FIW Exclusive: Interview with Notre Dame ‘21 commit Pat Coogan

Our very own Michael Chen checks in with Notre Dame 2021 commit Pat Coogan as he updates his weird offseason and what’s next for him.

The lone state in the Midwest where fall high school football isn’t being played in the fall is Illinois. So, Michael Chen decided to check in with one of Notre Dame’s Illinois commits, offensive lineman Pat Coogan, on what his future holds before he arrives to South Bend. Check out our interview as we discuss what Coogan has been doing preparing for a spring season, the process of getting the coveted Irish offer and his ensuing commitment, a potential pipeline from Illinois to Notre Dame and much more.

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NCAA extends recruiting dead period through April 15

As expected, the NCAA’s D1 Council announced the decision to extend the recruiting dead period for all sports through April 15.

The writing was on the wall, but now it is official. The NCAA’s D1 Council announced the decision to extend the recruiting dead period for all sports through April 15 because of ongoing concerns with the coronavirus pandemic.

“The COVID-19 numbers are not trending in the right direction for the Council to allow in-person recruiting and the associated long-distance travel for coaches, prospective student-athletes and their families,” said Chair of the D1 Council, M. Grace Calhoun. “We acknowledge the impact the restrictions are having on prospective student-athletes and coaches alike, and we will continue to assess how to best balance health and safety concerns with the desire to support the prospectives and coaches in the recruiting process.”

It must be noted that just because the dead period has been extended does not mean that there cannot be any contact at all. Coaches and players can text, call, email, and communicate otherwise, they just cannot meet up in person.

That hasn’t stopped some recruits from taking matters into their own hands and visiting campuses on their own dime and time, like the Buckeye Bash, but even with that, there cannot be any contact from the coaching staff or administration.

Hopefully tax day in April there will be a vaccine for this thing and we’ll be headed out of the woods on this thing. Until then, everyone remain safe and vigilant.

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Notre Dame Recruiting update: Two new commits, Styles Jr. falls short and more

A look at the latest recruiting news for Notre Dame Football.

We are back to look at the week that was in Notre Dame recruiting. Already this week there has been plenty of action, from Philip Riley committing back into the 2021 class, the addition of 2021 elite kicker Josh Bryan but that’s not all that has been happening. The Irish have made it to later stages of a few elite players recruitments, multiple preferred walk-on spots offered and more. Also, stay tuned for a Fighting Irish Wire exclusive interview with 2021 offensive line commit Pat Coogan tomorrow.

UT recruiting update: How UT commits fared under the Friday night lights last week

These Tennessee commits were in action for their high school teams last Friday.

The future appears to be bright as the Vols currently have the No. 11 recruiting class in the nation on the 247Sports Composite.

Below is a look at Tennessee commits still in action during their high school football seasons.

Texas Football Recruiting: How 2021 prospects performed in Week 12

UT finally enjoyed some success in the recruiting world. They expanded its class with two commits. Here is how they played over the weekend:

It was finally a week where Texas could enjoy some success in the recruiting world. Continue reading “Texas Football Recruiting: How 2021 prospects performed in Week 12”

Michigan State Football: RB Anthony Williams Jr. enters transfer portal

Michigan State running back Anthony Williams Jr. has entered the transfer portal after struggling to get playing time.

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Michigan State Football head coach Mel Tucker made it clear to his team that if you want playing time, you can either compete, or you can leave, and that message seems to have hit for a few players. For the second time this week, an MSU player has decided to take Tucker up on the offer to leave, as running back Anthony Williams Jr. has entered the transfer portal.

On Monday, Marcel Lewis also transferred so this makes two players in the same week.

Williams transferring doesn’t come as a major surprise. He was struggling to earn playing time in a crowded backfield that has heavily featured freshman Jordon Simmons and veteran Connor Heyward (who also entered the transfer portal last year before returning to the Spartans).

When Williams finally found the field against Indiana, he fumbled the ball on his first carry, which seemed to seal his fate this year on the team and prompted his entry to the transfer portal.

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Texas Football Recruiting: Longhorns flip four-star DT, former Baylor commit

Texas found momentum on the recruiting trail on Wednesday by landing former Baylor commit, four-star defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.

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Texas has finally received some momentum on the recruiting trail. Continue reading “Texas Football Recruiting: Longhorns flip four-star DT, former Baylor commit”

Texas Recruiting Target: Byron Murphy II decommits from Baylor

DeSoto defensive tackle Byron Murphy II recently decommitted from Baylor, can the Texas Longhorns staff flip the in-state product?

As the early signing day approaches next month, the recruiting trail is heating up. The Texas Longhorns are currently ranked the No. 17 team in the 2021 247Sports composite rankings currently. Continue reading “Texas Recruiting Target: Byron Murphy II decommits from Baylor”

Tennessee offers freshman defensive back from Georgia

Tennessee extended an offer to this Georgia defensive back.

Tennessee is attacking the recruiting grounds in Georgia.

The Vols have offered 2023 cornerback Ethan Nation from Roswell, Georgia.

“Blessed and honored to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” Nation said on Twitter.

Nation is 6-foot, 170 pounds and is a freshman at Roswell High School. He does not yet hold a rating from the 247Sports Composite.

Tennessee is the first Southeastern Conference program to offer Nation. He does have offers from Florida State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and Tulane.

Tennessee defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is Nation’s primary recruiter.

University of Tennessee Vols’ football 2021 commitment tracker

University of Tennessee Vols’ football 2022 commitment tracker

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Tennessee joins growing list of offers for 2022 safety

The Vols joined a growing list of major offers for this 2022 prospect.

Although he does not have any recruiting ratings from the 247Sports Composite, 2022 safety Edric Weldon is garnering attention from Power Five programs.

Tennessee is one of the latest to offer Weldon, on a growing list of SEC schools.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Hallandale, Florida native has offers from programs in Alabama, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Penn State, Maryland and others.

Former Tennessee defensive backs coach Charles Kelly is one of Alabama’s primary recruiters for Weldon.

Tennessee defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is listed as Weldon’s primary recruiter.

The Vols have one prospect committed to the 2022 recruiting class in 3-star defensive end Jimmy Scott from New York.

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