Farrell's comments - 8/17

[lattedatte]

Rivals Radio Sirius 123.

Ben Martin - between us and ohio st.
M. Wilson - Illinois is the team to beat becuse of relationship the with coaching staff.
Benn - we are the clear leader. He said when he published the article a couple weeks back that benn was 70% ND, benn was inundated with text messages. Coaches were bitching, "hey I thought we were even?".. So he stepped back a bit so he didn't have to deal with that. I can't blame him. He said the only competition at this point is FSU, he was slated to go down last week but the terrorist threat caused him to cancel. Benn likes the prospect of playing with Clausen and the offense. I think Farrell has the best relationship with him out of the experts, so I view this as very good news. So everybody take a deep breath for now.

 

[A2McGowan]

Tez Wilson to Illinois.......that would be like losing a recruit to IU(alma mater). That is basically where there program is right now.....on that level. Heck, IU beat them last year. I think ND wants to put him at DE eventually and UI is telling him he can play wherever he wants to......ie linebacker for four years.

 

[Irish Envy]

Guys, I've been hearing rumblings that losing Hughes and Tez to Illinois may actually go down. There is one rumor I'm trying to sniff out from earlier this week that they actually gave a verbal to Zook this week. More as I know it.

 

[jiggafini19]

Notre Dame is not for everyone.

Wilson and Hughes would be on the field in a year if they went to Illinois. Isiah Williams and Chris James are there now, both from the CPL and same neighborhood as Wilson and Hughes. Anything is possible.

I'd like to hear more on this and find out what the story is. Wilson and Hughes have visiits scheduled to ND in December and not during game days. I wonder why that is?

 

[scooper]

Notre Dame is not for everyone.

Wilson and Hughes would be on the field in a year if they went to Illinois. Isiah Williams and Chris James are there now, both from the CPL and same neighborhood as Wilson and Hughes. Anything is possible.

I'd like to hear more on this and find out what the story is. Wilson and Hughes have visiits scheduled to ND in December and not during game days. I wonder why that is?

Traditionally, December visits have gone very well.

I wouldn't worry so much about the timing of their officials. Being close, they will probably make it to at least one ND game.

I am worried about the Illinois rumblings, though.

 

[jiggafini19]

I've been to a handful of games in both South Bend and Champaign.

Interestingly enough, I've seen each at their best times and each at their worst times.

A bad ND team vs. one of the good U of I teams is a game day atmosphere that isn't even comparable.

Let's wait and see what happens with Big Ten play. I want to see Illinois win a few games before I get worried.

 

[scooper]

I've been to a handful of games in both South Bend and Champaign.

Interestingly enough, I've seen each at their best times and each at their worst times.

A bad ND team vs. one of the good U of I teams is a game day atmosphere that isn't even comparable.

Let's wait and see what happens with Big Ten play. I want to see Illinois win a few games before I get worried.

Few being the key word here when it comes to the Illini.

 

[lattedatte]

I'm really not that suprised with Illinois success in recruiting, Zook and co. can recruit with the best of them. He has ties to the NFL and that's the no. 1 things kids care about. Couple that with the fact he can tell these guys they will play right away, he'll sway a few away from everyone not just us.

Let's focus on the positive. Benn is still looking good. With Kumara, Benn and either tate, smith, or clemons.. WOW!!! What a recieving core for yrs to come.

Is it 9/2 yet???

 

[jiggafini19]

I'm not sure there is really anything to worry about.

If you go to a game down there and think U of I Football atmosphere is for you, God bless you.

Zook will sell but the results on the field could make or break what they're going to do with top notch talent like Wilson, Hughes and Benn.

 

[domer88]

Thanks Latte for the update.

I, like most, think that a direct comparison of game visits might just sway Tez and Hughes our way.

As for Ben Martin, with an improvement on defense and a couple of wins....

 

[Guest]

I'm really not that suprised with Illinois success in recruiting, Zook and co. can recruit with the best of them.
Is it 9/2 yet???

I don't care how good a recruiter he is, a couple of more miserable seasons and blowouts and no one will want to go there. At that point they'll need to can his ass and hire a capable coach while they still have some talent on the team.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

no offense to Illinois but I just cannot Comprehend losing both Wilson and Hughes to UI.

boggles my mind. and I realize ND is not for everyone.

 

[jiggafini19]

I don't care how good a recruiter he is, a couple of more miserable seasons and blowouts and no one will want to go there. At that point they'll need to can his ass and hire a capable coach while they still have some talent on the team.

