We often joke in our office that National Signing Day in college football should be accompanied by The Eagles’ lyrics from “New Kid In Town” – specifically the line about “they’ll never forget you ‘til somebody new comes along.” That’s because recruits who are celebrated one year become forgotten the next when the new batch of prospects arrive. Notre Dame’s current cornerback situation is just one example.
In the 2006 Notre Dame recruiting haul, the Irish signed what on paper appeared to be their best cornerback duo in one class since 1990, the year high school quarterback Tom Carter and Jeff Burris (a USA Today second-team All-American at running back) enrolled, settled in on defense and eventually developed into first-round NFL draft picks. The hope then was Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil could take a similar path in their careers.
Walls, after all, was deemed in many recruiting circles as potentially the top corner prospect in high school before getting slowed by an injury (he still was placed on the USA second-team, just like Burris). Conversely, McNeil was overshadowed by Walls, but his stock soared in meteoric fashion during workouts for the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Game, as well as in the game, while more than holding his own against elite receivers such as Percy Harvin (Florida), Vidal Hazelton (USC) and Terrence Austin (UCLA). Not only was his coverage skills one of the top stories in the event, but he also helped propel his team’s 27-16 victory by returning a blocked kick for a 65-yard touchdown.
“Anyone who wants to know about his cover ability, just go watch the highlights of the All-American game where he’s supposed to be playing against the best and is shutting everybody down,” said Charlie Weis during 2006 Signing Day.
“Coming into this game, I wasn’t very respected as a (cornerback),” McNeil said afterwards. “When I came out here I was relaxed…that made it easier for me in the game.
“Coming right in, (the coaches) told me Darrin and I are the third and fourth (corners). They’ve been telling me they’re in a real bad need.”
The starters that year (2006) were Mike Richardson and Ambrose Wooden – while 2004 recruit Terrail Lambert seemed to be completely forgotten. Lambert was the No. 1 corner prospect on the Notre Dame recruiting board in 2004 and chose the Irish over Florida State. Lambert was a junior, though, in 2006, and emerged as one of the team’s most improved players, highlighted by two interceptions and a score in the 40-37 comeback victory at Michigan State. He had been the forgotten man with Walls and McNeil enrolling (they’ll never forget you ‘til somebody new comes along), but they weren’t ready for a major role – just like Carter and Burris weren’t either.
Of course, Lambert had been “the next big thing” in 2004 when sophomore Richardson was struggling at cornerback before developing into a quality prospect in 2006 and getting drafted by the New England Patriots (where he was in line to be the nickel back before a season-ending injury in 2007).
There is a natural infatuation or gravitation among some fans toward “the guy who hasn’t played yet” because his recruiting hyperbole is fresh, while his predecessors are learning the ropes. Carter, Burris, Richardson, Lambert and even Walls last year are examples of development over time – and it’s McNeil’s time now that Walls, who plans to return to Notre Dame in 2009, according to a close family source, will not be suiting up in 2008.
Sophomore Gary Gray also was a well-regarded prospect, but injuries kept him shelved as a freshman last season and he has a steeper learning curve than McNeil, who played just over 70 minutes in 2007. Freshmen Robert Blanton and Jamoris Slaughter arrive with plenty of promise – but no more than McNeil in 2006.
In the Blue-Gold Game, McNeil was one of the more visible players on defense, recording an 11-yard sack of Jimmy Clausen on a third-down blitz during the game’s first series, breaking up a couple of passes, including one in the red zone, and providing solid coverage while Clausen finished 10 of 27 through the air. McNeil’s feistiness even instigated a skirmish in the end zone after Harrison Smith returned an interception for a 15-yard score. Smith, safety Kyle McCarthy, guard Chris Stewart, defensive end Morrice Richardson and McNeil were rated as BGI’s top 5 players at the end of spring who emerged from the shadows.
The loss of Walls, the team’s best cover man, is a setback that can’t be underestimated, but it can be mitigated by the junior McNeil, who has an opportunity to be one of the most improved players on the team the way other cornerbacks such as Lambert and Richardson were in 2006.
Just like when he went to the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Game, McNeil might not be the most recognized figure on the field, but the opportunity to become one is there. As a junior, it’s his time.
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Walls, after all, was deemed in many recruiting circles as potentially the top corner prospect in high school before getting slowed by an injury (he still was placed on the USA second-team, just like Burris). Conversely, McNeil was overshadowed by Walls, but his stock soared in meteoric fashion during workouts for the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Game, as well as in the game, while more than holding his own against elite receivers such as Percy Harvin (Florida), Vidal Hazelton (USC) and 
