Obviously, the Tracy Claes firing and resulting fallout has created chaos at Minnesota. NU offensive line target Blaise Andries is a Minnesota commit who has to be thinking about his status right now. I know that Adam Cushing was supposed to reach out to him to gauge his interest in NU at this time. The Cats would love to top off this class with another tackle, and Andries was one of their top targets from the outset.
The thing about Andries, however, was that he wanted to stay close to home. That, more than a connection to the coaching staff, was why he chose to go to the home-state school. Still, he has to be re-evaluating things in light of the rape scandal, the resulting protest controversy and the firing. Comments like these from QB Mitch Leidner is probably planting some doubt, as well.
I reached out to Andries yesterday but haven't heard anything back (not surprising, as his world has been turned upside down the last few weeks, I'm sure). I also reached out to Matt Jessen-Howard of GopherIllustrated to hear what he had to say; he has yet to respond. I'll keep you posted.
Another note relevant to this situation: three-star tackle Jax Wacaser confirmed to me yesterday that NU is out of the picture for him.
The thing about Andries, however, was that he wanted to stay close to home. That, more than a connection to the coaching staff, was why he chose to go to the home-state school. Still, he has to be re-evaluating things in light of the rape scandal, the resulting protest controversy and the firing. Comments like these from QB Mitch Leidner is probably planting some doubt, as well.
I reached out to Andries yesterday but haven't heard anything back (not surprising, as his world has been turned upside down the last few weeks, I'm sure). I also reached out to Matt Jessen-Howard of GopherIllustrated to hear what he had to say; he has yet to respond. I'll keep you posted.
Another note relevant to this situation: three-star tackle Jax Wacaser confirmed to me yesterday that NU is out of the picture for him.
