http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=12393

 

Scout's Craig Haubert will chat with Benn tomorrow at 3pm.

Craig Haubert: (3:02 PM ET ) Welcome everyone - we have a special guest today WR - Arrelious Benn out of Dunbar. There have been a lot of questions about him and he is here to answer them. Lets get started.

 

 

 

 

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Jeff (Boulder, Colorado): What reciever in the pros do you think your playing style most resembles?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:03 PM ET ) I would have to say Terrell Owens and Boldin.

 

 

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David (Wooster, OH): Arrelious, what are some of the things that you have yet to see or are waiting to see, before making a decision?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:03 PM ET ) Basically, what I want to see is the quarterbacks, how the season turns out. Who's going to be starting, the position break down.

 

 

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Andy (Charlottesville, VA): What are the most important factors to your decision on what school you will be going to?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:04 PM ET ) The student-athlete graduation rate. The coaching stability. The quarterback situation.

 

 

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Zach, Rockville, MD: Arrelious, Terp fans are salivating at the thought of you and Josh Portis leading this offense in the near future. Have you gotten a chance to see him play? What, if anything, is your relationship with Josh?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:05 PM ET ) I talked to Josh a little. It's funny you ask this question, because I'm getting ready to go to Maryland soon.

 

 

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JJ (Chicago): What about Notre Dame has impressed you thus far?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:06 PM ET ) Coach Weiss offense. He turned them around.

 

 

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Sunny: (Fresno,CA): Arrelious what school did you root for as a kid?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:07 PM ET ) I would have to say Miami. I rooted for them a lot when I was a kid.

 

 

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Cory (Washburn, Iowa): Hey Regis! Would love to so you in the Orange and Blue next year! What are your thoughts on the Illini, "Juice" Williams, and playing with Vontea Davis again?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:08 PM ET ) They have my style of offense. I'm pretty familiar with the offensive coordinator. I'm pretty comfortable up there. Playing with some of my former teammates would be great. But again, I have to wait and see about the quarterback situation.

 

 

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Andy (Charlottesville, VA): How is your relationship with Jimmy Clausen and will that heavily factor into your decision?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:09 PM ET ) I know Jimmy. Our relationship is good. It won't affect the situation. He's a quarterback and I'm a receiver.

 

 

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Chris (Atlanta): Arrelious, How have you enjoyed being recruited by nearly every college and university in the country? With regards to coaches contacting you what is one thing you have enjoyed about it and one thing that you could do without?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:10 PM ET ) One thing that I can't let it get to my head. Phone calls and mail, it can be overwhelming, but you do need a life outside of football.

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:10 PM ET ) One thing that I can't let it get to my head. Phone calls and mail, it can be overwhelming, but you do need a life outside of football.

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:11 PM ET ) One thing that I can't let it get to my head. Phone calls and mail, it can be overwhelming, but you do need a life outside of football.

 

 

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Josh, Dallas TX: Arrelious, have you set up any official visits yet, and if so, to were, and for what games.

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:11 PM ET ) No, but I haven't set up any official visits yet. I'll visit Illinois, Notre Dame and I'll probably visit Florida State and Miami.

 

 

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Andy (Charlottesville, VA): Illinois is a bit of a surprise, being that it is not an elite program like the other schools on your list...what makes them special to you?

 

(question removed)

 

 

Jon (Champaign, IL): What do you think of Coach Locks and Coach Zook?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:13 PM ET ) They are cool coaches. They're not an ego coach. They are some good coaches. They're real cool and calm. I like those guys.

 

 

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Corey (Birmingham, AL): Arrelious, I see that you are not partial to any particualar conference when it comes to where you will play. In your opinion, what is the toughtest conference in college football.

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:14 PM ET ) The ACC is the toughest, along with the SEC. The weakest confernce is the Pac-10. That's my opinion.

 

 

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Michael (Champaign): What are you going to be majoring in, and will the quality of that program affect your decision?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:14 PM ET ) The quality of my major will affect my decision. I'm not sure what I want to major in.

 

Anthony (NYC, New York): I know the schedule as changed but do you have any clear cut date that you plan to annouce on?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:15 PM ET ) I'm planning on late September, early October. It will be sometime around that time.

 

 

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Tom San Francisco: How is your high school team looking this year? Is there any other Div I recruits on your team?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:16 PM ET ) My team looks good. We have a tough program. I'd say my quarterback and another fellow receiver that are possible D-I players.

 

 

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Shannon (Tallahassee, FL): Arrelious, whats your opinion on playing time? Are you looking for a program that will likely play you your freshman year or is this less of consideration for you?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:17 PM ET ) That's a factor. I'm taking the time out to graduate early so I can come in and compete as a freshman. I want to play early.

 

 

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Jason: (College Park, MD):: Arrelious, do you think a hot start to the season this year could help Maryland's status with you?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:18 PM ET ) Yes. But I want to see how the offense goes.

 

Patrick (Sacramento,CA):Some people are questioning your speed. Do you feel like you have something to prove this upcoming year?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:18 PM ET ) No, I haven't heard anyone question my speed. If they do, that's their opinion.

 

 

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Matt in Blacksburg, VA: Tyrod Taylor just committed to Virginia Tech. He is supposed to be in touch with you after he finishes the Elite 11 camp. What is your impression of VT?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:20 PM ET ) Virginia Tech, I don't know much about their offense. I've never seen Taylor play, but I've heard he's a good player.

