'16 OH OT Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[ThePiombino]

He will be at ND in a few weeks. Chill. Its not even signing day for 2015 kids yet lol.

The rose tinted glasses routine gets tiresome after a while. Please acknowledge the points made about the ascension (whether perceived or real) of UM as well as NATIONAL CHAMPION OSU and tell us how there's still plenty of time... Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. This situation in the Midwest is very worst-case for ND. Everyone who wants to say this is all great for CFB may be right, but it fucking sucks for ND.

 

[woolybug25]

The rose tinted glasses routine gets tiresome after a while. Please acknowledge the points made about the ascension (whether perceived or real) of UM as well as NATIONAL CHAMPION OSU and tell us how there's still plenty of time... Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. This situation in the Midwest is very worst-case for ND. Everyone who wants to say this is all great for CFB may be right, but it fucking sucks for ND.

Forgive me, but have either flipped one of our recruits since a) the National Title Game or b) Harbaugh's hire? Where is all of this hysteria coming from?

I think TP is just saying that maybe we should see if the boat sinks first before heading out to collect the bodies.

 

[Ironman8]

The rose tinted glasses routine gets tiresome after a while. Please acknowledge the points made about the ascension (whether perceived or real) of UM as well as NATIONAL CHAMPION OSU and tell us how there's still plenty of time... Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. This situation in the Midwest is very worst-case for ND. Everyone who wants to say this is all great for CFB may be right, but it fucking sucks for ND.

We may lose some head to head battles, but I firmly believe Michigan and OSU ascending and being strong is good for ND on the whole. We don't play either head to head any time soon, and the better the reputation nationally the Midwest has, but more likely recruits from the South and West will be willing to leave their region to come. Just my opinion.

 

[gkIrish]

We may lose some head to head battles, but I firmly believe Michigan and OSU ascending and being strong is good for ND on the whole. We don't play either head to head any time soon, and the better the reputation nationally the Midwest has, but more likely recruits from the South and West will be willing to leave their region to come. Just my opinion.

I understand your point but I strongly disagree. I don't see many (if any) recruits equating OSU or Michigan success with ND being a more viable option for them. I don't think "Midwest" is the group that will benefit. It's "Big Ten."

The head to head battles are the most important IMO.

 

[Ironman8]

I understand your point but I strongly disagree. I don't see many (if any) recruits equating OSU or Michigan success with ND being a more viable option for them. I don't think "Midwest" is the group that will benefit. It's "Big Ten."

The head to head battles are the most important IMO.

I think talent from the South and West is more likely to come join Midwest based talent if the perception of it is that it is much better than it was perceived recently. All 3 schools (4 if you include Wisconsin) that could be perceived as potentially elite from the Midwest start their recruiting base with Midwest targets.

I agree the Big Ten benefits, but if the perception of Midwest HS talent and College teams are better, that also helps ND.

 

[gkIrish]

I think talent from the South and West is more likely to come join Midwest based talent if the perception of it is that it is much better than it was perceived recently. All 3 schools (4 if you include Wisconsin) that could be perceived as potentially elite from the Midwest start their recruiting base with Midwest targets.

I agree the Big Ten benefits, but if the perception of Midwest HS talent and College teams are better, that also helps ND.

It might help ND to a certain extent but don't you think the head to head detriment outweighs by a wide margin?

 

[Luckylucci]

I firmly believe that regardless of record and other regional powers being the "it" team that we can still recruit very well. However, its going to take a different approach than what we've seen recently. I think we're going to have to grind more than we have. We're going to have to have the (entire) staff work harder than others to convey our message.

 

[koonja]

IDK how it helps. Maybe I don't see the big picture, but if outside recruits are looking at the midwest, they're looking at OSU and UM and want to be part of that rivalry, play winning football, for elite coaches and programs.

 

[Ironman8]

It might help ND to a certain extent but don't you think the head to head detriment outweighs by a wide margin?

