Today the NCAA announced the “non-death penalty” death penalty given to the Penn State football program, including a $60 million fine, a four year post-season bowl ban, all wins from 1998 to 2011 vacated, and a loss of 40 total scholarships for the next four years (10 per year). Included in that announcement was the fact that all current Penn State players will be allowed an immediate transfer without loss of eligibility or a waiting period, similar to the transfers they allowed to SMU players following the sanctions leveled on that program in the late 1980s. Also, all incoming recruits will be released from their National Letters of Intent. And, if verified, it is being reported that the NCAA is considering waiving scholarship limits to the programs in which athletes transfer to since most schools are already at or near their scholarship max.
Ultimately, a majority of the current Penn State players are likely to jump ship, and most if not all current recruits will likely decommit. After all, if there’s no chance of going to a bowl game, what incentive is there for a student-athlete to participate in that schools football program any longer? So that begs the questions: Should Notre Dame pursue any of these Penn State players, and if so, who?
Regarding whether or not the Irish should consider going after these players, at first I was a little hesitant. These young men are coming from a now scandal-ridden program and could bring with them unwanted media attention to a team that is trying to re-establish itself as a national powerhouse, and has had its own fair share of problems (see the Declan Sullivan tragedy). But then I realized that these young men were not the perpetrators of any of the offenses alleged to have been committed by the Penn State coaches and administration. Why should they be denied a chance to continue their collegiate careers at an institution of Notre Dame’s academic prestige and athletic history just because their names are tied to a horrendous crime they had no part in or any control over? So, yes, if the players want to come to Notre Dame, they should absolutely be allowed to do so by the coaches and athletic department.
With that out of the way, who should the Irish focus on? We’ll start with the 2013 recruiting class. Assuming all of the current commitments take themselves elsewhere, the best bets for a Nittany Lion-Irish defection are:
- CB Ross Douglas (4-star, ESPN.com, Rivals.com)
- OL Dorian Johns (4-star, ESPN.com, Rivals.com)
- OL Brandon Mahon (4-star, ESPN.com, Rivals.com)
- OL Andrew Nelson (4-star, ESPN.com, 3-star Rivals.com)
And a few current Nittany Lions who would potentially be Notre Dame targets should they transfer (and the NCAA relaxes the scholarship limits, again not confirmed yet):
- DT DaQuan Jones, Junior
- RT Donovan Smith, Freshman
- DE CJ Olanyian, Junior
- WR Allen Robinson, Sophomore
- S Adrian Amos, Sophomore
Again, this is not an official list of potential targets, nor a comprehensive one, just a few I have picked as potentials should Notre Dame decided to purse some of these student-athletes.
It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks in the world of college football. Stay tuned.
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About Steve Riggs
Would Penn State go after ND players if roles reversed? Give me a break…
Would Penn State go after ND players if roles reversed? Give me a break…
I do not feel my position was for any one person or institution to “benefit from acts of pedophilia.” I do believe I was stating that now that the young men who currently play for and/or have commited to play for Penn State have had any chance of meaningfully compete in the sport they have chosen to compete in stripped from them, they should be able to go where they choose, including the University of Notre Dame. That being said, we write to incite conversation and debate, so I appreciate everyone who has taken the effort to express their views on a very controversial issue. I know that when I put my thoughts out there, I am opening up to criticism, and I accept that without any reservations.
I do not feel my position was for any one person or institution to “benefit from acts of pedophilia.” I do believe I was stating that now that the young men who currently play for and/or have commited to play for Penn State have had any chance of meaningfully compete in the sport they have chosen to compete in stripped from them, they should be able to go where they choose, including the University of Notre Dame. That being said, we write to incite conversation and debate, so I appreciate everyone who has taken the effort to express their views on a very controversial issue. I know that when I put my thoughts out there, I am opening up to criticism, and I accept that without any reservations.
How would it be classless for players to transfer to Notre Dame? This article is just hypothesizing players that would make an impact at ND if they decide to transfer to ND. They can transfer to any school that offers them a spot… You realize that most players are going to leave, because 1) Removal of scholarships 2) 4 year bowl ban 3) Not receive at bad image for playing at Penn State. Really… please, give me a logical explanation as to why it is classless.
