'23 FL DE Keon Keeley (Prodigal Son)

[GATTACA!]

My venmo is open. Most of it will make it to Keely.

Found Uncle Keeley's account.

 

[Dale]

Lol just saw this. Cristobal having Calais Campbell get in the Twitter weeds

 

[Sea Turtle]

We need to chill a bit when it comes to the administration. They have really stepped up in regard to NIL and everything else. I haven't felt that they have been this on board when it comes to ND football competing since Malloy, Beauchamp and Wadsworth cratered the program in 1995.

They can't help it that a few schools have just gotten nuts and are openly breaking the rules and laughing at the NCAA and daring them to do something about it.

We are competing. Our legit NIL is second to none. We are on the boards for when CFB leaves the NCAA and forms something that will have rules that everyone will have to follow.

 

[du Lac]

I dont have a problem with Alabama treating Saban like he's the King. He's added more value to that university than he can possibly get in return.

Football makes Alabama who they are. Sounds a bit like another university...

I disagree. Nobody would go to Bama if it weren’t for Forest Gump.

 

[Crazy Balki]

We need to chill a bit when it comes to the administration. They have really stepped up in regard to NIL and everything else. I haven't felt that they have been this on board when it comes to ND football competing since Malloy, Beauchamp and Wadsworth cratered the program in 1995.

They can't help it that a few schools have just gotten nuts and are openly breaking the rules and laughing at the NCAA and daring them to do something about it.

We are competing. Our legit NIL is second to none. We are on the boards for when CFB leaves the NCAA and forms something that will have rules that everyone will have to follow.

1) Saying the admin is more on board with football than under Malloy, Beauchamp and Wadsworth is setting the bar PAINFULLY low.

2) If you really think that legislation or any sort of regulation is coming any time soon, or if it's really going to change much, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

The reality is that this isn't just a "few" schools. These are the schools we need to beat in order to best position ourselves to attain our goal of winning championships. So what does it matter, even if it is just a "few schools", they are the Alabamas of the world that we need to compete with. Them doing this means that infamous gap is not closing.

Sorry, but if we're not offering the guaranteed NIL to the 5-stars, then we are not competing. That isn't what people in this fanbase want to hear, but it's the reality of the situation.

I think it's foolish to just sit by and hope something is going to change that will make all this go away or regulated. ND's failed to attain it's goals over the past 3 decades primarily due to the fact that they're constantly reacting to change rather than being ahead of the curve. CFB's history has been written by those who have best maneuvered the landscape. This isn't going away. It's not. Period.

 

[du Lac]

We need to chill a bit when it comes to the administration. They have really stepped up in regard to NIL and everything else. I haven't felt that they have been this on board when it comes to ND football competing since Malloy, Beauchamp and Wadsworth cratered the program in 1995.

They can't help it that a few schools have just gotten nuts and are openly breaking the rules and laughing at the NCAA and daring them to do something about it.

We are competing. Our legit NIL is second to none. We are on the boards for when CFB leaves the NCAA and forms something that will have rules that everyone will have to follow.

If the NCAA legalized bags, ND will be hard to beat. There is no larger fan base and none that are relevant with a significantly larger endowment. If MF can recruit like he does while also dropping bags and promising an elite degree, look out. Even Saban will be nervous. Ryan Day will be shitting bricks. Despite ND lacking in recent success, it’s still the sleeping giant.

 

[HouseofPain]

Problem is that the Saban's of the game have been getting away with it for a VERY long time. And the fact is, most fans could care less. All they care about is wins and NCs. Sadly, welcome to America where mortals and integrity took a back seat years ago.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Problem is that the Saban's of the game have been getting away with it for a VERY long time. And the fact is, most fans could care less. All they care about is wins and NCs. Sadly, welcome to America where mortals and integrity took a back seat years ago.

 

[Sea Turtle]

1) Saying the admin is more on board with football than under Malloy, Beauchamp and Wadsworth is setting the bar PAINFULLY low.

