A few different publications have features on Raeshon after media days, and BGI has a solid one here, along with video of Raeshon and Gary Gray.

Raeshon has had an interesting journey so far - coming in highly touted, with a sick Army All-American game (if you remember), but was beat out by his best friend Darrin Walls and a few more-senior players for a starting position.

With Walls gone for the Fall, it’s on McNeil and Gray (along with the young but talented Frosh DB corps) to fill in the gap.   After some time adjusting, and working through some personality conflict issues with Coach Brown, it sounds like Raeshon is ready to go.

On the change from High School ball to Notre Dame:

“I think I’m definitely ready to make an impact,” McNeil said. “At this level, things are happening a lot faster. This game is more mental than physical, especially out at corner. You really have to have your mind right, and it takes a little time…You’re no longer the fastest and biggest guy. Sometimes a guy is a lot faster and a little more athletic. You have to mentally think how you’re going to play certain people to play to your strengths.

“A lot of high school players, especially high-profile players, think you’re going to dominate just like high school, but it’s a totally different game. I just played my role, learned techniques, I feel it’s made me a better player. Coming from high school, you don’t really know what it’s about. You get to camp and they start throwing all these things at you, you realize it’s a little different. Game-time is definitely different. My first game I remember getting out there (versus Penn State in 2006) and the very first play, it seemed the play was over before I even knew it. It went so fast. You hear about it, but it’s really different once you’ve been out there.”

On his relationship with Corwin:

“We have a real good relationship now,” said McNeil of Brown. “We bumped heads a couple of times last year, but we’ve worked things out. He had a really strong personality, I had a really strong personality…we realized that and are on the same page now. I felt during the middle of the season I kind of hit a snag, I wasn’t playing quite as well as the beginning of the season, which kind of bumped me down. Toward the end, I started picking it up again.

“Last spring I felt good. Maybe there were just not an understanding of how I am and how he was. All of that is in the past.”

It’s really nice to hear that Raeshon and Corwin are on the same page.  After whispered rumors of a potential transfer last year, it’s really really good to hear this. 

And while the departure of Walls for the season has helped move Raeshon into a position to take on a starting role, he’s not all happy about it.  He’d like his friend back:

“I felt terrible,” said McNeil upon hearing that Walls would not be with the 2008 squad. “I would much rather have him here. He’s probably my best friend here. We were roommates at games and during the summer. I can’t wait for him to get back. I talk to him almost every day. He’s definitely planning to return. It’s tough to not have him out there. Darrin was one our best cover corners, easily.”

Obviously good news on Darrin planning to return in the Spring.  Good news that Raeshon isn’t one to be happy for his friend’s situation.  And good news in that it sounds like Raeshon is ready to fill in for Walls during his extended break.  With Gray pushing him, and experienced Lambert on the other side, it sounds like the ND backfield should once again be a strength.   Corwin’s presence and focus on coaching DB’s should only help as well.  Given the aggressive scheme that ND plans to employ this year, close, tight, shut-down play from both corners will be key to the success of the Irish D.  We’ll see soon enough if Raeshon is up for the challenge.

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