Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 19, 2018 43 PREP PROFILES Over the summer, Angola (Ind.) High 2020 safety Ryan Brandt partici- pated in one of Notre Dame's skills camps, getting the opportunity to im- press the Irish staff in person. The 6-1, 205-pounder made his way back to South Bend earlier this season to watch the Irish defeat Pittsburgh 19-14. "The visit to Notre Dame was really awesome," Brandt told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "It was a great opportunity to see the campus, the coaches and the game day atmosphere. … My favorite part of the visit was the football facility tour because that's where the athletes spend most of their time." For the three-star safety, the at- mosphere and Irish fan base made a strong impression. "It felt different walking through the stadium during game time," Brandt stated. "The crowd just seemed on the edge of their seats and were rowdy. … The atmosphere was electric. "The crowd all seemed to be very content with the game and were ex- tremely loud. You could tell the fans support the team a lot." Though the game was closer than most expected, Brandt took notice of how well the defense played, espe- cially the safety group. "The secondary looks great," he said. "They look extremely fast, are not afraid to fill in the run game and are very aggressive. The defense plays physical and fast and is very success- ful." While he was in town, Brandt had time to talk with safeties coach Terry Joseph and get to know the Irish as- sistant more. "Coach Joseph and I talked about my season and how I was doing," Brandt explained. "I felt like he genu- inely cared about what my team and I were doing. "He was a very respectful guy, and I enjoyed seeing him." An offer from Notre Dame has yet to come, but Brandt's most recent trip helped increase his interest in the Irish. "It definitely opened my eyes to what they offer to a college athlete," Brandt stated. "I will definitely keep them in mind … I would like to visit Notre Dame again eventually." Purdue was the first program to of- fer the nation's No. 25 safety, and he was in attendance for the Boilermak- ers' 49-20 win over Ohio State Oct. 20. — Corey Bodden Linebacker Ben Kreul of Wauke- sha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial took in his first Irish game-day experience when Notre Dame hosted Pittsburgh Oct. 13. "My visit to Notre Dame was awe- some," Kreul told Blue & Gold Illus- trated. "It was really cool to tour the facilities and be at a great game. "My favorite part of the visit is after the game when Coach [Brian] Kelly was talking to his players and giving his post-game speech. That was cool to see how he interacts will his play- ers, especially after a close win." Kreul was also impressed with the Notre Dame fan base during the close Irish win. "The game atmosphere was in- sane," he said. "Being a close game, the fans got really into things and added an extra component to the game. I liked how the fans all were very into the game and got active." Defensive coordinator Clark Lea's linebacker group also caught Kreul's attention throughout the game. "I saw the linebackers are pretty ag- gressive, which was fun to see," Kreul noted. "I was trying to envision how I would do in that defense. They were quick to the ball and stopped the run very well." Out of all the sights and experiences that come being in South Bend, the tradition at Notre Dame stood out the most for the Rivals' No. 16 inside linebacker nationally. "It seemed that almost everywhere you looked a tradition was being dis- played," Kreul explained. "I thought it was really cool how they've kept all of these traditions throughout the years." Kreul has picked up early offers from Nebraska and Iowa State. "I would like to get back to South Bend and check things out again for sure," Kreul said of a possible return to Notre Dame. "I'd like to see more of the campus next time and talk to more of the coaches, but overall the visit went very well." Notre Dame has recruited the line- backer position well over the last two classes and will aim to continue build- ing quality depth at the spot with the 2020 group. The Irish will continue to monitor Kreul's development. — Corey Bodden In-State Safety Has 'Awesome' Return Visit With Irish Wisconsin Linebacker Is Impressed With ND's Tradition BEN KREUL ✪ ✪ ✪ Catholic Memorial H.S. Waukesha, Wis. Status: Interested Class: 2020 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 218 Rivals Rankings: No. 3 player in Wisconsin and No. 16 in- side linebacker nationally RYAN BRANDT ✪ ✪ ✪ Angola H.S. Angola, Ind. Status: Interested Class: 2020 Position: Safety Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 205 Rivals Rankings: No. 4 player in Indiana and No. 25 safety in the country "It seemed that almost everywhere you looked a tradition was being displayed. I thought it was really cool how they've kept all of these traditions throughout the years." KREUL "It definitely opened my eyes to what they offer to a college athlete. I will definitely keep them in mind … I would like to visit Notre Dame again eventually." BRANDT ON HIS LATEST NOTRE DAME VISIT