We will see. It's not like Urban hasn't been there and been extremely successful before this year, and how many head to head losses vs. wins have we had? Urban recruits a lot out of the Midwest, so our head to head battles usually only consist of a handful each year. The only guys I would say we lost to OSU after going after hard this year were Hilliard, Baker, and Cornell (not mad about it). We won for Crawford and Taylor. Coming off of 2 disappointing years isn't bad at all.

Ohio State is always going to get a good amount of kids they want from Ohio, especially in certain areas. As long as we can stay competitive recruiting wise, particularly at the Catholic schools where we have done really well, we should be fine.

As for Michigan, let's see how he finishes recruiting in '15 and Michigan plays in '16 before we go crazy. I think he will do great, but sometimes NFL coaches struggle at the college level. Will we lose some battles? Yeah, probably. Will they alone be enough to really hurt us? No, I don't believe so. I think finding talent early and then having a good S&C program is way more important than a few head to head losses.

It's just my opinion. We will see how it plays out. I just think it's good for all Midwest football if the traditional powers are good. There are enough good HS prospects to support all 3 of the programs being elite IMO.

 

[ThePiombino]

We may lose some head to head battles, but I firmly believe Michigan and OSU ascending and being strong is good for ND on the whole. We don't play either head to head any time soon, and the better the reputation nationally the Midwest has, but more likely recruits from the South and West will be willing to leave their region to come. Just my opinion.

Hope to God you're right. The key is whether or not this becomes a matter of opening up the south to playing in the MW (as you say) or the pickins become even slimmer (as I fear).

 

[gkIrish]

We will see. It's not like Urban hasn't been there and been extremely successful before this year, and how many head to head losses vs. wins have we had? Urban recruits a lot out of the Midwest, so our head to head battles usually only consist of a handful each year. The only guys I would say we lost to OSU after going after hard this year were Hilliard, Baker, and Cornell (not mad about it). We won for Crawford and Taylor. Coming off of 2 disappointing years isn't bad at all.

Ohio State is always going to get a good amount of kids they want from Ohio, especially in certain areas. As long as we can stay competitive recruiting wise, particularly at the Catholic schools where we have done really well, we should be fine.

As for Michigan, let's see how he finishes recruiting in '15 and Michigan plays in '16 before we go crazy. I think he will do great, but sometimes NFL coaches struggle at the college level. Will we lose some battles? Yeah, probably. Will they alone be enough to really hurt us? No, I don't believe so. I think finding talent early and then having a good S&C program is way more important than a few head to head losses.

It's just my opinion. We will see how it plays out. I just think it's good for all Midwest football if the traditional powers are good. There are enough good HS prospects to support all 3 of the programs being elite IMO.

Good post but OSU winning a championship just took them to a whole other level so I'm not sure the head to head battles we've won or lost in the past are even relevant anymore. Urban is going to say "ND went to the championship game and got stomped by Alabama. And oh, by the way, we were 12-0 that year, too. Since then, we beat Alabama and destroyed Oregon in the championship. Where do you want to play?"

 

[koonja]

Good post but OSU winning a championship just took them to a whole other level so I'm not sure the head to head battles we've won or lost in the past are even relevant anymore. Urban is going to say "ND went to the championship game and got stomped by Alabama. And oh, by the way, we were 12-0 that year, too. Since then, we beat Alabama and destroyed Oregon in the championship. Where do you want to play?"

Along those lines, I read that when Meyer has recruits visit, he shows film against the other coaches when OSU has destroyed a similar team, and goes with 'you want to be coached by them or us?'

 

[Ironman8]

Good post but OSU winning a championship just took them to a whole other level so I'm not sure the head to head battles we've won or lost in the past are even relevant anymore. Urban is going to say "ND went to the championship game and got stomped by Alabama. And oh, by the way, we were 12-0 that year, too. Since then, we beat Alabama and destroyed Oregon in the championship. Where do you want to play?"

