Luke Massa QB: 2010

[Thegreatone]

Is Luke committed to UC as of right now? Would he fit Butch Jones style? Seems like Butch wants a guy who can run and pass.

Do we take him to try and create goodwill with Spect and St. X?

[broeli]

I'm pretty sure Luke Massa is solid still. His only other "offer" was Wisconsin. I'm not sure if he is coming as a qb or to possibly fill another position though since he's considered "pro-style" qb.
I hear that Massa and Matt James are really good friends. That may help land Matt James.

[Thegreatone]

From my understanding Matt is a longshot. When Kelly left our chances may have gone to south bend with Bk.

Honestly I dont know much about Massa but neither him or Hendrix impressed me on the high school level.

Give me dual threat quarterbacks in this system

[Thegreatone]

Interest Level: 5 out of 5

[Cpaw]

BK is now going after Luke, I would guess at a better shot with Matt James.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2010/01/21/notre-dame-offers-massa/

[bearcatbret]

What is being said about this on the ND blogs? I thought that he was a 3 star and can not imagine that the fans in SB will like this.

[shaunsimpson]

If Jones wants Massa than who am I to second guess him, but if we can get Brion Carnes or Cody Kater (current CMU commit) than I would rather have them. I may rather have Caleb Watkins than Massa.

[Thegreatone]

I would rather have the quarterback at Deer Park Jr High.

Not a fan. I want James no doubt but I am shocked that BK would give up 2 scholarships to get him

[Bearcatfan22]

Is Luke committed to UC as of right now? Would he fit Butch Jones style? Seems like Butch wants a guy who can run and pass.

Do we take him to try and create goodwill with Spect and St. X?

----
The Enquirer is reporting that Notre Dame has offered Massa, maybe as way to get James as well.

[catscratchfever]

----
The Enquirer is reporting that Notre Dame has offered Massa, maybe as way to get James as well.

isn't the enquirer reporting that Massa is taking a visit to ND? I didn't see anywhere that he had received an offer

[Bearcatfan22]

isn't the enquirer reporting that Massa is taking a visit to ND? I didn't see anywhere that he had received an offer

Here's the first line of the blog post:

Notre Dame has offered St. Xavier senior QB Luke Massa today, according to St. X coach Steve Specht.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2010/01/21/notre-dame-offers-massa/

[ralph1950]

Here's the first line of the blog post:

Notre Dame has offered St. Xavier senior QB Luke Massa today, according to St. X coach Steve Specht.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/preps/2010/01/21/notre-dame-offers-massa/

Does he want to battle it out with Hendrix of Moeller to see who is the first to get switced to DE or Outside Linebacker?

[cmm27]

Apparantly he does.

[Jmac84]

Not a good sign. I'm thinking Massa and James will be heading South Bend now. Having gone to St. X, I can tell you there is a lot of Notre Dame love there. Ah well, we seem to have a lot of youth on the offensive line right now. Hopefully we can develop a few Linkenbach/Canfield types.

[Forsure21]

Kelly is offering kids Weis wouldn't have even asked to walk on!

[Rational Cat]

I watched Luke play most of his home games the last 3 years. Nice kid, good family, and he'll get a fine education, but he's being played in order to get Matt James.

Not sure, but I think UC was his only D1 offer??

Butch and Kerry need to move on; there are far better QB's out there.

[milfordcats]

I watched Luke play most of his home games the last 3 years. Nice kid, good family, and he'll get a fine education, but he's being played in order to get Matt James.

Not sure, but I think UC was his only D1 offer??

Butch and Kerry need to move on; there are far better QB's out there.

He had an offer from Wisconsin as well.

[Rational Cat]

Not a good sign. I'm thinking Massa and James will be heading South Bend now. Having gone to St. X, I can tell you there is a lot of Notre Dame love there.

Without a doubt; St. Xavier and Benet Academy (in suburban Chicago) are, year after year, usually the two biggest feeder schools to Notre Dame.

[jplog]

So where does that put Hendrix?

[shaunsimpson]

Hendrix reaffirmed his commitment to ND per the enquirer. Kelly has one scholarship QB on the roster and he just had surgery and won't be ready until Fall ball. I can see him taking both

[Thegreatone]

Massa can go.

James can stay.

[catscratchfever]

how funny would it be if massa accepted the offer and james decided to go elsewhere

[DCrack]

how funny would it be if massa accepted the offer and james decided to go elsewhere

Saw on another site that Kelly's probably turning up the heat in the James recruitment by offering Massa because top OT Henderson visited ND and all indications are that it didn't go well. Lets hope Massa gets his LOL in first, James goes any where but Sourth Bend-over and burns Kelly.

