'08 IL LB Steven Filer (Notre Dame signee)

[super_mario]

Rivals just released their rankings of the Top 30 players in the state of Illinois, and Steve was ranked as the #1 player in the state.

[wadc45]

As was posted here:

2008 Rivals/Scout/etc. National & Regional Rankings

[wadc45]

Scout $

6/29

By Sam Webb of GBW...Filer talks about ignoring texts because he is not interested in recruiting right now and wants to focus on his senior season.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

7/4

From the ND site...briefly talks about his visits to OSU and Illinois and will visit ND soon. Mentions hearing from an OSU commit.

['BusNative]

BG$

7/6

May be speeding up his decision timetable, tOSU one of his top choices.

[BGriffBuckeye]

It was a very favorable update for us as well. I would love to add Filer to our crop of LBs.

[IrishCalves]

Whats the anticipated LB count in this class? I know Sweat takes up one spot, and I know they're gunning for Shayne Hale as well... I guess I was under the impression that OSU wasn't pursuing Filer that heavily (probably wrong - I just know that ND jumped all over this kid with a Sept. 1st offer).

[BuckTwenty]

Originally Posted by BGriffBuckeye

It was a very favorable update for us as well. I would love to add Filer to our crop of LBs.

Agreed. Adding the best player in Illinois would be a HUGE catch!

Any explanation as to why he was speeding up his recruitment?

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by IrishCalves

Whats the anticipated LB count in this class? I know Sweat takes up one spot, and I know they're gunning for Shayne Hale as well... I guess I was under the impression that OSU wasn't pursuing Filer that heavily (probably wrong - I just know that ND jumped all over this kid with a Sept. 1st offer).

True, we are after Hale hard. However, the recent reports of he and Saddler possibly reaffirming their package deal may have the staff on edge, or they may be looking at Hale as a DE in the Vernon Gholston mold (Scout has Hale as the #1 DE in the country, btw). I would assume 2 LB would be sufficient, as we are pretty stocked at the position. There are a lot of uncertainties at DE and LB right now. Gholston and Laurinaitis may both go pro, and we just lost 2 DE to transfers. We need to restock at DE badly and maybe the staff feels Hale can do that. We'll see, but, imo, you can never have too many playmakers at either position.

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Agreed. Adding the best player in Illinois would be a HUGE catch!

Any explanation as to why he was speeding up his recruitment?

It would be very nice if it was because he recently got back from Columbus. But it is more than likely because he is getting tired of the process and it is taking atoll on him mentally.

[SweetBuckeye]

Any explanation as to why he was speeding up his recruitment?[/quote]


My complete uninformed guess.
He has been an ND lean for some time, took his visit to OSU and it didn't change his mind, so now he's ready to commit to ND. ND is filling their class quickly and it's time for him to get on board.

[IrishCalves]

Originally Posted by wadc45

Scout $

6/29

By Sam Webb of GBW...Filer talks about ignoring texts because he is not interested in recruiting right now and wants to focus on his senior season.

Who should I believe more, GBW or the folks at rivals saying this thing is speeding up? Hmmmm...

Lets just say that GBW has posted a lot of stories this year that make them look rather foolish.

Originally Posted by SweetBuckeye

My complete uninformed guess.
He has been an ND lean for some time, took his visit to OSU and it didn't change his mind, so now he's ready to commit to ND. ND is filling their class quickly and it's time for him to get on board.

It's a plausible guess. FWIW, I don't think ND's staff is suggesting its "s*** or get off the pot" time. ND has told him that he has a spot in this class no matter what, regardless of other recruits. Considering they offered him on Sept. 1st last year, I tend to believe what he's been told.

I know his spring game visit got canceled at the last minute, so was that Filer's first visit to Columbus?

[BGriffBuckeye]

I think many here would agree that most everything that comes out of a Wolverine's mouth (or from their keyboard) is foolish.

[wadc45]

IC, I still feel you guys are in a good spot with Filer...I think OSU and UM can provide the biggest hurdles but in the end I would still be surprised to see him anywhere but ND.

And FWIW, I think the staff is looking at Hale as more of a LB/DE in the Carpenter mold, if not a true DE...

[RB07OSU]

Hale ends up at DE imo...the LB instincts don't seem to be there and he is going to outgrow the position imo. Williams could play MIKE but I see him at DE as well. Sweat is our only pure LB and as it pertains to Filer...he would be an amazing get but I don't see him in this class and it's no biggie if we don't get him with all the talent we have at LB. Not to mention you may as well chalk up up another LB commit with Storm Klein in '09.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

7/8

From the Michigan site...says ND and OSU are cleary his top two. UM is a close third.