Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/123805
Under the Dome Ferguson appeared in 11 games as a freshman last year, primarily on special teams, while working as a reserve receiver. photo by joe raymond Meanwhile, Pembroke Pines, Fla., resident Justin Ferguson told his father, Jason, during spring break in the first half of March that his comfort level at Notre Dame was low. His plan is to transfer to an SEC school. "It's a personal decision that he's making to transfer to another program," Jason Ferguson told Sapp. "There are no bitter feelings at all, but unfortunately with this thing called football, it's a business as well. He has to make a decision that is the best for him in the long term. He's going to have to continue making those tough decisions as he grows up and becomes a man." Helping mitigate the defections at receiver was the progress of converted safety C.J. Prosise — a classmate of Neal and Ferguson — and the presence of freshman early enrollees James Onwualu and Corey Robinson. Notre Dame's 2012 recruiting class, which featured 17 players and ranked 12th nationally per 247Sports, saw its second and third defection this spring and fourth since last March. Departing earlier this spring was quarterback Gunner Kiel (Cincinnati). Prior to spring practice last year, cornerback Tee Shepard left the program and is currently enrolled at Holmes Community College in Mississippi. For Kelly, it's merely business as usual in bigtime college football. "There will be more guys leaving and more guys coming," Kelly said. "This is a process that every year you go through." ❏