Griffin receives big offer

[PonyPride]

Colleyville (Heritage) DE Kyle Griffin (6-4, 225), who has committed to SMU, received a call Sunday from Notre Dame with an offer for a full scholarship to play for the Irish. The assistant coach explained the late offer by explaining that ND doesn't "over-offer" to a bunch of kids, as some schools do. Griffin was invited to take a last-minute visit to South Bend (where his mother was born, and he still has family in the area), but Griffin told the coach that there's no need to take the visit (he saw the campus over the Christmas holiday when his family visited family in Indiana), because he is firm in his commitment to SMU.

Griffin also was invited for a last-minute visit to Oklahoma State with the promise that there would be a scholarship offer waiting for him in Stillwater, but he gave the Cowboys' coaches the same response: he's firmly committed to SMU.

[PonyTales]

Man, how did this guy slide under the recruiting radar? At the beginning of the season, I saw no mention of him anywhere. But now Miami of Ohio, which had such a terrific season, supposedly wanted him bad. Oklahoma State, which has had about as much recruiting success in recent years as anyone, also wanted him. And Ty Willingham, who showed at Stanford and Notre Dame an ability to identify and sign superior talent, wanted him in South Bend? Well done, coaches!

[Ponymon]

He sounds like the type of guy that we really need! A tall quick defensive end who can pressure the quarterback. I would expect him to be a big boost for our defense, which had trouble pressuring the quarterback last year.

I would expect him also to have a great time at SMU in school as well as his off hours!

[BUS]

Not trying to be mean but... The comment about not getting to the QB last year.... That has been the last few years.

We need never mind you know what I am going to say.

Go Coaches. This year looks like another good recruiting year!!1

[Cheesesteak]

Great story from PonyPride.

Kyle Griffin, despite apparently receiving offers from more successful and prestigious football programs is keeping his commitment to SMU.

As a recruit in the evaluation process he has every right to accept the ND and OSU visit invitations assuming he hasn't exceeded the NCAA limitation.

Kyle's story made me smile because seldom does a week pass without some poster on Ponyfans actually dropping their support for SMU or at least in a moment of frustration proclaiming that they are done with SMU.

Plenty of "I'm out" and I'll find a winner to support" type comments have appeared on this board.

Part of the role of being a genuine fan is remaining loyal to your team(s) year after year.

It is certainly worthwhile to be an activist for positive changes or critical if team achievement is unacceptable especially over a long period of time.

Kyle Griffin has already shown more public commitment to SMU than some boisterous fair-weather SMU fans.

I'll enjoy following his career at SMU.

[PerunaPunch]

I think what got everybody hyped up on Davis was his combination of size (weighs 20+ more pounds than Griffin) and speed (4.7, wasn't it?). So Davis' upside is tremendous.

But leave it to Bennet & Co. to grab the better player.

[No Quarter]

I like Griffins' style! Best wishes for him to have a good career at SMU.

[RedRiverPony]

No kidding - I'm as excited about this guy as anyone I've read about in this year's class. His size might dictate that he's a year away from playing, but man, he sounds impressive.

And I love the fact that he told Notre Dame "no." That's absolutely beautiful. And exactly the type of publicity SMU needs. Welcome to Mustang Nation, Kyle!

[Lefty]

I've read a lot of stuff about this Griffin guy, and he kept reminding me of someone, but I couldn't remember who.

- Defensive lineman
- Overlooked by some big schools
- Tall, but at least by the numbers, too thin
- Sounds like an absolute warrior who battles on every single play
- Sounds fiercely loyal to SMU and its coaches, and the commitment he made to our school

Remind you of anyone? Maybe I'm jumping the gun here, but are we looking at Allan Adami, Part 2? AA was way too thin when he signed, too. Some people questioned if he was signed only because he was Austin's brother. All he's done is add 60 pounds and become the best defensive lineman on the team, and the leader of the defense, the emotional leader.

Maybe I'm way off base on this comparison -- I've never seen Kyle Griffin play, I'm just going on what I've read -- but it just sounds like this guy is a winner through and through. Somehow I just get the sense that he'd do absolutely anything to help the Ponies win.

[Fresh]

Now that's a prediction I hope turns out to be right on the mark. You couldn't have too many Allan Adami-type guys.