OT: Davonte Neal Debacle (Deciding between ND and Arizona)

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February 21st, 2012 at 1:11 PM
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Humen
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OT: Davonte Neal Debacle (Deciding between ND and Arizona)

Davonte Neal (2012 ATH, ESPN 5*) scheduled his decision for this morning at his former elementary school. The elementary school pulled out all of the stops, including taking 600 kids out of classes to come witness the announcement. The kids were encouraged to chant things like "we're just like Davonte!" The news, of course, was being streamed by at least one state-wide news outlet. 

 

Neal didn't show up to his decision. The kids waited for over an hour before the principal finally disbanded the assembly. Word has come from twitter that Davonte and his Dad were arguing over his decision (it's late February.) this morning. His father wanted him to go to Notre Dame, but Neal wanted to go to Arizona. Neal did not call to cancel. No word has come out of the Neal camp yet, but I find this absolutely disgusting. 

 

Recruiting has become too big. 

 
 
 
 

Thanks Thorin/Mgovideo for avatar

 

 
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February 24th, 2012 at 9:54 PM | (No subject) (Score:5 Normal)
buttesnake
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Joined: 05/17/2011
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February 21st, 2012 at 1:16 PM | The sad sounds like bad (Score:5 Normal)
elaydin
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Joined: 04/17/2010
MGoPoints: 2197

The dad sounds like bad news.  Supposedly he was missing for most of Davonte's life, but has recently come back to make things right.  Read into that what you will.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:26 PM | sounds like (Score:5 Normal)
Messenger Puppet
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Joined: 07/05/2008
MGoPoints: 431

Roberto Boucher

February 21st, 2012 at 3:51 PM | That's Ruh-boy-do Boucher (Score:4 Normal)
TallyWolverine
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That's Ruh-boy-do Boucher

Campaign manager--Hoke 2012.

February 21st, 2012 at 6:21 PM | Sounds like Seantrell (Score:1)
redhousewolverine
Joined: 08/17/2010
MGoPoints: 820

Sounds like Seantrell Henderson also. This is a frustration about the recruiting process and I wonder about the NCAA (not really since I know they fail in so many ways) and their recruiting rules. Bigger concern is absent fathers; it is a real drag on kids and their futures (possibly biggest understatement of the century).

"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:21 PM | Man, notre dame is lowering (Score:5 Normal)
Brown Bear
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Joined: 01/10/2011
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Man, notre dame is lowering their standards allowing kids in elementary school to possibly go there.

Edit: he edit, joke RUINED!

I poop excellence
February 21st, 2012 at 1:16 PM | I vote Arizona... (Score:5 Normal)
RLS-Jr
Joined: 01/13/2011
MGoPoints: 94

Maybe that will help break the tie?

Go Blue or Go Home...

February 21st, 2012 at 1:17 PM | Sheesh... (Score:5 Normal)
tn wolverine
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Joined: 09/07/2009
MGoPoints: 502

I hope they then had the kids chant, "We won't be like Davonte."

 I've never watched "Rudy" because I can't stand notre dame.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:23 PM | I'm not sure (Score:-1 Overrated)
February 21st, 2012 at 1:39 PM | Overreacting (Score:5 Normal)
M Wolve
Joined: 09/04/2011
MGoPoints: 732

Rescind the offer?  How does this warrant such an act?  You have no idea as to what role the father has in this decision and the control that he may or may not have on his son.  Wait for some facts before you label his character next time, please.

Bring back Keith Jackson

February 21st, 2012 at 1:43 PM | The role of the father, as (Score:-1 Normal)
February 21st, 2012 at 1:45 PM | OVER (Score:2 Normal)
Hardware Sushi
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Joined: 03/08/2010
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OVER-

REACTION

Kid is 17 and has a Dad that has been absent in his life but won't sign his LOI. This kid is not a terrible person. I have a feeling you look like this right now:

Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:53 PM | I am not angry (Score:1 Normal)
Humen
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I am just trying to hold people to a high standard because I respect them and myself. I guess I'm empathizing with the parents who had children in that auditorium. 

Thanks Thorin/Mgovideo for avatar

 

 
February 21st, 2012 at 2:18 PM | I don't blame you for (Score:4 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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I don't blame you for emphasizing with those parents, but you're choosing to blame the 17 year old instead of the adult, which is why people are disagreeing with you.

February 21st, 2012 at 2:57 PM | Not sure you quite hit the (Score:5 Normal)
Coastal Elite
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Not sure you quite hit the right verb there, chief.

February 21st, 2012 at 6:23 PM | Nope, sure (Score:2)
WolvinLA2
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Nope, sure didn't. 

damnyouautocorrect.com

 

February 21st, 2012 at 2:20 PM | I dunno (Score:2 Normal)
BiSB
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Those kids lost an hour of their lives. Davonte Neal is apparantly dealing with a serious disagreement over where to spend the next four years, and is fighting with his (previously absent?) father in the process.

He's 17, so depending on the circumstances I'm willing to potentially cut him a good amount of slack.

