You're god damn right we're doing an Anti-Preview for National Signing Day. The only question is; why haven't we done one before? I dunno- but this is a special treat for you, I'm sure.
Before we kick off the festivities, let's get some promo stuff out of the way.
Subway Domer has you covered on National Signing Day in our own special way. Here is a list of events on the site for National Signing Day:
Open Thread. All Day son. Get your frustrations out in paragraph form. You know I don't give a shit if you just type in "fuck" a thousand times, because that's life. Any important updates throughout the day will be posted in this thread.
Twitter. You already know we are all over this. Be sure to follow @TheSubwayDomer @GreatShaneND @SteveinIowa1 @BlogDavie @DNDFB @phillykelly and @ManCaveQB for all the action. I'll be back and forth between Twitter & the Open Thread. Sorry Facebook fan page- you'll just have to be there for links.
Google Chat. At roughly 9:30, we will stream a live chat (it will be recorded for those that can't make it) with myself and other members of the Subway Domer Staff. Not sure exactly the format, but it will involve some brevity mixed with gin mixed with asses being talked out of. Should be fun.
Recruiting Spectacular. The annual knowledge bomb should be published later that night (yes I WILL wait for Vanderdoes) and this year the whole staff has chipped in.
The State(s) of Recruiting 2013. This will probably be published on Friday, but there is a chance it goes up Thursday night. This is one of my favorite recruiting posts, and you should probably read it if you want your children to have a future. Here is what last years article looked like.
Enough of that awesomeness. Let's get to the Anti-Preview:
National Signing Day
It is a national holiday. Maybe your employer doesn't think so, but for college football fans it is indeed a holy day. National Signing Day. The day where every school has "equal" say into the future of their program. A day of hope.
Whereas the NFL Draft sees 32 first round draft picks, ideally one for each team, there is a theoretical chance that a single college could sign 32 first round draft choices (well, if you're an SEC school).
Historically for Notre Dame, this day has had a lot more bad surprises than good ones, but that doesn't mean you should be walking on eggshells. The Irish currently have the #2 ranked recruiting class in the country and at the very least (if there are no bad surprises- damn) they should finish in the top 5 with a chance at #1. Fist pumps y'all.
What Should You Be Drinking?
Since this day is about high school kids, maybe just suggesting a keg of Busch Light might be appropriate. Maybe your lady friend would like a wine cooler? Sorry peeps. We are adults and must act like it. THIS INCLUDES NOT TWEETING RECRUITS EVER. But I digress:
Gin & Cranberry
1.5 oz. Gin
cranberry juice
7-Up
Pour gin into a cocktail glass with ice cubes, and fill one-quarter full with cranberry juice. Fill with tonic water. Blend briefly with a small stick and garnish with a lime. Yes, this is exactly like Christmas.
What Should You Be Eating?
This is an all day affair. If you're committed (see what I did there) you'll be watching the television and the internet all day. You're going to need a plan, and that plan involves food for all day. I won't try to tell you what to eat for breakfast- unless you want me to. No, here is something that can be served all day. Ya know, lunch, dinner, fifth meal…
Italian Sausage Soup
1 pound Italian sausage
1 clove garlic, minced
2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
2 small zucchini, cubed
2 cups spinach – packed, rinsed and torn
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1. In a stockpot or Dutch oven, brown sausage with garlic. Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
2. Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini. Cover, and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
3. Remove from heat, and add spinach. Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves. Soup is ready to serve after 5 minutes.
Irish Stew
Although I think we've already discussed that you should be glued to Subway Domer on NSD, there is a ton of good stuff on blogs such as One Foot Down and Her Loyal Sons and you should check them out (and come right back over this way for more kool-aid and pie).
Still, one of the more anticipated events during the day will be the press conference and other "official" stuff over at UND.com. They don't let me work there.
You also have the choice to watch CBS, ,TBS (yep), and ESPN. Shit, there might be more. THIS IS A HOLIDAY Y'ALL!
Tweeter
Usually this is where I would throw in some interesting tweets. However, seeing as how I LOUDLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO STOP TWEETING AT RECRUITS… this seems kind of weird. So, I'm just going to throw down some random Louis Nix III tweets.
Dangit, Why didn't the lights malfunction in Sun Life Stadium. lol #ICrackMyselfUp
— lOUIS NIX III (@1IrishChocolate) February 4, 2013
Dear naps, I'm sorry I was a total jerk to you in kindergarten. #IMissU
— lOUIS NIX III (@1IrishChocolate) January 29, 2013
Pet peeve…Toilets that flush 4 me the moment I stand. I'd like to see the work I've done before it's violently ripped from my view. #SMH
— lOUIS NIX III (@1IrishChocolate) January 24, 2013
Offensive MVP
Greg Bryant. If Bryant's recruitment and commitment happened this week it would have been one of the biggest stories in recruiting. The nation's number two running back decommits from Oklahoma and commits to ND just a short while later, and basically out of nowhere. Instead, it happened months ago (still came out of nowhere) and this HUGE win for the Irish almost seems like an afterthought for those that follow recruiting. He will be the best running back prospect Notre Dame has signed in the internet recruiting era. Sadly, he got a haircut.
Defensive MVP
Jaylon Smith. Yet another 5 star win for the Irish that happened too early for there to be very much hype at all on National Signing Day. As Irish fans, we can and should still slam a bottle of Jack Daniels over this commitment and signing. Smith will be the highest rated defensive player signed in the internet recruiting era for Notre Dame. There is an unbelievable amount of hype and promise with Smith and he is the absolute centerpiece of this recruiting class.
Something Else To Watch For
Although Notre Dame is technically "in it" for both Kylie Fitts and Eddie Vanderdoes, it is Vanderdoes that is the bigger fish of the two and the most likely of the two to commit to the Irish. He will announce at 5 PM Pacific Time. You already know this? Yep, that's what i thought. Here's a video of Vanderdoes wearing one of the ugliest HS football helmets I've ever seen:
Bragging Rights
While winning the title of "Best Recruiting Class In The Nation" pales in comparison to winning a National Title, it does help a program achieve the latter. For the Irish get that #1 spot, they would probably need both Vanderdoes and Fitts to commit. Even though that is unlikely, the Irish can boast about a top 5 class in both talent and filling needs.
At The End Of The Night…
Notre Dame will have signed its best recruiting class since 2008 and the best of the Brian Kelly era. Whether Vanderdoes or Fitts become a part of that is still very uncertain at this point. At any rate, this will be a great day as we add 20+ new Domers to the family. Wise choices are always best.
