Notre Dame recruiting

[UAfan]

As bad as ND has been this year, they are ranked #1 in recruiting this year according to scout.com. Can anyone explain to me how they are recruiting this good while they are arguably one of the worst teams this year?

[Tennessee Ted]

I think the key to recruiting is selling. If you are winning it is easy to sell the product. If you are losing you have to use different tactics, but they can be equally successful if the salesman uses them right. Show the recruit how awful you are and you can promise immediate playing time as a freshman. You can also appeal to their vanity. You can pitch, "hey recruit, we need you at running back to turn this team around and be our saviour."

Also, Notre Dame has certain advantages in recruiting that other schools do not have. Every game is nationally televised, you have a school steeped in tradition, and one of the best schools academically in the country.

[Bburton86]

Rudy is giving them his motivational speeches for free.

[KillerNut]

They have had 3 top ten recruiting classes the last three years. They have the talent, just very bad coaching IMHO.

[Williams-Brice]

First of all, and probably most importantly, Notre Dame has one of the easiest sells in the game of recruiting.

Second, and this goes for every team in the country, the current season will have more of an impact on the current class of juniors. Basically, most top notch players head into their senior season already committed or at least with a top 3, top 5, or top 10 schools of choice. When most of this year's top tier prospects started their recruiting process, Notre Dame was in the midst of a 2 years that ended with 2 BCS games. That's what their view of Notre Dame is.

The class of 2009 (can you believe it's almost time to be talking about kids who were born in 1991?) is seeing the Irish go 1-8. This should have some sort of an impact on next year's recruiting class. However, like I said earlier, it's Notre Dame, and they have a pretty easy sell regardless.

[Tennessee Ted]

I saw an article recently that for some reason they were going to exhume the body of the Gipper. May be that had something to do with it?

[WayzUp]

The irish lost a ton of commitments at the 11th hour last year...off-hand I'd guess they had 5 break their commitment and go elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of those on their list now get sold by another in their top 3 about how difficult, if not impossible, it's going to be for Weis to get them turned around and anywhere near a BCS bowl by the time they graduate. You don't just go from 1-10, 2-9 to a 10+ win team over the course of one off-sesaon. That mess they have in South Bend is a 4 year project at least, IMO.

Weis is an X's & O's coach....he needs to have players at every position who are already polished, experienced and talented for him to be able to do anything with them. Coaching up, teaching fundamentals, motivating & discipline are not his strong suits. There are great college coaches who don't translate well to the pro game and there's the vice-versa. Charlie Weis is the definition of the vice-versa.

[crimsonnation713]

Touchdown Jesus just signaled wide left.

[FanSmack]

They ain't dead yet.

[crimsonnation713]

They ain't dead yet.

For what year?

[sheluvsbama]

It's their reputation and tradition. It is hard to deny the history they bring to college football.

[gatorunvrsty]

It's their reputation and tradition. It is hard to deny the history they bring to college football.

Yep, it's not a tough sell. A large part of ND's problems this year stem from Weis spending too much of the spring dealing with his personal problems, like suing his gastrointerologists and surgeons, instead of preparing a major college football team to play Div. I football. Obviously, his health is important, and they definitely messed up his surgery; but, he picked the worst possible time to be addressing it. They're loaded at about every position... as someone alluded to, they've had great classes year in and year out. But, they just look like the worst prepared team in the nation; and have looked that way since game one, when their starting QB looked clueless. Other disappointing teams can point to offense or defense as their weak link. ND looks unprepared on all fronts.

[AUChamps]

It's their reputation and tradition. It is hard to deny the history they bring to college football.
Wow, why am I not surprised that an Alabama fan said this? I got news for you, schools like South Florida and Florida Atlantic as well as Troy and UConn are coming up in the world with Football and they don't have that "History" like Notre Dame has.

It's like ESPN taught me, it's all about "Who's Now" *cue TI's Big Things Poppin*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cksewjmh8hM

[gatorunvrsty]

Wow, why am I not surprised that an Alabama fan said this? I got news for you, schools like South Florida and Florida Atlantic as well as Troy and UConn are coming up in the world with Football and they don't have that "History" like Notre Dame has.

It's like ESPN taught me, it's all about "Who's Now" *cue TI's Big Things Poppin*



But, you can't deny that the schools with that history and tradition just continue to reload. Many different schools will have good years; and new powerhouses come along every decade or so; but, the traditional ones will almost always have the talent... only a few bumps in the road derail their seasons. This is rare for ND... that's why it's been 45 years since the last time they started like this. The very next year, they went 9-1.