They no longer call me Bisbiño

February 21st, 2012 at 3:14 PM | Good points. (Score:4 Normal)
CalifExile
Joined: 03/02/2010
MGoPoints: 1332

I blame the principal for taking kids out of class. He's sending a message that success lies in athletic pursuits, rather than academic. Very few of the kids in the auditorium are likely to be successful in life through an athletic related vocation.

"After all was said and done, there was nothing left to do."

February 21st, 2012 at 7:40 PM | Exactly, I'm sure there is at (Score:2 Normal)
PatrickBateman
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Exactly, I'm sure there is at least one student in that district who is going to attend a TOP university, possibly on scholarship.  Who is the better (and more realistic) student to encourage students to look up to and help to choose the right path, even if the kids aren't going to get a full ride to Princeton, going to college at all might be a huge achievement for some of them. 

Craig James was my wingman in '82.

February 21st, 2012 at 5:18 PM | haha calm down man...he's not (Score:2 Normal)
MGoVillain
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haha calm down man...he's not your kid. 

MUAHAHAHAHA!  MUAHAHAHA!

February 21st, 2012 at 1:19 PM | Well, this is when a parent (Score:5 Normal)
Bb011
Joined: 09/02/2010
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Well, this is when a parent needs to step back and let the kid make his own decision.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:22 PM | I wish Chris Spielman's dad (Score:5 Normal)
dothepose
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I wish Chris Spielman's dad would have took your advice.

You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in 'Nam of course.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:29 PM | If I recall, the story was (Score:2 Normal)
Rabbit21
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If I recall, the story was related as you can go to Michigan, but you can't come home afterwards.  The final decision was, at least ostensibly, still up to Chris.

Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought.  It always defeats order because it is better organized. 

February 21st, 2012 at 6:18 PM | Hm, not much of a decision. (Score:3 Normal)
redhousewolverine
Joined: 08/17/2010
MGoPoints: 820

Hm, not much of a decision. Sounds like disowning him if he chose something else.

"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:28 PM | Yep (Score:5 Normal)
BiSB
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Just last year, Kyle Kalis's dad tied Kyle up, threw him in the back of a pick-up, drove him to Ann Arbor, and dropped him off at Schembechler Hall. He also reportedly threatened to shoot Kyle's dog if Kyle tried to leave Michigan.

[Sources: Bucknuts, 11W]

They no longer call me Bisbiño

February 21st, 2012 at 1:21 PM | Where's the real outrage (Score:5 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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For the Principals and teachers who are letting all these kids out of school time to watch some guy say where he's going to college?? I'd be pissed if that was my tax dollars at work. Sorry enough that they let someone out of class to announce, but to pull classrooms full of kids who should be learning to WATCH the him do it? (Or not do it, as the case may be)

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 21st, 2012 at 1:24 PM | Well if it was only supposed (Score:4 Normal)
Bb011
Joined: 09/02/2010
MGoPoints: 1745

Well if it was only supposed to be a 30 minute thing I don't see why not. It would have been good for the kids to see that and have a good role model. The problem is that he didn't show and was therefore a bad role model....

February 21st, 2012 at 1:28 PM | Yeah why should we give (Score:3 Normal)
GBOD79
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Yeah why should we give Elementary school kids an example of what hard work and dedication can do for them. I would be pissed too!

Those who stay will be champions!

February 21st, 2012 at 1:59 PM | If you too run a 4.3.... (Score:5 Normal)
M-Wolverine
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...or are 6'7" and 280 lbs!

I'm sure the next time they have a student deciding between Harvard, Yale, and the University of Michigan they're going to take everyone out of class to see where he picks....because that would be something to REALLY set an example for kids. But somehow I'm guessing that's not going to happen.  (And do you really think elementary school kids are getting life decisions advice on what an athlete who used to go to their school does? Or even contemplating such things).

"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk

February 21st, 2012 at 2:57 PM | Seriously. The last thing (Score:3 Normal)
blue note
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Seriously. The last thing elementary school kids need is more prima donna athletes being put on a pedestal.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:59 PM | If the principal truly (Score:3 Normal)
Brimley
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If the principal truly doesn't mind giving up instructional time for some motivational talk regarding hard work and dedication, I expect there are other and better examples available.  While having an athlete in obviously brings a level of excitement, kids have to know that they can succeed even without a 4.3 40.

Because I'm old and grouchy

February 21st, 2012 at 1:27 PM | Yeah, that sucks and is a (Score:1)
Rabbit21
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Yeah, that sucks and is a troubling sign about recruiting.  I don't know what the fix is in this situation, but someone getting across to him about how many people took time out of their days for him and were excited to see him would be at least a start.  I don't have a problem with taking time to decide, but no-showing in a situation like that without a cancelling phone call sucks.

 

Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought.  It always defeats order because it is better organized. 

February 21st, 2012 at 1:52 PM | I don't like recruiting shows, but (Score:3 Normal)
LB
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MGoPoints: 5060

this could easily have been a principal wanting to show his young students where life can take them. He might have chosen a young man in a better situtation, of course. I would have, needless to say. My hindsight is always 20/20.

