'08 IN OL Braxston Cave (3/3/07 Notre Dame LOI)

[Svoboda]

Offensive Center
Penn High School ( http://penn.phm.k12.in.us/ ) (Mishawaka, IN)

Links of Interest: Rivals Profile (http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=60075)

Height: 6 foot-4
Weight: 295 lbs.

Combine
Forty: 5.09
Bench Reps:
Bench Max: 405 lbs.
Squat Max:
Shuttle: 4.68 secs.
Vertical: 28 in.
GPA: 3.0

Star Ratings
Rivals.com: ****
Scout.com: ****

Rankings & Accolades
Rivals 250 #192 Rivals National Center #4 Rivals IN Top 15 #2
Scout 300 #140 Scout National Center #2
ESPN 150 #126 ESPN National Center #1

Statistics
2006-
2007-

Schools of Interest
Notre Dame (LOI) Official Visit 12/7/07
Purdue
Florida
Iowa
Indiana
Michigan

[Svoboda]

Braxston Cave.

[Svoboda]

Good video interview (http://www.fox28.com/Streamer/stream.php?url=/Video/playlist.php?ID=11972) with Braxston courtesy of Fox 28.

[patrick316]

according to scout he has commited to ND

[lattedatte]

cool, a local guy and a legacy. Getting the guys we should get and we are getting them early, I'd say that's a step in the right direction. And two hogs as well.

[rontdtarchala]

I thought we were looking at him as a DT

[Sir John]

It's reported he is in now as Irish:)

[BGIF]

This is a 1/18/07 article from Fox28. It's not new but note the BP of 400 pounds most recruits currently of interest bench 50 to 100 pounds LESS. This kid would be strong as college freshman let alone a HS junior. And at 295 his 5.01 40 says he can move for a big man. He could play on either side of the line most likely in the interior. His technique and needs by the time he arrives will dictate where he ends up.


Braxston Cave Recruited By Big Boys
A kid who may someday play in the NFL is now just a junior at Penn. After a national workout recently in San Antonio, TX, Braxton Cave made what everybody knew official. He's a big-time recruit with unbelievable potential. He's the type of kid that has National Champ Florida and ND battling for him. Braxston Cave is 6'4" 295. Everybody in the Big 10 is looking at him. He has regular contact with former ND Assistant Coach Greg Mattison who's now the DC at UF. And he's enjoyed going to ND Stadium and getting to know Charlie Weis. The Indiana All-Stater has grown up a ND fan but he's going to make an educated decision about his future. He's visited with IOW during the PU game and UM when they played VU. Braxton's dad used to be a bodybuilder so pumping iron and watching what he eats is part of his lifestyle. He runs a 5.01 40 and is trying to get faster. He bench presses over 400 pounds and is trying to get stronger. He's grown up under the shadow of the Golden Dome, but you know the other schools are going to use all of their strengths to get his muscle. WSJV FoxSports28 fox28.com

[rontdtarchala]

YYYYYYYEEEEESSSSSSSSS welcome to the family young man

[stonebreakerwasgod]

He is gonna be a NICE addition to the DL! Way to go CB!

[Svoboda]

Exclusive Interview with Braxston by Fox28 on his commitment.

http://www.fox28.com/Streamer/stream.php?url=/Video/playlist.php?ID=14616

[BGIF]

"Born to be a Notre Dame football player"

Good interview.

[Famboo28]

Sounds like the kind of player that bleeds Blue and Gold. From what I've seen and heard about this kid, I like him a lot.

[NDGirlzRock]

I say we send a fruit basket or something to show our appreciation for the L'otel de Cave being open for all of the recruits to come in and visit. Maybe Charlie should take one kid from Penn High School each year so we can keep the recruit hotel open.

[irishunclebill]

Congrats to Braxston for getting a 4th star on Rivals. He is finally getting some national recognition.

[irishunclebill]

Cave now has the same RR rating on Rivals as Ben Haber, who was ranked as the #1 national center on the previous Rivals 100. Cave will probably not jump Habern because Habern was already a Rivals 250, but the 5.8 RR will definitely push Cave up to at least the #2 national ranking for Center.

[NDGirlzRock]

Cave now has the same RR rating on Rivals as Ben Haber, who was ranked as the #1 national center on the previous Rivals 100. Cave will probably not jump Habern because Habern was already a Rivals 250, but the 5.8 RR will definitely push Cave up to at least the #2 national ranking for Center.