How would it be classless for players to transfer to Notre Dame? This article is just hypothesizing players that would make an impact at ND if they decide to transfer to ND. They can transfer to any school that offers them a spot… You realize that most players are going to leave, because 1) Removal of scholarships 2) 4 year bowl ban 3) Not receive at bad image for playing at Penn State. Really… please, give me a logical explanation as to why it is classless.
johnq, zorro, and raisedinrome – So, your position is that these kids are somehow tainted or to blame? The NCAA allows no-penalty transfers precisely because it is not the fault of the players. If punishing them is a “catholic” position, then I’m Joe Paterno.
johnq, zorro, and raisedinrome – So, your position is that these kids are somehow tainted or to blame? The NCAA allows no-penalty transfers precisely because it is not the fault of the players. If punishing them is a “catholic” position, then I’m Joe Paterno.
I’m honestly confused as to why the commenters below are upset. If these kids decide to transfer or de-commit, which many of them will, then why not Notre Dame, or anywhere else? Could one of you explain your reasoning rather than merely trying to pile on the writer?
I’m honestly confused as to why the commenters below are upset. If these kids decide to transfer or de-commit, which many of them will, then why not Notre Dame, or anywhere else? Could one of you explain your reasoning rather than merely trying to pile on the writer?
Seriously, you’re proposing that a Catholic university should benefit from acts of pedophilia? Are you seeking to be Sandusky’s cellmate?
Seriously, you’re proposing that a Catholic university should benefit from acts of pedophilia? Are you seeking to be Sandusky’s cellmate?
Seriously, you’re proposing that a Catholic university should benefit from acts of pedophilia? Are you seeking to be Sandusky’s cellmate?
Seriously, you’re proposing that a Catholic university should benefit from acts of pedophilia? Are you seeking to be Sandusky’s cellmate?
Maybe they should consider that the player(s) had no involvement in the situation and should be given a second chance playing for a program that has more potential than the offending one.
Also, I think it’s pretty classless and prejudicial to be saying that about specifically a Catholic institution. Do you have similar prejudices if, say, BYU made an offer to one of these students?
Maybe they should consider that the player(s) had no involvement in the situation and should be given a second chance playing for a program that has more potential than the offending one.
Also, I think it’s pretty classless and prejudicial to be saying that about specifically a Catholic institution. Do you have similar prejudices if, say, BYU made an offer to one of these students?
Really moron the catholic church has been paying off families for there pedophile priest since the saint Peter walked into Rome and said this looks like a nice place for a church so look at your self you pious bastard notte dame dosnt give a damn about the catholic I church unlesss you replace the cross with a dollar bill,notte dame has been covering up drunk and disordley athletes and wealthy students forever ask the student who. Killed Marisa fox in Douglas rd dint even stop and when the incompetent local authorities caught up to himm 7 hours later his blood alcohol was still twice the lleagle limit he. Spends not one day in jail and notte dame mysteriously gets a new medical arts building. Hey Norte same ya want to show me your humanity takes that huge eye sore of a homeless shelter that brings in the finest. Patrons and has completlyy wiped out the south Michigan corridor and stick. It right in the middle of your spoiled asss rich bitch campus.
Really moron the catholic church has been paying off families for there pedophile priest since the saint Peter walked into Rome and said this looks like a nice place for a church so look at your self you pious bastard notte dame dosnt give a damn about the catholic I church unlesss you replace the cross with a dollar bill,notte dame has been covering up drunk and disordley athletes and wealthy students forever ask the student who. Killed Marisa fox in Douglas rd dint even stop and when the incompetent local authorities caught up to himm 7 hours later his blood alcohol was still twice the lleagle limit he. Spends not one day in jail and notte dame mysteriously gets a new medical arts building. Hey Norte same ya want to show me your humanity takes that huge eye sore of a homeless shelter that brings in the finest. Patrons and has completlyy wiped out the south Michigan corridor and stick. It right in the middle of your spoiled asss rich bitch campus.
Rickk. You’re grammar and spelling are so terrible it’s hard to understand what you’re even saying.
Rickk. You’re grammar and spelling are so terrible it’s hard to understand what you’re even saying.
Great. Notre Dame should be like a vulture circleing above fresh road kill. Classless.
Grow up Z
Grow up Z
Great. Notre Dame should be like a vulture circleing above fresh road kill. Classless.