'22 CA WR C.J. Williams (Southern Cal Verbal)

[NDdomer2]

You know both things can be true, right?

Williams can have cold feet AND Del could suck at a part of his job.

Maybe a better recruiter would know how to better assuage Williams's fears.

And maybe a kid who doesn't need a wet blanket would see ND>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>USC/UCLA without some 40+ year old man telling him everyday

 

[greyhammer90]

You know both things can be true, right?

Williams can have cold feet AND Del could suck at a part of his job.

Maybe a better recruiter would know how to better assuage Williams's fears.

Yep, that was the point of my post. That Del is a mediocre recruiter is presumed in everyone's conversations regarding the situation, so there's no need to "well ackshually" everyone about it.

 

[ThePiombino]

Yep, that was the point of my post. That Del is a mediocre recruiter is presumed in everyone's conversations regarding the situation, so there's no need to "well ackshually" everyone about it.

We got ourselves a gatekeeper here. I'll be sure to run all my future posts by you to make sure they meet your standards. Apparently I'm the only one who can't voice their opinion on Del on a CONVERSATION board...

 

[irishff1014]

Del is an interesting position coach to judge. results arent fantastic in total or in general "feel" but certainly not terrible.

"As it stands" were looking at maybe having back to back best two wr classes of Kelly's tenure.

The development of Chase Claypool, Javon McKinley and Miles Boykin into NFL draft picks all occurred under his watch iirc. Avery Davis seemed like he was on an ascent into NFL draft pick too. Where does Ben Skowronek fall into this. He had some solid years at NW pre-ND but might have had his best season here as well.

Del likely maximized some of our receiver groups but was also likely the culprit in the need to maximize poorer talented groups.

Certainly couldn't blame Kelly if he felt there was a better coach out there as it is part of his job to put the best coaching staff available together.

If he stays another year it is likely because he holds current group of commits together. (who knows how likely with current state)

The coaching carousel is just getting started so the list of names that could be options will be interesting.

However, I do think Del will be moving on after this year.

Some of them would have made it anywheres due to there work ethic.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Whose at the top of USC's board as coach now that Franklin signed an extension?

 

[IrishLax]

Whose at the top of USC's board as coach now that Franklin signed an extension?

Probably Aranda. I hope LSU lands him instead. We’ll see.

 

[Irish#1]

Whose at the top of USC's board as coach now that Franklin signed an extension?

Per Trojans wire, Franklin was #5 on their list. They currently list it as Fickell, Campbell, Aranda and then Clawson. I don't know if those rankings are by preference or if they factor in other variables like interest from other schools, interest from the candidate themselves, etc. Dan Quinn's name just came up as well. IMO, it's a crap shoot on who it will be.

 

[NDdomer2]

if the report of them wanting to announce a hire within a week it aint gonna be Fickell.

Cincy looking more and more likely to be in the playoffs pushes Luke's coaching moves way back in the timeline and there are few big boy teams that want to wait post January to announce their hire. I dont think Fickell is "pulling a Kelly" and bouncing before this postseason, either.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Per Trojans wire, Franklin was #5 on their list. They currently list it as Fickell, Campbell, Aranda and then Clawson. I don't know if those rankings are by preference or if they factor in other variables like interest from other schools, interest from the candidate themselves, etc. Dan Quinn's name just came up as well. IMO, it's a crap shoot on who it will be.

I hope it's Clawson.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

if the report of them wanting to announce a hire within a week it aint gonna be Fickell.

Cincy looking more and more likely to be in the playoffs pushes Luke's coaching moves way back in the timeline and there are few big boy teams that want to wait post January to announce their hire. I dont think Fickell is "pulling a Kelly" and bouncing before this postseason, either.

I'd be more than surprised to see Fickell leave the midwest for LA. Bruce Feldman has been told his top 3 are OSU, ND and PSU.

 

[marv81s]

Fickell isn't going to the west coast and I would be just as surprised if it was Matt Campbell, I would bet any money on that

I have a feeling it is going to be Aranda, although I think he would be a much better fit at LSU.

It is obvious to me that CJ is/has been having doubts about leaving home and would much rather find any reason to stay in Cali/closer to home and that has more to do with things vs "being out recruited". I really do not understand how any ND fan can say that about this staff with the way recruiting has been going for this class and the following class. For all the crap Del takes, he does a solid job coaching these WR in every aspect and is getting them to the NFL.

 

[Dale]

CJs comments unfortunately show maybe his SC fandom and don’t line up, which to me means if he does go to USC, no amount of recruiting by ND will end up mattering.