[Racinejake]

Hendrix reaffirmed his commitment to ND per the enquirer. Kelly has one scholarship QB on the roster and he just had surgery and won't be ready until Fall ball. I can see him taking both

But also remember ND signed another QB Tommy Rees who enrolled early. I know they have depth issues at QB, but to take 3 qbs in one class just seems like a little much. Odds are that within the next couple years 1 if not 2 of those QBs transfer. It happened a few years ago when Clausen was named the starter and Zach Frazer and D. Jones decided to transfer.

[Montrell]

But also remember ND signed another QB Tommy Rees who enrolled early. I know they have depth issues at QB, but to take 3 qbs in one class just seems like a little much. Odds are that within the next couple years 1 if not 2 of those QBs transfer. It happened a few years ago when Clausen was named the starter and Zach Frazer and D. Jones decided to transfer.

Rees is by far the best QB they will be bringing in this class. I dont see Hendrix or Massa ever starting for ND. I hope Massa sticks with UC and I think it is obvious ND only offered to get James because Kelly is striking out so much with top tier talent, but I dont think Massa is a must have recruit. I think Kater has more potential and upside personally.

[DCrack]

When Brian Kelly tries to poach Luke Massa, it's "slimy." If Butch Jones tried to do something similar, it'd be "aggressive." Mo Egger 1530
I think the big difference is at UC Massa could develop into a starter ala Tony Pike, but at ND they will continue to recruit over him every class and he falls farther down the depth chart. What say ye Members?

[shaunsimpson]

When Brian Kelly tries to poach Luke Massa, it's "slimy." If Butch Jones tried to do something similar, it'd be "aggressive." Mo Egger 1530
I think the big difference is at UC Massa could develop into a starter ala Tony Pike, but at ND they will continue to recruit over him every class and he falls farther down the depth chart. What say ye Members?

I am one who doesn't think it is slimy. I think that players commit to coaches.

I do feel dirty that Kelly was in effect recruiting for ND on UC's dime, but players go to places for the coach.

[Rational Cat]

When Brian Kelly tries to poach Luke Massa, it's "slimy." If Butch Jones tried to do something similar, it'd be "aggressive." Mo Egger 1530
I think the big difference is at UC Massa could develop into a starter ala Tony Pike, but at ND they will continue to recruit over him every class and he falls farther down the depth chart. What say ye Members?

I agree with you and Mo- it's always been part of the recruiting game and wars.

Wasn't Luke outspoken (in the Enquirer?) when BK left, specifically about how he left? Not sure if I remember that correctly or not. But I guess all is forgiven now!

Really, I cannot blame Luke Massa for going to ND if offered there. Not sure if he realizes that he's probably being played or not, but it really does not matter- he'll get an education there that is truly top notch.

Having said that, I'd love to have both Massa and James at UC next year.

[BigDaddyCornHusker]

If BK is going after Massa he must have seen something in him that makes him think he's more than a three star QB.

[shaunsimpson]

If BK is going after Massa he must have seen something in him that makes him think he's more than a three star QB.

Yes.....he may have seen his left tackle. As pointed out this would be the third QB in this class for them.

I don't think that ND would allow a Greyshirt since they recently allowed redshirts.

[RockOfTruth]

I watched Luke play most of his home games the last 3 years. Nice kid, good family, and he'll get a fine education, but he's being played in order to get Matt James.

Not sure, but I think UC was his only D1 offer??

Butch and Kerry need to move on; there are far better QB's out there.


Not so sure about that. Kelly is a good coach and even with his 'flaws', I think one thing we can all agree on is that he can pick, motivate and coach quarterbacks. I originally thought he was offering Massa a scholarship to keep up the 'recruit Cincinnati' theme and he may still. However, he should have access to a lot more kids at ND, so if he saw something there, I wouldn't be too hasty to dismiss it...

[Rational Cat]

Not so sure about that. Kelly is a good coach and even with his 'flaws', I think one thing we can all agree on is that he can pick, motivate and coach quarterbacks. I originally thought he was offering Massa a scholarship to keep up the 'recruit Cincinnati' theme and he may still. However, he should have access to a lot more kids at ND, so if he saw something there, I wouldn't be too hasty to dismiss it...

No question that BK is an excellent coach. Also, there is no question in my mind that he will improve Massa over the guy we all watched at St. X for the last three years. Luke was either the 3rd or 4th best QB in the GCL last year, and I am a Bomber fan!

This has the faint whiff of desperation on ND's part (and if you don't believe that, peruse some of their message boards- they are perplexed over this move- 3rd QB recruit this year). They badly need a QB, and they very, very badly need a LT (and that's where Matt James comes in).

