While it's been incredibly painful to watch the Irish play football this season, and not just because of those horrid jerseys they wore against USC, the continual losing hasn't effected Notre Dame's recruiting very much. In fact, it could be helping.The Irish may be 1-7 right now, with little light on the horizon, but they've picked up quite a recruiting class in the last few months. Including two players they just added to their class since Saturday's loss.
Running back Jonas Gray and wide receiver Michael Floyd have decided to play for Charlie Weis in the last few days. That means the Irish now have 21 commitments from high school players, eleven of which are in the Top 100.
This isn't a new phenomenon. A lot of times losing teams are attractive to recruits because they know there's a better chance they'll get playing time on a bad team. Throw in the fact that it's Notre Dame, and they're on national television every weekend, and Notre Dame becomes an extremely attractive option for high schoolers.
The question is whether or not it will make any difference for the Irish. I don't think there's much question that Charlie Weis knows how to get the talent to South Bend. The problem is, I'm not sure he knows how to turn that talent into a winning football team.
It's easy when you have Tom Brady, or even Brady Quinn, but Weis hasn't shown anybody he can win without those two. With all the talent the Irish have on the team right now, and with the talent they'll be adding next year, if Weis can't get this team back in the national picture he may find himself out of a job sooner rather than later.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-24-2007 @ 3:30PM
Bobby Dodd said...
Keep drinking the Kool-aid. My question would be: Where are Charlie's hot dog recruits right now? Oh yeah, that Clausen kid, right? He is a real blue chipper. LOL.
Notre Dame sucks.
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10-24-2007 @ 3:34PM
Bobby Dodd said...
And I suppose the worst offense in D1 history is driven by Willingham's recruits?? Pleeeeeze.
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10-24-2007 @ 6:33PM
TJ said...
Clausen is a BLUE CHIPPER. Go Notre Dame. They will make a big come back next year or the next. Those Catholic boys are traditionally the BEST of all the institutions of higher learning. ND haters love it when ND has a bad year.
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10-24-2007 @ 7:19PM
ats said...
Well then TJ, that would explain why most football fans have been having a couple of lovely decades.
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10-24-2007 @ 8:42PM
Irish50 said...
Hey Bobby Dodd, since ND sucks, I guess the 27-6-1 series advantage they have over Ga Tech must keep you up at night, huh? Imagine the fan of a program that made Reggie Ball a four-year starter at QB accusing anyone else of sucking...
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10-24-2007 @ 9:49PM
jack5083 said...
Facts:
Record: 1-7
Schedule to this point: 2nd hardest in the country
23 1st time starters this season
of the 51 ND players that played against USC 25 were freshman or sophomores
Current recruiting class of Verbal Commitments: Ranked top 5 or better.
It doesn't take a genius to see the program is headed in the right direction. Or maybe "Bobby Dodd" is a genius
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10-24-2007 @ 9:54PM
Jack5083 said...
Facts:
Record: 1-7
Schedule to this point: 2nd hardest in the country
23 1st time starters this season
of the 51 ND players that played against USC 25 were freshman or sophomores
Current recruiting class of Verbal Commitments: Ranked top 5 or better.
It doesn't take a genius to see the program is headed in the right direction. Or maybe "Bobby Dodd" is a genius
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10-24-2007 @ 10:23PM
Dave said...
Fact-many teams rely on underclassmen, not just ND
Fact-these clowns could stick around for 10 years and still be dominated by 19 year olds. They are loosing in historic fashion
Fact-Charlie Weis has never been a head coach, and it shows
Fact-ND holds the record for most consecutive bowl losses-the only reason they wont add to it this year is that they will be nowhere near bowl eligible
Fact-Willingham had a much better record but was booted because he was black
Fact-ND has good recruits every year, but good high school players do not always make good college players
Fact-Honestly, has anyone ever seen a less prepared team than this one? Most teams have run between the tackles all second half just to keep from scoring 50!
Opinion-They will be mediocre at best until they get a real head coach. With that 10 year contract, that means another 10 years of losing. Could not happen to a nicer bunch of elitist jerks.
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10-24-2007 @ 10:24PM
Jim said...
Looks like it could be the best recruiting class at ND in a very long time, if not ever. Once the current freshmen and sophmores become upperclassmen,the Irish will be back.
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10-24-2007 @ 11:20PM
Bobby Dodd said...
You Irish fans are full of yourselves now that Navy is coming up.
Your program is and has been a joke for the last 10 years.
Clausen is probably the most overrated QB to come out of high school in a LOOOOONG time. His dad worked to hype him, and it paid off. The kid sucks.
I am more of a genius than that clown Weis you hired after you ran Willingham out of the "whites only" locker room.
Keep sticking out your chest, Flaccid Irish Fans, because all we see is your big fat gut sticking out.
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10-24-2007 @ 11:26PM
Bobby Dodd said...
2nd toughest schedule???HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
When ND plays in a real conference (like maybe the SEC), then maybe they will play a tough schedule.
When was the last time you beat a ranked team???
How is that bowl record treating you???
Let's not forget your current record of the WORST OFFENSE IN NCAA D-1 HISTORY!!!!!!!!!
AND THAT IS WITH AN "OFFENSIVE GENIUS" AS A COACH!!!
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10-24-2007 @ 11:27PM
Bobby Dodd said...
Boston College is the BEST CATHOLIC University in the country!!!!
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10-25-2007 @ 12:16AM
rowefork said...
Notre Dame...please suck it up and join a conference! The Big East is coming up and getting ND would only add to the intrigue.
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10-25-2007 @ 12:36AM
Cam said...
Bobby Dodd you must have a sad and pathetic life. Do you feel better about yourself and your life after you spew your hate and ignorance for the world to read. Only thing that's getting old and tired is your posts. How many times will you post this drivel? Seems that you don't have a life. You post on every blog out there. Your team must really suck if you hate Notre Dame this much.
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10-25-2007 @ 12:40AM
Cam said...
Booby Dodd you have some serious issues. You are just projecting how you feel about yourself and your life with all of these hateful posts. I feel sorry for anyone that knows you or ever comes in contact with you. I wish you would just go away. Do us all that favor.
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10-25-2007 @ 10:40AM
MichaelMotorcycle said...
* R-U-D-Y , R-U-D-Y , R-U-D-Y , What has happened to that Desire ? There are thousands of Young Men with More Heart and a True sense of football than the wimps that are on the team now .
R-U-D-Y , R-U-D-Y , R-U-D-Y ,
WHERE IS THAT Spine Tingling DRAMA ? *
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10-25-2007 @ 2:39PM
Bobby Dodd said...
Notre Dame SUCKS.
My name has nothing to do with Georgia Tech, but last time I looked they kicked the crap out of you, and I know they have actually won several bowl games against legitimate opponents.
You Flaccid Irish fans are hilarious. You come out of the woodwork talking smack now that Navy, Air Force and Stanford are coming up.
The Notre Dame program has been in decline for 20 years, and now you are reaping what you have sown for all your undeserved arrogance.
Have a great New Year sitting at home watching REAL football teams play!!!!
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10-26-2007 @ 7:53PM
KGar said...
Interesting that neither USC, UCLA or Cal seriously recruited Claussen, even though hes a Cali product. Tell you something Golden Domers?
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10-27-2007 @ 10:23AM
Budo said...
These guys are getting BAD advice. Look what all his "stars" are doing as one of the worst teams in football. WHY would anybody wish to waste their talent on such a lousy coach and team?? If you can call it a team--seems more like everyone for themselves.
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