NOTRE DAME'S QB IN 2012: PHILLIP ELY?

Notre Dame lost out on QB Bubba Starling last week when he pulled a bit of a surprise and decided to commit to Nebraska. Part of the reason why Starling committed to Nebraska despite being a heavy lean to Notre Dame was because of his elite baseball status as a prospect and the fact that Notre Dame currently doesn't have a head baseball coach. What looked like a big loss for the Notre Dame football program could become a blessing with the opening of a spot now available for Tampa's Plant High School rising senior Phillip Ely.

Ely is a 4 star QB who replaced now Georgia Bulldogs starter Aaron Murray during his sophomore season when Murray went down with injury. Not a big kid (6'1 186) Ely relies on a quick release to avoid the pass rush and appears to read defenses extremely well. He is being heavily recruited by the likes of LSU, Clemson, and Arizona State. On Tuesday he drove up to South Bend along with his coach to work out for Notre Dame coaches. As you know the drive from Tampa to upstate Indiana isn't very close and this is a great sign that if his workout/tryout goes well that Notre Dame will be picking up the commitment from Ely.

Dayne Crist has three years of eligibility left and will most certainly be the starter in 2010 and 2011. The 5 star QB from California has the tools to be a high draft pick after 2011 and in all likelihood won't come back in 2012 unless he can get into grad school (you can only get a 5th year of eligibility at ND if you qualify for graduate school). The program has 3 freshman this season in Andrew Hendrix, Luke Massa and Tommy Rees who will all compete with Ely to be Crist's replacement if in fact Ely does decide on Notre Dame. Ely looks like a great fit for Brian Kelly's spread offense and has the athleticism to thrive. He also is a proven winner by leading Plant HS to the 5-A State Championships last season, no easy feat in the talent-rich state of Florida.

In conclusion: I want Ely.

Go Irish!