'18 OH MLB Dallas Gant (Ohio State Verbal)

[jerboski]

I have zero insight into Dallas's recruitment but from a big picture perspective it doesn't sound like ND hit the Sept 1st. midnight (start of the first contact period for 2018 recruits) opportunity as hard as others did. In fact, there were numerous recruits and even commitments that mentioned they didn't receive contact from ND but did from a host of other schools. The commits included Jurkovec and Ovie. Not sure what the plan is with that, but it doesn't sound like a Dallas only situation. However, anything before that, I can't speak to.

Edit, Per Loy, ND is going to be sending out something unique to a ton of 2018 recruits. So, while we might not have blown up kids at midnight, we'll be getting our point across in some manner. A more unique manner, it sounds like.

I hope Dallas is one of the kids that gets this special package and that contact picks up. There is absolutely no reason not to recruit this kid hard and try to get him in this class, Ovie and him can play together and we are never at 85 schollys regardless and can always use elite defensive talent.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

If you saw the rest of his family, you would know how big he could get.

Oh yeah and on his mom's side there were a number of family members that played skilled positions, including a couple of defensive backs with an NFL pedigree.

Just saying.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I should have posted some of this last week.

Dallas had a visit scheduled for the PSU - Pitt game. So being a team leader (Captain) he rode down with the bus to Mansfield, and back. Got up before 5:00AM and got back on the road to Pittsburgh. Some of his family stayed in Mansfield over night because it is just under half way to Pittsburgh, but Dallas felt he couldn't take the easy out because of his leadership role.

As far as the Mansfield Senior game :

MANSFIELD – Dallas Gant IV and Pete McIntyre delivered as advertised.

Gant, an Ohio State recruit, and McIntyre, a Northwestern commit, made their presence felt over and over again in leading unbeaten Toledo St. John's to a 44-16 victory over short-handed Mansfield Senior at Arlin Field on Friday night.

Gant, a consensus top-50 player in the nation, is considered the second-best outside linebacker in the 2018 class and the Tygers (1-2) quickly found out why. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior made tackle after tackle as the Titans (3-0) limited the Tygers to one first-half touchdown in taking a 23-10 lead at the break.

That one TD was by the "Toledo" that mattered most to the home fans. Senior tailback Brian Benson, nicknamed "Toledo" because of his roots, scored on a 19-yard run on the first play after defensive tackle gave the ball to the Tygers after recovering a fumbled lateral.

Benson's score made it 10-7 Senior High at 10:10 of the second quarter, but the rest of the half belonged to St. John's as the Titans reeled off 16 unanswered points before the break.

I talked to someone independent that has seen both of Dallas' games this year and they say he could skip his senior season and play D-1 next year. He shouldn't. But he could. The last player this person saw locally that was that or more advanced was a kid that played for Fremont Ross (same conference), you may remember, Charles Woodson. My source said Charles was a bit more advanced, but he said Charles could have started at the University of Toledo as a sophomore in high school!

If you remember there was concern about ND's level of interest, etc. Apparently Dallas received a very impressive treasure trove from the Irish, including a poster like other recruits received (I don't know what that means), and a hand written letter, or note from each of the coaches. Some were really impressed.

This is the important, I have my focus narrowed down to three schools, but other schools never in consideration have come out of the woodwork. I mean everyone in the country, read that literally, (except Michigan has made contact.)

But ND must be doing okay. I understand Dallas will be at the MSU game. I had to find out about that (confirmation) from a third source.

Kiddingly, I am going to express my ire to the powers that be because I didn't get invited. I kid that though it is a tough job, I am willing to volunteer as chaperone on these college sorties for Dallas.

 

[BobbyMac]

I should have posted some of this last week.

Dallas had a visit scheduled for the PSU - Pitt game. So being a team leader (Captain) he rode down with the bus to Mansfield, and back. Got up before 5:00AM and got back on the road to Pittsburgh. Some of his family stayed in Mansfield over night because it is just under half way to Pittsburgh, but Dallas felt he couldn't take the easy out because of his leadership role.