Sweet the kid deserves it. "Keep the change ya filthy animal!"

[irishunclebill]

Sweet the kid deserves it. "Keep the change ya filthy animal!"

NDGirlz, I hope you are not home alone!

[NDGirlzRock]

NDGirlz, I hope you are not home alone!

Work my friend!!! But I did order pizza this past weekend. (Knees shakin' Scooby Doo style!!!!!!!!)

[Troy's Enterprise Pride]

i was thinking about home alone the other day.... that kid's house had to be like 6000 sq ft. seriously... if a thief were to come to my florida home, he'd have his choice of any number of windows to break... and since FL houses tend to be very open floor plans, i wouldn't have too many rooms to go hiding in. i bet that was such a fun movie to shoot, though.

[irishunclebill]

Megan McCallister: You're not at all worried that something might happen to Kevin?
Buzz McCallister: No, for three reasons: A, I'm not that lucky. Two, we use smoke detectors and D, we live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen. Period.

A, Two, D. Classic dialogue. Hollywood could use a guy like Hughes back. Chicago suburbs are the best. Lots of great movies filmed there, mostly Hughes, but others like Risky Business.

[NDGirlzRock]

Megan McCallister: You're not at all worried that something might happen to Kevin?
Buzz McCallister: No, for three reasons: A, I'm not that lucky. Two, we use smoke detectors and D, we live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen. Period.

A, Two, D. Classic dialogue. Hollywood could use a guy like Hughes back. Chicago suburbs are the best. Lots of great movies filmed there, mostly Hughes, but others like Risky Business.

I had a college roommate that lived next door to the house where they shot Sixteen Candles. The Long Duck on the lawn drunk sceen....classic!

[irishunclebill]

Looks like Cave will make the revised Rivals 250 as well as getting his 4th star.

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated & Pictures Added.

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated.

[notredomer23]

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/Sports/70816011/1021/Sports

good article

[Svoboda]

Spoke with a Penn guy last night and Cave and his offensive line dominated last night leading Penn to a 38-24 victory over Valpo.

He also said Cave did kickoffs last night for Penn and didn't do too bad. He may end up doing it all season long.

[SpanishElite]

Nothing like a 300 lb kicker.

[Grady]

I wish I could see him kick in person. It has to be quite a sight.

[Svoboda]

Cave and company took care of Ben Davis tonight 15-7 in OT. In speaking to someone that went to the game, Ben Davis apparently had the ball on the 1 yard line and Braxton stopped them two plays in a row. They then threw for a TD on 4th and 1 and the receiver dropped the ball securing the W for the Kingsmen.

[IrishKnight1023]

Cave and company took care of Ben Davis tonight 15-7 in OT. In speaking to someone that went to the game, Ben Davis apparently had the ball on the 1 yard line and Braxton stopped them two plays in a row. They then threw for a TD on 4th and 1 and the receiver dropped the ball securing the W for the Kingsmen.

--Good info Svo

[IrishKnight1023]

http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=709357

Cave believes in Irish head coach Charlie Weis.
"I love him," Cave said. "He's a real straight-forward guy. He tells you the truth, and that's what I like."

[irishunclebill]

Penn moves to 4-0 in what was supposed to be a test for them. Well, not really as they won 53-0 and rushed for more than 200 yards.

[irishunclebill]

Penn was tested but moved to 7-0 with a 20-13 win over town rival Mishawaka.

GG- Why is this game not played on Thanksgiving like a lot of cross town rivalries, or is that just an East Coast thing.

[daytonirish]

Hey, great interview with him on WNDU. Got it off ndnation. He looks big and he says he loves playing physical football. And is looking forward to coming to N.D. and starting for the Irish next year. I wouldn't argue with him.

[ND Fanatic]

Nice write up on ESPN....

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=3120457

[RichardRiot]

Thanks for posting this. Not only is Braxston a great prospect as a player, he has done a tremendous amount to help build this class.

[NDisNCin2010]

kids a better writer than that weasel Carroll over at the SBT:
glad he is Omar's roomate at the UA Game...he may be our only chance left to tak some sense into him.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS13/71202069/1204/Recruiting

[NDgrandson]

Bryan Mattison, who I assume is ex D-coordinator at ND's son (now at Florida) gives some good advise to Braxton and any other recruit for that matter...


One person who really put everything in perspective for me and made the picture clearer than ever was Bryan Mattison.

