MORE TAKE TWO: Will Georgia lure multiple five-stars from the West Coast?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites or a regional analyst.
THE STORYLINE
When Chris Tyree finalizes his decision this week, relationships are going to play a huge factor and the four-star running back has strong ones with the position coaches at his three finalists - Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Alabama.
The top-rated all-purpose back nationally from Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale is making his commitment Thursday and many believe the Irish have the edge because he has gotten along with position coach Lance Taylor for so long, he would fit the offense well in South Bend and it seems Notre Dame has taken a step up in his recruitment.
But that’s just an educated guess because Tyree recently visited Oklahoma and it was an excellent trip. That offense should fit the four-star well, too, and the Sooners are definitely not giving up. Alabama running backs coach Charles Huff has made Tyree a priority and the Crimson Tide have been known to flex their recruiting muscle time and time again.
Will Notre Dame land the four-star standout or can another national power come in and get him later this week?
FIRST TAKE: EJ HOLLAND, BLUEANDGOLD.COM
“Notre Dame has done a tremendous job of recruiting him. Taylor has built a really strong relationship with him. The thing that they’ve really pitched him on is the need at the running back position. Notre Dame currently has no commits at running back and Tyree could be the only one in the class. Notre Dame had built a really good lead this offseason. I know Oklahoma made a strong impression on him on his visit, but his relationships with the staff, the need at the position and the comfort are factors in Notre Dame’s favor. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t land at Notre Dame when he makes his decision.”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM
“With the ACC deal, Notre Dame has wanted to recruit the ACC footprint more and a dynamic running back from Virginia would be huge for them. That’s where I think he’s going to end up. They’ll utilize him really well in that offense. He’s super quick, he can catch the ball, he can be used as a Curtis Samuel-type when he was at Ohio State.
“Notre Dame really hasn’t had that guy in a few years. Theo Riddick could do a lot of things and Tyree is a smaller version of Riddick. He brings a lot of different options to the offense if they get him.”