Translation: Family stayed in Mansfield... He took bus home, grabbed Miss Right-now, went to empty house, pillaged like a viking, drove to Pitt the victorious conqueror.

How long you been out the game Bogs?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Translation: Family stayed in Mansfield... He took bus home, grabbed Miss Right-now, went to empty house, pillaged like a viking, drove to Pitt the victorious conqueror.

How long you been out the game Bogs?

Not quite. His dad drove up to the game and back. You ever seen his dad? That (he) is a serious no mess unit!

As far as him pillaging anything, you ever seen his mom? She is a high school principle, who has no mess units for lunch every day! She also could be in the movies. Definitely where Dallas gets his good looks. I have an almost 83 year old friend that has a massive crush on her. Smart guy. The appeal for him is her strong character, well rounded, and lively personality, charm, and stunning good looks. I pretty much agree. I told her she was the sister I wish I had.

 

[irishff1014]

Per TV his family is visiting with him and Irish want to finish 18 lb recruiting with him.

 

[dang227]

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[BobbyMac]

Per TV his family is visiting with him and Irish want to finish 18 lb recruiting with him.

No way they stop recruiting IE Gaoteote or Teradja Mitchell. Too many unknowns to stop where there's traction w/ 5 stars. Ovie & Justin Twin could both end up DE's in '18 and odds are they don't get Phillips this year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I believe that Dallas Gant offers the same opportunity to recruit an impact player or maybe even a game changer, that ND took advantage of by recruiting DeShone Kizer. As a junior, I am beginning to believe that Dallas has the same type of skill set, and close to the abilities that Jaylon Smith has. Areas I would rate Dallas ahead of Jaylon as a junior, team leadership, height, size, and upper body strength. Yes it would be a stretch to say he would be an equivalent package to Jaylon Smith. I am not saying that. But so what, I would take the lower end of that neighborhood, any day. Especially if it ended up being just down the block!

Finally, someone in the media agrees. Here is an ISD article pointed out to me this morning :

The one uncommitted 2018 recruit that I wanted to highlight is Dallas Gant. I know Notre Dame already has a couple of linebacker commits in that cycle, but adding Gant to those players would be massive.

He earned his offer at Irish Invasion this summer and he showed there the same things he did on film. He’s an elite athlete at the linebacker position that projects to play in all situations. He is scheme versatile and is someone that looks comfortable playing physical in the box or out on the perimeter tackling in space.

In my opinion, he is one of the elite outside linebacker prospects in the country for the 2018 class. He can blitz. He can cover. He is someone that I think will eventually be able to do it all for a college football program. Notre Dame has a lot of thumpers at linebacker. They could use more players like Gant who can play physical, but also do everything else that is asked at the position.

I really don't know this Jamie Uyeyama, but he must be brilliant!

Here is Dallas against Mansfield Senior last Friday at Mansfield. SJ had a win similar to the ND win against Nevada, except on the road. The week before Mansfield lost to Canton McKinley. This is pretty big-time Ohio football.

Mansfield High School - Dallas J. Gant highlights - Hudl

Watch the fifth, sixth, and seventh plays, (I think) particularly. Hopefully it is true that his whole family is coming to the game and they get the staff's attention.

I am not sure they will decide this early, but who knows? Knowing where they stand, and how much they are wanted is really critical at this point.

 

[PANDFAN]

I believe that Dallas Gant offers the same opportunity to recruit an impact player or maybe even a game changer, that ND took advantage of by recruiting DeShone Kizer. As a junior, I am beginning to believe that Dallas has the same type of skill set, and close to the abilities that Jaylon Smith has. Areas I would rate Dallas ahead of Jaylon as a junior, team leadership, height, size, and upper body strength. Yes it would be a stretch to say he would be an equivalent package to Jaylon Smith. I am not saying that. But so what, I would take the lower end of that neighborhood, any day. Especially if it ended up being just down the block!