Bryan, a senior and second-year captain as a defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes, told me to really think about these three things: 1. Go to a school for the program and atmosphere, not the people who surround you because you never know when they may be gone; 2. Your strength coach will be your best friend, you spend 75 percent of your career in the offseason with the man, so make him your best friend because he will push you to the top; 3. Follow your heart, if deep down inside your heart leads you somewhere, follow it and make it your dream

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS13/71202069/1204/Recruiting

This was the article you posted in the previous post. Thanks.

[MirageSmack]

And then "snake eyes" Doc Holliday told him that you will probably be murdered if you go to any school other than UF. :p Or does he only tell the Miami recruits that?

[BDirish4ever]

kids a better writer than that weasel Carroll over at the SBT:
glad he is Omar's roomate at the UA Game...he may be our only chance left to tak some sense into him.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/SPORTS13/71202069/1204/Recruiting

If Braxston can't talk sense into Omar(if he really needs it),then no one can!!

[daytonirish]

For those of you who didn't watch the UA game. Braxton is the real deal. He played the whole game did not get beat that I remember. And in fact did b**** slap Omar when they went one on one. He drove Omar a good 5 yds off the line on one play and no one who went agianst MR.CAVE did a darn thing. We got a real good one in this young man.

[untitledproject]

Yeah, the sack he managed wasnt against him.

[notredomer23]

3 star my ass

[Fishin'_Irish]

He won the battle of the roommates.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I hope..

Cave, Floyd, and Newman get another.

[IrishKnight1023]

I'm wondering if Omar still roomed with Cave? If so that must've been a little uncomfortable. I thought highly of Cave, but he looked unstoppable today.

[jfschellcrna]

the only thing uncomfortable is gonna be omars ass from being on it so much.................

[fighting doug]

In Orlando, Penn senior Braxston Cave helped lead the Silver team to a the 3-point win the Under Armour All-American High School Bowl.

The Notre Dame bound center even matched up with a someone he expected to be his teammate.

Early in the game, Cave put a great block on defensive lineman Omar Hunter, who previously committed to the Irish.

That's right bitch!

[jonesman]

Did anyone get any video of the game when Cave took on Omar?? Wondering if there is any on Youtube or anywhere like that.

[fighting doug]

not yet, but I found this cool commercial
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dnECY26PSHk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dnECY26PSHk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[fighting doug]

Check out pic #4, Cave looks like a bamf
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/flash/zoomGallery?section=gen&photoGalleryId=3176537

[NDgrandson]

the only thing uncomfortable is gonna be omars ass from being on it so much.................

His ass might be sore from this guy too. Word is he has a medicine cabinet full of rohipnol (date rape drug), and a right arm ready to tat for Omar. It's gonna say, "The big O" which holds double meaning for him. Pic coutesy of Stoney's blog.
http://ballsiest.com/sportsblog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/t-bone1.jpg

[NDisNCin2010]

3 star my ass


hes a 4 star on Rivals now...well done BC.
keep us ahead of GA for the #1 spot.

[irishunclebill]

hes a 4 star on Rivals now...well done BC.
keep us ahead of GA for the #1 spot.

That is actually not a change, Cave has been a Rivals 4 star, and in the Rivals 250 since early August. At that time he was also a Scout 4 star, but their mid-August revision dropped Cave to a three star, where on Scout at least he remains.

[The New Louis]

thats crap. Kids deserves 4* so does newman

[NDisNCin2010]

That is actually not a change, Cave has been a Rivals 4 star, and in the Rivals 250 since early August. At that time he was also a Scout 4 star, but their mid-August revision dropped Cave to a three star, where on Scout at least he remains.

so they (Scout) drop the kid a star after he accepts an invite to play in their Espn/(Scout) game...? oh, the irony.

in the end i could care less-he beat up on Omar, he's a 5 star to me and Newman blewup this week at AA so not feeling the sting of Omar as much as 2 weeks ago....does anyone know if they (Cave/Omar)ended up rooming all week?

[IrishKnight1023]

so they (Scout) drop the kid a star after he accepts an invite to play in their Espn/(Scout) game...? oh, the irony.

in the end i could care less-he beat up on Omar, he's a 5 star to me and Newman blewup this week at AA so not feeling the sting of Omar as much as 2 weeks ago....does anyone know if they (Cave/Omar)ended up rooming all week?

------They did not.

