Rockne's Roundtable

It really seems that he understands the reasons to be at Notre Dame. I hope that he can remain focused on all the positives he is getting day in and day out from a Notre Dame education and put all the negatives... which there are a number of... to the back of his mind.

More from Nix:

On what keeps him going:

"My family and my girlfriend. She’s right by side every day. She keeps me in line."

On Kelly wanting more consistency from Nix in practice:

"Just go out and be consistent every day. Obviously I’m not doing something right. I just need to work on it. He wants me to be on my 'A' game every practice and not my 'B' game — ‘B’ is for average players, ‘A’ is for great players. That’s what he wants.

"I know when I have good practices; I know when I have bad ones. If it’s not a good enough practice, I would like to be told. If I want to make it, I’ve got to bring my ‘A’ game. I don’t take it to heart or anything."

Kelly said he doesn't worry about Nix's spirits when checking up on players in the locker room:

"Louis has never had his head down. He's always got something to say. He's always upbeat. He's got that personality. He's not a guy when I go in the locker room that I'm worried about Big Lou."

More from Kelly:

"I couldn't say that I sense when I'm around him that homesickness has anything to do with how he goes to work. It's just, he has to work hard every day... If he is going through anything it's just a matter of life at Notre Dame."

The question would be "why does ND seem to have this problem more than some of the other midwestern schools, like Michigan and Ohio State?" Or maybe that's just perception because the ND incidents get played up more?

Plenty of highly intelligent and successful people come from schools not named Notre Dame. I love the Irish as much as anyone but lets be real here especially for a student-athlete who takes on even more commitment.

Great piece. I can't believe it doesn't matter to him "who starts."
While I agree due to the demand on the position both will get a lot of reps, this sure sounds like someone who is prepared to be the next man in. Kona must have really stepped it up.

This kid gets way too much attention for being an average at best player. It goes to show you how far the program has fallen over the years. Could care a less if he transfers!!!

We might want to tread lightly here. Lynch and his hiatus was nothing but rumor for some time but then the leak sprung and he was gone. So we do indeed need to investigate numerous rumors. McDonald recently snuck out. A big time recruit that we no longer have. I like Brian Kelly and I thought the choice was a natural fit and would eventually work out. But, as time moves on, Kelly and his staff are slipping in recruiting and their ability to install confidence and swagger in this team. He needs to surround himself with smarter, more energetic coaches. Nix can be replaced easily. I hate to lose anyone and have waited for Nix to break out which, in my honest opinion, he HAS NOT. Losing Lynch is devastating. But, seeing him leave, nothing would surprise the Irish faithful right now. Throw water on this but look for sparks. I agree with Buzzboy.