Once upon a time, ND featured Watters, Bettis, Brooks, Becton, the Rocket, Montana, Theismann. Great offensive players, as well as the requisite line and ST personnel.
It isn't there anymore. It's been that long. ND back in the day never have anything in talent up.
Since, it's clearly been about overcoming this with coaching, program management, and discipline. Getting the best players who are academically qualified. But it's not enough to get what Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State get in talent.
I mentioned this and will repeat: I played soccer at a high level. The guys who were going pro overwhelmingly weren't going to thrive in a rigorous academic environment. In fact, soccer has long accommodated this by forgoing college for special dispensation during HS, academies, and committing full time essentially.
The NCAA plays this role, pretending it's a student-athlete ideal. It just isn't. Don't get me wrong, as I'm not condemning this, as it still does social and economic good.
What I do condemn is the hypocrisy of ND leadership. They still partake, rake in money, but maintain piety. I am a committed Catholic, but geez, our Church has allowed a lot worse to happen than accommodate academically challenged kids to play football for a new lease on life...and to give back something that played a big role in building a great ND academic brand.
But that's just my 2 cents. I've been told by ND alumni here that I'm wrong and ND should stay honorable. Mind you, I know a few ND alumni personally that agree with me.