2) If you really think that legislation or any sort of regulation is coming any time soon, or if it's really going to change much, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

The reality is that this isn't just a "few" schools. These are the schools we need to beat in order to best position ourselves to attain our goal of winning championships. So what does it matter, even if it is just a "few schools", they are the Alabamas of the world that we need to compete with. Them doing this means that infamous gap is not closing.

Sorry, but if we're not offering the guaranteed NIL to the 5-stars, then we are not competing. That isn't what people in this fanbase want to hear, but it's the reality of the situation.

I think it's foolish to just sit by and hope something is going to change that will make all this go away or regulated. ND's failed to attain it's goals over the past 3 decades primarily due to the fact that they're constantly reacting to change rather than being ahead of the curve. CFB's history has been written by those who have best maneuvered the landscape. This isn't going away. It's not. Period.

They are more on board than 10 years ago, 5 years ago and even just last year. You could even argue that they are more onboard than when Holtz was hired. They are doing everything that's not downright illegal.

We literally have two members on the post ncaa board. We or anyone else for that matter are not leaving for something that won't have everybody playing by the same rules. The big ten is not joining a league where they have to play by a different set of rules.

And then there is congress.

 

[Crazy Balki]

They are more on board than 10 years ago, 5 years ago and even just last year. You could even argue that they are more onboard than when Holtz was hired. They are doing everything that's not downright illegal.

We literally have two members on the post ncaa board. We or anyone else for that matter are not leaving for something that won't have everybody playing by the same rules. The big ten is not joining a league where they have to play by a different set of rules.

And then there is congress.

You can keep saying it's "downright illegal", but I'm just telling you straight up, it isn't.

I want to say the same thing, but I'm looking at this objectively. These collectives are crazy. They aren't stupid.

They know how to frame these deals to make it legit. They'll put provisions in these NIL deals that promise the money for appearances, sponsorships, etc. And boom, guess what? It's legit. There's nothing in that deal that details inducements to commit to a certain school. Merely that once they sign, they accomplish A, B and C and are compensated with their big NIL money.

The NCAA has yet to make significant changes that bettered the games without teams just finding loophole after loophole to get around it. So again, I'm not holding my breath.

And congress? Second verse same as the first.

 

[Irishdrunk]

ND needs the NCAA to get a spine and give a clear directive of what will be allowed. But I believe NIL came out of a court case, right? Therefore its far more complicated than just the NCAAs.

I feel like Sonny in a Bronx Tale after breaking up the Bikers at the Bar "They ruined my whole fucking lunch!"

TODAY HAS SUCKED!

 

[WilliamWallace]

The uncomfortable reality of things is:

You cant get many guys like this unless you win games like the one coming up, and you cant win games like the one coming up without guys like this.

It becomes tiresome to see news like this, but the news itself isnt shocking.

MF is doing serious work, and if his coaching chops are legit, he will get some of these guys to stick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have said many times we just gotta win, and winning on the big stage will go a long way to curing many of our current recruiting woes. No all, but many.

I do not agree that we can’t win without guys like these. Kyle Hamilton, Kyren Williams, and the Dylan Edwards of the world are exactly why. There’s countless others that never sniffed four star territory. A coaching staff like our current staff, that are great at identifying and developing these diamonds in the rough is all you need. Still gotta be a great coached team, but also find those overlooked five stars and show them the way.

 

[du Lac]

Nobody would remember Manti Te’o had he gone to Bama. Te’o is a legend only bc he went to ND. Nobody will remember Keon Keeley. He will not be a legend.

 

[WaveDomer]

Nobody would remember Manti Te’o had he gone to Bama. Te’o is a legend only bc he went to ND. Nobody will remember Keon Keeley. He will not be a legend.

I love Te'o, but if he went to Alabama or USC and played like he did at ND, he would be a legend at those schools and then probably remembered for a scandal more than actual play on the field by the rest of the country outside of Hawaii. Alabama is filled with legendary players: Derrick Thomas, Joe Namath, Don Hutson, Stabler... Cmon. Keeley will have his shot and if he goes to Alabama it's not going to hamper that shot.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I have said many times we just gotta win, and winning on the big stage will go a long way to curing many of our current recruiting woes. No all, but many.

