[Notre Dame News]

Up to the minute news about Notre Dame from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Notre Dame news so you can chat about here.

Cubs.com Cubs Draft Notre Dame's Samardzija In 5th-Round While Cooper Goes ...
CSTV.com, NY - 11 hours ago
... top draft picks in Notre Dame history and likely would have been selected a few rounds higher, if not for his dual commitment to the Notre Dame football program ...
Cubs toss a pass to Irish WR Chicago Tribune
Cubs hoping ND receiver turns into a solid catch Aurora Beacon News
Notre Dame WR Samardzija drafted by Cubs Rotoworld.com
nwitimes.com - MLB.com - all 22 related

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 23:16:00 GMT

Post your comments about this story here.

[Lefty Noob]

Everybody focuses on Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija's football career, but he's one heck of a baseball player too. He was named the 20th best prospect in the draft by Baseball America, but slipped to the Cubs in the 5th round because of his desire to keep playing wide receiver. When push comes to shove, which sport do you guys think he'll eventually go pro in? My money's on baseball; he's a good WR, but I'm not sure he's NFL caliber. He definitely is an MLB quality pitcher.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Everybody focuses on Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija's football career, but he's one heck of a baseball player too. He was named the 20th best prospect in the draft by Baseball America, but slipped to the Cubs in the 5th round because of his desire to keep playing wide receiver. When push comes to shove, which sport do you guys think he'll eventually go pro in? My money's on baseball; he's a good WR, but I'm not sure he's NFL caliber. He definitely is an MLB quality pitcher.

Baseball is his best bet...a top 20 prospect in baseball is a sure big signing bonus...no guarentee on the gridiron...

The Irish had a bid year in baseball...

[Notre Dame News]

Up to the minute news about Notre Dame from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Notre Dame news so you can chat about here.

Cubs.com Cubs agree to terms with Notre Dame wide receiver
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 14 hours ago
... The native of Valparaiso, Indiana was a major part of Notre Dame's success on the football field in 2005, catching a season-record 15 touchdown passes. ...
Notre Dame receiver reaches deal with Cubs MSNBC
Cubs Sign Wide Receiver, Next Look to Improve Pass Rush All-Baseball.com
Notre Dame standout will be at tonight's game IdahoStatesman.com
ESPN - Cubs.com - all 30 related

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 20:57:00 GMT

Post your comments about this story here.

[Lefty Noob]

Looks like Jeff Samardzija's future may be in baseball after all, as he has agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs. According to this report, "In 50 career baseball games for the Irish, including 31 starts, Samardzija owns a career record of 21-6 with a 3.82 ERA." Thankfully, though, he will be coming back to play as a senior with the Fightin' Irish football team.

[david murray]

I agree, I think his future is in baseball but I think he could be a top notch wide receiver in the NFL if he wanted to be though. He's just a great athlete--he's 6-5, runs a 4.5 forty and is tough. I read where he was quite a basketball player in high school, and a pretty good hockey player too. I know he has been pretty adamant about coming back to play his senior year in football--the Irish have a real shot at a national title I think-- and I'm glad the Cubs didn't make it a condition of his contract that he not play football. They can probably void his contract if he gets hurt though--what do you think? Bottom line I guess is that he's taking a risk and showing alot of loyalty to join his teammates in going for the title, don't you think? Kind of shows you what kind of a young man he is, you know?

[Lefty Noob]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, David, and thanks for joining us. I, too, am glad to see that the Cubs are allowing Samardzija to play for the Irish this season. Notre Dame hasn't had this good of a chance for a national championship since Holtz left. I just hope it all works out for the kid; I'd hate to see Samardzija do something like this only to him get injured as a result, you know?

[david murray]

Thanks Lefty, it's good to be here! The Irish definitely have a great chance at the national title, and I'm looking forward to the season--Samardzija is going to have a huge year, I think. Who is going to step in as tight end in place of Anthony Fasano, who went to Dallas?

[Lefty Noob]

That's a good question - according to NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH, The Official Athletic Site the team has two lettermen returning at the tight end position, Marcus Freeman and John Carlson. I imagine both will see time but I don't know which will step up and be the starter.

[david murray]

Lefty, as you mentioned in another thread, the Irish also lost Wide receiver Maurice Stovall, who was drafted by Tampa Bay--by the way, I think he is going to be a tremendous pro player--so Brady Quinn has lost some major targets since last season. I was reading where Darius Walker, their 1,000 yard rusher, is a pretty good receiver--he caught 36 last year, just one short of a venerable school record which could well fall this year--37 catches by a running back, Bob Gladieux in 1968. The other wide receiver is apparently going to be Rhema McKnight, who was the team's leading receiver in 2004 and was hurt for most of last year--it seems his injury opened the way for Samardzija who pretty much came out of nowhere. Who else is gonna catch some Brady Quinn passes this year?

[Lefty Noob]

Can't say that I know for sure, but I don't doubt Weis will come up with someone to catch the ball in '06. David, have you (or has anyone else reading this) heard anything coming out of the spring drills about possible WR candidates emerging?