Finally, someone in the media agrees. Here is an ISD article pointed out to me this morning :



I really don't know this Jamie Uyeyama, but he must be brilliant!

Here is Dallas against Mansfield Senior last Friday at Mansfield. SJ had a win similar to the ND win against Nevada, except on the road. The week before Mansfield lost to Canton McKinley. This is pretty big-time Ohio football.

Mansfield High School - Dallas J. Gant highlights - Hudl

Watch the fifth, sixth, and seventh plays, (I think) particularly. Hopefully it is true that his whole family is coming to the game and they get the staff's attention.

I am not sure they will decide this early, but who knows? Knowing where they stand, and how much they are wanted is really critical at this point.

Played and coached college football. works for isd and other sites

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I believe that Dallas Gant offers the same opportunity to recruit an impact player or maybe even a game changer, that ND took advantage of by recruiting DeShone Kizer. As a junior, I am beginning to believe that Dallas has the same type of skill set, and close to the abilities that Jaylon Smith has. Areas I would rate Dallas ahead of Jaylon as a junior, team leadership, height, size, and upper body strength. Yes it would be a stretch to say he would be an equivalent package to Jaylon Smith. I am not saying that. But so what, I would take the lower end of that neighborhood, any day. Especially if it ended up being just down the block!

Finally, someone in the media agrees. Here is an ISD article pointed out to me this morning :



I really don't know this Jamie Uyeyama, but he must be brilliant!

Here is Dallas against Mansfield Senior last Friday at Mansfield. SJ had a win similar to the ND win against Nevada, except on the road. The week before Mansfield lost to Canton McKinley. This is pretty big-time Ohio football.

Mansfield High School - Dallas J. Gant highlights - Hudl

Watch the fifth, sixth, and seventh plays, (I think) particularly. Hopefully it is true that his whole family is coming to the game and they get the staff's attention.

I am not sure they will decide this early, but who knows? Knowing where they stand, and how much they are wanted is really critical at this point.

That hit on play number 6 was dirty. In the words of Jim Carey in the movie "Dumb & Dumber" - 'pick em up'!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Played and coached college football. works for isd and other sites

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That hit on play number 6 was dirty. In the words of Jim Carey in the movie "Dumb & Dumber" - 'pick em up'!

I am telling you, that happens more often than not!

Also, I added Dallas' complete name to the thread title, I know some of you are charged by multigenerational name-giving.

He's a fourth!

 

[rtrn2glory]

Commit watch or way too early?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Too early, from what I have heard. At least from the words.

But you never can tell.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qsQf7iogd7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Look, this kid comes from family that achieves. One that really values the place that is different, and offers more for those willing to work.

EG., Some have posted here sort of kidding about SJJHS, and I think that is funny, and a couple who aren't really from the area have posted how the school really isn't that great. Whatever.

From the time I graduated, it made everyone's list of top prep schools in America. If you go to SJJHS, graduate with honors in advanced placement courses, and make everyone's All-State team in football, you have really done something. - On the high school level.

Kind of like going to ND and playing football, harder than it looks, but when you have finished, you have really accomplished something. I think everyone understands that. So I would never be surprised with the same kind of choice for college that has already been made for high school.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Commit watch or way too early?

Would absolutely love that!

 

[EddytoNow]

Too early, from what I have heard. At least from the words.

But you never can tell.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qsQf7iogd7c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Look, this kid comes from family that achieves. One that really values the place that is different, and offers more for those willing to work.

EG., Some have posted here sort of kidding about SJJHS, and I think that is funny, and a couple who aren't really from the area have posted how the school really isn't that great. Whatever.

From the time I graduated, it made everyone's list of top prep schools in America. If you go to SJJHS, graduate with honors in advanced placement courses, and make everyone's All-State team in football, you have really done something. - On the high school level.

