Four years ago Florida beat out Notre Dame and Florida State for the signature of Cody Riggs on Signing Day. Four years later, with Riggs set to graduate from Florida on time and transfer for his final year of eligibility, Notre Dame could end up with the former Saint Thomas Aquinas prep star after all.
After starting 26 games over the last four seasons, Riggs is looking to transfer for his final season primarily for academic purposes according to an interview with Sports Illustrated.
Riggs said that he plans to attend graduate business school and pursue either an MBA or a master’s in science in business. He’s currently finishing his degree in Family Youth and Community Sciences, studying for the GMATs and doing an internship at a Boys & Girls Club in Gainesville.
According to tweets on Friday from both Irish Sports Daily and Irish Illustrated, it appears as though Riggs has some interest in Notre Dame as a possible destination for him to pursue those academic endeavors.
#Florida defensive back Cody Riggs is “interested” in exploring #NotreDame as a fifth year option ($): http://t.co/3Z6yyraWfY
— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) February 7, 2014
This week’s Intel has a strong focus on 2015 recruiting, but leads off with an update on #NotreDame & Florida DB transfer Cody Riggs.
— Irish Sports Daily (@ISDUpdate) February 7, 2014
Both tweets link to premium articles on the respective sites, but the headlines give it away that there is interest from Riggs on transferring to Notre Dame for the 2014 season. Per NCAA rules, Riggs would be eligible to play immediately as a player who graduated in four years and is transferring to pursue graduate studies.
Adding Riggs to the roster for the 2014 season would help bolster a secondary that took some lumps in 2013 and will be replacing two year starter Bennett Jackson. Riggs played the 2013 season at safety for Florida, but previously played corner for the Gators. Should he transfer to Notre Dame, a move back to corner would seem to be in the cards for the 5’9″ versatile defender.
As a safety in 2013, Riggs collected 51 tackles with 6.5 resulting in lost yardage. He also had 1.5 sacks and 3 pass breakups as he returned to action after missing almost all of 2012 with a broken foot. In 2011 Riggs played in 13 games while starting 10 at corner for the Gators. As a freshman in 2010, Riggs started 3 games while playing in all 13 as well.
With one corner back spot up for grabs in the Irish secondary heading into the 2014 season, landing a 5th year senior transfer with starting experience at corner in the SEC would be a huge boost to the Notre Dame defense. Sophomores Cole Luke, Devin Butler, and Rishad Kinlaw all return for Notre Dame along with seniors Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson – although the race for the open starting spot figured to be a battle between Luke and Butler Notre Dame also just signed 4-star cornerback Nick Watkins out of Texas earlier this week who figures to be in the mix
At the very least, Riggs would likely be the nickel back for the Irish should he decide to transfer and would give Luke and Butler a serious run for their money. It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Notre Dame since they have not had a 5th year transfer into the program since this new rule has been in place. Notre Dame has, however, been on the other side many times over the last few years.
Brian Kelly was able to landed his first recruit from Saint Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale this week when Corey Holmes faxed in his LOI. Could he possibly add another player from the powerhouse prep program from the Sunshine State?
This is a tremendous help to Van Gorder’s defense. Riggs has been through the SEC wars and wars with FSU. He seems to have the emotional maturity to help mentor the younger guys, and will have a lot of eager ears on the plane to Tallahasee.
Butler, Luke and Kinlaw will get plenty of reps in the Spring, and then in June, Riggs and Watkins show up to bolster the
cadre. Two years ago, pour “nickel back” was Danny Spond, and I low what he did, but now we have enough CBS to match up to any spread.
If we play the right people at safety, we have a chance for a truly outstanding secondary.
apparently he’s coming up with Uncle Bobby Brown, so Riggs can have the inside scoop on Notre Dame. This really helps at cornerback, because with Russell, Riggs, Luke and Butler, we have four experienced players along with newcomer Nick Watkins and redshirt Kinlaw. and there’s always Jalen Brown. It’s starting to look like a big time depth chart. Areas like TE, WR, RB, QB, CB, S, certainly OL look very strong and deep. We just need a few more OLBS and some time before ILB, OLD and DL catchup.
This roster is so much more advanced than it was in 2012.
A degree in “Family, Youth and Community Science”? I would be shocked (and disappointed) if he is deemed to have the qualifications for entry into Notre Dame’s Graduate School. I also wonder why Florida doesn’t want him to stay.
lets see some focus on special teams, kickoffs, punt returns, punt and kickoff coverage, punting, rushing the punter, etc. thanks
I want to get a lot faster on D. That means nickel and Shumate up close to the ball where he can make plays. He has the size to handle it.
I would like to see him at CB and see Redfield take the field at Safety, assuming Redfield has developed.
what about Elijah Shumate?
don’t forget Eilar Hardy who had some moments, including staying home and nailing that late play against Navy. Also, I think we do not have all the data on Matthias Farley. He was a great tackler in 2012 and then paraffined in 2013. Was there an undisclosed injury?
Riggs has SEC speed and played four times against FSU. The question is different from Wulfleck, who was a nice pooch punter. Is it fair to the upper class players to bring Riggs in? If so, do it.
Hes a gator why betray players who devoted themselves to us for him. Play the players with Irish blood in their veins! Not this Gator trader!
How much money can one make “trading gators”?
Good question.
Actually we have used the rule before. Alex Wulfeck, our pooch punter last year, graduated from Wake Forest.
Does it count if you’re not giving the player a scholarship?
Why wouldn’t he play safety and rotate, with Redfield and Shumate? Idk if Red and Shu play the same position, but if they do, then I think he would start over a guy like Collinsworth.
Don’t forget about Nicky barrati
Not so fast my friend in dismissing Collinsworth.He’s very intelligent, knows the defense backwards and forward and plays hard, They wouldn’t have given him a 5th yr, not to play him.
He played CB primarily in HS. Go back and watch his tape.
And he definitely projects more as a CB with great tackling skills than a fast, tiny FS.
He and Russell would be a great duo along with Luke and Butler at Nickle and Dime. Be a nice get in losing B. Jackson.