Gunner Kiel re-opens recruitment, plans a visit

Submitted by ypsituckyboy on

Per 247 Sport and Wilfong, Gunner Kiel has re-opened his recruitment and planned a visit (presumably to Notre Dame, since it's posted on the ND 247 board).

I presume Michigan won't try to jump back in, but you never know.

EDIT: Per Tim Sullivan at Rivals, there are rumors that Michigan coaches may visit a 2012 QB during the bye week. Query who that might be.

Space Coyote

October 21st, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^

I lived in Michigan every Autumn until this year and had to live with the Lions.  This year I moved to Indiana and have to live with the Colts.  If past results mean anything, I plan on having a long stay in Dallas in the future.

bacon1431

October 21st, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^

Sucks for Indiana. Was hoping the kid would end up there. But I certainly can't blame him for looking elsewhere. The Hoosiers have lost to two mid-majors and have to win out to be bowl eligible - probably not the progress he was looking for under Kevin Wilson.

JHendo

October 21st, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^

I'm with you here.  While my better judgement wanted him to go to Michigan or at the very least a team Michigan never had to worry about, I was quietly happy when he committed to IU.  I think on the inside, many of us feel sorry for Indiana and wouldn't mind seeing them being somewhat competitve on not just a B1G but a national level for once, even if only for a couple years at time.  I though Kevin Wilson would be the guy, especially landing a top tier recruit like Gunner.  Alas, it's never meant to be when in comes to IU.

DrunkOnHiggins

October 21st, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

Was very surprised he commited there in the first place. I mean, I know his brother goes there (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong) but come on..it's Indiana! He's not getting the Paytons and Powes of the world to sign on at Indiana with him.

superstringer

October 21st, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^

Sucks to be IU.  But Gunner had to notice, not only do they SUCK, but... after him, the next-highest recruit to IU was all 3 starts -- not a single 4* in sight.  So the suckiness was going to continue into the future.

detrocks

October 21st, 2011 at 11:26 AM ^

This isn't that surprising given that it was a bit of a shock when he chose them in the first place and they haven't looked very good at all. 

It's interesting that his first visit will be to ND.   ND was one of the favorites when his recruiting started, but they didn't even make his final list of schools.  That being said, ND doesn't have a QB in this class and Rees has been somewhat erratic, so maybe he sees an opportunity there.   

OU and Alabama were his other finalists.   OU has a commitment from Trevor Knight, who is a four-star to Rivals, 247 and ESPN and three-star to Scout.      Alabama has a commitment from Alec Morris, who is a three-star.   Both of those guys committed right around when Kiel made his decision, but are hardly blue-chippers.

I'll be interested to see if Michigan jumps into the picture, but given our other needs and the caliber of players still considering us, I'd be surprised if it happens.   Still, if the best QB in the class is available, I think the coaching staff would still take a look.

VinnieMac25

October 21st, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^

Kiel must have realized he likes his body to stay in one piece.  On a sidenote is really quiet on the recruiting front?  Haven't heard anything from where the coaches are visiting.  Read a rumour about Dunn possibly visiting for Purdue.  Nothing else has really surfaced. 

Yinka Double Dare

October 21st, 2011 at 2:35 PM ^

"Sure, I'll take a free ticket to the first night game in South Bend in 20-ish years, against USC"

"Why yes, I'll take that free trip to Tuscaloosa for the LSU/Alabama game"

"Hey Oklahoma, any chance you can get me on the sideline for the Bedlam game?"

I mean, I sure as hell would take some of those opportunities.  It's not like IU is going to say "go eff yourself" if he takes visits and then wants to recommit, his spot isn't going to fill up.

 

Edward Khil

October 22nd, 2011 at 2:31 AM ^

I don't understand why all recruits don't take their five official visits, if they get the invitations.  I think it would prepare them better for the College gameday (and otherwise) experience, and help prepare them to play the game the following year, even if they've already decided which school they will attend.  Why sit around your high school for the weekend?

ypsituckyboy

October 21st, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^

Notre Dame is where 5 star QB's go to wilt into obscurity. The few that don't provide great entertainment to the rest of the ND-hating college football world when said QB's NFL Draft stock plummets on draft day whilst the ESPN camera captures a new low of dejection with each successive pick. The humor continues through the QB's first and second year in the league, and only ceases when Colt McCoy/Cam Newton/someone else is picked to replace yet another epic ND QB failure.

 

finallymadeaname

October 21st, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^

If he doesn't go to Michigan, then I will actually be a little disappointed that he wont be at Indiana.  I was looking forward to having that kind of talent play for a program like IU, and how it would affect their future.

Hope he finds the right fit though.  (In Ann Arbor?) cough cough..

True Blue Grit

October 21st, 2011 at 11:54 AM ^

Obviously it would seem ND would be a front runner, but according to our QB numbers, we really could use a QB in this class.  Probably a long shot here, but there's always hoping.  Maybe someone anonymous can send Kiel some photo's of Purple Face blowing up at his QB in the USF game.