Here's the ND parts and some other comments of interest:
Tom S. (NY, NY): Tom, With Mitch Mustain decommitting from U of Ark Monday, where does ND stand with him. If there's a chance he heads to South Bend, where does this leave Jones and Frazer?
TL: The more likely scenario would be Mitch heading to Tennessee with new QB coach David Cutcliffe, who first got to know Mitch as the OC at ND. A more unlikely scenario would Zach Frazer leaving ND and Mustain climbing aboard.
CHICAGO: HI TOM.AFTER SATURDAY'S USC,UCLA GAME,WHERE DOES USC STAND WITH MOST OF THE TOP RECRUITS THAT HAVE VISITED NOW?
TL: Leading. USC is the juggernaut everyone is afraid of. They have around six commitments but they have a legit shot at challenging Texas, ND, Florida and Georgia for the eventual recruiting crown.
Rockaway, NJ: Hey Tom I always enjoy your chats. Is ND still pursuing Terrence Austin with any intensity even though Rhema McKnight is coming back next year ?
TL: No. Right now, ND will probably have to drop Terrence Austin due to lack of scholarships.
Charlie(fresno): where do you think percy harvin will end up?
TL: Either USC or Florida. Right now USC might have a slight lead but the Gators are coming on strong. If he goes to USC he ease the pain of losing Reggie Bush to the NFL, should he come out early as expected.
Tony-Mishawaka, IN: OK Tom let's get right to it. Were is ND at this moment in regards to McCoy and Young?
TL: Right in the middle of the ballgame. I believe they have a slight lead with Young and are dead even on McCoy with USC, Miami and Oklahoma. ND is almost dead-even at No. 1 with Texas. The Irish have gotten commitments from C Dan Wenger, Ft. Lauderdale, and LB Toryan Smith from Rome, Ga. We learned this morning that Smith is going to announce for ND tonight.
Tom in Coronado: Tom, re: Dan Wenger's verbal to ND today, is he good enough to play as a Freshman and how does it affect ND's overall class?
TL: No, he is not good enough. He should redshirt his freshman year. He is a four-star player with great potential but needs at least a year in the weight room. But I do believe new commitment Toryan Smith has the ability to play right away as an ILB for the Irish.
Fernando, Oakland: In class of 2006 or 2007, are there any RB's with Reggie Bush-type potential?
TL: No.
tommy bomb: What's happening with Mitch Mustain? Who's behind the maneuvering?
TL: Mitch is wary of the progress at Arkansas and is looking out for the future, which may not be in Fayetteville. He has not closed the door on the Razorbacks, just opened it to check out other schools. Tennessee is at the top of the list. This would be great news for Phil Fulmer coming off a poor season.
Matt - Dallas: Is Sam Young going to Florida? I keep hearing he is ND bound.
TL: Right now, the schools in the lead are ND and Florida. He has yet to make an official visit. We may have to wait until mid-January for a final decision.
Rick, Los Angeles: Hey Tom, If ND lands Young,Caurfel, Mccoy and Reuland, will that guarantee them the number one class, since it looks like Wegner gave his verbal today?
TL: Wenger and Toryan Smith gave verbals today. If they do land Reuland, Young and McCoy it would be awfully tough to knock ND out of the top spot.
robby (San Diego): Tom who do you feel has the best oppurtunity to land big OL Sam Young?
TL: Florida or ND.
herman coulter wash.d.c.: Tom Michigan lost four games this year how will they do in recruiting.
TL: The Wolverines have a great system going and it is not affected by one average season. They are in the Top 10 now and have a great shot at staying there come signing day.
Robby (San Diego): Tom do you think ND will land Torryn Smith later today or is he going to stay down south?
TL: As said early, Smith has committed to the Irish.
Marc (Mercedes, TX): What other recruits can Florida expect? Does Florida have a good chance of landing Percy Harvin?
TL: Yes, I believe the Gators have a 50-50 shot with USC on landing Harving. They are in on several of the top prospects. The top schools with a shot at the recruiting title are Texas, ND, Florida, Georgia and USC.
Ryan(Boston): Hi Tom, any idea if Sam Young is a package deal with Wenger?
TL: No, he is not. It won't hurt ND's chances. Young is his own person and will make up his own mind. Definitely not a package deal. Even though Wenger is a four-star prospect he is the nation's premier center and is a legit prospect who had several big-time offers.
