:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53626403/usa_today_9919762.0.jpg)
On the hardwood, conference tournaments are in full swing and Selection Sunday is looming. On the gridiron, spring practice is kicking off. There’s a lot going on these days; here are your Friday Irish links to keep you up-to-date.
Featured Guest Speakers Announced For 2017 Coaches Clinic
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8129843/usa_today_9784129.jpg)
Some relatively big names in the football world will be on hand on for the 2017 University of Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic. The university announced today that University of Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan will join Bill Polian as featured guest speakers.
The Notre Dame Coaches Clinic is an opportunity for coaches to come to campus and receive “advanced football instruction” from the aforementioned guest speakers, as well as the Notre Dame coaching staff. Participants also get an exclusive look at the 2017 Notre Dame squad in person, as the squad practices during the clinic.
The Crootletter Predicts Where Notre Dame’s (and others) 2018 Class Will Finish
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8129845/usa_today_9707397.jpg)
In March 9th’s Crootletter, the SBNation podcast that covers college football recruiting, Bud Elliott and Richard Johnson focused on the current top 10 football recruiting classes for 2018. The current top 10 is full of names that include Notre Dame, or show up on the schedule in future years, such as USC, FSU, Clemson and Miami.
Give it a listen to see exactly how the guys feel about the future of the class, but I will tease you with this: they aren’t super optimistic. In my opinion, it really depends on how the season goes. Can’t go 4-8 again and expect a top 10 recruiting class.
Recruiting in Jersey: Notre Dame Commits in the Top 50
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8129863/usa_today_9707394.jpg)
Speakin’ of ‘crootin: here’s a piece featuring the recruiting film for the top 50 high school football recruits in the state of New Jersey.
With the commitments of Jayson and Justin Ademilola, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lay claim to the most players in New Jersey right now. According to the piece, Jayson is actually the top high school recruit in the state. Notre Dame has also extended offers to four-star wide receiver Jahan Dotson and and four-star safety Shayne Simon, both New Jersey products. Simon checks in at number four on the list, and Dotson is sixth.
A Scary Ordeal for the Michigan Basketball Team
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8129855/usa_today_9196256.jpg)
The B1G tournament started in harrowing fashion for the Michigan Wolverines basketball squad, and that was before they even left. Due to high winds, the plane they had boarded to head to D.C., upon attempting a takeoff, experienced high winds, slid off the runway, and sustained extensive damage.
Thankfully, everyone is OK. The Michigan squad ended up arriving in D.C. something like three hours before tip off for their game against Illinois, wore their practice jerseys for the game, and oh, just won by 20.
Does the Osweiler Move affect Kizer’s Draft Position?
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8129859/usa_today_9915221.jpg)
On Thursday, the Houston Texans traded quarterback Brock Osweiler and a 2018 second round pick to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are one of the teams evaluating Kizer as a possible pick for their ailing QB position. The Browns have the overall pick, and many think they’ll go for Texas A&M product Myles Garrett, who may be a slam-dunk.
However, Kizer’s name has always been mentioned, along side Mitch Trubisky, as a potential target for Cleveland either first overall, or in the late first round thanks to trading up. Osweiler has one year left on his contract, and it’s not even certain that he’ll ever suit up for the Browns. With Tony Romo having been released and rumors swirling about the Browns going after Jimmy Garoppolo or Tyrod Taylor, the question of the Browns taking a quarterback in the first two rounds may not be answered for a few more days.
That’s all or the Irish Links for this fine Friday. Be sure to enjoy all of the semifinal and final round action of the conference basketball tournaments, and don’t forget, Selection Sunday is two days away!