(12-04-2013 07:02 AM)Marcus Wrote:  

(12-04-2013 02:31 AM)natibcats22 Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 03:35 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 01:06 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(12-03-2013 12:19 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  ND site seems to think he's coming to UC. Not sure whether he'd make much of an impact here, though.

Welch is a talented kid. Probably shouldn't have gone to ND out of HS, but his family have always been big ND people as well as UC fans. I see his uncle at a lot of UC games. I think he could come in and at least be a factor at the TE position. It's unfortunate he doesnt play at more of a need position because UC has some nice talent there already on the roster.

I haven't double-checked their status, but I read that Hendrix, Collinsworth and Massa would also be 5th year seniors at ND and obviously from this area as well. I have no idea if there would be interest on either side but fwiw I do recall reading that Golic was very happy with the initial transition to UC even though his injuries put the kibosh on it before it really got started.

On the other hand, with the hiring of Martin today, Miami might make a LOT of sense for several of them IF they are eligible and looking to transfer for that 5th year to get playing time. Although one hurdle might be finding a grad program fit at Miami.

Heard from Hendrix's family he's going to Miami, that was before they hired Martin. Not sure if they new he was hiring or not but I'm sure he will still be going. Will be a good Jordan Lynch type player in the MAC. Welch is likely coming to UC has family who attend UC and could live at home and walk on if a scholly isn't available. Could use depth at te and can play special teams.

That makes sense to me. I could see Welch being a factor at UC next year. Hendrix not so much, he would be much more of a factor at Miami. I'd love to land Collinsworth but I would imagine ND would let him stick around for his 5th year.

This is from a week ago, but the speculation is both Hendrix and and now Welch may be headed to Miami:

Quote:Notre Dame's Welch, Hendrix eye Miami (Ohio)
December 14, 2013|By Brian Hamilton | Tribune reporter

Alex Welch and Andrew Hendrix may provide some Notre Dame flavor for their former coach at Miami (Ohio).

Welch and Hendrix both are likely to transfer and play their final seasons of eligibility for the RedHawks and their new coach, former Irish offensive coordinator Chuck Martin, multiple sources told the Tribune.

Hendrix, a quarterback who appeared in eight games in 2013, and Welch, a former four-star recruit, both would remain with Notre Dame through the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28. That much Irish coach Brian Kelly made clear in previously confirming that Welch and cornerback Lo Wood would be graduate transfers this offseason.

Neither decision is official and Welch, for one, has multiple options on the table. But reuniting with Martin at Miami (Ohio) is considered the highly likely outcome for the pair of Cincinnati natives, per sources.

Welch and his family were expected to meet with Martin, who was hired on Dec. 3, as soon as Saturday.

Hendrix has played in 16 games for the Irish but did not appear likely to challenge for regular playing time in 2014 with the return of suspended 2012 starter Everett Golson and Malik Zaire entering his sophomore season.

Kelly has said he expected Zaire to provide competition for Golson as well as indicating that keeping four scholarship quarterbacks is not ideal. Four-star quarterback DeShone Kizer is currently committed to the recruiting class of 2014.

"I think four quarterbacks on scholarship is heavy," Kelly said on Dec. 8. "But circumstances sometimes put you in that position, and the circumstances might be that you've inherited quarterbacks that have scholarships already. But if you're working through a natural progression, three and a preferred walk-on would suit me just fine."

In addition, Welch likely was to remain behind at least Troy Niklas and Ben Koyack on the depth chart for 2014. Welch played in 10 games as a sophomore and then missed the entire 2012 season with a torn ACL and never returned to a regular role.

I know this is further OT, but I was rather surprised to see the Kelly quote about preferring 3 QBs and a preferred walk-on given one season at UC in particular.