ESPN

Moderator

  (2:31 PM)

Hey everyone. Darius will be with us shortly. Here's how this is going to go down today: Darius will answer your questions for about 15 minutes. Then Tom will step in for a while. Darius will come back to make his announcement at 3 ET.

Darius Walker

  (2:38 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions.

Stephen (Columbus, OH)

Darius, Did any of the head coaching staffs stand out to you? Any of the teams seem closer knit than the others?

Darius Walker

  (2:40 PM)

All the coaches stood out. It's been special to meet all of them. Stanford stood as out as the closest knit group.

Alex (Foster City CA)

Hey Darius - please take us through a typical day for you during this past fall, what with recruiting, football, school, and of course your home life and social life all grabbing some of your attention.

Darius Walker

  (2:41 PM)

Go to school and classes. Four or five coaches would come by. At home the calls wouldn't stop from coaches and recruiting services. I'd follow that up with studying.

paul (south bend, IN)

Hey Darius, I'm a Notre Dame student, and right now I'm studying abroad for a semester in London - and I'm online to see if you commit to the Irish. My question is: how much does the intensity of fan support matter in your decision, and do any schools stand out in that respect? Good luck!

Darius Walker

  (2:43 PM)

Fan support is big because I have that now in Buford. It's a big key and I love the atmosphere of a big crowd. Notre Dame stood out the most there. The crowd was supportive even though they lost when I was there.

Dave Oaks, Pa

Darius, How important is the coaching staff when it comes to making your choice?

Darius Walker

  (2:46 PM)

Coaching is very important as is academics.

Darius Walker

  (2:47 PM)

I'll be back in a few minutes with my decision.

Tom Lemming

  (2:48 PM)

I'll take a few questions now.

Kyle (Portland)

Will Cameron Colvin join his De La Salle teammates at Oregon?

Tom Lemming

  (2:50 PM)

I would say no. I believe he will select USC over the Ducks and Michigan.

Lefty L.I. N.Y.

with the recent verbals from CHris Pressley,and Marcus Randle EL to and already solid class, if the Wisconsin Badgers lands Bryant Creamer and Tim JAmison, do they have a top 10-15 class?

Tom Lemming

  (2:52 PM)

No. But it could propel them into the Top 20.

David (Owings Mills)

Where do you see Maryland's class ending up? If the Terps get Derrick Harvey, they should be top 15 at worse. And they have a very good shot at Doug Dutch.

Tom Lemming

  (2:54 PM)

I have Maryland in the Top 25 now. If they get Harvey, it could push them into the Top 20.

Tom Lemming

  (2:54 PM)

I believe Doug Dutch will end up at Michigan.

Joe (Auburn)

How can you explain Alabama doing so well in recruiting this year given their recent circumstances?

Tom Lemming

  (2:58 PM)

Two words: hard work. I went through Alabama this past March to visit with the top 40 players, 15 had already received offers from the Tide, while all 40 were receiving daily communications through e-mail or regular mail. Plus, Coach Price and Shula keeping Randy Ross as an administrative assistant was a stroke of genius. He is very well connected with the high school coaches throughout the state.

Scott (Columbus, OH)

Tom, have you ever heard a recruit make a comment reffering to Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno's age as a negative in the recruiting process?

Tom Lemming

  (2:59 PM)

Not really. The only people that bring it up are the schools recruiting against these two legends.

Joe (Massillon, Ohio)

Tom, what is your feeling on Kyle Mitchum? Ohio State, Iowa or West Virginia?

Tom Lemming

  (3:02 PM)

My feeling is Ohio State right now. But he may take an unofficial visit to Iowa City with his coach and that could change things.

Richard (Norman, OK)

Is Franklin Okam going to join Marcus Walker (committed to OU today) north of the border at OU?

Tom Lemming

  (3:04 PM)

In recent talks with Franklin, he has not had a favorite between OU, Texas and Texas AandM.

Eric (Cleveland, OH)

you said walker would commit at 3:00, it is now 3:06 what gives?

Tom Lemming

  (3:05 PM)

Right you are. Here goes.

Darius Walker

  (3:06 PM)

It was a tough decision, but I'm heading to Notre Dame. The combination of the traditiona and academics was too great to pass up. I'm also looking forward to working with Coach Willingham.

Darius Walker

  (3:07 PM)

Thanks for all the questions and interest. I look forward to playing for the Irish next year.

Matt

Tom, what is the latest on Tony Carter?

Tom Lemming

  (3:09 PM)

FSU still leads.

Reuven

What remaining prospects do you see coming to Miami? For some reason, you are not mentioning us with Fred Davis, even though all indications are that he is a Cane

Tom Lemming

  (3:12 PM)

My belief is that Davis will end up with USC. However, I believe that the nation's most athletic linebacker, Willie Williams, will be a 'Cane.

Mike

Tom, What's the latest on X. Carter?

Tom Lemming

  (3:13 PM)

Carter has not dropped anyone. The candidates are still Florida, FSU, LSU, Tennessee and Miami.

Tom Lemming

  (3:14 PM)

I still think it will be Florida or LSU.

Nate (Peoria, IL)

I heard coach willingham spent several hours at toal's house. where do the irish stand with him?

Tom Lemming

  (3:16 PM)

The rumor was that Willingham spent seven hours in Toal's house just to convince him to visit. That's almost unheard of it. That shows you the extent Ty will go to land a top player. However, if a coach has to spend that much time, the player will commit on the spot or the coach is desparately trying to land a fifth visit. The truth is in the latter here.

Tom Lemming

  (3:17 PM)

That's it. We could have a major commitment and a short chat tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET. Check back with us later and thanks again.

Tom Lemming

  (3:18 PM)

That would be tomorrow at 1 ET.