Okay here we go. We have 23 verbal commitments that we are expecting to sign, one potential big fish, and with any luck a complete and total lack of drama. After the way that our 2013 has started that would be a nice change of pace.
This post will be our hub for all signing day discussion today. As the recruits fax in their LOI's we will make a note of it in the comments section.
Below are a couple of links that you might find useful today
UND.COM will be streaming footage all day at THIS LINK. Coach Brian Kelly should be announcing the class at approximately 12pm EST.
The Numbers
17 Freshmen
22 Sophomores
18 Juniors
9 Seniors eligible to apply for a 5th year
23 Verbal Commitments
89 Total
With a total of 89 that means that 4 of the 9 seniors that are eligible to apply for a 5th year are already gone. The 9 seniors eligible to apply for a 5th year are listed below.
Players that we know are returning for a 5th year
Zack Martin
Chris Watt
Players on the bubble
Carlo Calabrese
Dan Fox
Nick Tausch
Players that I consider already gone
Tyler Eifert (NFL Draft)
Cierre Wood (NFL Draft)
Jake Golic
Tyler Stockton
What does this mean? It means we can take at least 1 more in this class before we get to the Foxabrese decision point. Last week Coach Brian Kelly also mentioned that Tate Nichols could be a "medical situation" so I expect that will make a 2nd spot available as well.
The 23 Verbal Commitments are all listed below. The 5 Early Enrollees that are already on campus have for all practical purposes already signed. The staff will be waiting on faxes from the other 18. Why don't these guys sign, scan and email these things? I linked Miesle's commitment posts to all of these guys except for Steve Elmer who happened to be the first commit. I couldn't find his which means I probably just didn't dig far back enough!
The Early Enrollees
QB Malik Zaire (EE)
WR James Onwalu (EE)
TE Mike Heuerman (EE)
OL Steve Elmer (EE)
*LINK to updated post on all 5 EE's
The other 18 commits
The remaining target
DT Eddie Vanderdoes *Announcing at 5pm PST
See you in the comments!