Ahhhh...Recruiting

[NDinL.A.]

With all the insanity of recruiting over the past couple of months, a couple of thoughts came into my head which I feel like discussing:

1. I LOVE when we get new recruits to verbal, but deep down I never get too happy when recruits verbal, and I never get too pissed when they de-commit. Back in the day I used to get extremely upset, but as I got older and saw so many defections at ND (and EVERY school) I realized that nothing matters until NSD. That's why when we had those defections earlier this month, while many people were freaking out and declaring ND dead, the old-timers on the board were unmoved, saying nothing matters until NSD. And they were right of course. Look at us now. We are in the mix with several big time recruits, and we just picked up 2 commits from TX, a state that we've had a really tough time making true in-roads in. And there will be more verbals to come, for sure.

2. I made this argument during the Lynch saga: Funny how people were killing Lynch for being a trader and a loser and a liar (among many more worse things) after he decommitted from ND. We heard the same things about Prestwood, Hayes, Burton (who really did lie to the ND coaches BTW), Oliver last year, Trattou, etc etc etc. Any time someone decommits from ND they are scum, with some being more scummy than others.

However, when a guy like Okatcha (sp) decommits from another school and commits to ND, he is welcomed with open arms and never ripped for being a coward or a trader or a liar or a loser. When really, what's the difference? He made a promise to Wisconsin, a very good school with a much better defense lately than ND, but he reneged when ND offered and is now a ND verbal. And everybody is cool with that.

That's why, when a ND verbal decommits, take a look at our own roster and see how many guys we got from other schools. If you think that decommitting is so bad and that as a father you'd never let your kid do it, then what do you think of the players ND has who decommitted from other schools?

Believe me, I was in these camps too when I first started following recruiting. I guess my purpose for typing this, besides the fact that I am addicted to hearing myself type (just kidding...or am I???) and besides the fact that I really don't feel like grading any more essays, is that the next time ND has a bad day in recruiting (which will come again, no doubt), take a deep breath and know that another bright day is coming, because they always do.

And the next time you rip a guy for decommitting from the great ND, just remember that we have several guys on our team that have done the exact same thing. Peace...

 

[chyrspchuck]

bravo ND in LA, your input is always on point, appreciate your knowledge here man.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

Did iamtrulyblessed hack NDinL.A.'s account?

Just kidding...

I agree with you. Personally, I hate when kids decommit. I dont hate them- just the fact that it is a stepping stone to get ND back to where they belong and when they back out it gets a little tougher. At this point, every player (especially the beasts like Lynch) are critical so its extra annoying when they back off.

But anyway, I like double standards.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Well said.

As ND fans we still view our school and team as the "cool jock" in the high school where if we get stood up on a date then we are quick to fire insults...nature of the beast? It does look petty though. Just think, no matter how pissed Wisconsin fans get, all they end up doing is looking bad after they rip ND (which I am sure they will do).

 

[IrishinSyria]

I've said it more than once and I'll say it again, my only problem with the whole Lynch thing was the timing of it. He probably picked the worst day of the worst week ever, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that, to bail on ND.

Besides that, you're absolutely right. These kids aren't making a moral commitment or swearing a blood oath, they're trying to find a school that's right for them. It's a very difficult and personal process, and they have to make a decision that will last the rest of their lives. We, as a community of fans, have no business telling them what's best for them (ND.)

On the other hand, this is the internet. While I.E. has very high standards, we're still a bunch of anonymous guys (mostly) posting on an internet message board. Committing to ND is a high profile thing to do. So is decommitting. People who are personally involved in such decisions are making a choice when they choose to join a message board, that choice involves "internet-serious" consequences when things go bad.

 

[irishtrain]

With all the insanity of recruiting over the past couple of months, a couple of thoughts came into my head which I feel like discussing:

1. I LOVE when we get new recruits to verbal, but deep down I never get too happy when recruits verbal, and I never get too pissed when they de-commit. Back in the day I used to get extremely upset, but as I got older and saw so many defections at ND (and EVERY school) I realized that nothing matters until NSD. That's why when we had those defections earlier this month, while many people were freaking out and declaring ND dead, the old-timers on the board were unmoved, saying nothing matters until NSD. And they were right of course. Look at us now. We are in the mix with several big time recruits, and we just picked up 2 commits from TX, a state that we've had a really tough time making true in-roads in. And there will be more verbals to come, for sure.

2. I made this argument during the Lynch saga: Funny how people were killing Lynch for being a trader and a loser and a liar (among many more worse things) after he decommitted from ND. We heard the same things about Prestwood, Hayes, Burton (who really did lie to the ND coaches BTW), Oliver last year, Trattou, etc etc etc. Any time someone decommits from ND they are scum, with some being more scummy than others.

