Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[JD Irish]

What went wrong with the 2025 recruiting class? Is there actually a concerted effort to sign 5 stars from HS?

 

[Irish#1]

@Merckxe525
What's the thoughts on Ash. I assume he's going to basically run Golden's/MF's defense? Are there any of his concepts that will get implemented or is it to soon to know? As always, we appreciate the info.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

@Merckxe525

How do you see the safety depth chart playing out?

 

[MacIrish75]

I don’t think I’ve ever counted the pieces before starting a puzzle. You really count them?

I assure you. He does.

 

[JD Irish]

What went wrong with the 2025 recruiting class? Is there actually a concerted effort to sign 5 stars from HS?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

What went wrong with the 2025 recruiting class? Is there actually a concerted effort to sign 5 stars from HS?

You serious, Clark?

 

[Irish8248]

You serious, Clark?

I read somewhere that it was a miscalculation on pay to play, some bad luck, and Bowden just sucked at times. If i had a crystal ball i would say ND tries to make a serious run at some more 5 stars in 26.... lol

 

[PolishDomer]

Merck, a formal welcome from me to the board. Also, reading through some of the chatter, apparently you were in the hospital. Hope all is well in your recovery, and appreciate the insights you bring.

 

[NDisme]

- Freeman, and the staff, believe in being absolutely honest with every player.

- Both sought out assurances of their projected playing time/starting.

- Both were told they would not be assured starting spots/projected playing time.

- Both had already had transfer offers from other schools with assurances of starting.

So, frankly, both of their decisions were reached fairly quickly, and without much back and forth.

So no truth to there being consternation in the Oline room?

 

[NDMatt91]

@Merckxe525 Does ND plan to make it easier for fans to contribute to the NIL collective so the program can, let's be real, buy players (HS recruits and top transfers)? Oregon, Ohio State, and the SEC schools make it very, very easy for their fans to contribute to their collectives.

 

[NDohio]

@Merckxe525 Does ND plan to make it easier for fans to contribute to the NIL collective so the program can, let's be real, buy players (HS recruits and top transfers)? Oregon, Ohio State, and the SEC schools make it very, very easy for their fans to contribute to their collectives.

Not Merck, but part of the answer here is going to come from the Senate Bill that is expected to pass in April. At that point, collectives may become a thing of the past.

The schools will have a mandated budget on what they are able to pay out to athletes - looks like it'll be in the $20 - $22 million range. This will cover all sports. Most schools are saying that ~85% will go to football. Anything paid to players above that will have to be true NIL. As in the athlete will be required to earn that money in some way. There is supposed to be a "watchdog" that approves/denies every NIL contract.

Now, we all know that this will just lead us back to schools having bagmen that illegally pay players, but we also know that ND will not participate in that. Anyway, the collectives will most likely be gone.

 

[PolishDomer]

Not Merck, but part of the answer here is going to come from the Senate Bill that is expected to pass in April. At that point, collectives may become a thing of the past.

The schools will have a mandated budget on what they are able to pay out to athletes - looks like it'll be in the $20 - $22 million range. This will cover all sports. Most schools are saying that ~85% will go to football. Anything paid to players above that will have to be true NIL. As in the athlete will be required to earn that money in some way. There is supposed to be a "watchdog" that approves/denies every NIL contract.

Now, we all know that this will just lead us back to schools having bagmen that illegally pay players, but we also know that ND will not participate in that. Anyway, the collectives will most likely be gone.

In this thread, we need to use labels of "Merck ignore" or "Dear Merck"...may clear up confusion

 

[NDFAN2008]

Good to see they are finally realizing they need to up their NIL for HS kids lets hope to see improvement in this area in 2026.

 

[Dale]

There is no amount of money ND needs from general fan support. If they want to spend more money, they have access to boosters that will give it. Public NIL funding at the level is no more than a feel good story. ND doesn’t solicit from the general public because they frankly don’t need it.

 

[Irish5Saint]

There is no amount of money ND needs from general fan support. If they want to spend more money, they have access to boosters that will give it. Public NIL funding at the level is no more than a feel good story. ND doesn’t solicit from the general public because they frankly don’t need it.

For football? Yes. But other sports like lacrosse and baseball and softball have no NIL and would benefit greatly from fan donations.

 

[Dale]

For football? Yes. But other sports like lacrosse and baseball and softball have no NIL and would benefit greatly from fan donations.

