You are almost right, taylor Dever was not elite but I remember that he did a good job at left tackle when he was an afterthought under the previous regime
ESB will go in the 3rd/4th to someone thinking they can get him to give a shit and are getting wr1 skills.
Congrats Druce! 2 top 10 Olinemen and a baby in the last 24 hours, i don't know if ND fans can handle that
Spoiler With 2019 recruiting now in full gear, we’re debuting our ISD Heat Check feature, which will check the temperature on some key Notre Dame targets on a weekly basis. We start with offense this week and next Friday, we’ll do defense and alternate each week. QB Graham Mertz (MILD) The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has been committed to Wisconsin since October, but Notre Dame remained in contact after he camped in South Bend over the summer and extended an offer a couple weeks back. It’s doubtful the Irish would have done so if Mertz hadn’t expressed some decent interest, but exactly what that interest may be isn’t yet known. If Mertz makes a visit to South Bend, which seems likely at this point, that would be a stronger indication of how serious he is. RB Kenan Christon (MILD) The San Diego native told ISD he was ready to do “backflips” when he scored his offer from Notre Dame in late-March. A 4.0-student, Christon is impressed by Notre Dame’s combination of academics and athletics. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder is looking at taking a visit to South Bend sometime this summer as he’s hoping to make a decision before the start of his senior season. No surprise, the Irish will need to battle West Coast powers, including USC, UCLA and Stanford, to get him. RB Julius Davis (MILD) Like Mertz, Notre Dame wouldn’t have extended an offer to Davis, also a longtime Wisconsin commit, unless there was some expressed interest on his part. In fact, we were well aware of that interest long before the Irish offered. Davis’ support system is keeping him grounded and likely keep him looking at what college will provide the best opportunity for him on the field and in the future. Like Mertz, his temperature would rise with a trip to South Bend, which is expected. LSU and USC have also extended offers while several other major programs are poking around. RB Austin Jones (MILD) Another case of Notre Dame trying to go into California and pluck a prospect from the likes of Stanford, UCLA, Cal and Oregon. The Irish know what they’re going up against when they get into these fights and try to choose those battles carefully. Brian Polian has made a strong early impression on the Oakland native. After not being sure initially, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder now seems to be leaning toward taking his officials in the fall, which should make it easier for Notre Dame to get on the itinerary. A standout in the classroom, Stanford looks like the favorite at this point. RB Kyren Williams (WARM) The four-star prospect visited Notre Dame for Junior Day and was blown away by the opportunities on and off the field. Much like Stanford and other programs, the Irish explained to Williams they saw him working in at running back. Williams just finished up a visit to Michigan last weekend, where the Wolverines did make a move, but expect Williams back in South Bend sooner than later. Cornelius Johnson WR David Bell (COOL) Notre Dame got in with the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder, who may be the top overall prospect in the state of Indiana, relatively early. The Irish have managed to get the Indianapolis native on campus a couple times already, but he hasn’t visited yet this spring despite making plans to do so. Once, this seemed destined to be a Notre Dame-Ohio State battle, but while the Buckeyes remain one of the favorites, other Midwestern programs like Iowa, Purdue, Indiana and Penn State look to be in better shape than the Irish right now. It doesn’t look like Notre Dame will give up just yet and if the Irish can get him back to South Bend soon, they may be able to get right back in this. WR John Dunmore (COOL) The Florida wideout has told ISD the Notre Dame offer “means a great deal” to him. He’s been told all about the history and tradition of the school and appreciates the communication he’s received from the Notre