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

February 21st, 2012 at 1:28 PM | Strange saga (Score:2)
mgordoblue
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Didn't Neal try to commit to OSU but Urb didn't let him because he was holding out for Stephon Diggs?

My username is spelled "mgordoblue", but it's pronounced "Throat Warbler Mangrove".

February 21st, 2012 at 1:35 PM | Most believe (Score:2 Normal)
Humen
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Most people on Arizona boards believe this. 

Thanks Thorin/Mgovideo for avatar

 

 
February 21st, 2012 at 1:35 PM | Does Neal (Score:2 Normal)
CincyBlue
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know Alex Kozan?

www.bighouseblog.com

February 21st, 2012 at 1:39 PM | Is Neal (Score:5 Normal)
LSA Aught One
Joined: 08/24/2011
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Alex Kozan?

February 21st, 2012 at 3:19 PM | Syzer Koze (Score:2 Normal)
CalifExile
Joined: 03/02/2010
MGoPoints: 1332

.

"After all was said and done, there was nothing left to do."

February 21st, 2012 at 1:43 PM | I hope he picks AZ. I don't (Score:1 Normal)
LIZARD4141
Joined: 12/09/2011
MGoPoints: 121

I hope he picks AZ. I don't want to face him. Hell will freeze over before AZ goes to a Rose Bowl in the next five years.

GO BLUE!

February 21st, 2012 at 2:15 PM | Honestly, I don't see what's (Score:2 Normal)
justingoblue
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Honestly, I don't see what's so improbable about it. USC is going to have one more season before they're destroyed by scholarship restrictions, Stanford is on the decline, Oregon could very well be looking at a coaching change and bowl ban. The Pac isn't going to have any of their current powers in good condition in the next few years, IMO.

Maybe Utah or ASU or UCLA will be around to mop up, but I don't see why it couldn't just as easily be Arizona.

Go Blue!

February 21st, 2012 at 2:24 PM | Even with USCs scholarship (Score:5 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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Even with USCs scholarship restrictions, their classes will be better than U of A. Stanford just signed the 5th best class is the country, so I'm not sure why they're on the decline. And UCLA just hired a new coach who signed a grat class as well. That's before looking at schools like Washington and Cal who are both in better spots than U of A. And there's always Oregon.

February 21st, 2012 at 2:42 PM | I would think that without (Score:2)
Lionsfan
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I would think that without Luck and Harbaugh most people see Stanford as falling off a little. I mean they've got good players now, and are riding a big wave, but if/when that waves dies can they still compete? And history tells us that Stanford hasn't held consistent success

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

February 21st, 2012 at 2:50 PM | But historically, Stanford (Score:5 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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But historically, Stanford hasn't recruited like this either. So although I also expect a little drop off, they should still be one of the best PAC 12 teams for a while.

And if we're relying so much on what history has told us, then Stanford still has a lot better of a shot than Arizona to make the Rose Bowl.

February 21st, 2012 at 9:16 PM | I've seen stranger things (Score:2)
dth
Joined: 12/02/2010
MGoPoints: 87

But Arizona would need exceptional coaching to go to their first Rose Bowl. After all, they've been to exactly zero in their history so far. 

February 21st, 2012 at 1:43 PM | Is Tony G involved with this (Score:2)
htownwolverine
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Is Tony G involved with this kid as his recruiter? The Snake Oilz is strong with that one.

Who is Jon Falk?
February 21st, 2012 at 1:46 PM | I know quoting rival message boards is lame (Score:4 Normal)
kmedved
Joined: 11/09/2009
MGoPoints: 157

But this nugget from Irish Envy was too good to skip:

"Just stated clearly that Neal wants AU and dad wants ND....come on dad pull the belt out!!"

Something about asking a father to beat a commitment out of his son seems like a very apt summary of the state of Notre Dame Football.

February 21st, 2012 at 1:53 PM | It may usually be lame but (Score:5 Normal)
mGrowOld
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It may usually be lame but given the posters handle (BKelly@NDAthletics.com)  I think it's ok to repost.

Spare the rod......

 

 

February 21st, 2012 at 1:54 PM | This is why I read MGoBlog. (Score:2)
LB
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MGoPoints: 5060

I have often wondered what kind of parent could send their son off to play for Mr. Grape. That question is answered, I can ponder the next one now.

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

February 21st, 2012 at 2:00 PM | I wonder if it's a Position Thing (Score:2 Normal)
yzerman19
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Joined: 02/03/2012
MGoPoints: 371

I wonder if RR is telling him he can play QB like Denard, and ND is telling him Percy Harvin 2.0.  If I'm that kid i pick AZ and Denard all day.  BK's temper tantrums seem to be cancelled out by RR's so the purple face is a non-factor.

 

I will fucking cunt punt the next person I hear about doing something like that, and I don't give a fuck if you SOR me, I WILL FUCKING ASSAULT YOU.

February 21st, 2012 at 3:04 PM | I am by no means a RichRod (Score:4 Normal)
Coastal Elite
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I am by no means a RichRod defender, but surely you can't be serious when you equate RR's "temper tantrums" to BK's epic, televised, near-homicidal nuclear detonations?

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