I do not agree that we can’t win without guys like these. Kyle Hamilton, Kyren Williams, and the Dylan Edwards of the world are exactly why. There’s countless others that never sniffed four star territory. A coaching staff like our current staff, that are great at identifying and developing these diamonds in the rough is all you need. Still gotta be a great coached team, but also find those overlooked five stars and show them the way.

Hamilton was a 5-star, like Keeley, he started out modestly ranked, committed and then shot up the rankings.

But even when we had Hamilton and Kyren, we still couldn't win against the Alabamas of the world.

The problem is that ND certainly can find those diamonds in the rough, but for every diamond in the rough, there's just rough. Thing is that Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, etc. all have diamonds in the rough too, but they are supplementary to the 5-star elite athletes they have on roster. Look at Georgia, Jordan Davis was a diamond in the rough, but look at the front 7 surrounding him:

DE: Travon Walker (5-star: .9901)
DE: Devonte Wyatt (4-star: .8993)
OLB: Adam Anderson (5-star: .9889)
ILB: Nolan Smith (5-star: .9994)
ILB: Quay Walker (4-star: .9830)
OLB: Nakobe Dean (5-star: .9908)

So 5 of Davis' 6 teammates in the front 7 were ranked 98 or higher, essentially 4 5-stars and 1 VERY high 4-star.

How can ND compete with that in today's landscape with NIL running amuck and teams promising the 5-stars big money?

 

[du Lac]

I love Te'o, but if he went to Alabama or USC and played like he did at ND, he would be a legend at those schools and then probably remembered for a scandal more than actual play on the field by the rest of the country outside of Hawaii. Alabama is filled with legendary players: Derrick Thomas, Joe Namath, Don Hutson, Stabler... Cmon. Keeley will have his shot and if he goes to Alabama it's not going to hamper that shot.

I think he stands out bc he went to ND. Bama has had a lot of good linebackers in the past decade. I can’t name one. The way he played in the NC game, he’d never had been up for Heisman if he weren’t at ND. At ND, he was a legend. Bama has multiple first round picks per year. Te’o wasn’t even a first round pick, but he’s still a legend. If you gave me $1 million as a college freshman, I’d have spent 700k on beer, vacations, cars, and parties b4 I left campus. This I am sure. If I had family that wanted a cut, it would all be gone. I’d also have given up with the slightest adversity. I already got mine. That’s how dumb I was.

 

[WaveDomer]

I think he stands out bc he went to ND. Bama has had a lot of good linebackers in the past decade. I can’t name one. The way he played in the NC game, he’d never had been up for Heisman if he weren’t at ND. At ND, he was a legend. Bama has multiple first round picks per year. Te’o wasn’t even a first round pick, but he’s still a legend. If you gave me $1 million as a college freshman, I’d have spent 700k on beer, vacations, cars, and parties b4 I left campus. I’d also have given up with adversity. I already got mine.

I don't disagree with you but that's only because of our perspective as ND fans. The majority of the country does not see him as a legend. I would bet Keeley's NIL dollars on that.

 

[du Lac]

I don't disagree with you but that's only because of our perspective as ND fans. The majority of the country does not see him as a legend. I would bet Keeley's NIL dollars on that.

With the largest fan base I’d say that is bigger than everyone else.

 

[irishandy]

Here is an article from IB today. Keeley is still considering ND and Freeman is still recruiting him

Keon Keeley De-Commits From Notre Dame

Notre Dame has lost its top recruit in the 2023 class as Keon Keeley has opened up his recruitment

www.si.com

When Freeman got hired as the HC we all read how he loves to recruit. If Keeley hasn't shut the door and if ND hasn't shut the door lets make this a recruiting battle.

As a couple of posts said above if it were up to Keeley he would sign with ND. Freeman should recruit Keeley and not the family who doesn't want him at ND.

This is going to be interesting to see how Freeman handles this recruitment if he is still recruiting Keeley, you just don't let a kid like Keeley go.

@ du Lac-- go take a break or get a hobby.