[NDIRISH44]

http://rivals100.rivals.com/teamrank.asp?SID=880

good look at cave from B&G

[Fishin'_Irish]

Faxing LOI at 8 AM at his school tomorrow.

[NDisNCin2010]

actually Cave is chiselling his LOI in stone tonite and carrying it over to CW to hand it to him in person tomorrow morning

this is premium info so please keep it quiet gang...i dont want to burn a source.

[RichardRiot]

actually Cave is chiselling his LOI in stone tonite and carrying it over to CW to hand it to him in person tomorrow morning

this is premium info so please keep it quiet gang...i dont want to burn a source.

LOL, I thought that Braxston chiselled his LOI into a certain NT's carcass on multiple occassions during the U/A game......

[stew654]

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/15354066.html#

Cave makes it official

He grew up a die-hard Notre Dame fan.

Heck, he was named after an Irish football player.

So not even falling victim to the flu was stopping Penn's Braxston Cave from officially signing his letter of Intent on Wednesday to play football for the Fighting Irish.

"It's just a big relief," the 6'4," 295 pound Cave said Wednesday morning. "I've waited for it for a long time. And now its a sealed deal. I'm just really excited."

Rivals.com lists Cave as the 4th best center in the country.

The Kingsmen senior has developed a strong bond with his entire recruiting class -- a class that is ranked second in the country by Rivals. He says that's because of the school they will soon be playing for.

"Notre Dame's a special place," Cave explained. "You get on that campus together and you don't want to turn away. It's just Notre Dame."

Irish head coach Charlie Weis credited Cave along with QB recruit Dayne Crist for bringing this class together.

Weis even joked that Braxston's mom is the mom of the entire recruiting class and that he wouldn't be surprised if she will be housing a number of recruits who are itching to get closer to campus.

To prepare for Notre Dame, Cave is currently working with a personal trainer in order to keep his conditioning at a top level.

"They said 'focus on center,'" Cave said. "I've got some plays from Coach Latina to work on."

"So, I'm just focusing on center. If I have to change positions, that's fine with me. I've got to do whatever I've got to do to help the team."

[IrishKnight1023]

Cave was on Power Hour tonight (First time listened in almost a year) to listen to Blantons comment that I heard about and the first interview was Cave and Omar came up in conversation and Mike Frank said "I told you to put him on his ass 3 times before that All star game and you did that for me didn't you?" and Cave said "I did" and MF said "Now when you face him in the National Championship game I want you to do it again" and Cave said "Oh I can't wait, I hope so"..................That's what I wanna hear.

[irishunclebill]

Profile Updated to reflect Final Star Ratings & Rankings on the recruiting boards.

[notredomer23]

Pretty sure i saw him at the game

[5th Horseman]

Pretty sure i saw him at the game

It's possible the game was too far away for him to make. :rofl:

[racerc03]

Cave is one of my favorites from this class.

I'm hoping he can catch on quick and challenge for Center duties with Wenger.

Probably becasue i like mean run blockers im excited to see him and Robinson in the future.

[KamaraPolice]

Cave was on Power Hour tonight (First time listened in almost a year) to listen to Blantons comment that I heard about and the first interview was Cave and Omar came up in conversation and Mike Frank said "I told you to put him on his ass 3 times before that All star game and you did that for me didn't you?" and Cave said "I did" and MF said "Now when you face him in the National Championship game I want you to do it again" and Cave said "Oh I can't wait, I hope so"..................That's what I wanna hear.

I'll be shocked if Cock Boy (Urban, not Omar) makes it back to another National Title game.

For Omars sake, I hope he doesnt regret his decision.

[IrishCalves]

Even with Urban's treachery, and not getting into Georgia (the school it sounds like he ultimately wanted), UF is a place that if you're smart enough to not be steered into joke majors, you can make the best of. Its not like he's been sent to prison. There are opportunities in Gainsville. We like to highlight the bad, but with most any college, there are certainly good ones too.

[NDGirlzRock]

Even with Urban's treachery, and not getting into Georgia (the school it sounds like he ultimately wanted), UF is a place that if you're smart enough to not be steered into joke majors, you can make the best of. Its not like he's been sent to prison. There are opportunities in Gainsville. We like to highlight the bad, but with most any college, there are certainly good ones too.

Very true Calves.....they have a great architectural program and they are the only school in the state of Florida with a Vetrinary program!!!

