Vanderdoes Down To Notre Dame And Alabama?
By Andrew Hall
Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Louis Nix III (9) reacts during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Message boards were alive today with rumor about where Vanderdoes would be attending college in the fall of 2013. Vanderdoes had declared before this weekend that he would not be doing any interviews with the media until National Signing Day. Therefore, truly knowing what Vanderdoes is feeling at this point about his decision is speculation.
For those who are unaware, Vanderdoes is a 5-star Defensive Line prospect from Placer, California. He starred in the US Army All-American Bowl. Despite being told that he would play at Defensive End, Notre Dame fans hope that he can replace Nose Guard Louis Nix.
Vanderdoes has reportedly narrowed his decision to Notre Dame and Alabama. Furthermore, Notre Dame is his likely destination with his mother in favor of Notre Dame. This report would have had to come from a source inside the Notre Dame Athletic Department.
This seems extremely unlikely however. Vanderdoes had always had a Top 5 of USC, UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame and Alabama. The Tide and Irish were relative newcomers to his recruitment. Vanderdoes was committed to the Trojans until the week of the US Army All-American Bowl. It is not surprising that USC would be the final destination. But, to completely drop the other two West Coast programs just nine days before National Signing Day seems odd.
If it is true, the visit to Tuscaloosa would be critical for Alabama in landing the 5-star Defensive Linemen. Obviously, if he would not make the trip to Alabama, that would mean he has most likely selected the Irish as his final destination. But, Vanderdoes reopened his recruitment for a reason. He wanted to see what was out there. Only visiting Notre Dame does not seem to follow with that line of thinking.
Most likely, Vanderdoes is still considering USC, UCLA, Notre Dame and Alabama. Notre Dame definitely made a good impression this weekend. The parents are typically in the corner of the Fighting Irish because of what they can offer off of the field to the potential student athlete. Notre Dame, along with everyone else, will have to wait until February 6th to know if they did enough.
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