Just days after being embarrassed on national television by the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered another loss. No, not coach Brian Kelly who had a very well publicized interview just hours after losing in the national title game, and just days after saying ND is his dream job, with the Philadelphia Eagles. Although that loss may or may not be coming soon, the defection of four star linebacker Alex Anzalone is already here.
And with his bolting for the Florida Gators he now brings the title of #1 recruiting class in college football with him to Gainesville. Anzalone, a four-star inside linebacker, originally had committed to Ohio State before picking Notre Dame over the summer. His father is a Florida graduate. So he’s kind of like another ND big name recruit, QB Gunner Kiel, in that he’s switched colleges twice. He makes this jump just two days before he was set to report/enroll at Notre Dame.
Probably the Brian Kelly uncertainty had something to do with it. So Kelly’s power play for leverage in job security (or maybe he seriously is ready to climb another peg on the ladder) has already cost him something- the possible heir apparent to Manti Te’o.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar, published author and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; he’s also a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.