However, when a guy like Okatcha (sp) decommits from another school and commits to ND, he is welcomed with open arms and never ripped for being a coward or a trader or a liar or a loser. When really, what's the difference? He made a promise to Wisconsin, a very good school with a much better defense lately than ND, but he reneged when ND offered and is now a ND verbal. And everybody is cool with that.

That's why, when a ND verbal decommits, take a look at our own roster and see how many guys we got from other schools. If you think that decommitting is so bad and that as a father you'd never let your kid do it, then what do you think of the players ND has who decommitted from other schools?

Believe me, I was in these camps too when I first started following recruiting. I guess my purpose for typing this, besides the fact that I am addicted to hearing myself type (just kidding...or am I???) and besides the fact that I really don't feel like grading any more essays, is that the next time ND has a bad day in recruiting (which will come again, no doubt), take a deep breath and know that another bright day is coming, because they always do.

And the next time you rip a guy for decommitting from the great ND, just remember that we have several guys on our team that have done the exact same thing. Peace...

I'm quoting this whole deal because its that good but here's my point. This site could be used as a real positive item with these kids. Not to blow them up or try to lure them in if they dont want to choose Notre Dame but rather as a weapon to show the pride and royalty of Notre Dame football. There are many good football heads on here along with some strong alums. This is legal and allowed so why not show class and understanding of the tough decision these guys have to make. I have never been to a game at the stadium when I am not impressed with the Notre Dame mystic and class of the ND nation, why not let it roll that way here with no matter what decision a kid makes. In the long run it makes Notre Dame look like Notre Dame and may turn eyes to the great program it will be. This site should be the bell cow for all sites pertaining to college football--hell man its Notre Dame.

 

[Zibby32]

Like I have said before, ND fans have a very loose grasp of reality....

 

[aubeirish]

I think the timing of the de-commitment might have affected the reactions of people as far as Lynch goes.

 

[OCIrish]

I think the timing of the de-commitment might have affected the reactions of people as far as Lynch goes.

Maybe, but it still doesn't excuse the venemous attacks against the kids who decommitted from ND. Recruiting is a marathon that goes all year long. We are going to win some and we'll lose some, but at the end of the day we're still going to have enough kids to field a team and there really is more to life than hanging your entire day on what some 17 and 18 year old kids decide. Come to ND or don't come. Its their future and ultimately, their decision, not ours.

That being said, good posts everyone.

 

[Zibby32]

I think the timing of the de-commitment might have affected the reactions of people as far as Lynch goes.

thats an excuse, and ND fans dont need them. They would have reacted the same regardless.

Flip the coin though, and when another player ditches their initial comitments to join the Irish...."OH THEY ARE RKG'S!"

 

[BestBIrish47]

I think the timing of the de-commitment might have affected the reactions of people as far as Lynch goes.

+1


Regardless, like in life, it is normally not what you do, it is when, and how you do it. I am with you though...unitl NSD we should try to avoid jumping to conclusions... but the word try is tough...Feb is so far away! Go IRISH

 

[connor_in]

Like I have said before, ND fans have a very loose grasp of reality....

That's not TRUE! I discussed this very point with my talking dog, Winston Churchill, the Easter Bunny, and Walker, Texas Ranger as we flew to Narnia on my flying purple snorklewacker. We all decided that ND fans like ourselves are very grounded in reality.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

For me the recruiting season is like an up and down rollercoaster. There will always be highs and lows, and I agree with you NDinLA that we should not rip the kids personally for changing their minds. The recruiting process does not end until NSD and it is an ongoing fight to the finish. Every year we also get kids who committed elsewhere and you will never find a person on this board that will criticize his decision. We all have to remember that these are kids...., so I too try not to get to high or low with these recruits until it is all said and done. ND is not for everyone because it takes a special kid with dedication and the desire and will to work hard not only on the football field but in the classroom as well. We should not bash a kid just because ND is not the place for them.

 

[tadman95]

Agree that timing didn't make that much difference. Was there really a good time?

I think the disappointment in Lynch's decommitment was magnified because of his ranking, our desperate need for more quality DL recruits, past disappointments, and let's face it, Mamma Lynch was cool.

I was always a little nervous that Lynch committed when he did because that had to have been a pretty emotional visit. When you get home, time goes by and other people are in your ear, things change.

I thought some comments here and other places were way over the top, personal, and didn't live up to Notre Dame standards. At least he did it when he did, not on NSD by not telling anyone.

That leads to two questions:

1- Wonder what the coaching staff thinks about these forums, helpful, hurtful, or both?

2- If Lynch sent in an unexpected commitment letter to ND on signing day, would we be ecstatic? (rhetorical question only)

 

[Zibby32]

1- Wonder what the coaching staff thinks about these forums, helpful, hurtful, or both?

