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Dayne Crist , U of Notre Dame |
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| 2/12/08 - Dayne Crist, Notre Dame HS |
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California's Top Senior Quarterback, Gives DeBartolo Sports U the Scoop on Notre Dame's 2008 Recruiting Class
"This class is definitely going to be the class that’s known for getting the Fighting Irish back on the map."
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DSU : Signing Day has come and gone. Evaluate Notre Dame’s class and tell me what you think about your future teammates?
DC: This class is definitely going to be something special. We’ve definitely got some athletes up at Notre Dame already, but this class is definitely going to be the class that’s known for getting the Fighting Irish back on the map. There is a ton of talent, a ton of explosiveness, and this class filled a lot of holes that were needed up at Notre Dame.
DSU: Talk about Mike Floyd, probably the best receiver in Notre Dame's class…
DC: …If not in the entire country. Mike Floyd is one heckuva player. For a kid just coming out of high school he’s already so fundamentally sound. He runs great routes and it’s because of that route running ability he creates so much separation from defenders. He makes a quarterback’s job so much easier. Mike and I are great friends off the field. We got to know each other very well at our post season All-American game and actually hooked up for a touchdown in the game. He was my favorite target all week and I look forward to throwing with him up in South Bend.
DSU: It doesn't stop there, you have another reliable pair of hands in Deion Walker:
DC: Deion is an athlete. I’ll tell you that much right now. He’s also a 5-star basketball prospect with tons of offers there. He has tremendous jumping ability and is incredibly fast. I know he was nursing an injury towards the end of his senior season, but he put up some amazing numbers during his junior year. I think he and Mike Floyd are going to compliment one another and are going to play extremely well together. It’s going to be great being able to throw to those two guys.
DSU: Now when you're not airing it out to Mike Floyd and Deion Walker, you get to hand the ball off to.... Jonas Gray. Talk to me about Jonas.
DC: First of all Jonas is a great guy. I’ll put that one out there. Jonas and I are probably going to be incredible friends throughout college. We talk about three or four times a week, but on the field he is a monster. He’s such a durable running back. I know Coach Weis talked about this in his press conference a few days ago, but Jonas averaged roughly 7.4 YPC while carrying the ball a ridiculous number of times. He has great stamina on the field and great vision in seeing his blocks develop. He definitely works hard in the weight room and in his training. That has really translated into his on-field success
DSU: Have you had time to catch up with Jimmy Clausen? What's the communication been like with one another?
DC: Absolutely, Jimmy and I talk once a week. He and I plan a weekly call to make sure we get on the phone and talk about classes, what’s going on up there, what’s going on down here, etc. He has come down and thrown with me a couple times. We’re going to get together on occasion to keep that up and to just hang out. It’s good to have someone already up there who keeps you informed of what’s going on.
DSU: Now that your high school career has come to a close what sticks out as the highlight from playing at Notre Dame High School?
DC: The highlight playing at Notre Dame would probably be during my senior year when I broke the single season school record for passing yards. We’ve had a lot of great quarterbacks come out of Notre Dame High School so that was a special moment for me. Also, we beat Canyon my junior year 18-17 on national television. They were the #1 team in the state. I remember that was the game I played with two broken vertebrae in my back. Despite that, I managed to lead my team to a come from behind victory late in the fourth quarter. So that was a really cool experience that I’ll never forget.
DSU: Now that High School football is up and we enter into the spring season, or what’s known around here as “camp season,” what is it you shift your focus towards? You have your commitment taken care of, obviously you don’t have to go out and impress anybody, but what have you directed your focus towards?
DC: I’m focused on getting better. As a quarterback you’re never satisfied with where you’re currently at. Unless you’re 100% every single time you are never happy, and that’s not happening with me. It’s great to come out and work with Steve. He is obviously the best at what he does. Being able to work with a guy like that and constantly receive such a high level of coaching has really has helped me out and will make me better in the long run.
DSU: What are some techniques and fundamentals that you look to improve on by coming out here with Steve?
DC: I work on tying in my footwork with my accuracy. If you have good feet you will throw an accurate football, and if you have sloppy feet the ball is going to come out sloppy. I’m just trying to remain controlled in my drops, tie my footwork in with my arm, and time all of body movements together.
DSU: Evaluate yourself today, how did the workout go?
DC: I think today was a pretty good first day. Obviously I’m shaking off some rust. I haven’t been able to throw in a couple weeks because I’ve been sick, but getting out here and being able to throw is great. I’m looking forward to getting better in these upcoming weeks.
DSU: Off the field what does Dayne Crist do to kill time?
DC: I just hang out with friends, constantly staying on that X-Box 360 and playing around on that. I play a little Guitar Hero, hang out with my girlfriend, and just try to relax. Obviously, if there are any football games on we’ll be watching those. I’m always trying to pick up on some tips from guys who are playing quarterback really well.
DSU: The hot question right now in the recruiting world, Where will Terrelle Pryor sign?
DC: Contrary to common belief I think Terrelle Pryor will end up at Ohio State. He’s got a lot of good friends up there, and at the All-American game he was always seen with the Ohio State guys. I think he’ll fit in real well with Coach Tressel and everyone up there.
DSU: Under the fathers persuasion you don’t think Penn State stands a chance?
DC: Not at all. I don’t think Penn State is happening.
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