Josh (Pittsburgh, Pa): Who do you see rounding out ND's recruiting class?? Do you think it will be a top 2 class?
TL: Yes, it will be a top two class and it will probably be rounded out by Matt Carufel, Konrad Reuland, Sam Young and either Gerald McCoy or Butch Lewis. That's after the two commitments today.
Phil (Austin): Who are some of the top kids in next year’s class that has impressed you so far?
TL: The top player is QB Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian HS in West Lake Village, Ca. Next is RB John Clay from Racine Park, Wisconsin. There are four tailbacks that have played in the NFL in the last five years from Wisconsin. Clay is a better prospect than all of them.
Jack South Bend IN.: I hear Toryan Smith will announce tonight at 6:30 where he will be heading,does ND have a good shot at landing him?
TL: As we said before, he has already committed to ND so the suspense is over.
Ryan (Bos): Tom, do you see Jimmy Clausen committing early next year to intice other top RBs and WRs to commit to his college choice?
TL: Possibly, I believe ND and USC will be the frontrunners. If he commits early, it will likely be to ND. If he commits later, it will be to see how Mark Sanchez does at USC.
Kevin (Atlanta): I know that Georgia is having a great recruiting year so far, but are they in the running for any more top recruits before signing day?
TL: Yes, Georgia is almost full. The Bulldogs only have a few scholarships left. They are still pursuing a few big names, but not many. One if Butch Lewis, the defensive lineman from Denver.
Gerry (Reading,PA): Tom , what's up with Jason Kates ?
TL: He verbally committed to ND last summer and reneged. Now it looks as if the Irish may not have room for him. He is still in the mix with Penn State and Virginia and ND.
Richard Alta Loma: Dear Tom As the recruiting time comes to an end, do you think Weis will have had a better first class, then Pete Caroll's first year? Last year didn't count for Weis, he came in way too late.
TL: Without a doubt. Charlie Weis' first full class will definitely be better than Pete Carroll's first full class.
Richard(Memphis): Do you think Weis is setting himself up for an even better class next year?
TL: Yes, like USC the Irish will move up one level from the second level to the elite level in 2007, a place they have not been since 1990. Then, they had a No. 1 class and five No. 1 draft choices out of the group.
Dave(Chicago): Do the Irish have a better chance at Butch Lewis or McCoy? Which Irish recruits could start next year?
TL: I believe it is fairly even. McCoy would be the top choice. Lewis has Georgia and USC ahead of ND, however his mother is a big fan of the Irish.
Dave(Chicago): Will George West commit early for the Irish? How will the Irish handle their lack of remaining spots this year?
TL: I think George West is leaning toward being a midterm grad, which would open up a spot for ND's 28th commitment.
Brendan (Los Angeles): The USC Trojans only have a hanful of commits right now, but they are all great players. How do you think the USC recruiting class is shaping up?
TL: They are the one everyone is afraid of every year now. When it is all said and done USC will be banging down the door at the national recruiting title. The Trojans will finish stronger htan anyone in the country.
Jay Hawaii: Do you think ND taking a lot of early committs hurts their push at the end to land the top recruits and limits them?
TL: Yes. ND did what it had to do early before its success on the field put it at another level on recruiting. Four or five players were signed that would not have been signed at the end of the year.
Zach (Ohio): What big name kids this year that you have heard, might not qualify do to grades?
TL: It is too early to answer that question. Once again, there will be at least 9-10 of the Top 100 looking to go to prep schools come the summer.
Brenner (Glasgow,MT): Tom- Who are your top three running backs in the class of 2007? Any Frontrunners for these backs at this point?
TL: John Clay is the No. 1 guy.
Stephen (Donna, Texas): So is Ty Willingham hitting the links or the recruiting trail?
TL: He is definitely on the recruiting trail. Washington is doing a good job in the Pacific Northwest. However, the key to the recruiting is how well the Huskie will do in recruiting in the state of California in the next two months.
Ron(West Palm Beach): Is James Aldridge good enough to start over Darius Walker at ND?
TL: He is good enough to share the workload with Darius Walker. He will add size and strength to the ND backfield.
Russell (NY): Which is a better QB? Clausen or Mallett? Is Mallett leaning anywhere?
TL: Right now, Clausen is more polished. More of a Joe Montana precision-type passer. Mallett is more of a Drew Bledsoe with great size and arm strength. Mallett now has Michigan and Texas as his top two schools.