Dame staff, including Brian Kelly. He said he would “love” to visit South Bend and that it’s one of the trips at the top of his list to make, but hasn’t nailed down a date just yet. He has taken recent visits to Florida State, Ohio State and Michigan, which was an official, with a visit to Florida coming this weekend. Until he visits Notre Dame, it’s hard to see the Irish as a true contender. WR Kyle Ford (COOL) The California native keeps hinting at a visit, but he has yet to lock it in. Until he does, it’s hard to the Irish in this race. Notre Dame would love to get him on campus but getting him to set a visit is the first step. WR Genson Hooper (MILD) The Texan has been somewhat low-key with his recruiting process, but he was excited about the idea of Notre Dame even before the Irish extended an offer back in February. With the blend of academics and athletics, Hooper told ISD it “sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.” Hooper’s offer sheet includes schools like Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Cal, Virginia and Duke as well as Michigan State, Tennessee and Ole Miss among others. If Notre Dame can get him to South Bend for a visit, it will have a legitimate chance. WR Cornelius Johnson (WARM) Perhaps Notre Dame’s best chance for a top wideout this cycle. The Connecticut native was in South Bend for March’s Junior Day and left with a scholarship offer from the Irish. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder was impressed with just about everything he saw and Notre Dame secured its spot as one of the favorites moving forward. It won’t be an easy race though as Michigan and Penn State followed suit with offers and are also considered contenders at this point. The Brunswick School standout hasn’t identified a timeline just yet. He played with 2020 Notre Dame quarterback commit Drew Pyne in middle school, although he told ISD Pyne’s decision won’t have a significant impact on his own. WR John Metchie (WARM) Along with Johnson, Metchie is another good bet for the Irish at this point. He landed his offer from Notre Dame in January and immediately started looking into dates to visit South Bend. He was on campus in mid-April and told ISD it was “a great visit.” He confirmed that Notre Dame is “definitely somewhere at the top of my list.” Other schools up there include Penn State and Michigan, two schools that talked to him about potentially joining their 2018 classes. A native of Canada, Metchie moved to the States for high school in Baltimore. He doesn’t have a timeline for a decision. WR Zion Puckett (COOL) The Georgia native told ISD he talks with Irish wide receivers coach Del Alexander “all of the time.” The Notre Dame offer was a big one for the 6-foot-1, 192-pounder, who was proud to land the scholarship, not just because of what it says about him as an athlete, but also as a student. He said Notre Dame would likely be one of his official visits. He’s taken recent visits to Florida, Ohio State and Alabama, so it will be imperative on the Irish to get him on campus. WR TJ Sheffield (WARM) Sheffield is looking for the balance of academics and athletics, which puts Notre Dame at the top of his list. The speedy receiver see’s a fit in the Irish offense and already visited for Junior Day. Notre Dame will need to get him back on campus soon, but we’d be shocked if he didn’t take an official visit. WR Jake Smith (COLD) Notre Dame made an impression on the electric Arizona wideout when he visited South Bend for its January Junior Day, but other schools have apparently made stronger impressions. Smith seems focused on USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Texas, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama and Auburn. Having already made their pitch to Smith in South Bend, it’s difficult to see where the Irish can create the momentum to get back in this one. Ethan Rae TE Luke Deal (MILD) The South Carolina target has an announcement scheduled for May 25th. He’ll be choosing between Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, North Carolina State, Auburn and Clemson. He’s already taken officials to the three Midwestern schools on his list along with NC State. He heads to Auburn for an official this weekend. Deal came into his Notre Dame official with high expectations, but