of the top guys, but like Lucky, I'm giving the staff the benefit of the doubt and don't mind the gamble of having a spectacular season. We are freaking loaded and are about to go 12-0 or 11-1 and bring in a top 10-15 class, which I'll be very happy with. Trust the staff...

In conclusion, if any of you guys are wealthy and want to help some kids chase their dreams, PM me. I'm looking for all the help I can get for these kids.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

NDWorld, thanks for your post. Hopefully the kids you're working with get some offers and fulfill their dream.

With that said, I think you make a valid point about nationally recruited kids/paying their own way/family may not have money...and it's one of the many reasons (I think) that so many posters on this board are wondering why the staff basically put the Midwest "on hold" sort to speak. I mean there are numerous talented prospects in ND's backyard this year. They did recruit them. But other school's recruited better/harder. And while ND has been out scouring the rest of the country, school's like MSU, etc are pouncing. ND should've had some of these kids on campus every other weekend and even more often during spring practice, but they didn't. Those are nearby, cheap, easy trips for kids and their families to make, but it rarely happened.

I, too, trust the staff. But I'm also with everyone else in wondering what's going on. This cycle just seems odd.

 

[PANDFAN]

it sounds like it is OSU VS MSU w/ MSU in driver's seat according to rivals.

 

[Luckylucci]

Coming for II on the 19th. More than likely our last shot here.

 

[Chasey]

Coming for II on the 19th. More than likely our last shot here.

I don't think realistically we even have a chance i think he is all MSU which stinks, he was high on ND after his initial visit but not so much now.

 

[Luckylucci]

I don't think realistically we even have a chance i think he is all MSU which stinks, he was high on ND after his initial visit but not so much now.

Well, I don't think he'd be coming if we didn't have a chance. I would agree that MSU leads but whats our alternative, stop recruiting him? Also, his family has been high on ND for a long time so I'm hoping we can make a push here. For a lot of these Midwest kids that are committing so early, especially MSU, I think there will be some shakeup. Not necessarily decommits but at least future visits.

 

[Chasey]

Well, I don't think he'd be coming if we didn't have a chance. I would agree that MSU leads but whats our alternative, stop recruiting him? Also, his family has been high on ND for a long time so I'm hoping we can make a push here. For a lot of these Midwest kids that are committing so early, especially MSU, I think there will be some shakeup. Not necessarily decommits but at least future visits.

No, i am not saying to stop recruiting him but the hype that they have right now is strong. It just seems like it may be a lost cause, its almost playing out like the Mack and Robertson recruitment. Do you know if his parents are coming for the visit as well?