 

[INLaw]

When Freeman got hired as the HC we all read how he loves to recruit. If Keeley hasn't shut the door and if ND hasn't shut the door lets make this a recruiting battle.

As a couple of posts said above if it were up to Keeley he would sign with ND. Freeman should recruit Keeley and not the family who doesn't want him at ND.

This is going to be interesting to see how Freeman handles this recruitment if he is still recruiting Keeley, you just don't let a kid like Keeley go.

@ du Lac-- go take a break or get a hobby.

What if as maybe has been reported the family and his high school just close the door on Freeman, what is to be done?

 

[du Lac]

“@ du Lac-- go take a break or get a hobby.”


Says the guy with 2500 posts and 200 likes.

 

[WaveDomer]

With the largest fan base I’d say that is bigger than everyone else.

It's amazing how many players choose not to be legends and go to other schools and play for lowly programs.

 

[WaveDomer]

“@ du Lac-- go take a break or get a hobby.”


Says the guy with 2500 posts and 200 likes.

He's been around since 2008. Not sure why you are taking jabs at his post number.

 

[du Lac]

He's been around since 2008. Not sure why you are taking jabs at his post number.

Possibly bc he took a jab at me.

 

[WilliamWallace]

You compete by finding the overlooked stars with legitimate nfl upside that don’t have huge money offers and develop them into the 5 stars. There will be misses, but as I’ve said before, in the last few years we’ve done well at identifying under-ranked talent.

Of course it all has to come together at the right time. But having a coach that can bring out your best when it counts is something I’ll never believe BK had. It seems we may have that now. And until ND finds a way to compete financially what choice do we have.

The thing is, is that while there’s a lot of misses by those ranking the HS prospects, there’s also over ranking that occurs. Some of those high four, and five stars won’t have NFL careers. They’re only as good as they are as team.

 

[INLaw]

You compete by finding the overlooked stars with legitimate nfl upside that don’t have huge money offers and develop them into the 5 stars. There will be misses, but as I’ve said before, in the last few years we’ve done well at identifying under-ranked talent.

Of course it all has to come together at the right time. But having a coach that can bring out your best when it counts is something I’ll never believe BK had. It seems we may have that now. And until ND finds a way to compete financially what choice do we have.

The thing is, is that while there’s a lot of misses by those ranking the HS prospects, there’s also over ranking that occurs. Some of those high four, and five stars won’t have NFL careers. They’re only as good as they are as team.

Most of the coaches who were finding the undervalued guys have moved on. Not saying the new ones cant but just an observation.

 

[du Lac]

Most of the coaches who were finding the undervalued guys have moved on. Not saying the new ones cant but just an observation.

Almost posted the exact same thing. Foskey was found by others. Perhaps Freeman can do that too but he’s more a high 4 star guy.

 

[WilliamWallace]

Most of the coaches who were finding the undervalued guys have moved on. Not saying the new ones cant but just an observation.

Freeman at Cincinnati is all the proof I have. Hopefully that’s enough.

 

[Crazy Balki]

You compete by finding the overlooked stars with legitimate nfl upside that don’t have huge money offers and develop them into the 5 stars. There will be misses, but as I’ve said before, in the last few years we’ve done well at identifying under-ranked talent.

Of course it all has to come together at the right time. But having a coach that can bring out your best when it counts is something I’ll never believe BK had. It seems we may have that now. And until ND finds a way to compete financially what choice do we have.

The thing is, is that while there’s a lot of misses by those ranking the HS prospects, there’s also over ranking that occurs. Some of those high four, and five stars won’t have NFL careers. They’re only as good as they are as team.

Here's the problem. You just defined Keon Keeley.

He was overlooked until late last year and then everyone began to see what ND saw, that the kid was a legit star in the making with NFL upside. Then once the teams understood the caliber of player he was, that's when the heat turned up and then eventually, money began to talk.

There's just no way to look at this positively. There's no replacing Keeley. It is a catastrophic loss and ND has no one to blame but themselves for pretending they could just play by "the rules" when everyone else isn't.

 

[WilliamWallace]

The difference is the two schools and who they’re able to realistically target.