[irishunclebill]

Even with Urban's treachery, and not getting into Georgia (the school it sounds like he ultimately wanted), UF is a place that if you're smart enough to not be steered into joke majors, you can make the best of. Its not like he's been sent to prison. There are opportunities in Gainsville. We like to highlight the bad, but with most any college, there are certainly good ones too.


Very true Calves.....they have a great architectural program and they are the only school in the state of Florida with a Vetrinary program!!!

and 30% of their Black football players (which I believe Omar still is) end up with a degree. Whenever I hear the defense of what a great school Florida is it makes me want to puke.:upchuck:

The point is that as it relates to the football program (which I'm pretty sure is the primary focus on this message board) education at Florida is a colossal joke and one that the Gainseville Slimeball manipulates with the help of bogus NCAA stats to make it appear meaningful. Sure, maybe Omar or any other Black football player can get a good education in Gainesville, but the fact is very few do. Only 3 out of every 10 even graduate and I would be willing to place a pretty hefty wager that virtually none of those 3 out of 10 graduate with a degree in Architecture or Veterinary Medicine.

BTW, it also does not help much if you are a White football player at Florida, where only 55% graduate. The overall graduation rate for football players is 35%, which is the lowest actual graduation rate in what is without doubt the worst football conference in the nation for academics.

Also as a whole Florida's graduation rate is not all that great at 79% for all students, and 57% for all student athletes. This compares with 95% for all students and 89% for all student athletes at Notre Dame.

So please spare me the defense of the Harvard of the South as an educational institution. It's a decent school for a public University but in that category it is nowhere near at the level of a Berkeley, UVA, UNC, or even a Michigan or Illinois. As to being compared to the elite private schools Florida is not even in the ball park.

[SoCalDomer]

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/3353/captaincaveman8yl.jpg

[NDChatt]

and 30% of their Black football players (which I believe Omar still is) end up with a degree. Whenever I hear the defense of what a great school Florida is it makes me want to puke.:upchuck:

The point is that as it relates to the football program (which I'm pretty sure is the primary focus on this message board) education at Florida is a colossal joke and one that the Gainseville Slimeball manipulates with the help of bogus NCAA stats to make it appear meaningful. Sure, maybe Omar or any other Black football player can get a good education in Gainesville, but the fact is very few do. Only 3 out of every 10 even graduate and I would be willing to place a pretty hefty wager that virtually none of those 3 out of 10 graduate with a degree in Architecture or Veterinary Medicine.

BTW, it also does not help much if you are a White football player at Florida, where only 55% graduate. The overall graduation rate for football players is 35%, which is the lowest actual graduation rate in what is without doubt the worst football conference in the nation for academics.

Also as a whole Florida's graduation rate is not all that great at 79% for all students, and 57% for all student athletes. This compares with 95% for all students and 89% for all student athletes at Notre Dame.

So please spare me the defense of the Harvard of the South as an educational institution. It's a decent school for a public University but in that category it is nowhere near at the level of a Berkeley, UVA, UNC, or even a Michigan or Illinois. As to being compared to the elite private schools Florida is not even in the ball park.
I graduated from the real "Harvard of the South" and I can promise you Florida doesn't compare well to Vandy.

[irishunclebill]

I graduated from the real "Harvard of the South" and I can promise you Florida doesn't compare well to Vandy.

No doubt that Vandy is far and away the best academic institution in the SEC, and also far and away the best when it comes to making sure their student athletes leave with a degree. Florida is not even close in either regard, but on an academic basis only for all students is probably the next best. However, when you consider the SEC schools that they are ahead of on a purely academic basis, that is not such a great feat. Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, and the 2 Mississippi's are some of the worst Public Universities in the nation.

The fact that Florida is a decent school overall, and yet the rate of graduation among their football players is so dismal is an even more damning indictment of the Slimeball. Although it may be true that with the proper motivation any kid with a football scholarship can get a good education at a decent school, it is extremely naive to think that most of these kids have that proper motivation coming into a University as a Freshman. I am sure that there are a lot of ND football recruits who do not have that built in motivation as well. What separates ND, Vandy, Duke, and Stanford and similar schools from the Florida's and Ohio State's of the world is that they provide a solid support structure for their student athletes to help them succeed academically. Despite his BS, the Slimeball could care less if any of his football players graduate and the fact that the University of Florida does not intervene to make sure he does care tells me that deep down they are also a second class academic institution.

