Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 24, 2018 47 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ROUNDUP RECRUITING NOTES • Though the Irish already have one specialist commit- ted in the 2019 class, punter Jay Bramblett of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Hillcrest, the staff appears to remain in the market for another. Notre Dame hosted 2019 kicker Harrison Leonard of Avon (Conn.) Old Farms on an official visit for the Vanderbilt game Sept. 15. Kohl's Kicking ranks the 6-0, 180-pounder as a five-star prospect and the No. 6 kicker in the 2019 class. It remains to be seen if an offer will be extended to Leon- ard, but he could at least end up as a preferred walk-on. • Notre Dame remains squarely in the mix for Bralen Trice of Phoenix O'Connor, the staff's top target at defen- sive end in the 2019 class. The 6-4, 230-pounder — who is ranked as a four-star talent and the No. 23 weakside defensive end in the land by Rivals — has narrowed his re- cruitment down to Notre Dame, Washington and Oregon with a commitment date set for Oct. 6. Trice called his official visit to Notre Dame, for the Michigan game Sept. 1, "crazy amazing" and noted the family atmosphere as a standout aspect of the trip. It is likely the standout pass rusher will take official visits to the Ducks and Huskies before his decision date. The Irish will need to continue prioritizing him through- out that time in order to keep the momentum from his Notre Dame official going. • One of Notre Dame's top remaining offensive line targets — Washington (D.C.) Sidwell Friends tackle Wal- ter Rouse — was expected to choose between Stanford and the Irish Sept. 14. It is believed that he was leaning toward picking the Cardinal. The 6-6, 280-pounder took an official visit to South Bend Sept. 1 and followed it with an unofficial to Palo Alto, Calif., the next weekend. Offensive line coach Jeff Quinn and company still have a quality group committed and will likely turn all of its attention on tackle Enokk Vimahi of Kahuku (Hawai'i) High, who also officially visited during Michi- gan weekend. Vimahi — who is listed as a four-star prospect, and the No. 17 offensive tackle and No. 132 overall player nationally by Rivals — is expected to continue taking official visits during the fall. — Corey Bodden and David McKinney • WR Kendall Abdur-Rahman: Had 141 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns, per The Ed- wardsville Intelligencer, in Edwardsville (Ill.) High's (1-2) 34-21 loss to East St. Louis (Mo.) High (2-1). Next game: vs. Alton (Ill) High (2-1). • S Litchfield Ajavon: Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal has yet to begin its season. First game: at Balti- more Gilman (0-0) Sept. 15. • TE Kevin Bauman (2020): Caught one pass for 19 yards and added an interception on defense in Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic's (2-0) 40-7 win over Oakhurst (N.J.) Ocean Township (0-1). Next game: vs. Toms River (N.J.) South (0-1). • P Jay Bramblett: Completed 24 of 33 passes for 292 yards with three touchdowns, had four carries for 49 yards and one score, and punted four times for an average of 46 yards, but Tusca- loosa (Ala.) Hillcrest (1-2) lost 39-36 to Hueytown (Ala.) High (2-1). Next game: vs. Brookwood (Ala.) High (1-2). • OL Quinn Carroll: Helped pave the way for more than 160 rushing yards, per MaxPreps, in Edina (Minn.) High's (2-0) 17-14 win over Rose- mount (Minn.) High (0-2). Next game: at Plymouth (Minn.) Wayzata (1-1). • QB Brendon Clark: Completed 3 of 4 passes for 51 yards with two touchdowns plus rushed one time for a four-yard score in Midlothian (Va.) Manchester's (2-0) 49-6 victory over Midlothian (Va.) Cosby (1-2). Next game: vs. Richmond (Va.) Monacan (3-0). • OL Zeke Correll: Anderson (3-0) took down Hamilton (Ohio) High (1-2) 35-3. Next game: at Kings Mill (Ohio) Kings (2-1). • DE Howard Cross: Recorded eight total stops, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph's (1-1) 14-8 win over Philadelphia Imhotep Charter (1-2). Next game: at Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic (2-0). • LB Osita Ekwonu: Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day (0-3) dropped a 29-14 decision to New London (N.C.) North Stanley (2-1). Next game: vs. Hickory (N.C.) High (1-2). • S Kyle Hamilton: Caught five passes for 123 yards, made five tackles and blocked a field goal to help Atlanta Marist improve to 3-0 on the year with a 24-7 win over Atlanta Westminster (2-2). Next game: vs. Atlanta St. Pius Catholic (3-1). • WR Cam Hart: Olney (Md.) Good Counsel (2- 0) cruised to a 58-6 win over Baltimore St. Joseph (2-1). Next game: at Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep (1-0). • LB Jack Kiser: Completed 3 of 4 passes for 80 yards, rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on three carries, and recorded an interception for the fourth straight game while helping Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer (4-0) cruise to a 78-0 win over Fulton (Ind.) Caston (0-4). Next game: at Monon (Ind.) North White (0-4). • OL Andrew Kristofic: Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Rich- land (2-1) handled their second straight in-state opponent, taking down Moon Township (Pa.) Moon Area (1-2) 42-14. Next game: vs. Butler (Pa.) High. • DT Jacob Lacey: Per his father, David Lacey, he recorded six tackles (two for loss) while helping Bowling Green (Ky.) South Warren (4-0) continue its dominance by crushing Cecilia (Ky.) Central Hardin (1-2) 59-0. Next game: at Leitchfield (Ky.) Grayson County (4-0). • TE Michael Mayer (2020): Reeled in five passes for 86 yards to help Alexandria (Ky.) Cov- ington Catholic (4-0) roll to a 42-9 win versus Kings Mill (Ohio) Kings (2-1). Next game: vs. Fort Mitchell (Ky.) Beechwood (2-1). • OL John Olmstead: Batted down two passes on defense while helping running back Jordan Davis rush for more than 150 yards in Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph's (1-1) 28-12 win versus Colonia (N.J.) High (0-1). Next game: at South Plainfield (N.J.) High (1-0). • DE NaNa Osafo-Mensah: Recorded five tack- les and two sacks in Fort Worth (Texas) Nolan Catholic's (2-0) 55-0 win over Burkburnett (Texas) High (1-1). Next game: at Celina (Texas) High (1-0). • QB Drew Pyne (2020): Connected on 18 of 29 throws for 167 yards, but threw two interceptions in New Canaan (Conn.) High's (0-1) 28-0 season- opening loss to Trumbull (Conn.) St. Joseph (1-0). Next game: vs. Danbury (Conn.) High (1-0). • DL Hunter Spears: Notched seven tackles and three stops for loss, while playing both defensive end and defensive tackle in Sachse (Texas) High's (0-2) loss, 20-14, to Euless (Texas) Trinity. Next game: vs. Plano (Texas) Plano East (2-0). • CB KJ Wallace: Registered an 11-yard touch- down reception in Atlanta Lovett's (1-3) loss, 58-21, to Forsyth (Ga.) Mary Persons (3-0). Next game: at Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove (3-1). • RB Kyren Williams: Compiled 95 receiving yards and two touchdown catches to go along with one rushing score in St. Louis St. John Vi- anney's (2-1) triumph, 42-7, over Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias (2-1). Next game: vs. St. Louis Chami- nade (1-2). Follow @BGI_CoreyBodden and @BGI_DMcKinney on Twitter for daily recruiting updates available on BlueandGold.com! Phoenix O'Connor senior Bralen Trice, the No. 23 weakside defensive end in the country according to Rivals, has nar- rowed his final list down to Notre Dame, Oregon and Washington. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL Commitment Updates Games played Sept. 7-8 unless otherwise noted