Interesting development in the WR recruiting

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=558293

Apparently ND has offered a guy named Jay Smith.

The significance of this is only noticable from the supposed quote offered by another ND WR prospect who said that the staff told him the wide receiver recruiting was done.

If that were true ND's staff either knows or is confident that they'll land Kamara (done), Benn, and Little.

So there are a couple of possibilities. Either 1) it's no big deal, ND just decided to take a 4th receiver or 2) ND plans on moving someone, maybe even Little, to a different position or 3) the staff has lost confidence in one of its receiver prospects, believing that either Benn or Little won't be coming to ND or 4) the original quote was wrong (I believe the guy was a WR/S prospect.. I know someone on this board mentioned the quote a short while ago).

The third, in my opinion, is almost impossible to accept, what with Benn and Little visiting Clausen in California. But who knows? Don't mean to be scare-mongering

 

[Irish Envy]

1) Little has said he will not play defense in college
2) DJ Donley was told he may be out of luck at ND, however, they are recruiting him in as a safety, not as a WR
3) It could mean that we're sliding on Little or Benn.

 

[PMac]

what would cause us to slide on Benn or Little??? Is Benn still set to commit Sept.8?

This offer worries me

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Benn will not be committing on Sept 8

He now wants to take his official visits to Miami, USC, FSU etc

 

[Subway Alum - MA]

Alias Smith And Jones

Alias Smith And Jones

Until the announcement that Notre Dame had offered Jay Smith, I had never heard his name mentioned on any of the Notre Dame fan sites. So, thanks to Irish Envy's "heads up" on the free weekend on the otherwise pay Scout.com site, I decided to do some investigating.

Smith had a fairly impressive list of offers from schools like PSU, UGA, LSU, UMiami, NC State, SCar, VA Tech and WVA to name the most prominent.
Although he was only a second-team All-City, he impressed scouts at the USA AA Combine. Despite shuttle (4.59), vertical (32) and three-cone (7.50) numbers that are not particularly noteworthy for a WR, he was reported to have dominated the CBs in the one-on-one drills.

Some sidebars: "My dad played at NC State and most likely I'm going to want to play where my dad played. But we're going to sit down and come up with a decision altogether as a family" Apparently he wants to make a verbal commitment sometime in July to alleviate the recruiting pressures and concentrate on his senior year of football in the fall.

He is reported to be friendly with Tyrod Taylor the multi-talented QB from Hampton, VA and, like what seems to be a growing number of high school players, wants to attend the same college. Taylor has narrowed his Top Five to VA Tech, FL, SCar, TN and NC State.

While many of us seem to reeact, even overreact, to each new offer - How will it affect XXX? Have we dropped with XXX? Remember, Coach Weis has a plan. This plan is based upon the experiences - both good and bad. One thing is for sure. He is better prepared this year than he was in his first. So many things can happen (i.e. last-minute change of plans on "silent verbal" Gerald Mc Coy due to impending fatherhood), he probably has a Plan A, Plan B and even a Plan C.

So, IMO we should not try to overanalyze each recruiting move. I would rather wait until it all plays out in February. Then, we can evaluate the final results. It seems to me that the coaching staff is targeting versatile athletes who can fit into the system coach wants to implement at Notre Dame.

As was so clearly pointed out in Blue-GraySky in the wake of David Wolke's transfer - another article linked by Irish Envy - "Consider that in 2007, there will be a maximum of 23 seniors and juniors on the roster - as opposed to about 53 sophomores and freshmen. Not that I need to remind you, but this recruiting dropoff is one of the major reasons why ND let Willingham go (Ty's first class was ranked # 5 by Scout, the next two years: #30 and #27). Unless the incoming freshman current crop of recruits are ready to play early and often, 2007 is going to be pretty rough." So, with the glaring depth problems on the horizon [or already here] the coaching staff is obviously attempting to address these needs by targeting athletes - preferrably playmaking difference-makers - who can play multiple positions and are ready to play early in their college careers.

Whenever I find myself being too impatient or panicky; I step back and remember IN CHARLIE WE TRUST. It has worked here in New England when we question the inexplicable decisions and moves of our resident genius, and Coach Weis is one of his leading disciples

Subway Alum - MA
Notre Dame Fan Since 1952

 

[Subway Alum - MA]

Conclusion: IMO this has WR offer has no affect or bearing on Benn or Little.

 

[iloveirish_12]

I bet they are recruiting him because they know they lost out on Little. I don't Little is going to come to ND.

 

[scooper]

what would cause us to slide on Benn or Little???

The fact that neither has commited to anybody yet and other schools are still recruiting them.

 

[Irish Envy]

Well, it probably has more to do with Gerald Jones now that I think of it. He recently named his favorites as OK State and Texas Tech.

 

[Seymore]

Not so fast !

Not so fast !

on "Benn" - He recently visits USC , but with little reaction from the community and fans, it was almost like he wasn't even there. While he's out there, he spends a majority of his time with Jimmy Clausen, in the meantime, Jimmy lights it up at the 7 on 7 camp. I really dont think we've slipped with Benn, atleast not according to some of the best pay sites you fellas' refer to, including USC's premium board. They seem to think Benn is still a ND lock as well.

on "Little" - He's still leaning to ND ! How do I know this, well Im not 100% positive, however last week Kerry Neal was on the "Power Hour" and commented on seeing Greg Little and Gilchrist at a camp held in NC. He was talking about his own recruiting skills and said many people think Greg may not be coming to South Bend , and some say he will, however, Kerry seems to think he's coming (as of last week). Also, there's other things that lead me to think he will choose the Irish as well, for instance, comments he made to certain Irisheyes staff members last year during the AAA game.

