Witherspoon Transfering: ND Will Survive
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 7, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - It was announced yesterday that Jovan Witherspoon decided to leave Notre Dame after only the first game of his freshman year.   Witherspoon and his father, Roosevelt Barnes, felt he wasn't a good fit into Notre Dame's offense system.  Why he waited so long to decide this after watching most of Notre Dame's spring practices is beyond me, but his decision definitely hurts Notre Dame.   However, the Irish still have a lot of talent at wide receiver and will get by just fine.

Witherspoon has said he thought Notre Dame would pass more.  Yes Notre Dame broke passing records last year, but that was in Jarious Jackson's second year.  In Jackson's first game he attempted 9 passes.  In Battle's first game he attempted 16.  It is not wise to have a young quarterback throw more than he has to since it increases his chance for mistakes.  The less mistakes a young quarterback makes the better since their confidence rises.

Jovan also battled back problems this summer which affected the time he saw on the field.  He was however, one of two freshman wide receivers in line to see the field this year.  Davie had intentions on playing him against A&M but was told not to by Barnes since he knew Jovan was thinking of leaving.   His departure means that Ronnie Rodamer and Lorenzo Crawford will probably be the two freshman WRs to play now - not much of a drop in talent.

Notre Dame fans have reacted very negatively to Witherpsoon's decision which is obvious and for the most part understandable.  For the entire summer they heard how Witherspoon was going to be a star at Notre Dame, how he was going to play a lot this year, and how he had the confidence we lacked at wide receiver.  Now after one game he leaves?  To many Irish fans they feel betrayed.   However, if he was not happy here is it not better that he left since had he stayed he would not have been very happy which is never good for a team.

The time of Witherspoon's decision to leave is what has annoyed Irish fans the most.  Jamaar Taylor left after a year and no one got nearly as upset as they have this time around.  Had Witherspoon stayed the whole year instead of leaving after the first game, I feel the Notre Dame fans would have been upset he left, but would not have been nearly as angry over the fact.

Notre Dame, its players, and its coaches cannot dwell on Jovan's departure though.  They have to put this behind them and do it fast with #1 ranked Nebraska coming to town.  This is another reason fans are very upset, his announcement only serves as a major distraction heading into Notre Dame's most important game in 7 years.

The Irish will survive the loss of Witherspoon however, just as they did when Albert Poree, Neal Ambron, and Jamaar Taylor left.  Notre Dame still has 7 talented wide receivers.  Witherspoon's loss won't be felt this year much, but can next year if the Irish fail to secure four wide receiver commits to replace Taylor and Witherspoon who have left on top of the loss of Getherall and Jay Johnson to graduation.

David Givens and Javin Hunter will be fixtures at wide receiver the next two year and Joey Getherall and Jay Johnson will give the wide receivers experience and leadership.  The other two wide receivers spots should go to Ronnie Rodamer and Lorenzo Crawford with Omar Jenkins seeing time on special teams as he did against A&M.

Witherspoon is looking at schools who he thinks will pass more.  Some schools were Florida, Purdue, Clemson, and Northwestern.  If Jovan goes to Purdue or Florida he should get used to lots of competition because both schools are stacked at wide receiver and recruit a lot of wide receivers each year.