Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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46 SEPT. 10, 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PREP PROFILES When Notre Dame extended an offer to 2020 linebacker Cody Simon April 6, there was a lot familiarity for Irish fans. Simon hails from a Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep program that has sent four student-athletes to South Bend in recent years — senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush, freshmen defen- sive linemen Jayson Ademilola and Justin Ademilola, and freshman rover Shayne Simon. Cody is the younger brother of Shayne. And, like his older brother, he plays linebacker for head coach Rich Hansen at St. Peter's Prep. When the Irish offered the younger Simon, the staff made it clear it had everything to do with the three-star's ability. "He has a high, high interest level in Notre Dame," Hansen told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "The thing that they've done really, really well with him and made him understand — they've just come out and said it — is that, 'We're not offering you because you're Shayne Simon's brother. We're offering because you are Cody Simon.' I think that's important. "Notre Dame deliberately addressed that, and it was important for them to address it because obviously Shayne plays at Notre Dame. "I think that went a long way in Cody's mind because you always want to feel wanted. He's convinced they offered for the right reasons, and they want him for the right reasons. That makes a big difference." Many may assume the 6-0, 190-pound Simon will wind up in South Bend and play with his older brother on the next level. That is cer- tainly a possibility, but not a guarantee. "Do they have the upper hand or inside track?" Hansen began about Notre Dame. "Probably. But a year is a long time, and he has a lot of offers. He has a lot of people after him. "He's going to look at them all and judge them independently to find the right fit for him regardless of where his big brother is." If Simon were to commit and sign with the Irish, it won't solely be based off Shayne's presence. "He and his brother are close, but he and his brother are two different people with two different sets of goals and standards," Hansen said. "In a lot of ways, he's stepping out of the shadow of Shayne being his big brother." — Corey Bodden Notre Dame has made a strong early impression on a top defensive tackle in the class of 2020. Carmel (Ind.) High four-star Cole Brevard has visited South Bend multiple times and is planning to return this season. "Everything is going well," Bre- vard said when asked about the Irish. "I'm mostly focusing on my team right now. I'm humbled by all these offers, but this team matters most." Notre Dame extended a tender to Brevard March 3 during his visit for the program's Junior Day. He is a fan of Irish defensive line coach Mike Elston after getting a chance to speak with him in person during his times at Notre Dame this spring. "I actually feel that he really wants me," Brevard said. "I can feel that with his attitude and enthusiasm. He strikes me as a really compassionate guy. "He really cares about my im- provement and well being." Though Brevard hasn't narrowed his recruitment in any fashion, Notre Dame is very much a contender for the Rivals250 prospect. "Notre Dame is very high, but ev- eryone is still kind of on the same level," Brevard said. "I like their edu- cation and the alumni base. It's I go there for four years of improvement and I get 40 more years. "I like how aggressive the defense is. I believe if they keep working on it then they can be one of the best defenses in the country." Along with Notre Dame, Brevard mentioned Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin as some of the other programs standing out to him at the moment. He also holds offers from Iowa, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State and Tennessee, among others. Though nothing is set, he wants to visit the Wolverines and Nittany Lions this fall. Brevard is aiming to have a deci- sion before his senior season. "Hopefully next July," he said. "I want to see how great the education is, how great the alumni base is and see if they actually want me." Blue & Gold Illustrated was in Car- mel, Ind., Aug. 17 to see Brevard in action to open the 2018 campaign. He recorded four tackles, unofficially, helping the Greyhounds pull off a 24- 21 win over Louisville (Ky.) Trinity, which began the year ranked as the No. 3 team in the Midwest by USA Today. — Corey Bodden New Jersey LB Has 'High, High Interest' In The Irish In-State Defensive Tackle Likes Notre Dame CODY SIMON ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Peter's Prep Jersey City, N.J. Status: Offered Class: 2020 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 190 Rivals Rankings: No. 13 player in New Jersey and No. 14 inside line- backer nationally COLE BREVARD ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Carmel H.S. Carmel, Ind. Status: Offered Class: 2020 Position: Defensive Tackle Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 280 Rivals Rankings: No. 1 player in Indiana, and No. 7 defensive tackle and No. 104 overall prospect in the country "The thing that they've done really, really well with him and made him under- stand ... is that, 'We're not offering you because you're Shayne Simon's brother. We're offering because you are Cody Simon.' I think that's important." ST. PETER'S PREP HEAD COACH RICH HANSEN