What does concern me, is the "Big Guys" that we need to commit right now are holding out. What are they waiting for ? Im not trying to get blasted here, because I know that these guys like to enjoy their summers taking trips getting wined and dined, however, it often makes me wonder just how serious they are about their future team.

Jimmy Clausen for example, commits early and instantly we see the effects, not saying Kamara,Ragone and Trattou announced just because of Jimmy, but they did mention it helped ! I think Jimmy understood what an early decision could do for the team in regards to recruiting. Now if only Benn, or Little would join us, I think the wheels would begin to turn again, maybe even Hughes and Wilson, that might start the flow up again. Regardless, it is still way early and I think many of these fellas are waiting to see what kind of O line were bringing in with them, that would definitely be one of my concerns as a WR. I think once James Wilson decides for ND (which I believe is coming real soon), then things will pick up again at a rapid pace.

As far as our BIg Time defensive recruits, well Martez Wilson looks promising, exspecially with Hughes now holding an offer and does anyone remember my article last year concerning Sam Young when everyone was having their doubts thinking Florida may have been in the Driver seat, well look at St.Thomas Aquinas former players they sent to Div.1 schools and where they ended up, also, have I mentioned how much I like Major Wright ?
Miami and Fl State seem like the ones to beat (not the Gators), but still, I like our chances !

Look for some BIG COMMITS in the next three weeks ! (just a hunch ;-))

 

[jiggafini19]

So far, every guy that has verballed since Clausen has been asked if his decision played any part in theirs. I recall Kumara and Trattou giving pretty standard cliche soundbyte answers that more or less said no, it did not.

The staff wants at least one or two athletes in this class that they can plug into mulitple spots. Jay Smith might fit that description. Wouldn't count on him coming to ND or even visiting. NC State or UVA wins this one.

 

[Seymore]

Jigga...

Jigga...

Im not just pointing out Clausen being the sole reason we landed Ragone, Trattou and Kamara, I was using him for a mere example. These athletes wanna play with other "big time" recruits. Ive seen Greg Little mention that Clausen being at ND is a plus for the Irish, because he knows Jimmy can get him the ball. I think Arrelious Benn is another one licking his chops to line up along side of Jimmy C. Again, not just pointing out Jimmy's the reason were getting awesome recruits, just stating the obvious, "it helps!"

This quote was from Trattou on June 02 - "I think with the next couple recruiting classes that we’ll be competing for a national championship. I definitely want to play on a team with a bunch of good guys and I know over the years that I’m there that we’ll be a very competitive team."

This quote was from Ragone on Apr. 30th listing reasons he chose the Irish - “Second, we’ll have the best quarterback in the country going there ,Jimmy Clausen."

I cant quote Kamara, because he was on Power Hour a while back and true, he didn't say Clausen was the key reason he commited to ND, however he did mention that it didn't hurt anything either and that it was a big plus .

Im just pointing out (in my opinion) that alot of the best recruits were after could get this class steamrolling with a few more big time commitments. For instance, when North Carolina receives a commit from a 5 star athlete, many scratch their heads, but when ND picks up a 5 star commit, opposing fans think ugh O ! I mean we're ND for Christ Sake ! We are Football !!! It pisses me off seeing comments from recruits (not mentioning no names, cause I love the kid), but I hate seeing other kids make comments like, " My parents love the academics at ND, but if I wanna go to a school known for football, they'll understand" (or something like that) I mean, we are ACADEMICS and FOOTBALL ! Im aware that most kids today dont remember the ND that most of us do, but before long, they wont have to remember, because we're definitely back !

Im aware that last paragragh was a bunch of vent rambling BS, but I had to get that off my chest, I love to talk recruiting, exspecially with someone well educated on the topics.
I agree with you on Jay Smith, he's not coming to ND, but Im interested to hear what you think on the possibility of Ron Brooks ?

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

Clausen's biggest effect on prospects is that he has the talent to help lead ND to a national title.

Other players want to be a part of that. I don't think anyone follows Clausen's lead so much as they follow where the wind is blowing; it's going in our direction.

As has been mentioned there are definitely some personal interests in having a good QB. If I was a WR or a TE, I'd want someone that brought out the best of my abilities for all NFL scouts to witness.

ND used to be a very dangerous bet. If I were a major wide receiver prospect in 2004 I would be crazy to give ND much consideration if I had NFL aspirations; my oh my, how much one coach can change everything. ND's future is secure and what once was the equivelant chance of opening a successful Hebrew Market in Sunni Baghdad are now the odds that LenDale White commits a crime in the next 6 months---a very safe bet, indeed.

 

[FROSH]

This could be the dumbest post this board has ever seen, but is it possible that Weis promised this kid he would get and offer if he got his grades up or if some certain criteria were met? Perhaps he had to offer and just told Little and Benn that the kid probably wasn't going to come to ND anyway and that they were still their top two targets left at WR. This is probably a bad first post, but its just a thought for those more knowledgable than I to think through.

 

[jiggafini19]

This could be the dumbest post this board has ever seen, but is it possible that Weis promised this kid he would get and offer if he got his grades up or if some certain criteria were met? Perhaps he had to offer and just told Little and Benn that the kid probably wasn't going to come to ND anyway and that they were still their top two targets left at WR. This is probably a bad first post, but its just a thought for those more knowledgable than I to think through.

No, you're dead on. There has been a lot of that this year with the likes of Caleb King, Robert Hughes, Mark Barnes and Andrew Dailey to name a few.

I have to agree with Seymore, though. Benn and Little are strong leans right now. That would give ND three WR. Can't see them taking much more than that.

Smith's offer has been confirmed/reported only by Rivals.

 

[FROSH]

good to hear, thanks for the update