He wants to see the type of Bama, ND culture yet across multiple articles wants and believes there is a chance Harrell, the WR coach, and Donte all stay? C’mon there’s no way all of them stay and you get a full on culture change. Just doesn’t work that way.

 

[Irishman77]

ND, USC, , , , , UCLA

As good as he might be, losing a California recruit is no big deal. California football players and Russian hockey players have a lot in common.

 

[FWIrish4]

CJs comments unfortunately show maybe his SC fandom and don’t line up, which to me means if he does go to USC, no amount of recruiting by ND will end up mattering.

He wants to see the type of Bama, ND culture yet across multiple articles wants and believes there is a chance Harrell, the WR coach, and Donte all stay? C’mon there’s no way all of them stay and you get a full on culture change. Just doesn’t work that way.

To add to this, how quickly does he thinks culture can be implemented? Look at Texas. Maybe his junior year they get to a level he is comparing to Bama/ND, but then let’s take a look at the talent issue because of the poor recruiting classes in 2020 (#64 with only 13 signees) and 2022 (#58 with only 9 commits). CJ, you are not only going to get a culture change until you’re almost done but you’re going to be one of a few that can compete at the top level needed to even win the PAC-12, let alone a playoff game.

 

[jason_h537]

ND, USC, , , , , UCLA

As good as he might be, losing a California recruit is no big deal. California football players and Russian hockey players have a lot in common.

Why do people in here say such dumb shit? Is it because you can't remove your fan hat and think of things logically? Or is it because so many in here are just triggered by the word California?

Last I checked, California is the most represented state on the roster. So crucial in fact that the administration chose to keep the Stanford rivalry over MSU, Purdue, and BC. You also have a top 100 WR when the team is in desperate need of receivers. There is no two ways about this, losing CJ Williams would be a disaster to the class.

now hopefully the staff will be able to alleviate any hesitation he is having. But the idea that a player would like to stay close to home is a constant problem because Notre Dame recruits nationally. We see this every year.. There is no conspiracy. It's hard to recruit at Notre Dame, especially when in state U wants them. But the idea that ND isn't recruiting him hard enough. That the team doesn't need him. That ND shouldn't waste their time in CA are all ideas that are dumb as fuck.

 

[317Irish]

Why do people in here say such dumb shit? Is it because you can't remove your fan hat and think of things logically? Or is it because so many in here are just triggered by the word California?

Last I checked, California is the most represented state on the roster. So crucial in fact that the administration chose to keep the Stanford rivalry over MSU, Purdue, and BC. You also have a top 100 WR when the team is in desperate need of receivers. There is no two ways about this, losing CJ Williams would be a disaster to the class.

now hopefully the staff will be able to alleviate any hesitation he is having. But the idea that a player would like to stay close to home is a constant problem because Notre Dame recruits nationally. We see this every year.. There is no conspiracy. It's hard to recruit at Notre Dame, especially when in state U wants them. But the idea that ND isn't recruiting him hard enough. That the team doesn't need him. That ND shouldn't waste their time in CA are all ideas that are dumb as fuck.

I think some people on here need to be less aggressive towards people/ideas they don’t agree with. Bad takes are going to happen in every thread- counterpoints can be made in a more polite manner.

 

[ThePiombino]

I think some people on here need to be less aggressive towards people/ideas they don’t agree with. Bad takes are going to happen in every thread- counterpoints can be made in a more polite manner.

Yep

 

[NDGOLDEN]

He talks about wanting a QB and then the USC QB de commits lol. I get location seems to be a factor with him but they are losing recruits and still don’t have a coach. I don’t understand what’s keeping him from just writing them off.

Maybe they do hire a home run hire but it sounds like all the “big fish” are almost gone. I hope he stays aboard but def feels like he is a coach away from going to usc.

 

[Dale]

Posted about the same in Brown’s thread. Don’t get it. CJ is potentially one of the few buying what Donte is trying to sell. Their recruiting class is a joke right now.

 

[Crazy Balki]

What I don't understand is that amidst all the rumblings surrounding CJ and Walker, you'd think that ND would have circled back to some previous names or put out new offers, but that hasn't happened.

That tells me either ND isn't concerned about those 2 or they are seriously not preparing for the contingency of losing 1 or those two or both.

Hopefully, it's the former, because if it's the latter, it's going to absolutely break the class. A 3 man class only really works with the recruits they currently have. They really should be shooting for 4. The idea that they may end up with only 1-2 is wholly unacceptable.

I may be getting ahead of myself, but it's definitely concerning with only 3 weeks left before signing day.