[GatorHunter]

Take a look at their current commit list...most of their players are from "Catholic" schools. Catholic school players go to ND...that's just the way it is. This year happens to be a year where many of the Catholic schools have good talent. However, as Weiss has shown...he can turn good players into losers in one season.

[bigsexxxy]

Wow, why am I not surprised that an Alabama fan said this? I got news for you, schools like South Florida and Florida Atlantic as well as Troy and UConn are coming up in the world with Football and they don't have that "History" like Notre Dame has.

It's like ESPN taught me, it's all about "Who's Now" *cue TI's Big Things Poppin*


Don't ever use Florida Atlantic as a good example of a team "coming up" if you want your argument to be taken seriously. Oh, I almost missed Troy as your other example. Look out Ohio State! Here comes Troy! :ohmy:

I can say for a fact that Pete Carroll's job was a lot easier than Jim Leavitt's.

[AUChamps]

FAU is doing good things with Howard as HC. It's likely going to be the last program that he plays a big part in developing but based on Howard's prior track record of being able to go in and turn dogs of a football team into competative champions, I feel very good about FAU's chances of "making it".

[WayzUp]

It's their reputation and tradition. It is hard to deny the history they bring to college football.
Blame it on my youth or whatever but I tend to look more at what programs have done after the scholarship limits were put in place from the 80's on. Before, many programs that have this reputation, tradition & history you speak of could sign a literal army of top-notch football talent with rosters of 100+ so injuries, attrition and the like rarely, if ever, played a role.

It's been 25 or so years now since the NCAA began a trimming process that reduced the number of football scholarships from 95 (the limit in 1991) to 85 by 1994. No more than 25 can be given in any year. In 1973, the NCAA put a 120 player scholarship limit in place. Prior to that, there were no limits to how many scholarship grants so there were (no exaggeration) players playing for Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame...virtually all the big tradition powerhouses...who rarely played in college but were drafted into the NFL. It's no wonder teams with less financial resources couldn't keep up consistently.

Looking at just Notre Dame for the effects of this, you'll notice from the years they really started trimming scholarships to present, they've had as many 'mediocre' years as great ones if not more. Go back to the glory days and you'll see they were undefeated or 1-loss more often than not, thus their great historical record and championships which gives them their tradition. Same goes for just about every traditional power. You start looking at the scholarship limit era up to today when the 85 limit was put in place & you'll find the parity we're seeing today is just starting to take hold for real.

You can only recruit on tradition for so long before the generation you're recruiting doesn't care about historical record as much as what they've seen since they've been watching/following football.

Last note...a big contributor to Scout is Tom Lemming. He's forever been a Notre Dame & southern california homer and there are numerous clouds hanging over him regarding his influencing recruits to go to one program or another. His opinion of recruits also carries a ton of weight at Scout and I've heard a lot of Domers up here make jokes about how a 3-star kid can get an extra star if they commit to ND over say, Illinois because of Lemming's allegiance.

[FanSmack]

For what year?

You didn't see that pep talk that Digger gave? ESPN was ripping on him about it playing that part of the pep talk every time USC scored on ND. It was awesome!

Gotta find that YouTube ND Real Men of Genius now.

[the Paradox]

Blame it on my youth or whatever but I tend to look more at what programs have done after the scholarship limits were put in place from the 80's on. Before, many programs that have this reputation, tradition & history you speak of could sign a literal army of top-notch football talent with rosters of 100+ so injuries, attrition and the like rarely, if ever, played a role.

It's been 25 or so years now since the NCAA began a trimming process that reduced the number of football scholarships from 95 (the limit in 1991) to 85 by 1994. No more than 25 can be given in any year. In 1973, the NCAA put a 120 player scholarship limit in place. Prior to that, there were no limits to how many scholarship grants so there were (no exaggeration) players playing for Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame...virtually all the big tradition powerhouses...who rarely played in college but were drafted into the NFL. It's no wonder teams with less financial resources couldn't keep up consistently.

Looking at just Notre Dame for the effects of this, you'll notice from the years they really started trimming scholarships to present, they've had as many 'mediocre' years as great ones if not more. Go back to the glory days and you'll see they were undefeated or 1-loss more often than not, thus their great historical record and championships which gives them their tradition. Same goes for just about every traditional power. You start looking at the scholarship limit era up to today when the 85 limit was put in place & you'll find the parity we're seeing today is just starting to take hold for real.

You can only recruit on tradition for so long before the generation you're recruiting doesn't care about historical record as much as what they've seen since they've been watching/following football.