told ISD those expectations were exceeded. He loves the way the Irish use their tight ends, felt like he would fit in around the players and students in South Bend. He was also thoroughly impressed by the academic scene at Notre Dame as well as the coaching staff. Clemson remains the perceived favorite. TE Hudson Henry (COOL) Arkansas has always been considered the overwhelming favorite considering it’s not just the in-state school where his brother starred at the position, but also more of a family school for Henry. Schools like Stanford, Michigan and Penn State have also caught his attention. That being said Notre Dame was an offer he was excited about because of the academics, athletics and the way the tight end is used in the offense. His former teammate at Pulaski Academy, offensive lineman Luke Jones, signed with the Irish in the Class of 2018 and he was impressed by his Junior Day visit back in January. TE Ethan Rae (WARM) Rae made the trip out to Notre Dame for a spring visit and was impressed with everything he saw. Taking in practice was a big thing for him as he saw exactly how the tight ends are used. It will be tough to pull him off the West Coast but Notre Dame could be just the school to do so. Expect Rae back for an official visit in the fall. TE Jude Wolfe (WARM) Wolfe visited in January and loved the visit. We’re told Wolfe is still talking about the visit at times and the atmosphere around the program made a difference to him. Much like Rae, it might be a tough pull off the West Coast, but Notre Dame did enough for a return visit. USC is definitely in play and will be tough to beat, but the Irish are right there. Rick Kimball/ISD Quinn Carroll OL Quinn Carroll (HOT) This one isn’t over just yet, but things are trending in Notre Dame’s favor in our eyes. He has strong ties to other schools in his top six – specifically Virginia Tech, where his brother played, and Minnesota, the in-state school where his father played. Penn State is also high on the list while Ohio State and Wisconsin round out his leaders. But we felt the Irish were the favorites even before last weekend’s official visit and coming out of it, seems like Notre Dame only strengthened its position. Carroll is the type of prospect who can take his time without the pressure jeopardizing his spot at any of the schools, but a decision is expected within the next few weeks. OL Zeke Correll (WARM) The Ohio native has been near the top of Notre Dame’s Wish List on the offensive line for some time. Correll’s brother attends Law School at Notre Dame and he’s been to campus multiple times, including twice in the last couple months. The Anderson High School standout likes what he he’s seen from Irish offensive line coach Jeff Quinn and strength coach Matt Balis. He’s also considering schools like Clemson, Alabama, Penn State and Stanford, but this one has looked like a Notre Dame-Ohio State battle for a long time. He could take this into the fall as he’s told us he would likely schedule official visits during the spring if he thought he was close and he hasn’t done that yet. OL Harry Miller (COOL) Another elite offensive line target the Irish are strongly in the mix for, although probably not as likely as of the others on the list. The Georgia native was at Notre Dame’s March Junior Day and left extremely impressed. Jeff Quinn and the academics in South Bend really caught his attention. But the Irish will be going against Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State and Stanford. He told ISD he expects to take an official to Notre Dame this fall. The Irish aren’t the favorites right now, but if they still have room and he makes it through the summer uncommitted, the two sides could find a match. OL Saleem Wormley (MILD) The Delaware native could easily see his temperature here rise after his official visit to South Bend in June. It’s a trip Wormley told ISD he definitely wanted to take before making any final decision. He said he talks to Jeff Quinn all of the time and likes what he’s heard. He’s looking forward to getting to Notre Dame to see what the program, the school and the surrounding area is all about. He’s already taken multiple visits to Happy Valley and Penn State has to be considered the favorite at this point, but the Irish could make a move.