[SoCalDomer]

(sorry to hijack your thread Capt. Caveman)

at the risk of sounding like a Meyer defender, i don't know what the numbers were like before Meyer went to Florida, but I suspect the poor focus on education for athletes preceeded him.

[irishunclebill]

(sorry to hijack your thread Capt. Caveman)

at the risk of sounding like a Meyer defender, i don't know what the numbers were like before Meyer went to Florida, but I suspect the poor focus on education for athletes preceeded him.

Not sure what the Capt. Caveman reference is supposed to signify, please enlighten my unenlightened mind. However, you should know as an Atty., never to ask a question that you don't know the answer to.:mutumbo:

Florida had a 42% Graduation Rate for their football players for each of the years 2004-2006. These are four class average rates, so Meyer who became Florida's head coach in the 2005 season had little impact on the 2004-2006 numbers. The first year that his impact is felt is the 2007 numbers, and what is the result.

The overall Graduation Rate (remember again this is a four class average) drops from 42% to 35%. A 20% drop in one year on a four year average statistic is an indication I believe of a pretty significant mathematical impact.

So the answer is that Florida may well have had a poor focus on education for athletes before Meyer, but the impact of Meyer has made the situation much worse.

[SoCalDomer]

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/3353/captaincaveman8yl.jpg

^^^


Not sure what the Capt. Caveman reference is supposed to signify, please enlighten my unenlightened mind.


Braxston Cave... Caveman... Capt. Caveman. (if he becomes a captain at some point in his career at ND, I hereby declare copyrights over this.)



Florida had a 42% Graduation Rate for their football players for each of the years 2004-2006. These are four class average rates, so Meyer who became Florida's head coach in the 2005 season had little impact on the 2004-2006 numbers. The first year that his impact is felt is the 2007 numbers, and what is the result.

The overall Graduation Rate (remember again this is a four class average) drops from 42% to 35%. A 20% drop in one year on a four year average statistic is an indication I believe of a pretty significant mathematical impact.

So the answer is that Florida may well have had a poor focus on education for athletes before Meyer, but the impact of Meyer has made the situation much worse.

i enjoy getting others to do my work for me.

[NDChatt]

No doubt that Vandy is far and away the best academic institution in the SEC, and also far and away the best when it comes to making sure their student athletes leave with a degree. Florida is not even close in either regard, but on an academic basis only for all students is probably the next best. However, when you consider the SEC schools that they are ahead of on a purely academic basis, that is not such a great feat. Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, and the 2 Mississippi's are some of the worst Public Universities in the nation.

The fact that Florida is a decent school overall, and yet the rate of graduation among their football players is so dismal is an even more damning indictment of the Slimeball. Although it may be true that with the proper motivation any kid with a football scholarship can get a good education at a decent school, it is extremely naive to think that most of these kids have that proper motivation coming into a University as a Freshman. I am sure that there are a lot of ND football recruits who do not have that built in motivation as well. What separates ND, Vandy, Duke, and Stanford and similar schools from the Florida's and Ohio State's of the world is that they provide a solid support structure for their student athletes to help them succeed academically. Despite his BS, the Slimeball could care less if any of his football players graduate and the fact that the University of Florida does not intervene to make sure he does care tells me that deep down they are also a second class academic institution.

I am sure that Florida has its strenghts when it comes to the quality of education offered, but I have yet to see the proof. Usually, we (Vandy) can only claim education as our gold star in comparison to other SEC schools, so we are a little defensive when that honor is challenged.

[NDGirlzRock]

Sorry to not make my point clear IUB, I was stating the Architectural and Veterinary programs as a joke!!! :guns::guns::guns:

[NDgrandson]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/college-football/Cave-ready-to-seize-the-moment-708363;_ylt=AluLSKizht35ShwCMOXpDwXLa79_

Video interview

[Synoptico]

ChiTribHamilton

BK: #NotreDame center Dan Wenger had a second concussion Tuesday and senior's career is in jeopardy. May not play again.

Looks like Cave may be the center all year

This is in the Cave thread because the Wenger thread was part of the thread casualty.

[JMR8]

not good. we need a solid backup and no one needs to have multiple concussions. hope he is ok.

[HoffVir]

Watt may be the next in line at C. Possibly Golic.

[NDgrandson]

Looks like Cave may be the center all year

This is in the Cave thread because the Wenger thread was part of the thread casualty.

That's horrible. Well, he was going to be hard pressed to make an NFL roster so that door just might have been closed a little early. I wish him the best and hope there is no long term issues.