Who is going to go want that job? Zook is there because he as a pariah at Florida and is now getting a second chance as a head coach for a "basketball school". To Illinois, that is a gem of a hire in football.

In one year he's already brought in one of the best and highly rated classes they've ever had. Ron Turner would never have had the attention of Arrelious Benn.

A bowl bid is gravy to the Illini Football program. The bar isn't very high. If he does what he did record wise what he did at Florida, he'll stay in Champaign for a long time.

no offense to Illinois but I just cannot Comprehend losing both Wilson and Hughes to UI.

Luckof, it isn't as far fetched as you might think. Losing Benn or Ben Martin to Illinois is far more unlikely than Wilson or Hughes. They do live in the state and plenty of neighborhood Chicago Public Leaguers are at Illinois right now.

I don't see it happening unless Illinois has one hell of a year. And that isn't exactly likely either. Stranger things have happened.

 

[marv81s]

Play for a national title in a few years, or for 2nd or 3rd place in the Big 10 and be on national TV maybe once or twice a year, compared to every week. I understand Zook has some connection to the NFL, but I would think CW has a few more connections than Zook. The planets and stars will have to be lined up in a certain way for Zook to get 2 of the guys were talking about, and if he does, he better go buy himself a lottery ticket the day he gets the verbals from them. Maybe I'm wrong about Zook and Illinois, maybe they will compete in the Big 10 in a few years, but I can't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[Guest]

In one year he's already brought in one of the best and highly rated classes they've ever had. Ron Turner would never have had the attention of Arrelious Benn.

Their best class didn't even rank in the top 25. They had some good players, but overall nothing spectacular. How long do you expect his stellar recruiting to last? First year coaches often do well in recruiting, but I don't see them being any better this year, in fact they could be worse because they were lucky to beat Rutgers last year.


[/QUOTE] A bowl bid is gravy to the Illini Football program. The bar isn't very high. If he does what he did record wise what he did at Florida, he'll stay in Champaign for a long time. [/QUOTE]


Its going to be awhile before they're a bowl team IMO. The only talent that team has is some of the players they hauled in last years class, but it will take a couple of years for those guys to become impact players. Question is, will Zook still be able to recruit there after 2 or 3 miserable years?

Zook just isn't a good coach IMO. I don't see him even competeing with the likes of Wisconsin, Purdue, or MSU. Heck Terry Hoeppner at IU will give him problems.

MY point is that his recruitng will probably start to drop by his third or fourth year, thats when I'd go out and hire someone else while the team still has some talent on the roster. If they keep him around five or six years and his recruiting drops after his third year than the next coach would be left with a lack of talent, just like the team Zook currently inherited.

You need to be an excellent coach to go into an awful program and turn them around quickly. Kirk Ferentz, and Tedford are guys that come to mind and Zook is nowhere near the coach that those two are.

I think Hoeppner has a chance to do some good at IU, in fact I wouldn't be shocked to see IU make a bowl game this year or at least come close. They could realistly start the season 4-0

 

[skunkworks661]

Like I’ve said with Benn… relax. When it comes February we’ll see what happens. Charlie will be around for a long time (guaranteed). Zook doesn’t have this deal… another losing season at U of I, and he’s fired or at least the rumors will be felt- so no kid is going to want that! Wouldn’t you agree?

Now, obviously these kids will flirt with the idea of playing for Illinois if they can’t qualify for ND… I’d expect that. However, as we’ve seen with Gary Grey, Charlie can get these kids!!! He’s already proven himself. Also, Notre Dame Games are seen in prime time TV, this years class has a hand full of first round draft picks, and ohh by the way, we’ve got a legitimate National Championship contender this year!!! If we end up winning it all, come February- they’ll be lining up as they have been for SC & Texas.

For all, if you’re a true Notre Dame fan- we never worry about losing recruits to Illinois, we’re currently battling Southern Cal for many more! That’s the competition… every recruit this far for both teams has come down to both schools=-) Does anyone here believe that U of I will beat OSU, Michigan, Iowa, or Penn State? And the rest of the Big 10 is pretty decent with the exception of Indiana & Illinois!

 

[lattedatte]

Farrell also said that Benn is looking to decide in October. I like our chances with this guy.

I really think everybody is overblowing national TV coverage, tradition, campuses and even winning as a key criteria for picking a school. Kids want to hear that the program they commit to will get them to the next level. Jimmy cited it his press conference as the main reason he choose Charlie(and I do mean Charlie), he believes that he will best prepare him for the next level. Becuase of ESPN, everybody gets their fair share of games on TV, so I don't even think that is a factor. I would argue that if Brady and the Shark go in the first round in next years draft, that will have a bigger impact on recruiting then winning a national championship, especially at the skill positions. It has been too long since we have had a skill person go in the first round, was it bettis??

