Notre Dame picked up another huge commitment for the recruiting class of 2015 on Thursday when 4-star inside linebacker Tevon Coney committed to Notre Dame over his home-state Florida Gators.
Coney, a 6’0″, 220 lbs inside linebacker, had one of the most impressive offer lists of any current Notre Dame prior to committing to the Irish on Thursday. On top of scholarships from Notre Dame and Florida, Coney collected offers from the likes of Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Miami.
Tony Alford continued to work his magic in the state of Florida with Coney’s addition. Alford was the primary recruiter for Coney despite not being his eventual position coach because of the work he’s in Florida. Prior to the summer it didn’t look like the Irish had much of a chance until Alford got Coney on campus for the Irish Invasion. From that point on, Notre Dame was in the driver’s seat for Coney’s services for the next four years.
Despite reportedly leading for Coney for some time, it took a lot for the Irish to overcome the Gators in this one. Florida’s struggles under beleaguered head coach Will Muschamp certainly worked in Notre Dame’s favor. While the Irish jumped to a 6-0 start to the season and came up just one borderline (at best) call away from being 7-0 with an upset of #1 Florida State, the Gators have limped to a 3-3 record with Florida fans calling for the removal of Muschamp.
Aside from Notre Dame’s impressive record and potential path to the playoffs if they win out in 2014, the aggressive defensive system that Brian VanGorder has installed in his first year with the Irish has been paying off as well. Since the start of the season the Irish have now picked up four commitments – all in October – and three of them are on the defensive side of the ball with Coney joining fellow linebacker Asmar Bilal and pass rusher Bo Wallace. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush is the fourth commitment the Irish have picked up this month.
Coney plans on enrolling early with Notre Dame meaning he will benefit from a full spring practice next April and May. That head start could give him a chance for early playing time even if just on special teams as a true freshman. As a MIKE he’ll have to fight his way past both Joe Schmidt and Nyles Morgan in 2015 for regular playing time which is a tall order even with an early start.
This was a fantastic pick up for Notre Dame and gives the Irish a heck of a trio of backers in the class of 2015 in Tevon Coney, Asmar Bilal, and Josh Barajas. All three are 4-star prospects on multiple networks and will give the Irish the kind of depth that they’ve lacked for years at the position.
Tevon Coney Highlights from The Opening
I find it interesting that just 5 days after the ND vs Florida State game, and ND lands a four star inside linebacker from the state of Florida.
Tevon Coney, who is very similar to the size, build, speed, and athleticism of Jaylon Smith, and it’s hard not to get excited thinking about watching these types of players on a Brian VanGorder style of defense in the coming years.
Jerry that is very lucid. This program now has depth in nearly all the positions on both sides of the football, and for the most part, it is spread
across various classes, so that there will not be recruiting crises in the future.
It is the goose (production capacity) rather than the golden egg (production) It actually hit me during the game at Air Force last year, after the defense had been riddled with an inordinate number of injuries-Day, Nix, Grace and Councell were out, but guys like Utopu and Kendall Moore and Jarron Jones stepped in and played well.
This program is on a very strong foundation, and is getting better each year. In 2012, we were magical, but that roster had huge holes on OL, DL, CB and S. the shocker was not the loss to Alabama, but the 12-0.
This teams is much much better than 2012 and I don’t thing the overall program has peaked even yet.
“Tony Alford continued to work his magic in the state of Florida with Coney’s addition. Alford was the primary recruiter for Coney despite not being his eventual position coach because of the work he’s in Florida. Prior to the summer it didn’t look like the Irish had much of a chance until Alford got Coney on campus for the Irish Invasion. From that point on, Notre Dame was in the driver’s seat for Coney’s services for the next four years.”
Irish Invasion + Tony Alford et.al as recruiters + BVG’s aggressive successful schemes will lead to even more elite depth. Now keeping this excellent staff together and holding these early recruits in the fold become the challenge.
Let the good times roll.
A program is being built not just a one year wonder.
I love Coney’s upside and he should play next season with his plans to enroll early. Coney is the ideal MLB in VanGorders system who is not rated high enough if you ask me. How Scout.com has him rated as a 3 star prospect blows my mind. They usually rank kids higher than they should be. They are completely wrong about Coney, if he was 6’3 or 6’4 he would be a 5 star player.
On top of that the news that Davaris Daniels likely to come back in 2016 gets me very excited as well.
Awesome news but till he enrolls then we get excited. Till then just be positive. Go ahead Burgandy ruin it. Your good at it.
Would you like me to be positive like this?
Green Day commented on January 7th, 2014 at 10:45 am
Well fellow fans, after watching all the BCS games I think many will agree ND could not hold up to any of those teams. They are bigger, faster, more athletic and probably could never get into ND academically. That said all this hype getting back to a BCS bowl, deep six it for now. Just focus on the goal of rebuilding the program to a respectable level as it should be. Finish in the top 20 every year would make most people happy unless your delusional on what ND’s football program really is.
Uhh..are ya kidding..
Or perhaps positivity like this?
Green Day commented on December 8th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
They will struggle against Rutgers!
Again, I’m confused as to which type of positive comments you are looking for. This perhaps?
Green Day commented on October 2nd, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Attention 4 and 5 Star QB recruits. Do not enroll early at ND and expect to play period your freshman year. In fact, you should probably enroll in a different program all together. ND’s QB situation is a mess under Kelly. Actually everything is a mess right now. I get it, it’s just not Rees. There are many other factors on both sides of the ball. But what a waste of receivers and running backs. So why not start grooming Zaire now?? Yeah he is not the savior right now and it may not improve anything team wise, but get him some reps and start developing the future. Hell there is no guarantee Golson even comes back especially with Kelly’ s track record with QB’s. Oh yeah, Hendrix, leave on the bench. Doesn’t take a genius to figure he is going to run when he gets in there. Maybe he should try a throw and we get lucky. Defenses sure wouldn’t expect a throw with his track record!
Green Day is the new version of William Wallace!
Green Day. American Idiot?
Simple really, a descent kid that wants both a quality education with the possibility of playing on a very well coached football team.
Tevon Coney is also a candidate for early entrance in January.
With him from Florida, Guyton and McKinney from Texas, Sanders now listed as CA, and Tillery and Wallace from Louisiana we are making strong inroads
into the talent and speed rich portions of America.
Yep, Notre Dame has to keep pulling out talent from the south especially in Florida. Tony Alford is a hell of a recruiter.
Coney is just perfect for the refurbished defense. I can just visualize him crouched behind Tiassum, Micah Drew-Treadway and Taylor, waiting for them to absorb tacklers while he swoops in for the finish. It’s folly to project college performance from high school film, but the appears to have the ability to get to the ball carrier and bring him down. And the thought of him being bookended by Barajas and Bilal is pleasant.
great pickup
4 stars!!
Somewhere Mike is rejoicing.
Yes I am !
This is great news at the moment. However, I think such headlines should read, “[Insert Player’s Name] Says He’s Maybe Probably Attending Notre Dame!”
I totally agree with Jake how many tines have we heard it before just to be punted away for another school. I will go on to say that the presents of Brian VanGorder might very help the Irish with his aggresive style, but beware of the shaky commit.