Anyone choosing OSU over ND...or any other school for that matter...when OSU just went through a very public domestic abuse coach coverup situation, had their head coach suspended then retired, and now facing a multiple sexual abuse victim coverup lawsuit is not an RKG and would not succeed at ND.
Ohio State has produced NFL talent at DB far greater than ND in the last five years.
Ohio state has also removed most of those responsible for the domestic abuse coverup situation, including the coach, where “retirement” was an act of saving face on Meyer’s, in my opinion. This sexual abuse story is interesting. For one, it being a man taking advantage of men, which is usually not the norm in the case. To add to the fact, these allegations start in the late 70s and seemed to have ended in the late 90s. Over 20 years ago.
So you could see how the argument of “rebuilding the brand” might be appealing to a young athlete, at a program known for winning and producing NFL players at his position.
I’m not going to say Phillips is not a RKG, or, that he wouldn’t succeed at ND. I just feel he’s buying into the winning program they have established, and wants his NFL aspirations to come true, which Ohio State can undoubtedly help him achieve.
And not to shine the light on the sins of the past, but ND has had issues of their own too, from Declan Sullivan to Lizzy Seeberg. But, I’m not here to bring up the ethics and wrongdoings specifically in this post, just to make a point.
So, really, no one is perfect. I know we are all ND fans here, and we all believe that the University, the athletics and education offered, is some of the best in the United States, but not everyone will come here. Other schools have attractive traits.
Now, as the old saying goes “it’s a long way to NSD”, so even if he does commit to Ohio State, the door isn’t closed until he signs the paper. Maybe ND moves on, maybe not. We will just have to wait and see, won’t we.