Notre Dame junior cornerback Darrin Walls, a potential future star for the Fighting Irish and a small silver lining in the cloud that was the dismal 2007 season, won't be attending the school in the fall of 2008.
His reasons were personal and there is speculation as always as to why that was (bad grades, poor attendance, family sickness, etc). Whatever the case may be, he will be returning to his home in Pittsburgh, PA at the close of the summer semester.
Sophomore Gary Gray was listed as the backup for Walls this season, and junior Raeshon McNeil was posted as the nickel behind Senior CB Terrail Lambert.
In my opinion, the secondary was the most talented and deepest part of a new explosive defense, led by DC Corwyn Brown and Asst Def HC Jon Tenuta. With this highly touted defensive backfield (Brown's focal point), it would allow more time for a new pass rush led by senior Maurice Crum, Jr. and his fellow linebackers (Tenuta's focal point).
The loss of Darrin Walls is a disappointment to Notre Dame fans everywhere, and we all wish him well and look forward to his return in the 2009-2010 season. In the meantime, senior safety David Bruton, who was named to the Thorpe watch list this season, will have to be more of a leader after this heartbreaking loss.
Also, senior wide receiver D.J. Hord will be transferring to a Division I-AA school, more than likely due to the fact that he saw the writing on the wall in the form of little playing time. D.J. Hord was deep on the depth chart behind fellow senior David Grimes, sophomore Duval Kamara, and even freshman Michael Floyd.
I wish all ND players the greatest of luck in the future, and the same goes for Hord.
comments (4) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
I had high hopes for D.J. when he arrived as a freshman, but after tearing his achilles the following spring, he's apparently never been the same. I bet he thought he'd give it the ol' college try this year until seeing Michael Floyd in person. I would also like to wish good luck to D.J. on his new path.
As for Walls, well that's a heartbreaker. For all that's been said about the strength of the secondary, the depth is now dangerously thin. It's not a stretch to think Raeshon McNeil could step up in his junior season with two years of nickel and dime experience. However, that leaves no game experience coming off the bench.
Trevor Laws said sophomore Gary Gray would be the best defensive newcomer in '08, but as we learned last year, experience shouldn't be underestimated. I also didn't like the way Gray let Golden Tate run right past him at the end of the spring game. I think Irish fans have seen just about enough of that from the secondary in recent years.
Walls' absence this year could be a blessing in disguise, in the long run. The '10 team could use Walls' fifth year of eligibility when this year's stellar freshman class will be eyeing a title run. Then again, how does Darrin get into grad school with rumored academic problems?
from 2 months ago
I didn't like the way Gary Gray let Golden Tate run right past him in the spring game, either. I loved the way Golden Tate ran right past Gary Gray in the spring game. There's a funny contradiction. I was trying to figure out if Walls does return, which I hope he does, will he play in 2010? That should, hopefully, be a NC contention year and the presence of DWalls would be a big help. I was hoping you could give me more insight as to the actual reason he left. I can't find any definate reasons. I hope it isn't academics for the exact reason you stated.
from 2 months ago
The University hasn't specified why Walls left, but I read an anonymous blog on NDNation.com about a week before the news broke that mentioned academics.
from 2 months ago
There's no need to discuss any further why Walls left. Whatever the reasons for his departure they are certainly none of our business. I wish Darrin the best and hope he returns in '09. Go Irish.
write a new comment