FSU commit Vandarius Cowan reviews Irish Invasion visit
Lukewarm.
That's the way four-star outside linebacker Vandarius Cowan described his visit to Notre Dame last weekend for Irish Invasion.
“It started out slow," he said. "It was kind of boring at first, but it turned out to be fun.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement. But, campus aside, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound 2017 prospect must have developed a meaningful relationship with the Irish coaching staff, right?
“I’m not that close with those guys. I’ve seen them a couple times," Cowan said. "They used to come to the school to see Te’von (Coney). "But when I got up there I got close with Coach Mo (graduate assistant Maurice Crum) and the linebackers coach (defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder). Those were the guys that I spent most of my time with.”
OK, so Cowan thought the campus was kind of boring, and he isn't that close with the coaching staff. Got it. But what was that about Notre Dame freshman linebacker Te'von Coney? The two played together at Palm Beach Gardens High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. So is it possible Coney is recruiting his former teammate to South Bend?
“I don’t really think we’re that close," Cowan said. "It was nice to see him and it was nice to go up there. My last day there, me, Te’von, Jaylon (Smith) and (three-star safety and high school teammate) Devin (Studstill) all went to Buffalo Wild Wings and talked about stuff.”
It's hard to imagine they talked about Cowan's love for Notre Dame, considering the prospect's lukewarm review. And even a dose of competition, in the form of the Irish Invasion camp inside Notre Dame Stadium on Friday night, was underwhelming.
“There was really no competition for me out there, actually," Cowan said. "Most of those guys were overrated. I told Stud (Studstill) half of those guys were 5-star DB’s or 4-star DB’s, but I didn’t really see competition.”
There was nothing lukewarm, however, about Cowan's feelings for Florida State, the team he verbally committed to on June 11.
“That’s my school," he said. "I can see myself playing there. I love the campus. I love the players. I love the coaching staff. It’s been my favorite school since I was younger.”
Cowan, who is ranked as a four-star prospect in the 2017 class by 247Sports, has received scholarship offers from Florida State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan State, Louisville, West Virginia and Notre Dame, among others.
And though he hasn't completely closed down his recruitment, there doesn't seem to be much reason to expect a change of heart in favor of Notre Dame.
“I’m 95 percent Florida State and 5 percent open," Cowan said. "I’m going to keep 5 percent open until signing day in case something happens like the coaching staff changes or they have a downfall or something.”
Norte Dame was Actually better then I thought
— NoDayssOff_24 (@vandarius98) June 21, 2015//
mvorel@ndinsider.com
574-235-6428
Twitter: @mikevorel
