Four 2 Score

Before this 2008 recruiting class really took off into the stratosphere for the Irish, a lot of ND fans had 4 guys pegged as MUST gets for this class. Those 4 are; Steve Filer, Brandon Newman, Michael Floyd, and Darius Fleming. It was said back in March, that landing these 4 Blue-Chippers would make the 2008 class a huge success.

Steve Filer has been on the tip of every tongue in NDNation. He was one of the first offers for the ’08 class and represented a huge need at linebacker. Just as important, was to begin to really establish that Chicago pipeline to ND. Filer is being courted by a bevy of schools, but none more important than Illinois and Michigan. Most Irish fans expected Steve to commit early as ND appeared to be the leader early on in the process. That may or may not have changed, but Steve is keeping very low key at the moment and is putting his Senior year as a top priority. According to some, he does not talk to the coaches (any school) all that much and will probably make a decision sometime after his H.S. season. The Irish have already took 3 commitments from linebackers for this class with Fleming, McDonald, and Posluszny. They have offers out to a few others as well. Look for the Irish to hold out for Filer, but they may also take another LB to fill much needed depth. I believe Filer should be, and is, a top 2 priority for the Irish. It may be a long wait, and the Skunkbears are breathing down our necks, but I see Filer at ND via Corwin Brown.

Michael Floyd is another prospect that Irish fans have been drooling over for quite some time now. He has been mentioned as a huge Irish lean since last year, along with Filer. Floyd is maybe what may make this class something VERY special. The need at WR is undeniable, and with last years debacle with Benn, and Greg Little, ND can not afford to lose out on a WR of this caliber. ND has some major competition as well with Mike. He has offers from perennial recruiting powers Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida. He also is considered job #1 for Minnesota and their new head coach Tim Brewster (a huge dork). ND has one commitment so far for the 2008 class at WR; John Goodman. John may be good, but Floyd looks as though greatness is upon him. We may not have to wait very long to know the outcome for Floyd, he is nearing a decision and most insiders believe it will be before July is over, and some think the Irish are a lock. With all that said, ND looks to be very much in the mix for another Blue-Chipper at WR in Brice Butler. He will make his decision in August and the Floyd decision could make an impact on Butlers college choice. (I can’t say what kind of an impact, but it will none-the-less).

Darius Fleming was a enormous get for ND. He represents a lot of tangibles in ND recruiting that has already been mentioned with Steve Filer. He was considered a MUST get for ND and was courted by Corwin Brown as such. A Chicago guy and a bigtime defensive player at a position of need at LB. Flemming was considered a big ND lean all late winter and he eased the Irish faithful as he pulled the trigger for the Spring Game. Fleming has been a H.S. DE but in Brown’s 3-4, he will play the OLB spot as a pass rusher. Darius chose the Irish over a host of schools , but most notably; Michigan, Illinois, and USC. He wants Filer at his side in South Bend, and make it a point to say so publicly whenever asked about the 2008 class. Fleming is solid and we should see no wavering come signing day, or beforehand.

Brandon Newman became the target for ND and its fans throughout the Winter and Spring. ND needed a NG for its new 3-4 scheme and the recent commitments of Hafis Williams and Sean Cwynar did not ease the burden as they are considered DEs in Browns defense. The Newman watch was in full force and everyone had a tidbit to add or a rumor to throw in. He finally did commit to ND (after spending the weekend at Braxton Cave’s home) in May and the Irish faithful did jigs of joy. DT has been a huge need for a long time and despite promises of early playing time, big-time recruits have steered away from the Irish for one reason or the other. Brandon chose the Irish over in-state schools Louisville and Kentucky. With the recent addition of Omar Hunter, the depth may finally be coming at this position.

As stated, of the 4 prospects, 2 are already Irish. The other 2 (Floyd and Filer) are still being wooed by the ND staff. The 2008 incoming class may be the best class ND has seen since the days of Holtz. To cement this notion, and to ease ND fans everywhere, ND must receive commitments from both Filer and Floyd. ND may still get Butler and another LB or 2, but none of which will ease the loss of Filer and Floyd. It may be a while before we know the outcome of this saga, but it is something Irish fans should be seeing a lot more of in the future. Weis has already proven his recruiting prowess and will be in a lot more of these battles in the future. If we win these battles, the wars with U$C and the Skunkbears should and will turn in our favor.