The Ship's Full: All 85 Scholarships Taken

[Svoboda]

With Filer's commitment this morning, the Irish now have all 85 scholarships allotted in 2009. With each commitment from this point on, that means a scholarship will be taken away from a potential fifth year senior in 2009.

Check out the Gold Helmet's Eligiblity Chart (http://www.goldhelmet.com/eligibility.php) to see what 2009 looks like as the team and recruiting currently stands.

[WheelMan]

I can see 5 of the 7 possibly being ask to come back based on how they play this year. Do you think that any of them will look to turn pro?

If 5 of the 7 do return, then that would only give us 2 more scholarships. Do we think they will be ask only based on the numbers we have coming in? Also will anyone transfer this year to help open up a scholarship? Not that I want anyone to transfer, but it does play into recruiting if we are low in numbers at that postion.

[indydomer]

So we can take five more comfortably without losing Crum or Lambert. I can live with that.

(Baldwin, Robinson, Sabino, Floyd and other. (Forston, Brown, Running Back, so on.)

[Svoboda]

I can see 5 of the 7 possibly being ask to come back based on how they play this year. Do you think that any of them will look to turn pro?

If 5 of the 7 do return, then that would only give us 2 more scholarships. Do we think they will be ask only based on the numbers we have coming in? Also will anyone transfer this year to help open up a scholarship? Not that I want anyone to transfer, but it does play into recruiting if we are low in numbers at that postion.
And I think it would be safe to say that the two you'd invite back are the two with the greatest shot of going pro in Crum and Lambert?

[NDisNCin2010]

forget the 5th years...we must build for the NC runs beginning in 2009...07 and 08 will be fun to waych but the Return to Glory begins in the 2009 season, so any 5th year, walk on that potentially affects a 5 star coming here or gets in the way of that should be GONE.

keep in mind ith the talent haul we are geting some of the kids there now will transfer, opening up some spots.

CW and CB doing an incredible job of restocking the barren cupboards left during the Ty era.

[frosh]

forget the 5th years...we must build for the NC runs beginning in 2009...07 and 08 will be fun to waych but the Return to Glory begins in the 2009 season, so any 5th year, walk on that potentially affects a 5 star coming here or gets in the way of that should be GONE.

keep in mind ith the talent haul we are geting some of the kids there now will transfer, opening up some spots.

CW and CB doing an incredible job of restocking the barren cupboards left during the Ty era.

see what you're saying about building for the NC rush, but one of the best ways to build is by winning. building a winning tradition and getting the players used to winning is most important to me.

svo are you sticking with your estimate of 22?

[frosh]

i'm wondering if we take around 22 and then wait and see how some of our potential 5th years play. if junior jabbie shines or maybe vernaglia picks it up, do you keep them around for another year? i could see the staff waiting on top level recruits for this reason also. the staff can contiue to recruit some blue chips straight up until signing day and then make a decision somewhere closer to that time still allowing the recruits time to finalize their decision. sorry if thats unclear, feeling a bit groggy today.

[KMac151993]

You keep around the guys that are getting the job done....I would rather have a proven 22 year old workhorse then a who knows 18 year old kid.

[foreverirish34]

we need new blood, how many fifth year seniors does usc usually take? name of the game is new talent year in and year out.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I see us taking 4 more guys or so, that would leave 2-3 seniors possibly being asked back. Who knows, we haven't even played yet, nor finished our recruiting cycle. Not to mention, the possibility of a future transfer. Too much speculation.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Way, way, way too much speculation. There are tons of variables here. Which seniors with eligibility play well, how many more recruits we take, transfers, who goes pro, et.c.

[HoffVir]

If there is a starter that is eligible for a 5th year, you keep him. Every team needs experience and leadership. That means Crum and Lambert for now. Vernaglia could earn it, but I don't see him getting a spot right now.

For everyone that may want a 5* recruit over a 5th year starter, I have three words for you: Carlos Pierre-Antoine.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Agreed Hoff. Crum and Lambert are all I want as this point in time.

[tedthehead]

My best guess is that we take 22-23 for now, and see if anything major happens for us around signing day. Having experienced leadership to guide the underclassmen is needed for teams that aspire to be champions.

my list according to need
20. Floyd (as IUB says"Filer & Floyd or bust")
21. Robinson ( or plan "B" OL)
22. Sabino ( completes best linebacker haul in decades)
23. Baldwin or Brown (first come....)

[KMac151993]

we need new blood, how many fifth year seniors does usc usually take? name of the game is new talent year in and year out.