Kind of like going to ND and playing football, harder than it looks, but when you have finished, you have really accomplished something. I think everyone understands that. So I would never be surprised with the same kind of choice for college that has already been made for high school.

As a graduate of one of the other Catholic high schools in the area, Cardinal Stritch, and a former student at one of St. John Jesuit's chief rivals, Central Catholic, I can confirm everything Bogs has said about St. John Jesuit High School. It is a top-notch educational facility and very well respected. It is also one of the premier athletic high schools in the area. My son attended St. John's basketball camp every summer and wanted to attend St. John's, but tuition and transportation issues made that a non-starter. Had it been possible, I would have proudly sent him to St. John Jesuit High School.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Yeah if you're a boy, SJJ is probably the second-best academic high school in the region. I went on my high school tours in 2003 and they had the highest test scores of the Catholic schools. I doubt that has changed.

Kizer''s high school, Central Catholic, is probably the weakest of the big three.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Ahem. I am not even going to post articles or anything else.

As someone said, "They forgot how elite of a defensive power ND was. Apparently they told Dallas that they had taken 2 linebackers in the class of '18 and were going to take one more.

Can you fucking believe that shit? Saying that to the 1 or 2 outside linebacker (top what? 30) in the class?

I have heard there were other things going on this weekend, I don't know.

But that is just another major crack in the foundation as far as I am concerned.

 

[Big23Head]

Ahem. I am not even going to post articles or anything else.

As someone said, "They forgot how elite of a defensive power ND was. Apparently they told Dallas that they had taken 2 linebackers in the class of '18 and were going to take one more.

Can you fucking believe that shit? Saying that to the 1 or 2 outside linebacker (top what? 30) in the class?

I have heard there were other things going on this weekend, I don't know.

But that is just another major crack in the foundation as far as I am concerned.

I'm confused by this post. Are there some words missing? Are you saying Dallas was turned away or would be? Maybe I'm reading this wrong

 

[stlnd01]

Ahem. I am not even going to post articles or anything else.

As someone said, "They forgot how elite of a defensive power ND was. Apparently they told Dallas that they had taken 2 linebackers in the class of '18 and were going to take one more.

Can you fucking believe that shit? Saying that to the 1 or 2 outside linebacker (top what? 30) in the class?

I have heard there were other things going on this weekend, I don't know.

But that is just another major crack in the foundation as far as I am concerned.

Huh?

 

[BobbyMac]

If Gant, Gaoteote and Mitchell call up tomorrow and say we're coming... they're all coming to join Bo, OO and Justin Twin. OO and Justin never sniff OLB and move to the line and we live happily ever after with the greatest LB haul in ND history. Let's not get silly about 3rd hand hearsay.

 

[dad4aa]

Not sure I fully understand the posting rules of sources so mods, take this down if it is against the rules. This is a direct quote from Gant in Matt Freeman's article on ISD:

“Coach Elston said they had two commits for my class and they would probably only take one more, so we will see how that goes and where I go from there.”

If true, Gant said there might be some pressure on him to make a decision so he is going to see who ND is looking at for his positon.

 

[bluengold4732]

It happens every year...Kelly takes the 1st 15 or so guys that want in regardless of rank or potential and then slow plays the higher rated, better players...then those guys pass on ND and he ends up scrambling to finish out his class. Then rewards scholarships to Walk-Ons during the season to put us in a an even bigger numbers crunch. I don't get the man's logic. If bumper pool or Dax hollIfield committed to ND and next year Gant, Mitchell, and PG from Bishop Gorman wanted to come here...there's no doubt he would tell them we're full and then reward a scholly to Robert Reagan a month later

 

[Sherm Sticky]

It happens every year...Kelly takes the 1st 15 or so guys that want in regardless of rank or potential and then slow plays the higher rated, better players...then those guys pass on ND and he ends up scrambling to finish out his class. Then rewards scholarships to Walk-Ons during the season to put us in a an even bigger numbers crunch. I don't get the man's logic. If bumper pool or Dax hollIfield committed to ND and next year Gant, Mitchell, and PG from Bishop Gorman wanted to come here...there's no doubt he would tell them we're full and then reward a scholly to Robert Reagan a month later

Sorry man not trying to pick on you tonight. But, this post is incorrect in so many ways. I'll just point out the glaring incorrect assumptions.

