Many times throughout the recruitment process, various media outlets break news regarding a prospect’s visit schedule, which school(s) he is most interested in and perhaps even his commitment. On National Signing Day, however, those with access to the proverbial fax machine have the edge. Thus, UND.com and WatchND will put together an entire day of programming presented by Vivid Seats for tomorrow’s events, beginning at 7 a.m. Eastern time.
At that point—yes, (long) before the sun rises—UND.com/signingday will go live as the home for all your 2017 National Signing Day needs. If you are impatient and head there early, you can get a refresher on last year’s class of recruits.
The “Fighting Irish Board” will update with each received official letter of intent. Spoiler alert: They are rarely faxes anymore. It is 2017. They are emails.
Jack Nolan will host the coverage, also available via Facebook Live. Notre Dame director of athletics Jack Swarbrick will host the “Jack Swarbrick Radio Show” in the morning, and throughout the day, guests will pop in to supplement Nolan and Swarbrick, including Irish coach Brian Kelly, assistant football coaches, current players, former players and perhaps even some of the early enrollees (safety Isaiah Robertson, running back C.J. Holmes, tight end Brock Wright and offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Robert Hainsey).
Naturally, once each “fax” arrives, highlight reels of each commit will also be available alongside biographies of the high school seniors.
Kelly will host a press conference at 1:30 p.m. ET to discuss the completed class. It is worth noting that is 8:30 a.m. in Hawaii, possibly giving rivals.com three-star defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa a chance to swipe the snooze once or twice before sending in his letter, should he end up with the Irish.
As of now, Notre Dame’s class of 2017 includes 18 commits, though there is both room and a growing expectation for a few more. For example, rivals.com four-star defensive back Russ Yeast, a Louisville commit, teased the world with a tweet quickly retweeted by both Kelly and recruiting coordinator Mike Elston. In this era and industry, tweets are the best tea leaves around.
Around these parts, we will likely focus on those few last-minute additions, though there will also be updates after each set of letters arrives at the top of the hour, with the most expected shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern and then a handful more at 8 a.m. Eastern.
Get some sleep tonight. Get the pot of coffee ready. It will be an early and busy morning. At least you won’t have to be camera-ready by 7 a.m. Tough break, Mr. Nolan.