As far as Illinois goes, if Northwestern can succeed in the big 10, why couldn't they?

 

[scooper]

As far as Illinois goes, if Northwestern can succeed in the big 10, why couldn't they?

Well, for one thing, until he recently passed away, Northwestern had a much better coach. Maybe not a better recruiter, but a better coach.

 

[lattedatte]

Well, for one thing, until he recently passed away, Northwestern had a much better coach. Maybe not a better recruiter, but a better coach.

Agreed scoop, better game day, offensive coach, their defense might have been the worst I have ever seen in CFB though.

Plus guys, it's not like it's hard to go to a bowl game anymore, nearly half the D1 teams make it, so let's hold that up as some great achievement..

 

[ralphwaldoemerson]

Once the season starts, UI will lose these kids. It's hard to ignore blowouts week-in week-out, especially when your other school recruiting you is challenging for the national title.

 

[tommy]

yea im bias i cant see why any recruit would want to go any where but to nd but illinois wow they will have to do something very special and as some one stated going to a bowl game isnt that hard but i dont think zook has the players he had at florida (spits on the ground) man i was watching an old fsu florida game god i cant wait for the season and they had some ex fsu players on and keep in mind this is a game played in the 95 season and you could feal see and hear the hate the fsu players still have for the ol ball coach i never realy followed the guy but he must be a real ass hole for the hate to linger for 10 plus years

 

[scooper]

yea im bias i cant see why any recruit would want to go any where but to nd but illinois wow they will have to do something very special and as some one stated going to a bowl game isnt that hard but i dont think zook has the players he had at florida (spits on the ground) man i was watching an old fsu florida game god i cant wait for the season and they had some ex fsu players on and keep in mind this is a game played in the 95 season and you could feal see and hear the hate the fsu players still have for the ol ball coach i never realy followed the guy but he must be a real ass hole for the hate to linger for 10 plus years

You must have the Fox College Sports package. All those old southern replays are getting me through this long offseason.

 

[tommy]

actually its the sunshine network local florida station and its barly enough watching the florida teams beat each other up its the only reason i can stand it they really hate each other as much as i do so its good

 

[rontdtarchala]

I have tried to watch as many of the old games as possible...i.e. I have every sports channel available. Thank God this sunday is Notre Dames turn...a lot of Domer stuff all day. Can't remember if its CSTV or ESPN U but I already have them set on the dvr. I am tired of recruiting and reeeeeeeeallly ready for the season to start. I am not concerned about who we will get for next year. I have no doubt that we will be one of the tops so.....lets get ready to rumble!!!!!

Go Irish!!!!!

 

[tommy]

i second that motion im so burned out on recruiting its not even funny i been waiting for it seems 13 months its gonna be a special year

 

[PMac]

I bet these recruits think Zook is a great coach who is turning around that program. Zook tells them its up and coming and for some reason they believe him. Once they lose another 9 games this year they will see its not happening in Illinois and ND will be shining gold.

 

[marv81s]

All they have to do is a little investigating and they can see that Zook isn't the real deal. If he couldn't do anything at Florida, he isn't going to compete at Illinois. I really disagree with people when they say he wasn't given a chance at Florida, to me that is crap. If he couldn't win at Florida, he isn't going to win at Illinois. Florida is a much bigger attraction than U of IL, and he was losing to teams that florida has rarely lost to in the past, Miss State, Ole Miss, etc. I agree, with the previous post, IL will probably win 4 games this year thanks to weak scheduling, but I don't think it should be enough to get the likes of Hughes, Benn and Wilson, maybe one of them, but if Hughes and Benn pass up ND for Illinois, I'll be shocked and even sickened. Either way they'll get a great education, but I would think they would also want to have more exposure nationally and have a shot at winning a title.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

Zook should sell cars in the off-season.

 

[ColinKSU]

I'm just curious what Zook says to kids.

"Well, look...Yeah...We suck and I can't coach my way out of a wet paper bag...But we've got plenty of PT!"

 

[jiggafini19]

I'm just curious what Zook says to kids.

"Well, look...Yeah...We suck and I can't coach my way out of a wet paper bag...But we've got plenty of PT!"

Let's take it a step further.

What is he saying NOW and what will he be saying in December?

I wouldn't underestimate him in regards to Wilson and Hughes.