2- If Lynch sent in an unexpected commitment letter to ND on signing day, would we be ecstatic? (rhetorical question only)

1= Hurtful, by chastising Lynch, an 18 year old kid, after he switched commitments...Do you honestly think that makes thier lives easier?

2= Of course ND fans would be happy, "I TOLD YOU HE WAS AN RKG"

 

[OCIrish]

That's not TRUE! I discussed this very point with my talking dog, Winston Churchill, the Easter Bunny, and Walker, Texas Ranger as we flew to Narnia on my flying purple snorklewacker. We all decided that ND fans like ourselves are very grounded in reality.

That's good $hit right there, good $hit!

 

[ThePiombino]

2- If Lynch sent in an unexpected commitment letter to ND on signing day, would we be ecstatic? (rhetorical question only)

He would be viewed as an untrustworthy turncoat (IMO) and only his performance on the field would change that. Odds are that in time we would all forgive and forget, but not right away.

 

[Legacy]

Agree.

Remember these are 17 or 18 yr old guys trying to make a life/career decision, who are high school football stars. They have parents involved in the decisions, who know them best, and concerned about their futures. This is about more than football.

A Notre Dame scholarship offer and the prospect of a degree are awesome but not for everyone. The whole process is one of figuring out what is best for them (or their son).

We have coaches who can move quickly to fill a gap made by a decommitment and have an ability to not only to evaluate talent but devolop it.

Besides, at IE not only are the 2011 prospects reading the board and what is said, but also the 2012 prospects. And for those few who use Facebook to confront a prospect or a decommited one, come on. Show some respect.

Recruiting each year has highs and lows for us. It's not about me or you, but them.

 

[IrishinSyria]

And for those few who use Facebook to confront a prospect or a decommited one, come on. Show some respect.

Definitely agree with this.

 

[jmurphy75]

Agree.

Remember these are 17 or 18 yr old guys trying to make a life/career decision, who are high school football stars. They have parents involved in the decisions, who know them best, and concerned about their futures. This is about more than football.

A Notre Dame scholarship offer and the prospect of a degree are awesome but not for everyone. The whole process is one of figuring out what is best for them (or their son).

We have coaches who can move quickly to fill a gap made by a decommitment and have an ability to not only to evaluate talent but devolop it.

Besides, at IE not only are the 2011 prospects reading the board and what is said, but also the 2012 prospects. And for those few who use Facebook to confront a prospect or a decommited one, come on. Show some respect.

Recruiting each year has highs and lows for us. It's not about me or you, but them.

Amen. The people that don't think that recruits read these boards are fooling themselves, and the people that contact recruits on Facebook are ridiculous. What do you get out of contact with a possible 18 year old recruit? Do you think it makes you cool to be able to tell your buddies that you are friend with him on facebook? ......really

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Well said LA...no need for people to be hypocritical...Remember: Brian Smith, Robinson, Gary Gray, Jonas Gray, KLM, Nicholas, TJ Jones, Bennett O, Golson.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Generally good stuff and a fine original post. My stance on all this stuff has been to put material onto the board which is either a) informative or b) hopefully helpful to the image of Notre Dame and our football team. Bashing away at people rarely serves either purpose. Criticism is OK and even good when it's directed to impersonal analysis of events past or projected. Not so much when mounds of crap are laid at a person's feet by name, and especially not at some kid's feet.

We have two rather distinct groups of posters on this board: 1). people seeking information and insight into Notre Dame football affairs, and who bring something to the table to support that discussion, and 2). emotional reactionaries who don't seem to be able to post anything without some oneupmanship or something which on analysis reduces to "it's all about me". I don't think that IE plays a BIG role in the world of ND football, but it's "out there" and so plays at least some role. I'd like that to be helpful to the coaching staff and our university.

 

[Irish To The Core]

Some very good discussion in this thread.

Personally, I think it shows considerable emotional immaturity to bash a confused 17 year old kid in a forum like this. There are many many reasons for a kid to de-commit and we on the outside can only guess at what the reasons are.

Personally, I think academic standards at Notre Dame probably plays a factor in many de-commitments. All these kids know the value of an ND degree but those who are a bit less secure academically also know the academic challenge they face at Notre Dame is significantly greater than at most other schools. When factored in with distance from home, etc. academic challenge is often the straw which broke the camel's back.

I always feel best about the verbals from kids with 3.9s or 4.0s like Jarret Grace. It is unusual for those kids to de-commit from ND, because the academics is a positive for them.

 

[CanadianIrish]

People who post on this forum are obviously hard core fans. Of course they find no fault in people who want to play for their team, its the right decision after all.

I don't want to get back into the "is what Lynch did wrong" thing again. If this thread turns into that it should be closed.

 

[jason_h537]

Nice Job NDinLA