Now, Massa will grow some, and comes from a very athletic family, so he might be useful in other ways, if not at QB. I also don't think Matt James will be ready to start right away at tackle for them; he was eaten alive last year by small, quick DE's, like the kid at Highlands who ran right by him all night.

We've all watched BK make lemoncello out of something less; I am sure he will do the same at ND. I have a kid at ND right now, though I am a UCAT member and Bearcat fan through and through; not sure at this point if I'm going to be able stomach going to my one "parent game" up there next year. But the folks there are already asking questions and second guessing- but that comes with the job at ND.

Luke Massa and Matt James are great kids, and I wish them the best, no matter what their decision might be. If they both choose ND for the academics, then they have made a wise choice, as painful as that is to me.

[cmm27]

They also should have known that BK was not known for his recruiting, but that's a different topic. As to that, I'm sure Massa will enjoy his time up there as the Bearcats get to, and win, a national championship durring his tenure at ND.

[bobestes]

Not so sure about that. Kelly is a good coach and even with his 'flaws', I think one thing we can all agree on is that he can pick, motivate and coach quarterbacks. I originally thought he was offering Massa a scholarship to keep up the 'recruit Cincinnati' theme and he may still. However, he should have access to a lot more kids at ND, so if he saw something there, I wouldn't be too hasty to dismiss it...

BK is recruiting Massa like he recruited Danny Milligan when he got to UC. To try and build a pipeline to the GCL, but neither player will probably ever see game action.

[mikep]

The funny thing about Massa and all of the other recruits who are exploring other options is that I was not all that excited about any of them(except the WR from Indy) and now I will be pissed if any of them leave(times 10 if they go to ND). Human nature I guess.

[mikep]

BK is recruiting Massa like he recruited Danny Milligan when he got to UC. To try and build a pipeline to the GCL, but neither player will probably ever see game action.

The GCL to ND pipeling has been well established since at least the 70's.

[Rational Cat]

The GCL to ND pipeling has been well established since at least the 70's.

Yes, but not consistently. A friend of mine who is a Domer swears that when ND stopped recruiting GCL so hard is when they went in the tank.

He could be right?

[ralph1950]

If BK is going after Massa he must have seen something in him that makes him think he's more than a three star QB.

It could be that BK thinks he can get James if Massa decides to go to ND. It could be he thinks Massa can play a position other than QB.

If you are Massa and want to play QB in college you do not choose ND.

[bobestes]

The GCL to ND pipeling has been well established since at least the 70's.

Ok, to keep the pipeline fresh, every once in a while they're gonna have to take a kid that they might not normally take. Whatever, stick him on special teams if it means you're gonna get the 6'7" beast of an offensive lineman.

[RedRocker]

It could be that BK thinks he can get James if Massa decides to go to ND. It could be he thinks Massa can play a position other than QB.

If you are Massa and want to play QB in college you do not choose ND.

Chalk one up for Ralph.

[JoBo]

Chalk one up for Ralph.

LMFAO........

[blazerball]

Massa can go.

James can stay.

Agree. Saw him against Highlands and looked awful.
The Ohio offensive player of the year in all divisions
Keith Wenning QB from Coldwater Ohio is available.
6'4 225 runs the spread. Threw for over 3000 yards
and ran for over 1000 his Senior year. Seen him play,
way better than Massa. State final game 41-50 over
500 yards..

[cmm27]

I would be interested in him just purely on his size without having seen him play.

[bearcatd]

Agree. Saw him against Highlands and looked awful.
The Ohio offensive player of the year in all divisions
Keith Wenning QB from Coldwater Ohio is available.
6'4 225 runs the spread. Threw for over 3000 yards
and ran for over 1000 his Senior year. Seen him play,
way better than Massa. State final game 41-50 over
500 yards..

Looks like a (verbal) commit to Ball State.

[RedRocker]

Looks like a (verbal) commit to Ball State.

Go get him Butch!

[Thegreatone]

Massa is going to go to ND. No doubt.

[broeli]

Massa is going to go to ND. No doubt.

Yeah it certainly looks that way. BK didn't even contact Massa when he went to ND. Specht called BK and basically tried to get BK to offer him to ND. Supposedly he's always dreamed of going to ND..according to Specht anyway. From the sound of it from the article Matt James is either going to ND or OSU...so we are probably out on both of them.

[Ding Chavez]

Doesn't sound great for our chances with either Massa or James...

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100126/SPORTS13/100129534/1021/XML

[dgill2424]

Doesn't sound great for our chances with either Massa or James...