 

 

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randy jacksonville, florida: With FSU and Miami both in the picture, any plans on making to the game labor day night????

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:20 PM ET ) I'm not sure. I'm taking a trip down to Florida State, I think next week.

 

 

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Mike (Philly): Arrelious, if UM was the team you grew up rooting for, can you explain why they are no longer in your top schools? Thanks, and Go Canes!

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:21 PM ET ) It's hard. You've got to go with what's best for you. But you never know. I just want to see how things pan out before I make my decision.

 

randy jacksonville, florida: You and marvin austin seemed to have a good friendship, if he were to choose one of the schools that you are interested in, would it help that school in regards to you?

 

Arrelious Benn: (3:23 PM ET ) No. He's on the defensive side of the ball, I'm on the offense. He's going to go to the best school in terms of defense, I'm going to the best school in terms of offense.

 

Craig Haubert: (3:28 PM ET ) Arrelious had to go, but I would like to thank him for stopping by and taking questions. We wish him the best luck and will keep you updated on him.

Arrelious Benn: (3:23 PM ET ) No. He's on the defensive side of the ball, I'm on the offense. He's going to go to the best school in terms of defense, I'm going to the best school in terms of offense.

is this why ND hasn't had the recruiting success on the defensive side of the ball the way the offense has. right now everyone knows how explosive NDs offense is but ND has yet to prove it's self on defense and until it does we'll probbly lose more times than win with top defensive players.

Danger, I think Benn's statement about Austin wanting to go to a school that has sucess on defense and Benn wanting to go to a school that has success on offense is the exact reason why we can't land defensive studs.

I guess that approach doesn't make much sense to me.

 

For e.g., if a college team does not have a great defense, then a high caliber high school player can come in and enhance it. You'll have a chance to contribute early and make yourself a focal point.

 

If the team is already strong on D, you might get lost in the shuffle depth-wise.

 

I can see what players are talking about in terms of offense. If you are a great receiver, but play for Navy then you are not gonna get the ball.

 

On defense, it is a little different IMO. You line up and find the football. You are always gonna be in a position to shine just by default...

 

Yeah, ND's defense is not what we want it to be, but we are finding players to make it on par with the offense. These highly rated recruits are missing that IMO...

I think that defensive recruits use for picking teams is that they choose schools that produce NFL talent. Just look at Miami, with top Safeties like Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, and Senior Brandon Meriweather, what top safety in high school wouldn't want to play for them? If guys like Justin Tuck and Victor Abiamiri excel in the NFL, it could defnitely help ND's chances of pulling in top DL.

I can understand screening schools according to your specialty (offense or defense). If you are a high potential defensive recruit, you want to be in a system where you can

 

1. be challenged by and learn from the best athletes/coaches

2. be part of a system that consistently graduates players to the NFL

 

Its a very pragmatic approach.

 

Very few players can carry a whole defense themselves... maybe an LB or a QB... but a DT/DE are not normally known for directing or setting the tone of the defense (Reggie White excepted).

 

ND needs to show that it can take average to above-average players and make them superstars, as Weis did on offense.

 

Question is.. did Minter's team have equivalent talent or less talent than Weis did last year? If it was less talent, then I'll give him a year. If the general perception is that he had as much talent... then that doesn't inspire confidence that the coaches can be a good player better.

 

BGS had a great series analyzing our losses in the Fiesta... it seems to me that they needed a Brady-like LB equivalent to direct the defense, improve the communication. I think that's why Toryan was such a major target for Weis last year.

 

We'll see.. i think ND will need to demonstrate a solid D-system before D recruits start banging down the door, and that means coaching talent up.

Question is.. did Minter's team have equivalent talent or less talent than Weis did last year? If it was less talent, then I'll give him a year.

IMO charlie weis had more talent on offense then rick minter had on defense. just look at the offense the whole OL were some sort of parade or usa today all-american, stovall was a usa today all-american, brady quinn for obvious reasons, rhema mcknight was on of the top wr's comming out of high school, anthony fasano was a top TE in high school. the defense has some good players but just not enough. it'll be a few more seasons for the recruites to filter throw the program before things start to change.

Thanks F.I Man, good to see your sophmore status, keep it up!

Congratulations FightingIrishMan

I guess Mr. Defense missed the 40-3 thrashing from LSU.

I guess Mr. Defense missed the 40-3 thrashing from LSU.

By using that logic, than no recruit would conisder us after we gave 34 points and 617 yards in the Fiesta Bowl.

Dangeruss, you make a good point. I completely agree to it maybe being our troubles on the defensive end. Our defense has to prove themselves. I believe that the recruits are trying to look out for their own interest beyond high school, meaning trying to get into the NFL. I dont know if they think ND gives them a good chance at that.

MikejND wrote:

I believe that the recruits are trying to look out for their own interest beyond high school, meaning trying to get into the NFL. I dont know if they think ND gives them a good chance at that.

 

Ask them after Weis comes to their schools rocking his SB rings. Also, we should have some more D guys in the next draft.

Don't fool yourself about Austin... If ND had the nest D in the country three straight years he would still not be looking at ND. It is the nightlife, glamour and easy path to the NFL he wants.

jag , i couldnt agree with you more. it seems more and more that the kids who decided that their social life was going to take precedence over their education and possibly their future have already done so. the kids who are driven more by their parents influence have a better chance of landing at a place like ND. some mothers like to know that their children are at a place offering a little tighter control and not going somewhere where "packing heat" is necessarily the norm.