All over for him.

Do you have a link?

Yea, I saw this on another board. I was surprised a little as I thought we had a better than 50% chance for him.

 

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recruitinginsider/2009/02/thigpen_nixes_ut_is_he_bound_f.html

 

We'll see as he said that he was going to sign on signing day.

Sounds good for us, right?

No, this is bad for us. Not visiting is bad.

Sounds good for us, right?

 

No it does not because he WAS planning on visiting us after signing day but decided that he's going to sign on Wednesday which means we get no visit and he has already decided which college he wants and that was right after a "Great" visit to UCLA.

Crap !!!!! would have loved to get him

Thigpen announcing on signing day means one of two things; he either loved his UCLA visit beyond belief, or he didn't like what he saw during said visit.

 

It is wholly possible that Thigpen was "blown away" by his UCLA trip, as I'm sure many of us would naturally assume. However, I find three problems with this scenario. First off, the few comments I've seen regarding the visit indicate that it didn't really go all that well. I don't know how valid those statements are, but I haven't heard too many reports claiming the opposite. Which leads me to my second contention. You'd think that in light of the recent development in Thigpen's recruitment, there would be a sizable amount of buzz amongst the UCLA faithful. You'd also be wrong. Lastly, even if he had an amazing time in L.A., I can't for the life of me understand why he wouldn't give Notre Dame's campus the same opportunity to wow him. If we were ever under serious consideration by Thigpen, it is doubtful that the "new campus smell" would make him forget about us so easily.

 

Now, let's look at the other side of this argument. Let's say Thigpen wasn't too fond of UCLA after his visit. Kiffin more or less told him he was unwanted at Tennesse, though he would still honor his scholarship (how nice). That would only leave one school of interest on Thigpen's list; Notre Dame. So, if ND is the only option left, why drag out this thing for another week? Why draw criticism for being a prima donna because he didn't sign with everyone else? To be sure, Thigpen would probably like to see ND's campus before committing, but such a thing isn't a necessity for everyone (Ben Turk, for example).

 

I have no idea where Thigpen sign, but his decision to announce on Wednesday doesn't necessarily mean he won't be playing under the Golden Dome for the next 4-5 years.

You'd think that in light of the recent development in Thigpen's recruitment, there would be a sizable amount of buzz amongst the UCLA faithful. You'd also be wrong.

 

YES! This is what I have noticed as well!

 

I've searched all the Bruins boards and not much excitement or talk.

 

Makes me wonder as well.

 

Hmmmm,,,,

While her loyal sons are marching onward to victory!!!! Go Irish!!!

Frankly, NBC coverage of every home game is like a mini-visit. I think their coverage of ND is the closest thing to being there than any other school on TV. ND is right up there with the SEC schools , if not better, when it comes to atmosphere and tradition. I've been to almost all of the SEC stadiums and have been to numerous Irish games. It would be GREAT to see the Irish play at UGA or Tennessee.

Smiling - thanks for the post. On the topic that his UCLA visit didn't go all that well, were those comments he made, other posters or articles? Just curious.

 

Also, does anyone know if he has ever been to campus? I know he hasn't taken an official, but I'm wondering if he's been to a camp, to a game unofficially, etc.

 

I know it's happened that people have choosen a school sight unseen, but Turk is a kicker and we all know they're different, LOL.

Smiling - thanks for the post. On the topic that his UCLA visit didn't go all that well, were those comments he made, other posters or articles? Just curious.

 

Also, does anyone know if he has ever been to campus? I know he hasn't taken an official, but I'm wondering if he's been to a camp, to a game unofficially, etc.

 

I know it's happened that people have chosen a school sight unseen, but Turk is a kicker and we all know they're different, LOL.

 

No, the comments on Thigpen's visit weren't anything concrete, nor are they from recruiting experts. They were, however, made by a couple of posters on other boards who aren't in the business of pretending to be recruiting gurus, either. In other words, they wouldn't be saying such things if they didn't take them from a place with some credibility.

 

Thigpen has never been to campus. I also don't know what he is looking for in a school. I do know that Powlus apparently made one hell of a presentation about what Notre Dame had to offer when he visited Thigpen at his house.

 

I just have a hard time believing that Thigpen could so quickly go from wanting to check us out to no longer feeling the need, no matter how well his UCLA trip went. I find it just as likely that he didn't like something at UCLA (like maybe their academic support structure for student athletes or something along those lines) that Powlus had made a strong case for at ND.

 

Again, I really have no clue where Thigpen is going, but I still think it might be to us.

 

By the way, congrats on post #1,000 D Fence.

Edited February 3, 200916 yr by SmilingEyes

Congratulations on 1,000 posts D Fence. Many more my friend.

Thanks guys - I appreciate it. It has been a lot of fun. Sligo and SD, thanks on your comments on the other thread. I saw I was approaching the milestone, but thought I had 10 or so left. Just got caught up in all this hype (along with a few posts from my blackberry which is much harder to read).

Congrats on a grand d fence!!