I hear what you are saying, but you are kinda helping my point too. OSU has been better on the field than ND probably ever year in the past decade plus except for 2011 (and we weren't great then either). They probably had more total talent in our 12-0 too. Thus, they have already been able to point to a better on the field showing than ND for years and years.

We still have won battles though, and will continue to win some going forward just because what ND is recruiting to vs. an Ohio State is more than just that. It is the academics, the spirituality, the campus, the tradition, etc. ND turns the tide in their favor for more kids when they are better on the field, because a lot of kids care about that, but there will always be a couple kids who fall in love with what ND offers and we get them over a Michigan or Ohio State, particularly from Midwest Catholic schools.

I hear what you are saying though, and there will be no way to know until it happens. Let's table this until then. I hope we have a big 2015 year to keep up on the field. Pivotal year for the program.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Let's also remember folks, starting this year, the satellite camps in the South begin.

 

[koonja]

Let's also remember folks, starting this year, the satellite camps in the South begin.

Can you post about those in the appropriate thread? Not calling you out on this, just have no idea what you're referring to and want to hear more about it without this getting derailed.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

The rose tinted glasses routine gets tiresome after a while. Please acknowledge the points made about the ascension (whether perceived or real) of UM as well as NATIONAL CHAMPION OSU and tell us how there's still plenty of time... Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. This situation in the Midwest is very worst-case for ND. Everyone who wants to say this is all great for CFB may be right, but it fucking sucks for ND.

Rose tinted glasses? I said that he would be visiting ND in a few weeks and its over a year until signing day.

If Eichenberg was a 2015 prospect I could see somewhat your frustration, but this kid has no plans of announcing until August of 2015 and Notre Dame has been recruiting for over a year while others you mention havent.

Ohio State has gone undefeated 3 years in a row in the regular season. Their recruiting has maintained. Urban is doing a good job recruiting, but its still comparable to ND and what Tressel did, even with 3 undefeated seasons.

If you are salty ND already lost on Kareem Walker....well I would hate to go against my rose tinted glasses, but Notre Dame isnt getting a kid like Kareem Walker even if they won the Natl Title this year.


I am sure Harbaugh is going to recruit well at Michigan, but at the sametime he will lose a lot of recruits because of his coaching style and wont put up with 16-17 year olds BS. He will need to literally recruit an entire team. They arent deep at any position and he needs a QB and RB. Getting Michael Weber to flip would be step number one, but it's not like Weber is really budging from his commitment to ohio st at the moment. Oh, if you ask why ND didnt get Weber....ND didnt think he was a great option and that is why they offered so late in the process.

Don't get me wrong, Notre Dame is going to have to change something in the recruiting front to compete with the emergence of the Midwest, but I think you are overreacting on other schools news.

And "Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. ", is one of the most ridiculous statements I have read lately. Get a beer and then you might remember why Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State have been nationally releveant for so long. Just because Notre Dame didn't win a Natl Title or hire a coach from the NFL doesnt mean the program is in shambles.

 

[Luckylucci]

Rose tinted glasses? I said that he would be visiting ND in a few weeks and its over a year until signing day.

If Eichenberg was a 2015 prospect I could see somewhat your frustration, but this kid has no plans of announcing until August of 2015 and Notre Dame has been recruiting for over a year while others you mention havent.

Ohio State has gone undefeated 3 years in a row in the regular season. Their recruiting has maintained. Urban is doing a good job recruiting, but its still comparable to ND and what Tressel did, even with 3 undefeated seasons.

If you are salty ND already lost on Kareem Walker....well I would hate to go against my rose tinted glasses, but Notre Dame isnt getting a kid like Kareem Walker even if they won the Natl Title this year.


I am sure Harbaugh is going to recruit well at Michigan, but at the sametime he will lose a lot of recruits because of his coaching style and wont put up with 16-17 year olds BS. He will need to literally recruit an entire team. They arent deep at any position and he needs a QB and RB. Getting Michael Weber to flip would be step number one, but it's not like Weber is really budging from his commitment to ohio st at the moment. Oh, if you ask why ND didnt get Weber....ND didnt think he was a great option and that is why they offered so late in the process.

