Tag: Will Shipley

Football Recruiting Drama – Will Shipley Sent Blake Fisher What?!!?!

Notre Dame is in the news – I hesitate to call it that – because of what a certain star running back from the 2021 recruiting class sent one of Notre Dame’s highest ranked commitments in the ’21 class.

College football recruiting is a funny thing.  I know, that’s not exactly breaking news but it’s amazing what becomes news.

Well, Notre Dame is in the news – I hesitate to call it that – because of what a certain star running back from the 2021 recruiting class sent one of Notre Dame’s highest ranked commitments in the ’21 class.

You’re asking yourself right now – what in the world is this guy talking about?

Blake Fisher, one of the nation’s top offensive tackles in the 2021 class celebrated his birthday earlier this week.  If you’ve followed recruiting at all you’re aware that Fisher is a long-time Notre Dame commitment and has been very vocal in trying to recruit top-talent around him.

Will Shipley, the nation’s top-ranked all-purpose back in the 2021 class is yet to give a verbal commitment to any program but Notre Dame has been after his talents as much as seemingly anyone.  So what is this crazy stunt Shipley pulled?

Shipley sent Fisher a birthday card through the mail.

Irish Sports Daily has more information on that with quotes from both parties (linked above).  Whether Shipley ends up at Notre Dame, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Stanford or Clemson – or heck, if he does something wild and quits football to instead join the circus, it appears he and Fisher will remain friends which is great.

I’m most surprised however by Shipley’s act of kindness.  No, not because he went the extra mile or anything like that.  Not to sound like an old man but I’m honestly surprised anyone his age knew how to send a birthday card.

Seriously – when is the last time you sent someone a birthday card through the mail?

Personally I tend to call or text the birthday-boy (or girl).  If we haven’t talked in an especially long time and I happen to look at the list of names for a day, maybe I’ll get crazy and write on someone’s Facebook wall to send well-wishes.  An actual through the mail birthday card?

Props to Will Shipley for doing something I don’t think I’ve done for anyone in probably at least a decade.

NCAA Extends Recruiting Dead Period

It’s not a surprise by any means but the NCAA announced on Thursday afternoon that the recruiting dead period has been extended.

It’s not a surprise by any means but the NCAA announced on Thursday afternoon that the recruiting dead period has been extended.

From the NCAA offices:

It’s not a surprise as early on Thursday we saw Florida implement stay-home guidelines and just days ago President Trump extended the command to continue to socially-distance until the end of May.

What Does It Mean for Recruits/Coaches?

Pretty much that they just can’t meet in person.  The stories we’ve heard about running game coordinator Lance Taylor showing up in North Carolina regularly to see coveted Will Shipley will continue to be paused.

However, coaches can still reach out to recruits by phone call, text message, Facetime/Skype calls or if they’re really feeling good about themselves, by sliding into their DM’s.

April is a wash for this and at this point, May appears iffy at very best in terms of visits occurring.  My best guess is that we’ll see a one-time rule change for visits to be made under these extreme circumstances.

Five Star RB Will Shipley Schedules Notre Dame Visit

Going toe-to-toe with the likes of Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State and winning the commitment of a talent like Shipley would go a long way in showing Brian Kelly wasn’t joking about recruiting taking another step

Notre Dame’s 2021 recruiting class is off to a very hot start as its currently seen as a top-three class nationally by most outlets. Obviously there is a ton of time to go but early returns have been nothing short of great.

What would make it even greater would be landing another elite offensive talent and playmaker, something Will Shipley checks the boxes of.

If you’ve paid attention to Notre Dame recruiting at all you’re well-aware of how much of a priority Shipley is.

247Sports reported Friday night some very good news for Notre Dame as they say Shipley plans to be on campus for a visit the weekend of March 20-22. He is set to be joined on the visit by his parents.

Notre Dame continues to look to wow Shipley who all of the big dogs in college football are after, including but not limited to Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State.

Landing his talent can’t be understated and going toe-to-toe with the likes of Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State and winning the commitment of a talent like Shipley would go a long way in showing Brian Kelly wasn’t joking about recruiting taking another step.

Stay tuned to Fighting Irish Wire as we’ll have the latest in regards to Will Shipley and everything else related to Notre Dame’s 2021 recruiting efforts.

How a Notre Dame OL Commit is Reminding Me of Louis Nix

Does a Notre Dame Commit already know Will Shipley’s future plans or is @BFisher54_ just teasing everyone?

Blake Fisher is among the top high school football talents graduating in 2021 and has already committed to Brian Kelly’s program at Notre Dame.

Fisher committed last June, is listed at 6-5, 336 pounds and is regarded as one of the top offensive tackles in the nation in regards to the 2021 recruiting class.

After a tweet Fisher sent out Friday afternoon, we can now sit and ponder this weekend if he knows something Notre Dame are craving more information on.

Is the nation’s No. 1 All Purpose Back Will Shipley headed to South Bend in 2021, too?

Notre Dame Run Game Coordinator Lance Taylor was again in North Carolina to visit the much-desired Shipley today which was at least the sixth time a visit has been made between Shipley and the Irish.

Fisher has been open about wanting do his part in attracting more talent to Notre Dame’s 2021 class, something he’s already played a part in.

“Nothing like a connection between a RB and his lineman!!”

Indeed there isn’t.

If you’re wondering how Shipley responded to the message, wonder no more.

It wasn’t a commitment I’m assuming Taylor’s latest visit at least didn’t go poorly after seeing that.

Whether Shipley ends up at Notre Dame or not a move like this reminds me a bit of when Louis Nix committed despite a head coach not even being in place.

Nix would go on to a great career in South Bend while also being a tremendous pitchman for the university and football program.

We can only hope Fisher’s career at Notre Dame goes just as well.

Notre Dame Football: Another Visit Planned for Top Running Back Target

Taylor was only a hired last January but already made an impact, perhaps the biggest way being in bringing in talent to the running back position that hasn’t been seen in the Brian Kelly era.

The less-discussed news of Tuesday’s coaching moves at Notre Dame was that running backs coach Lance Taylor had been promoted to run game coordinator.

Taylor was only a hired last January but already made an impact, perhaps the biggest way being in bringing in talent to the running back position that hasn’t been seen in the Brian Kelly era.

Chris Tyree signed his letter of intent in December and was immediately the highest ranked running back to choose Notre Dame in Kelly’s now decade on the job.  Fast-forward a month and the Irish and Taylor specifically, appear set on getting a commitment from another highly-couveted all purpose back.

According to a Mike Singer report at Blue Gold Illustrated, Taylor will be in North Carolina on Friday when the recruiting dead period is lifted and is expected to make a visit to see Will Shipley, the nation’s number-one all purpose back in 2021.

Taylor has already met face-to-face with Shipley five times according to the same report, most of those meetings coming in North Carolina.

Shipley is listed at 6-1, 220 pounds and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina after a junior season that saw him rush for more than 2000 yards and 30 touchdowns while hauling in 582 receiving yards and eight more scores by reception.  It all led to Weddington’s second-straight state championship.

Will Shipley may not choose Notre Dame ultimately but it won’t be because of a lack of an effort by Lance Taylor.