Kelly would never slow play elite recruits. They always have a spot for them. Elite players are always a take no matter what.

The scholarships awarded to walk-ons are only one year scholarships. So say beginning of the 2016 season the team is at 83 scholarship players. Two walk-ons are awarded a scholarship, that brings total to 85. If those two walk-ons are not seniors and come back the following year they are not guaranteed a scholarship in 2017. So say 20 players on the 2016 team graduate, leave early to NFL, transfer, etc that puts the team at 65 scholarships. ND brings in a class of 22 players. That puts the team at 87. But the two walk-ons do not get another year of a scholarship, so the team is right at the limit of 85. Hope that makes sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BeauBenken]

It happens every year...Kelly takes the 1st 15 or so guys that want in regardless of rank or potential and then slow plays the higher rated, better players...then those guys pass on ND and he ends up scrambling to finish out his class. Then rewards scholarships to Walk-Ons during the season to put us in a an even bigger numbers crunch. I don't get the man's logic. If bumper pool or Dax hollIfield committed to ND and next year Gant, Mitchell, and PG from Bishop Gorman wanted to come here...there's no doubt he would tell them we're full and then reward a scholly to Robert Reagan a month later

Hah. It's funny because people used to get mad at Kelly because he and the staff only shot for the elite players and no one else, then when the season was coming to a close we had to rush to fill our roster with players of lesser quality than those who would've committed during the season if we gave them a chance.

Man, people really will blame everything on the staff.

 

[BobbyMac]

Hah. It's funny because people used to get mad at Kelly because he and the staff only shot for the elite players and no one else, then when the season was coming to a close we had to rush to fill our roster with players of lesser quality than those who would've committed during the season if we gave them a chance.

Man, people really will blame everything on the staff.

Who else is to blame for shortcomings in recruiting?

What I've found is they get outworked. Their net is too small and they're too slow to pull the trigger. In '17, they made 80 less offers than Bama and 110 less than Michigan.

In '18, where ND has come out of the gate strong, they trail OSU by 31 offers already, Bama by 47 and Michigan by 65.

As a project, I've been tracking, benchmarking, crunching numbers from a client acquisition pov and from a need fulfillment sales approach and ND's model is flawed.

 

[OCIrish]

Crusader, one thing to keep in mind.....UM, Bama, tOSU, and damn near everyone else in college football can pass out offers like candy. ND almost always waits until they hear something from admissions before even giving a verbal offer. So, to say the staff is being outworked, isn't quite as telling as the real truth.

 

[BeauBenken]

Who else is to blame for shortcomings in recruiting?

I understand that. I just meant to say that no matter how the class works out, if people don't think it's up to snuff, then they complain in a cyclical manner. "We rush kids to commit/we slow play kids too much/we look out of state too much/why are we looking at these 3 stars from Indiana? etc."

In essence, most people are talking out their ass on a forum and don't really know exactly what needs to be done.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm confused by this post. Are there some words missing? Are you saying Dallas was turned away or would be? Maybe I'm reading this wrong

I'm a little confused by Bogs post as well, maybe he can clarify when he gets a chance.

What it looks like to me, is we were honest with him about numbers. I have no issues with that. I could see having an issue with not keeping a spot for him regardless (as he's an "elite" talent) but giving him an idea of numbers is a good practice, IMO.

 

[jspags10pg]

One other thing to consider with Bama, Michigan and OSU's high offer numbers is that they clearly don't have a problem pushing kids out who commit early after that get a commit from a higher priority guy. Something we know ND's staff doesn't practice and I hope they never do. Certainly makes a difference with the high/early offer numbers.