Don't get me wrong, Notre Dame is going to have to change something in the recruiting front to compete with the emergence of the Midwest, but I think you are overreacting on other schools news.

And "Anything short of a major bowl game this year and ND will be back where it started before the Kelly hire. ", is one of the most ridiculous statements I have read lately. Get a beer and then you might remember why Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State have been nationally releveant for so long. Just because Notre Dame didn't win a Natl Title or hire a coach from the NFL doesnt mean the program is in shambles.

So, IMO I think they just need to be in front of the kids more. Whether thats phone calls or visits, more personal attention and earlier on. What are your thoughts on changes that need to be made?

 

[PANDFAN]

So, IMO I think they just need to be in front of the kids more. Whether thats phone calls or visits, more personal attention and earlier on. What are your thoughts on changes that need to be made?

notice we have sent out offers to some 2017 kids...that is at least a start

 

[Wild Bill]

I am sure Harbaugh is going to recruit well at Michigan, but at the sametime he will lose a lot of recruits because of his coaching style and wont put up with 16-17 year olds BS.

And I think that could be a huge issue for ND. If he's getting turned down by blue chip national recruits, he's going to target midwest three and four star RKG types that Kelly has relied on to win.

He will need to literally recruit an entire team. They arent deep at any position and he needs a QB and RB. Getting Michael Weber to flip would be step number one, but it's not like Weber is really budging from his commitment to ohio st at the moment. Oh, if you ask why ND didnt get Weber....ND didnt think he was a great option and that is why they offered so late in the process.

That's the beauty of this job. He'll have recruiting momentum with at little as seven wins. There are eight winnable games on their schedule, and if the ball bounces right, he could win ten.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

notice we have sent out offers to some 2017 kids...that is at least a start

I don't think Lucci meant getting out in front of the process, so much as recruiting harder, having our coaches attend more closely to recruits, etc. Seems like we've lost some important recruiting battles recently due to a lack of hustle.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Good post but OSU winning a championship just took them to a whole other level so I'm not sure the head to head battles we've won or lost in the past are even relevant anymore. Urban is going to say "ND went to the championship game and got stomped by Alabama. And oh, by the way, we were 12-0 that year, too. Since then, we beat Alabama and destroyed Oregon in the championship. Where do you want to play?"

I agree to a point with this. It does give them a great backing for a new pitch, but the SEC teams aren't exactly on a downfall. Once Saban leaves, I think it will be interesting to see where the SEC goes.

Florida made a great hire on paper.

FSU isnt going anywhere

Miami you could argue is on the up swing and you could aruge they are on the down swing.

LSU will hold steady with Miles. Wont win a Natty with him, but also won't free fall.

Miss St needs has Mullen. He has proven he is worth the hire and I dont see them fall apart until he leaves.

Georiga will compete until Richt decides to leave.

I think more kids will start coming up to the Midwest, but I think the Day 1 differences makers from the South will still end up at the Southern Powers.

*Day 1 guys: Cowart, Ridley, Ivey, James type of kids.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

So, IMO I think they just need to be in front of the kids more. Whether thats phone calls or visits, more personal attention and earlier on. What are your thoughts on changes that need to be made?

Have the entire staff recruit, or hire specific people/coaches to recruit. Aka Alabama has a HUGE football staff for the program. ND has like 1/2 that if they are lucky.

Id like to see 2 people for 1 job vs 1 person for 1 job. There needs to be 2-3 JR Sandlin/Megan Whitt types helping with Social Media interactions.