Hunter Spears is looking to play SDE Spoiler After suffering a knee injury which knocked out his junior year, Hunter Spears set forth on a recovery plan that would set him up for production at multiple spots along the defensive line. The product of Sachse, Texas flashed special tools as a strong-side defensive end – defensive tackle swing player for the Mustangs, a high-profile program in the Lone Star State. Regardless of where Spears lines up in South Bend, his talent suggests he will produce on the Division 1 stage. Of course, if there’s one position the Irish need to stack quality youngsters, it’s on the strong-side edge of Mike Elston’s unit. “Coach Elston loves the idea (of me playing strong-side defensive end),” Spears said. “He always talks to me about my versatility and athleticism and how much of an asset that is for me to be able to have that ability. We’ve talked about the fact that I could switch week-to-week based schemes and that’s something that I’m really interested in – just being able to play wherever I’m needed and contribute at multiple spots.” In an effort to be physically capable of disrupting from the interior and exterior of the defensive line, Spears put a plan together to cut weight after tipping the scales at 296-pounds during the Notre Dame Junior Day on Jan. 27. “I had been in a super big strength building phase, getting back to where I needed to be,” Spears said. “So, the next phase for me was cutting down. The 300 (pounds) didn’t bother me because I knew I could get to where I wanted to be. I went super hard on the conditioning, working out at least twice a day and really focused on eating clean, healthy foods and cut a good 15-plus pounds in a couple weeks. So, I’m about 282-283 right now and feeling great and the coaching staff is really happy with where I’m at.” Spears is facing a highly-anticipated senior season under head coach Red Behrens at Sachse. “I will be playing both (defensive tackle) and (strong-side defensive end) at Sachse this year,” Spears said. “Really, just all across the line wherever my team and coach need me and happy just to be doing what I love again. “I really don’t have a preference. Both have their benefits and opportunities. I made this weight-cut to give myself the option to play both and that’s something I’m very proud of – my versatility and athleticism.” The Irish lost strong-side defensive end Jay Hayes to a fifth-year transfer, not that that would have had any bearing on the depth chart when Spears arrives at Notre Dame next winter when he will enroll as an early-entry freshman. Next fall, however, the Irish will field a true junior in Khalid Kareem as well as Ade Ogundeji – who has been coming on as of late and drawing praise from Elston – who will be entering his senior year and third year of eligibility. Aside from that pair, the Irish lack proven depth at the position. Spears is aware of the light-on-numbers situation and hopes to help bolster that edge as a true freshman. “I love the idea (of playing strong-side defensive end). They have a lot of openings coming up (at the position) in future years and to be able to have that option to come in and compete for a role is just something that was a major intriguing factor for me. Especially coming in early and getting to be developed by Balis, I know I’ll be ready to go wherever the coaching staff feels I fit best.” There’s no question that the Irish would love a situation where Spears picks up the rigors of college football quick enough to contribute as a freshman, especially on the edge. Early indications would show Spears is on the right path. i think this makes a lot of sense if he stays in the 280-285 lbs range. His game at SDE would really compliment Nana at Drop
Niles Drew Druce is one hell of a name. Also, laxjoe 's snaps are making me really angry that I never bought Chainsmoker's tickets. I guess Dan Carlin and my daughters bath will do.
If Quinn comes on you got 3 very good OL already in class. Including 2 Ts. Probably need one more inside player.
nd lax beat duke 14-11 tonight in the acc semifinals. we lost the first game of the season 8-2, so this was a great turnaround. play uva in the finals on sunday. need to win out to mke the ncaa tournament
Would be an incredible haul, can then concentrate on rounding out the group with one of the elite guys
Judging by the offers out it really is Zeke or bust right now on the interior. ND must feel good with him Harry Miller not coming
I think Zeke is going to be part of our class. Im still not over losing NPF to be honest. That one hurt
Cannot figure out why RBs aren’t interested in ND Top 5 Oline consistently No depth Run first attack I mean come on down
It seems like Denson ends up like an uncle figure that all the recruits like but he can't seal the deal.
Seeing all these RBs go before Adams makes me think his knee or some injury must be making him drop. Tough for him.
Yeah I don’t know, he never looked like a nfl rb to me. His style of running just doesn’t translate. Love him though, I hope a team takes a chance, maybe at the end
The last half of his season was not very good. No explosivness. I think our OL and the threat of Wimbush running gave him some big lanes to use his good top end straight speed. Someone may take a chance on him considering he can block, he can catch, he can do a little of everything
Run first attack? Kelly literally salivates over throwing the ball 50+ times per game, as long as he has a QB who can hit the broad side of a barn.
Awesome commentary after the ESB pick. Finally going to have a QB that can throw the ball to him. Best football is ahead of him. It makes me wonder if Wimbush really was that bad or if his receivers just never were part of his development because they were awful or didn’t care or stole Nautica pants.