SOUTH BEND, Ind. — About midday Wednesday, a slumber-deprived broad receiver in Fresno, Calif., watched a fax Coach Outlet machine deliver each a letter of intent and an acute dose of torment. Deontay Greenberry was headed to Notre Dame, and then he was not, and imagine Brian Kelly's shock.
The Irish coach welcomed 16 freshmen and 1 transfer on signing day, a haul with ample blue-chip oomph to land in the vicinity of the countrywide top 20. But he bid goodbye to Greenberry, a top-50 potential customer and California's participant of the calendar year, who stunningly defected to Houston and became one more miss that solid a shadow on Notre Dame's strikes.
It was a flip-flop that robbed the Irish of an effect player expected to aid fill a void in 2012 — a sting underscored by Kelly deeming ability at receiver as a main concern in this cycle.
We painted the photograph evidently about what we have been about, Kelly stated. For me, it truly is tough to be dissatisfied about some thing you by no means had or never ever coached. I'm more energized about the men that signed since they are the proper variety of men.
There is a five-star quarterback in Gunner Kiel. There is a top rated-a hundred cornerback in Tee Shepard, who must thrust to start. There are five depth-bolstering defensive backs and more 4-star defensive line beef in Sheldon Day and Jarron Jones.
They aid constitute Rivals.com's No. 21 course and Scout.com's No. 18 haul, a first rate complete for software that went 16-ten in Kelly's 1st two years.
But there is no Greenberry, nor Ronald Darby, nor Arik Armstead, nor Bryce Treggs, nor Brian Poole, nor Shaq Thompson — top-100 targets the Irish possibly missed on or missing throughout the process.
I've had surprises every single recruiting day, some great, some not so excellent, Kelly said. I'm joyful about the guys who signed with us due to the fact they know why they're the following, and which is the most essential thing.
Greenberry balked at strain to become a member of his cousin, Shepard. Of Notre Dame, the six-foot-three receiver advised the Fresno Bee he was really going there for all the wrong good reasons.
He liked Notre Dame, stated Jeff Freitas, Greenberry's high school coach. But I do not know if he beloved Notre Dame.
You can like a location and really feel very good about it but not feel wonderful about it. There big and tall soccer jerseys was one thing added that, for him, was lacking. It was about creating his selection, about what he truly wished, not just following his cheap soccer scarves cousin somewhere.
Kelly built fifteen calls to 2013 recruits Wednesday and talked about the need to have to react and retain shifting ahead. It was the only way to go: on to the following surprise, nice or otherwise.
bchamilton@tribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribHamiltonreport=2012-02-03data
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