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100126/SPORTS13/100129534/1021/XML

Why does anyone care???? 16 touchdowns with 9 interceptions at the high school level. What am I missing about this guy?

[DCrack]

Why does anyone care???? 16 touchdowns with 9 interceptions at the high school level. What am I missing about this guy?

How many QB's is BK going to offer at ND? ESPN is reporting that Waverly Ohio QB Derek Robach was offered on 1/26/10

[catscratchfever]

Doesn't sound great for our chances with either Massa or James...

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100126/SPORTS13/100129534/1021/XML

If you read the comments section on this article the ND fans are pissed at the offers to 3 star players

[binturong07]

How many QB's is BK going to offer at ND? ESPN is reporting that Waverly Ohio QB Derek Robach was offered on 1/26/10

He's always said that competition breeds success. Since Clausen left, I think he wants as many QB's as possible on that roster. They also are going to have Joe Montana's kid (who isnt quite as good as his dad). I wouldnt be surpirsed to see him offer a couple more.

Thats what he did with us when Mauk left...we had 5 QBs competing.

[Oldtimer_UC_fan]

He's always said that competition breeds success. Since Clausen left, I think he wants as many QB's as possible on that roster. They also are going to have Joe Montana's kid (who isnt quite as good as his dad). I wouldnt be surpirsed to see him offer a couple more.

Thats what he did with us when Mauk left...we had 5 QBs competing.

And....how did that work out for us?

[RedRocker]

He's always said that competition breeds success. Since Clausen left, I think he wants as many QB's as possible on that roster. They also are going to have Joe Montana's kid (who isnt quite as good as his dad). I wouldnt be surpirsed to see him offer a couple more.

Thats what he did with us when Mauk left...we had 5 QBs competing.

Last I heard, Nick Montana was going to Washington.

[ucbearcatfballfan]

Different Montana. This is the older of the two Montana kids. He played at a JuCo or community college last year, and is walking on at ND this year. Don't have the link, but I remember reading his stats from his JuCo season last year, and they were atrocious.

[Irishbearcat]

Nate Montana is the other 'Montana' that was in SB, went to a JC to get some experience, and will return this year as a preferred walk-on.
As far as Massa goes, he apparently has good upside. It's thought that Kelly would not have shown him further interest, but his HS coach asked for ND to become involved. I'm not sure that qualifies as poaching. Although I would have preferred that Massa stay with UC.

[nolte50uc]

i haven't seend this posted yet:

Here's the link (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100131/SPT01/301310007/St.+X+s+QB+commits+to+Irish)

has his o-lineman (can't think of his name) committed anywhere yet?

[BearcatRob33]

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100131/SPT01/301310007/St.+X+s+QB+commits+to+Irish

Apparently he's fulfilling a 'lifetime dream'. A lifetime dream of sitting on the bench.

[BearcatRob33]

Mods, sorry I posted the same thread under 'Football Recruiting' at the same time. Feel free to delete/merge as needed.

[shaunsimpson]

This happened a little while ago and thought it was assumed when we got cody. I think we ended up better off here.

[bearcatbret]

He will get a great education for free. Sometimes the best position on the team is the backup qb.

[Thegreatone]

Good luck to him but he never ever fit our offense.

[binturong07]

Disappointed, but I think Kater will end up being a better QB, so Im happier with him.

Still, I would have liked to get Massa, to keep the St. X. and Cincinnati pipeline. Id hate to see ND move in on what should be our recruiting territory.

[CDS86]

Per Mike Dyer's Twitter:

St. Xavier senior OL Matt James is considering Ohio State and Notre Dame as his final college choices.

[Bearcat Chris]

BK only offered Massa to get the big OT. Massa will sit for 3 years, then either quit FB, or transfer to a D-1AA school.

No real lose here. He was very good player, but not great one.

B.C.

[nolte50uc]

Per Mike Dyer's Twitter:

St. Xavier senior OL Matt James is considering Ohio State and Notre Dame as his final college choices.

i think ken broo said on his radio show on sunday that he was going to osu - according to his sources.

[jplog]

Disappointed, but I think Kater will end up being a better QB, so Im happier with him.

Still, I would have liked to get Massa, to keep the St. X. and Cincinnati pipeline. Id hate to see ND move in on what should be our recruiting territory.

I wouldn't exactly call what exists between St. X and UC a pipeline. We may have pulled a couple here and there but overall St. X hasn't been very good to UC.

[youngandrestless]

Massa going to ND is not a football move by him, it was a getting a free ND education decision. Luke knows he will never play QB at ND but a 4 year ND education is worth about $150,000+. Kelly will be wasting a scholarship if Matt James choses Ohio State or UC.