Id give ND a B+ on recruiting over the Kelly era. Some huge gets, some huge misses and some huge WTFs. I can't blame the RB/S recruiting on the staff this year. You have your two best recruiters going after RB and S. Some years you just arent going to hit and then bad luck happens. I am sure there are few things that could have been done differently, but overall if a kid has ND as his leader and then goes to UCLA and doesnt commit to ND shortly after....its not in NDs favor and not much ND can really do to compete with LA. You can only pitch academics and branding to a 17 year old so much when it comes down it.

 

[Luckylucci]

Have the entire staff recruit, or hire specific people/coaches to recruit. Aka Alabama has a HUGE football staff for the program. ND has like 1/2 that if they are lucky.

Agreed.

 

[irishknight35]

Have the entire staff recruit, or hire specific people/coaches to recruit. Aka Alabama has a HUGE football staff for the program. ND has like 1/2 that if they are lucky.

This is something that the IE board has talked about before in the past. Does ND just not have the manpower to keep up with other schools "hustle" or is the current staff really lacking in the effort department? Because I think a lack of manpower could easily be mistaken for laziness in comparison to schools that hire much larger staffs. Is ND athletics or Admin. to blame for the deficiency in manpower?

 

[rtrn2glory]

bottom line is BK and the staff are going to have to really earn their check in recruiting now with the success of urban

 

[Crazy Balki]

And I think that could be a huge issue for ND. If he's getting turned down by blue chip national recruits, he's going to target midwest three and four star RKG types that Kelly has relied on to win.

I don't think it'll be that big of an issue, since ND generally grabs RKG types from all over the country, not just the midwest. A lot of the RKG types we get in the midwest generally value the ND education over anything else.

That's the beauty of this job. He'll have recruiting momentum with at little as seven wins. There are eight winnable games on their schedule, and if the ball bounces right, he could win ten.

I still don't see how this makes things any more difficult to recruit? I understand Harbaugh is a "great" coach (still to be seen), but Hoke, all coaching incompetence aside, was a very good recruiter and up until last season had among the best classes year in and year out.

 

[NCDomer]

We will see. It's not like Urban hasn't been there and been extremely successful before this year, and how many head to head losses vs. wins have we had? Urban recruits a lot out of the Midwest, so our head to head battles usually only consist of a handful each year. The only guys I would say we lost to OSU after going after hard this year were Hilliard, Baker, and Cornell (not mad about it). We won for Crawford and Taylor. Coming off of 2 disappointing years isn't bad at all.

Ohio State is always going to get a good amount of kids they want from Ohio, especially in certain areas. As long as we can stay competitive recruiting wise, particularly at the Catholic schools where we have done really well, we should be fine.

As for Michigan, let's see how he finishes recruiting in '15 and Michigan plays in '16 before we go crazy. I think he will do great, but sometimes NFL coaches struggle at the college level. Will we lose some battles? Yeah, probably. Will they alone be enough to really hurt us? No, I don't believe so. I think finding talent early and then having a good S&C program is way more important than a few head to head losses.

It's just my opinion. We will see how it plays out. I just think it's good for all Midwest football if the traditional powers are good. There are enough good HS prospects to support all 3 of the programs being elite IMO.

Aren't you missing this guy? http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2013-recruiting-profiles/66770-13-mo-ath-ezekiel-elliott-ohio-state-verbal.html

 

[Luckylucci]

Here's a start. Per Irish247, BK and HH will be by his school friday after they visit Shaun Crawford

 

[KPENN]

Aren't you missing this guy? http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2013-recruiting-profiles/66770-13-mo-ath-ezekiel-elliott-ohio-state-verbal.html

Ummm can you not read what he typed?

 

[Ironman8]

Aren't you missing this guy? http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/2013-recruiting-profiles/66770-13-mo-ath-ezekiel-elliott-ohio-state-verbal.html

That's not this year sir. And it's apples to oranges, as at one time he wanted to come to ND badly, but we wanted him at DB instead of RB. We got two great RBs that year, one rated much higher, so I don't have much to complain about. You can retrospectively say you wish we had EE over Greg Bryant, but coming in Bryant was the higher rated and more hyped prospect.