[MoeMontana]

Watt may be the next in line at C. Possibly Golic.

It's Golic.

[NDGirlzRock]

That's ashame for Wenger!!! Guy has been nothing but a great center at ND!!! Hope it doesn't turn out to be that way!!!

[NDgrandson]

It's Golic.

Why do you say that? I think the Wenger injury will increase Watt's reps at C.

[NDgrandson]

Why do you say that? I think the Wenger injury will increase Watt's reps at C.

I heard BK say yes about JR (Golic) going in 2nd string. However, he did mention Watt as well. My impression based on everything I have seen, heard and the Wenger development is that Watt has the upside and while Golic is most likely 2nd string this week, they might prep Watt to take over the 2nd string duties in the weeks ahead.

http://www.und.com/allaccess/?media=193016

[DublinIrish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpYnkffBigI&feature=feedu

[Purebred Irishman]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

Braxton was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the 2011 season. The Rimington Trophy is given annually to the nation’s best and most interior of interior offensive lineman.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I had no idea he was going to be this solid. Great find for Irish. I think he's got a great shot at NFL...we shall see.

[mlcspinner]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

Braxton was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the 2011 season. The Rimington Trophy is given annually to the nation’s best and most interior of interior offensive lineman.


Lets earn that Trophy this year Mr Cave :headbang:

[IrishFan123]

http://www.muscleprodigy.com/the-top-10-strongest-college-football-players-arcl-1753.html


The Top 10 Strongest College Football Players
10) Braxston Cave

C, Notre Dave Fighting Irish
6’3, 303 lbs.
Senior

Braxston Cave’s 520-pound bench press is beastly, making him one of the strongest offensive linemen in the country. Cave didn’t live up to his full potential last season but is looking to be the lead anchor for the Fighting Irish offensive line

[IrishFan123]

Torn tendon out 4-8 months

[brownkj002]

Torn tendon out 4-8 months

ouch.
golic jr = your time to shine

[CincyDamer]

Can't wait to see the depth chart

1) Golic Jr
2) Heggie

[Irishlaw]

i think golic jr just got his fifth year

[IrishCrasher]

is Nuss able to play Center, If Golic were to go down??? I thought there was a time he was in that position, but just can't remember???

[NDgrandson]

is Nuss able to play Center, If Golic were to go down??? I thought there was a time he was in that position, but just can't remember???

It was Watt that they worked at Center.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Heggie is going to get more reps than dayne. Who'da thunk it.

[IrishCrasher]

Ok so Nuss can play in Watts Position, and Watt could play center. That leaves us with a good bit of experience up front. Where is Heggie in terms of development?

[IrishCrasher]

Nuss backing up Golic! Cave out for season. But seems as though he will be back next year. as per Presser

[Purebred Irishman]

http://irish.nbcsports.com/2011/11/08/braxston-cave-lost-for-the-season/


Fifth-year grad student Andrew Nuss will slide in at the No. 2 center position, while sophomore Bruce Heggie will move up into the No. 2 slot at left guard behind Chris Watt. That Golic gets the starting nod over Nuss shows you that it isn’t just lip-service being paid by Kelly when he’s complimented the work the senior has done. Similarly, that Heggie now slides into the back-up role at guard likely means he’s done enough to impress the staff with his athleticism and versatility, and also that the coaches don’t want to burn a year of eligibility on players like Conor Hanratty and Nick Martin, two freshman that have impressed this year.

[irishdan123084]

Nuss backing up Golic! Cave out for season. But seems as though he will be back next year. as per Presser

Where did you see that he could be back next year? I know he logged in 2 minutes of playing time before suffering a season-ending injury during his freshmen year but does that qualify for a 5th year?

[IrishCrasher]

Where did you see that he could be back next year? I know he logged in 2 minutes of playing time before suffering a season-ending injury during his freshmen year but does that qualify for a 5th year?
I didn't see it I heard BK say at the presser that he will be back. Possibly refering to a 5th year, or possibly refering to just returning to the sport in general. Which is why I said Possibly returning.

[irishunclebill]

Where did you see that he could be back next year? I know he logged in 2 minutes of playing time before suffering a season-ending injury during his freshmen year but does that qualify for a 5th year?

Cave has already been granted a medical redshirt for his Freshman year despite that few minutes of playing time. He is eligible to return in 2012 and unless the current injury turns out to be career ending he is one of the few 2012 5th year eligible Seniors that is a lock to return.