[binturong07]

And....how did that work out for us?

Um....i thought fairly well. We won a big east title that year.

[binturong07]

I wouldn't exactly call what exists between St. X and UC a pipeline. We may have pulled a couple here and there but overall St. X hasn't been very good to UC.

No, youre right about St. X....but I was more referring to Cincinnati in general. Massa is a high profile talent in Cincy. Losing him is a loss that other kids in the area will see, and might affect there decision to go here. Like Miami in the early 80's, once you get a couple high profile local kids to commit, the hope is that it starts a landslide.

[RedRocker]

Massa going to ND is not a football move by him, it was a getting a free ND education decision. Luke knows he will never play QB at ND but a 4 year ND education is worth about $150,000+. Kelly will be wasting a scholarship if Matt James choses Ohio State or UC.

Good for Massa and for BK....f him.

[Irishbearcat]

I'm not sure where Broo gets his info from, but every ND writer I've seen the last two days has picked ND for James. That may not be the case, but it would be where all the money is going (if you get my drift).

[MST83]

how long before Kelly pulls Massa's ride? After one year?


I watched Luke play most of his home games the last 3 years. Nice kid, good family, and he'll get a fine education, but he's being played in order to get Matt James.

Not sure, but I think UC was his only D1 offer??

Butch and Kerry need to move on; there are far better QB's out there.

[Montrell]

how long before Kelly pulls Massa's ride? After one year?

No way he pulls it. It's a political move by Kelly. Not only was it to get James but to get an in with St X guys in the future. Massa will never play a meaningful down at ND (he wouldn't have at UC either) but I doubt he pulls his scholly. Kelly needs all the recruiting connections he can possibly get.

[Rational Cat]

No way he pulls it. It's a political move by Kelly. Not only was it to get James but to get an in with St X guys in the future. Massa will never play a meaningful down at ND (he wouldn't have at UC either) but I doubt he pulls his scholly. Kelly needs all the recruiting connections he can possibly get.

I agree totally; St. X is one of the very biggest feeder schools to Notre Dame, year after year as it is. Kelly would love to have the cream of the GCL (and the rest of Cincinnati) crop there every year. Kerry Coombs introduced BK to everyone, got him in the door, and Kelly took it from there.

Pulling Massa's scholarship would be counterproductive to Kelly's efforts to recruit St. X (and other Cincinnati) guys in the future.

Specht and Kelly have a very good working relationship (Specht basically talked Kelly into recruiting Massa to ND), it would not surprise me at all if Specht took a job with BK at some point. He has always told folks that he will stay at St. X until his sons have graduated from there, but you never know.

[Irishbearcat]

Kelly isn't pulling Massa's schollie. It would be be a horrible move for a school he wants to develop and gain trust, and he likes having 5 qb's on his roster. Massa may not be the 2nd or third option, but schools like UCLA have had 2 or 3 injuries in one year.
Just never know.

[DCrack]

I have been told numerous times by Irish Fans that the Football player attrition rate is fairly high. I believe the Coach at ND recruits blue chippers who can qualify on one end and Good students who play football to fill out the roster. Massa fills out the Roster, keeps team GPA up, doesn't embarass program and gets a great education. Every once in a while a player becomes a contributor after 3-4 yrs; if he last that long.

[Irishbearcat]

Dude, you are on crack. ND has had pretty darn good recruiting classes for the last 4 years. This past year wasn't that great primarily because of Weis being let go, and a new coach coming in (the record didn't help much, to be sure).
Almost every player on their roster was wanted by good programs, so I'm not sure how they would qualify as 'filler'.

As far as attrition goes, the players who leave (Like DJ), do so because of playing time. Same reason why Frazier left for UConn, and another TE went to Stanford. These were all highly rated recruits who wanted to see the field, and not the bench.

None of these players were pushed out, or recruited for filler or simply because they were good students.
I usually stay off ND topics unless they apply to UC, but you know not what you say.

[bearcatbret]

Massa may not be on the team in four years just because BK may not last that long.

[Irishbearcat]

Where would he be going? ND is his dream job, according to him. Had he wanted another big job he would have simply waited another year, or tried to get in on the USC job.
Now, if yer saying that he isnt gonna be successful, kind of premature for that as he did go undefeated last year. Pretty good track record.
I get why many dont like ND or Kelly, but geez.

[cmm27]

I just wonder why this thread hasn't been locked since its now about a player not going to UC and a coach that is coaching another team.

[Lobot]

I just wonder why this thread hasn't been locked since its now about a player not going to UC and a coach that is coaching another team.

Hmm Good point.