Following recruiting is not for the faint of heart. Less than a day and a half after announcing he was decommiting from Notre Dame and saying that Georgia Tech "where my heart was the whole time", Stephon Tuitt hosted Brian Kelly, Bob Diaco, Mike Elston, Defensive Line coach, and Chuck Martin, Recruiting Coordinator and Secondary Coach. Tuitt had become the jewel of Georgia Tech's recruiting class with his in-state commitment to the Yellow Jackets. Many Irish recruiting followers looked on Kelly's staff visit as a Sisyphean task especially this late in the recruiting cycle.
Yet belief and courage precede success and are a good gauge of leadership. Stephon had serious misgivings and strong ties with Georgia Tech's community of coaches and players. Even his high school coach pushed Tuitt towards Tech. Kelly, Diaco and Elston, his main recruiter and future position coach, addressed all of his concerns and issues. Undoubtedly, they emphasized the valuable contribution the Army All-American star can bring to this Irish team, how Stephon fits within their defensive schemes and plans for next year, his educational opportunities and the ninety-seven percent graduation rate for African-American football players at Notre Dame. All gnawing questions Stephon had were put to rest - so much so that he called Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech's head coach tonight that he was going to South Bend to play for the Irish. Stephon has told the media that his commitment to Notre Dame is one hundred per cent.
At 6'5", 260# Tuitt is ranked as a five star prospect by Rivals, their second overall strongside defensive end and the twenty-second best player nationally. Rivals says, "Physically, he looks more like a third-year college player..." with a "big body allows him to dominate and overpower opponents when he wants to". With Aaron Lynch, Chase Hounshell and either Brad Carrico or Tony Springmann, Notre Dame could have a fearsome defensive front. Welcome, Stephon.
In the recruiting world tonight, Kelly and his staff are heroes of mythic proportions, exhibiting the courage, leadership and the ability to impart their vision. Next weekend another daunting task awaits - keeping Troy (Niklas) from Troy and any other shade of Cardinal. Strap yourself in for the ride to the finish.