Last note...a big contributor to Scout is Tom Lemming. He's forever been a Notre Dame & southern california homer and there are numerous clouds hanging over him regarding his influencing recruits to go to one program or another. His opinion of recruits also carries a ton of weight at Scout and I've heard a lot of Domers up here make jokes about how a 3-star kid can get an extra star if they commit to ND over say, Illinois because of Lemming's allegiance.


Lemming is a big reason why Scout has little credibility in my book.

RTR

[sheluvsbama]

Wow. I am amazed that my comment about the tradition and history of ND, could offend the sensibilities of any football fan. We all know Notre Dame is rich in both, and why should we care? We all have our own histories, for which we can be proud. As an Alabama fan, I am aware of ours.

[AUChamps]

Wow. I am amazed that my comment about the tradition and history of ND, could offend the sensibilities of any football fan. We all know Notre Dame is rich in both, and why should we care? We all have our own histories, for which we can be proud. As an Alabama fan, I am aware of ours.

We know. .

[sheluvsbama]

We know. .

:happy: You can be proud of your team, as well. You should be. The Tigers have a boundless spirit. I can't help what the Tide accomplishes or does not, but I am proud of the things they have done, and as a fan, I should be.

[azamugg]

Wow, why am I not surprised that an Alabama fan said this? I got news for you, schools like South Florida and Florida Atlantic as well as Troy and UConn are coming up in the world with Football and they don't have that "History" like Notre Dame has.

It's like ESPN taught me, it's all about "Who's Now" *cue TI's Big Things Poppin*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cksewjmh8hM

alright Champs, you're point is SOMEWHAT valid, alot more parity today, yep but tradition has enabled Bama to win NC's w/4 coaches and have more 10 win seasons than anyone in the country..........hell, Shula was able to recruit almost as well as Tubby during our tumultuous probation and subsequently our tradition helped us land Saban..........

[gatorunvrsty]

It's been 25 or so years now since the NCAA began a trimming process that reduced the number of football scholarships from 95 (the limit in 1991) to 85 by 1994. No more than 25 can be given in any year. In 1973, the NCAA put a 120 player scholarship limit in place. Prior to that, there were no limits to how many scholarship grants so there were (no exaggeration) players playing for Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame...virtually all the big tradition powerhouses...who rarely played in college but were drafted into the NFL. It's no wonder teams with less financial resources couldn't keep up consistently.

Looking at just Notre Dame for the effects of this, you'll notice from the years they really started trimming scholarships to present, they've had as many 'mediocre' years as great ones if not more. Go back to the glory days and you'll see they were undefeated or 1-loss more often than not, thus their great historical record and championships which gives them their tradition. Same goes for just about every traditional power. You start looking at the scholarship limit era up to today when the 85 limit was put in place & you'll find the parity we're seeing today is just starting to take hold for real.

You can only recruit on tradition for so long before the generation you're recruiting doesn't care about historical record as much as what they've seen since they've been watching/following football.



While this is all true, and those teams may have gotten their traditions by less than equal means, the fact remains that they have them. And, contrary to the thought that kids of this generation don't consider the histories, I read countless interviews where they give that very reason for picking the schools they do... sometimes it's the sole reason. If you walk through some of these Championship Halls, you can't help but be awed and impressed. I can't tell you how many times I've read about a prospect being committed to a school; only to decommit, and go to another one after visiting their campus, facilities, and trophy rooms. Invariably, they admit to being overwhelmed by the history, tradition, and prestige of the lucky new suitor; and often list that as the deciding factor in their change of heart. There are myriad reasons prospects choose a school; but, that tradition of winning, regardless of how it was accomplished, remains extremely high on the list.

UF's latest $12 million stadium expansion project doesn't even involve seating. It focuses on making the team and coaching facilities bigger and better; including a new interactive exhibition/trophy room. Guess where they'll be taking visiting recruits.

Project Description: The project consists of approximately additional 31,332 (GSF) and renovating existing 18,380 (GSF) of offices, meeting rooms, weight room, Interactive Exhibition/Reception area, Gator Room, and support space for the University of Florida's football program. The construction budget is estimated at approximately $12M. The new addition to the stadium must fit with contextually with adjacent facilities while also conveying a prominent sense of arrival. This addition to the South West corner of the stadium will serve as a focal point for one of the main intersections on campus, Gale Lemerand Drive and Stadium Road, and the main entrance for the football program to the stadium. The Design team must balance this with the need to create a facility that clearly conveys a sense of importance, arrival, ease of access and inviting architecture to the new addition. The design team shall creatively develop the addition of a prominent street-level entry, incorporate it into the existing physical facility to allow ease of access to the various spaces and the stadium. This project is not a stadium seating or field expansion.