Not sure how to describe it but I see something real special in Crist. It is not just the throws or athleticism on the field. It is the way he looks and acts a lot older than he is. One of the commentators during the game mentioned the eye-ball test for the players. Crist, to me more than any other player in the 2008 class passes the eye-ball test. He looks the part - tall, good build (not too bulky, not too small), big strong legs, good feet.
But more than anything, he carries himself like he is a college senior not a high school senior. The way he interacts with the media is exceptional... and this is something extremely important when you are the QB at ND. He can handle the pressure.
The same is true with his interation with teammates. He was voted a captain. I think guys around him see him as their leader. They seem to have confidence in him, which in return increases their confidence in themselves. Crist has that "IT" you look for in a QB; that his teammates look for in their QB. It is not just about execution in practice and in the first 3 quarters of the game. Players need to have confidence when the game is on the line and this confidence only comes when you truly believe your QB will drive your team down the field when the game is on the line. Very few QB's, in college and the pro's garner this type of confidence and respect from their teammates. Much of this is not taught... QB's either have it or they don't. The comparison I make for Crist is Tony Rice with more natural QB talent. Tony was not special for just his talent on the field but the leadership he displayed. That '88 national championship team was Tony's team.
A final point is how I believe Crist will impact this team next year. There was a thread someone started about the most impactful freshman in next season. I think Crist will be although he likely will see no playing time. There seems to be a special relationship between Jimmy and Dayne. Jimmy seems to be very comfortable with Dayne and vice-versa. To me Jimmy never looked very comfortable last year; not on the field but more importantly not with his upperclass teammates. I went to the pep rally for the BC game. Jimmy sat at the end of one of the rows and never seemed to show any emotion or have any interaction with his teammates. Dayne will be a trusted friend to Jimmy and I think make him much more comfortable while providing some much needed competition during practice. I also believe with Dayne's personality he will be immediately welcomed by the entire team. This will allow Dayne to help build up Jimmy with other teammates if this is in fact needed (my perception of things might be completely wrong and this is not required). Either way, Jimmy and Dayne will be important for one another.
Crist's leadership will also continue to be felt with this freshman class next year. He will keep them together, working hard, pushing the upperclassmen. The hidden benefit of depth and a few talented recruiting classes in a row is that competition for playing time and starting roles is ratcheted up during the week. Dayne will make sure this class is not just special this year as recruits, but leaves 4-5 years from now as special for building the program.
ND will have other 5-star recruits in the future (hopefully many) and we will have more talented players come through ND stadium, but guys like Crist are very rear in my opinion. Guys like Crist are not available in every recruiting class. CW hit a home run with this one and not just because he landed a 5-star QB.
But more than anything, he carries himself like he is a college senior not a high school senior. The way he interacts with the media is exceptional... and this is something extremely important when you are the QB at ND. He can handle the pressure.
The same is true with his interation with teammates. He was voted a captain. I think guys around him see him as their leader. They seem to have confidence in him, which in return increases their confidence in themselves. Crist has that "IT" you look for in a QB; that his teammates look for in their QB. It is not just about execution in practice and in the first 3 quarters of the game. Players need to have confidence when the game is on the line and this confidence only comes when you truly believe your QB will drive your team down the field when the game is on the line. Very few QB's, in college and the pro's garner this type of confidence and respect from their teammates. Much of this is not taught... QB's either have it or they don't. The comparison I make for Crist is Tony Rice with more natural QB talent. Tony was not special for just his talent on the field but the leadership he displayed. That '88 national championship team was Tony's team.
A final point is how I believe Crist will impact this team next year. There was a thread someone started about the most impactful freshman in next season. I think Crist will be although he likely will see no playing time. There seems to be a special relationship between Jimmy and Dayne. Jimmy seems to be very comfortable with Dayne and vice-versa. To me Jimmy never looked very comfortable last year; not on the field but more importantly not with his upperclass teammates. I went to the pep rally for the BC game. Jimmy sat at the end of one of the rows and never seemed to show any emotion or have any interaction with his teammates. Dayne will be a trusted friend to Jimmy and I think make him much more comfortable while providing some much needed competition during practice. I also believe with Dayne's personality he will be immediately welcomed by the entire team. This will allow Dayne to help build up Jimmy with other teammates if this is in fact needed (my perception of things might be completely wrong and this is not required). Either way, Jimmy and Dayne will be important for one another.
Crist's leadership will also continue to be felt with this freshman class next year. He will keep them together, working hard, pushing the upperclassmen. The hidden benefit of depth and a few talented recruiting classes in a row is that competition for playing time and starting roles is ratcheted up during the week. Dayne will make sure this class is not just special this year as recruits, but leaves 4-5 years from now as special for building the program.
ND will have other 5-star recruits in the future (hopefully many) and we will have more talented players come through ND stadium, but guys like Crist are very rear in my opinion. Guys like Crist are not available in every recruiting class. CW hit a home run with this one and not just because he landed a 5-star QB.