Are you saying you would like a talented but no-experienced LB to play rather then having Crum Jr. back?

I want guys that can do the job, don't care if they are 1st year players or 5th year seniors.

[Fishin'_Irish]

You're right KMac. Do you want Crum, and experienced, proven player for 1 more year, or do you want an unproven, young player like Sabino who may never see the field? Who knows though, maybe Crum will go pro and Sabino won't even come here. It's all speculation.

[NDisNCin2010]

of course I/we want "winning years" in 08, 09 but not at the risk of jeapordizing a shot at guys like Forston, Baldwin, etc who could be the final jewels in a NC crown?
I'm all for a winning tradition and winning ball games...but i want National Championships and a Return to Glory, not just 9-3 seasons.
i just dont think the Vernaglia, Crum and Lamberts would/could be the difference in us going 9-3 versus 6-6?
i say we ride this hot recruiting hand CB and CW have this year and STOCK the cupboard with talent that can develop ON the FIELD-not sitting watching a 5th year play out his eligibilty in the hopes that NDisNCin2010
In the end i trust Charlie to do the right thing for ND.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Sounds like a good idea for a poll. :)

[rontdtarchala]

ok for the last time....is everybody listening...........out with the old in with the new.....and yes I will take a five star with 4 years of eligability over a starter with one....

[HoffVir]

You do not tell a starter, "See you later. Now get lost." You just don't do it. If Crum or Lambert were to lose their starting spots with no chance of getting them back, then you wish them luck and let them go.

But I will not believe you take an unproven prospect over a starter, not a backup, with experience and leadership to boot.

Sends a bad message, IMO. Imagine IF Brady was going to be a 5th this year?

EDIT: But what do I know, this is just my opinion.

[NDGirlzRock]

Personally I don't think it's a question of if you take Crum or not! I think that he is going to thrive in CB's system and I say he gets the NFL call in the first 2 rounds of the draft. The guy has quietly gone about his business and has carried a poorly designed defense. Just think what this guy will do with a scheme that attacks. I still think he will have close to triple digit tackles before the season is over. That's why the big boys will come call and a 5th year won't be an option.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Personally I don't think it's a question of if you take Crum or not! I think that he is going to thrive in CB's system and I say he gets the NFL call in the first 2 rounds of the draft. The guy has quietly gone about his business and has carried a poorly designed defense. Just think what this guy will do with a scheme that attacks. I still think he will have close to triple digit tackles before the season is over. That's why the big boys will come call and a 5th year won't be an option.

I don't disagree with you, but this is kind of why this topic is at a moot point. There's just too many possibilities and speculation.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

It's still fun to speculate, but it is important that we recognize that fact.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Right. You can say, "if this happens, we should do this". I love speculation. I just don't think we can say "Crum shouldn't come back, regardless."

By the way, I'm not targeting you, NDGirlz, at all, because you didn't do that.

[NDGirlzRock]

Right. You can say, "if this happens, we should do this". I love speculation. I just don't think we can say "Crum shouldn't come back, regardless."

By the way, I'm not targeting you, NDGirlz, at all, because you didn't do that.

Thanks Fishin'! I would love to have him back! But I think that he is going to have a year that will make it tough for him to make the decision to ask to come back. If he wants to come back, CW will let him. Just depends on if he wants to!

[rontdtarchala]

Ok I'll admit it...I love to get you people going...why because...it is soooooo easy. You folks are definitely ND fans...gotta love it...parting is such sweet sorrow...I must call it a night gotta get that cheerleader dream thing going...

[scooper]

I am clearly in the "ask the starters back" camp. Folks, we can make a run in 08 if the planets align. Some senior leadership from guys who can play could really help.

[LOVEMYIRISH]

And I think it would be safe to say that the two you'd invite back are the two with the greatest shot of going pro in Crum and Lambert?

Yup...Crum and Lambert are pretty much locks right now.

For some reason I expect one more guy to step up...maybe just my betting nature.

[IrishKnight1023]

I put my money on Justin Brown being that 3rd guy.

[frosh]

Right. You can say, "if this happens, we should do this". I love speculation. I just don't think we can say "Crum shouldn't come back, regardless."

By the way, I'm not targeting you, NDGirlz, at all, because you didn't do that.


the only reason i'm speculating is because the coaches must be right now as well. they have to make a decision sometimes this recruiting cylce. will they slow play people and see how the season goes? will they take in new talent? i think they will lean towards taking people back as long as they perform well this year. of couse we do have to worry about them performing well then leaving. jsut wondering whats going through cw's and cb's minds right now