 

[NDdomer2]

I think some people on here need to be less aggressive towards people/ideas they don’t agree with. Bad takes are going to happen in every thread- counterpoints can be made in a more polite manner.

Hot takes, stale narratives or aggressive opposition only my friend.

 

[BobbyMac]

Would be great if our star WR commit was recruiting SC's QB commit and not the other way around.

We've come a long long way together...

 

[Irishman77]

Why do people in here say such dumb shit? Is it because you can't remove your fan hat and think of things logically? Or is it because so many in here are just triggered by the word California?

Last I checked, California is the most represented state on the roster. So crucial in fact that the administration chose to keep the Stanford rivalry over MSU, Purdue, and BC. You also have a top 100 WR when the team is in desperate need of receivers. There is no two ways about this, losing CJ Williams would be a disaster to the class.

now hopefully the staff will be able to alleviate any hesitation he is having. But the idea that a player would like to stay close to home is a constant problem because Notre Dame recruits nationally. We see this every year.. There is no conspiracy. It's hard to recruit at Notre Dame, especially when in state U wants them. But the idea that ND isn't recruiting him hard enough. That the team doesn't need him. That ND shouldn't waste their time in CA are all ideas that are dumb as fuck.

Dang you are smart. Thanks for sharing your intuitive thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving

 

[irishandy]

Let ND do their in-home visit with CJ and see what happens. For those who have been around kids make comments all the time during their recruitment...it's recruiting!

If I were ND I would send BK, Tommy, and....Polian. Yes Polian. During his years with Weis he did a great job recruiting the West Coast.

If Ohio State decided to pursue Styles and Georgia decided to pursue Colzie this time last year we would have the same thoughts...again it's recruiting. Williams is in USC's backyard.

Concerning our WR depth if our seniors pursued the NFL at best Austin would get drafted and I think he would go late. Of the 3 seniors I think he is the only one that comes back.

I think Del moves on after this year, I haven't been very impressed with him at ND. He has landed 2 back-back great WR classes and freshman are playing. I think ND can get a better WR coach/recruiter.

Trust the staff and maybe they reassure him and he passes on his visits to USC/UCLA.

 

[stpeteirish]

I almost hope he takes the visit to UCLA, it'll muddy the waters. But really, who the hell knows?

 

[Dale]

If it’s Campbell for the Trojans, I feel somewhat good in relation to CJ? I mean very few offenses less WR friendly than Campbell’s. I don’t doubt he’d like Campbell but also don’t see him being better than BK in a December living room

 

[Trait Expectations]

If it’s Campbell for the Trojans, I feel somewhat good in relation to CJ? I mean very few offenses less WR friendly than Campbell’s. I don’t doubt he’d like Campbell but also don’t see him being better than BK in a December living room

If we end up losing CJ to a west coast school, it's a sign he wouldn't have stayed at ND anyway. ND is amongst the top 4 winningest programs over the last 4-5 years, they are inching up in every metric and our reloading/rebuilding/injury-prone year resulted in 10-1 going on 11-1. Meanwhile, USC and Cal are below middle of the pack programs with poor rosters.

If he's sold on those programs or he's afraid of ND for some reason, it's best for him to go in a different direction. Now if he's just got cold feet and Kelly & Co can remind him why he made his decision, I'm all for it but his confidence in ND has been shaken by someone (or some people).

 

[Crazy Balki]

If we end up losing CJ to a west coast school, it's a sign he wouldn't have stayed at ND anyway. ND is amongst the top 4 winningest programs over the last 4-5 years, they are inching up in every metric and our reloading/rebuilding/injury-prone year resulted in 10-1 going on 11-1. Meanwhile, USC and Cal are below middle of the pack programs with poor rosters.

If he's sold on those programs or he's afraid of ND for some reason, it's best for him to go in a different direction. Now if he's just got cold feet and Kelly & Co can remind him why he made his decision, I'm all for it but his confidence in ND has been shaken by someone (or some people).

I couldn't disagree more.

I understand the logic behind "If he was second guessing ND, it's a sign that he wouldn't have stayed", but we've had players who second guessed their decision initially and ended up having great careers and not regretting their decision.

Not to mention, we literally CANNOT afford to lose a receiver in this class with the state of our receiving room right now. We literally CANNOT.

 

[T-Boone]

Not to mention, we literally CANNOT afford to lose a receiver in this class with the state of our receiving room right now. We literally CANNOT.

It would not be ideal but we would pick up someone(s) in the transfer portal.

 

[IrishLax]

It would not be ideal but we would pick up someone(s) in the transfer portal.

Yup, and I think they’re planning on hitting the transfer portal pretty hard regardless. I think they’d like to add about ~4 guys.