Agreed, that is probably fair to say. Was speaking just football.

 

[JD Irish]

There is no amount of money ND needs from general fan support. If they want to spend more money, they have access to boosters that will give it. Public NIL funding at the level is no more than a feel good story. ND doesn’t solicit from the general public because they frankly don’t need it.

If true, I don't see how that can be reconciled with our non-competitiveness in NIL since its inception.

 

[Dale]

If true, I don't see how that can be reconciled with our non-competitiveness in NIL since its inception.

Mercke could maybe take this further, but I don’t think non-competitive is the right word, at all.

Hartman, Leonard, Love, countless examples would not play for ND if they were truly non-competitive in NIL.

 

[Irish4life]

If true, I don't see how that can be reconciled with our non-competitiveness in NIL since its inception.

We're not non competitive

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Let’s start pouring money into the hockey team!

 

[gregm83]

I don’t think I’ve ever counted the pieces before starting a puzzle. You really count them?

sure as fuck will after that incident.
I trust nothing anymore

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Well fellas, since we've been asking Merk a lot of questions on a wide range of ND football topics, maybe it's best we have one just for him.

TBH, I'm surprised one of you slaps didn't think of this first!

Can't believe one of you boomers didn't think of this thread title earlier!

 

[ulukinatme]

This is the exact kind of post I would envision in the J3P Q&A thread. Let's make this happen gents.

Thoughts and prayers for the missing piece BTW...

We need an Ask Irishnd31 thread. Dating tips and how to snag nothing but 10s. Epic.

 

[jprue24]

- Freeman, and the staff, believe in being absolutely honest with every player.

This is always the way.

Thank you for sharing what you share.

 

[ndfanatic78]

Not Merck, but part of the answer here is going to come from the Senate Bill that is expected to pass in April. At that point, collectives may become a thing of the past.

The schools will have a mandated budget on what they are able to pay out to athletes - looks like it'll be in the $20 - $22 million range. This will cover all sports. Most schools are saying that ~85% will go to football. Anything paid to players above that will have to be true NIL. As in the athlete will be required to earn that money in some way. There is supposed to be a "watchdog" that approves/denies every NIL contract.

Now, we all know that this will just lead us back to schools having bagmen that illegally pay players, but we also know that ND will not participate in that. Anyway, the collectives will most likely be gone.

The difference is the NCAA had no real power. None of these schools are going to want to mess with the federal govt. That is a huge difference if this all is written into federal law.

 

[irishnd31]

We need an Ask Irishnd31 thread. Dating tips and how to snag nothing but 10s. Epic.

31 only got time fo a dime

Oh, Merck...ignore.

Did I do that right?

 

[PolishDomer]

31 only got time fo a dime

Oh, Merck...ignore.

Did I do that right?

You need italics, use Courier New font, size 9 font, plus throw salt over your shoulder and mutter "Mercke...Mercke...Mercke." He will jump out of the nearest mirror. Be sure to have milk and cookies at the ready...

 

[Irish#1]

Not Merck, but part of the answer here is going to come from the Senate Bill that is expected to pass in April. At that point, collectives may become a thing of the past.

The schools will have a mandated budget on what they are able to pay out to athletes - looks like it'll be in the $20 - $22 million range. This will cover all sports. Most schools are saying that ~85% will go to football. Anything paid to players above that will have to be true NIL. As in the athlete will be required to earn that money in some way. There is supposed to be a "watchdog" that approves/denies every NIL contract.

Now, we all know that this will just lead us back to schools having bagmen that illegally pay players, but we also know that ND will not participate in that. Anyway, the collectives will most likely be gone.

Is this group going to be part of the NCAA? If so, I can see this turning into a cluster. If outside, are the schools going to fund it?

 

[NDohio]

Is this group going to be part of the NCAA? If so, I can see this turning into a cluster. If outside, are the schools going to fund it?

Monumental shift: Power conferences, not NCAA, to control policing athlete compensation

A committee of power conference administrators took significant steps this week toward the creation of a new entity that will govern the evolving professionalized aspects of college sports.

t.co

 

[Irish8248]

Is this group going to be part of the NCAA? If so, I can see this turning into a cluster. If outside, are the schools going to fund it?

Irish Envy going to the show? Hot damn boys! How long before we're hit with sanctions though?