What they're saying: Reaction to Tommy Rees leaving Notre Dame for Alabama
Keyboard warriors have their thoughts on Alabama hiring offensive coordinator Tommy Rees away from Notre Dame. But what do those who have played the game and/or are still playing the game think of the move?
Mostly good — great — things.
Take it from ESPN college football analyst and former Georgia linebacker David Pollack, who said Rees is “a legit stud play caller.” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a 12-year quarterback veteran in the NFL and a current pro and college football analyst, said Rees is “gonna absolutely slaughter it at Bama.” That’s a good thing in 2023’s terms for those who aren’t sure at home.
Rees recruited five-star class of 2024 quarterback recruit Julian Sayin. He tried to get him to commit to Notre Dame. Sayin instead chose Alabama. Now the two will team up together after all. In light of that news, Sayin said Rees “is a great offensive mind.”
Current Notre Dame players seemed to understand Rees’ move. Wide receiver Jayden Thomas said “this one hurt but nun but Love and Respect for” Rees. Running back Logan Diggs said he’s a “firm believer in doing what’s best for you and chasing your dreams.”
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Thomas and Diggs were two of the most important players in Rees’ offense at Notre Dame in 2022. The former led all Notre Dame wide receivers with 361 yards. Three of his 25 catches were touchdowns. The latter led the team in carries with 165. He had 822 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground. He also caught 10 passes for 211 yards and 2 more TDs.
Then, there were tweets from Notre Dame players meant to show they’re still 100 percent locked in on what the Irish are trying to accomplish in 2023. Those ones speak for themselves. The loudest among them? Wake Forest graduate transfer quarterback Sam Hartman letting the world know he’s fully focused on what’s taking place in South Bend.
Rees has spent 10 — four as a player and six as an assistant coach — of his 30 years on earth around the Notre Dame football program. It was a long shot he’d end up staying forever. He ultimately left to work for the greatest college football coach of all time.
At the end of the day, you can’t fault him for that.
