Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 1, 2018 43 PREP PROFILES Notre Dame is ahead of schedule in quarterback recruiting. With Midlothian (Va.) Manchester three-star Brendon Clark committed in 2019 and New Canaan (Conn.) High four-star Drew Pyne in 2020, the Irish staff has already shifted their focus to the class of 2021. During the Vanderbilt game Sept. 15, the Irish hosted DC Tabscott, a 2021 signal-caller from Nashville (Tenn.) Father Ryan, who holds an early offer from Kentucky. Tabscott said it was a trip he won't soon forget. "The visit was unbelievable," he stated. "I've always heard about Notre Dame and the history there, but to see it and feel it was definitely cool. That's something I've always wanted to do." Father Ryan is a Catholic high school, so Tabscott knows plenty about Notre Dame, but the campus experience gave Tabscott a different perspective. "Everything I'd heard about, I re- ally felt it," Tabscott said. "The iconic fight song, all the chants the student section does — it's awesome. "It was hot and it wasn't a huge, ranked opponent, but the fans were into it the whole time." While Notre Dame did get the win, it wasn't the blowout most expect when a team like Vanderbilt comes to town. Tabscott, however, said the hard-fought contest made the visit an even better experience. "It was cool that it was a close game," Tabscott said. "I really got to get a feel for what the atmosphere would be like if I played there." Aside from the game, Tabscott also got to spend some time with quarter- backs coach Tom Rees. "We talked about the future plans," Tabscott said. "... There's no offer right now. He wants to see me in person this spring and summer throwing, and he said film will be huge in terms of evaluating me." If an offer did eventually come, Tab- scott said Notre Dame would have a strong chance to land him. "That would be huge," Tabscott said. "In my mind, Notre Dame is one of the gold standards of offers. If everybody in the country offered me, they would definitely be in the top five. I would very much consider going there." — David McKinney Pickerington (Ohio) Central 2021 wide receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. was one of the top performers from Notre Dame's summer camp circuit, post- ing a sub-4.5 40-yard dash and im- pressing in drills enough to land an offer. The 6-1, 170-pounder returned to South Bend for the Michigan game Sept. 1, his first visit since adding the Irish offer. "It was a great visit," Styles told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "The atmo- sphere was very exciting. I'm very appreciative of the coaches letting me come up there. … I was able to see the facilities, which was very cool. I went on a tour throughout and saw the weight room, academics and things like that. "When I went up the first time, I didn't get to go on a visit and view the facilities. We were just at the sta- dium and talking to the coaches. This time I was able to see all of Notre Dame and experience the atmo- sphere." While it was not a high-scoring af- fair, Styles liked what he saw from the Irish offense and DelVaughn Al- exander's wide receivers. "They have a lot of big wide re- ceivers," Styles began. "But they also have someone like [Chris Finke]. I was watching him during the game and how they utilized him. He's a great wide receiver, so I was looking at him as a comparison to myself. "He was really good at getting open. They set him up to make big plays. They have a good quarterback and he's putting them in position to make plays." Styles also enjoyed being in the Notre Dame locker room following the team's 24-17 win over the Wol- verines after sitting in the crowd. "That stood out the most," Styles said. "There was so much energy from the guys after a big win. It was pretty exciting. … It was two great programs, and that made the fans even more into it. "Watching the game and seeing it up close and in person was very exciting." Defensive line coach Mike Elston has served as Styles' lead recruiter early on with Ohio being his territory. But the sophomore wide receiver had a chance to speak more with Alexander on Saturday. "He's a great coach," Styles said of the Irish assistant. "Seeing the wide receivers I could really tell that. He's a good guy, too." — Corey Bodden 2021 Quarterback Calls Notre Dame Trip 'Unbelievable' Ohio Wide Receiver Is Impressed By Irish Atmosphere "There was so much energy from the guys after a big win. … Watching the game and seeing it up close and in person was very exciting." STYLES ON WATCHING NOTRE DAME BEAT MICHIGAN "I've always heard about Notre Dame and the history there, but to see it and feel it was definitely cool. That's something I've always wanted to do." TABSCOTT DC TABSCOTT Father Ryan H.S. Nashville, Tenn. Status: Interested Class: 2021 Position: Quarterback Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 170 Rivals Rankings: Not cur- rently rated LORENZO STYLES JR. Pickerington Central H.S. Pickerington, Ohio Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 170 Rivals Rankings: Not cur- rently rated