The more I've seen and read, the more I think the field is starting to pull out of the race for Goebel - leaving just the Buckeyes. The Mike Martin verbal to Michigan doesn't make Goebel a "must get" for them any longer. And if memory serves, they didn't have
as dire a need there as
OSU to begin with.
I'm pretty sure an Irish breakdown may bore some of you, but I don't want this to sound like I'm simply pulling half brained opinions out of my a**.
The Irish are in a position that, if they don't feel the caliber of a DL recruit is "instant impact", they could probably try to devote that scholarship elsewhere, and take aim at a 4th and 5th LB (perhaps Etienne Sabino and Steve Filer, but thats getting off topic). They've locked up some talented guys, and can afford to be a little more choosy than when we only had two commits at DL, and offered Goebel.
With plenty of tape on Kapron Lewis-Moore playing the DE in a 3-4 alignment, and Ethan Johnson being offered months earlier than Goebel, I have to believe those are the two the Irish will make a priority of, with a very small chance they start recruiting Marcus Forston as a DE.
To sum it up, I'm starting to see Goebel as the odd man out. Not a knock against the guy - he's a very good prospect who's wrestling background shows with regularity. He has good football IQ, and I could easily see him having success wherever he lands. Whoever gets him will be pleased with the player they see lining up on Saturdays.