Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 MARCH 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY COREY BODDEN Over the past two seasons at Ed- wardsville (Ill.) High, Notre Dame signee Kendall Abdur-Rahman made his name at quarterback by account- ing for 3,761 yards of total offense and 68 touchdowns. His efforts led to Class 8A all-state honors at quarterback after both his junior and senior campaigns. Much of his production came on the ground, though, and Abdur- Rahman knew his college future was likely to be at another position. He just wasn't sure whether it would be on offense or defense. When Notre Dame entered the pic- ture with an offer in February 2018, Abdur-Rahman was not surprised to learn the Irish had an idea for his future spot. "It was pretty much always the goal for them for me to play wide receiver," he said. "When they first talked to me, it was wide receivers coach Del Alexander. "It was definitely new for me — but I wasn't expecting to play quar- terback at the next level. I was ready to play any position from defensive back to wide receiver. It didn't mat- ter to me." Although some schools like Iowa mentioned defense, Abdur-Rahman was pleased to learn the Irish wanted to keep him on offense with his ath- letic ability. "At the time, I would have rather played on offense than defense," he admitted. "When I heard they wanted me at wide receiver, I really liked that. It wasn't a hard sell." Abdur-Rahman did not play a snap at wide receiver during his high school days, lining up at quarterback for three years and safety as a sopho- more. Despite that, Notre Dame be- lieves the Illinois product's skill set translates to the position. "They were saying they liked my ability to make people miss and make big plays," Abdur-Rahman ex- plained. "Making bad plays turn into good plays and things like that. I'm definitely excited to get there. I can't wait to see what they have planned. I'm ready to work. "They've talked about some wildcat potentially. But they want me doing things like screen passes, getting the ball quick and being a playmaker." The incoming freshman has been working since his high school career ended to learn the intricacies of wide receiver before he arrives in South Bend, and it hasn't been difficult in his eyes. "My quickness makes me feel good about the transition," Abdur- Rahman noted. "I can catch the ball pretty well. I need to work on run- ning routes because I haven't done it in an actual game. You just have to change your speeds a lot and change direction quickly. You have to read your defender. "Catching the ball has come pretty natural, though." ✦ KENDALL ABDUR-RAHMAN WIDE RECEIVER, 6-0 · 185 EDWARDSVILLE H.S. EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS.* STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 59 14 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 42 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 276 14 5 * Ranked as an athlete STATISTICS • Rushed for 1,135 yards and 19 touchdowns, and passed for 647 yards and 15 scores during his senior year. Ten of his 19 rushing touchdowns went for at least 40 yards. • In 2017, he racked up 1,399 yards and 26 scores on the ground, as well as 580 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. HONORS • 2017 and 2018 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) Class 8A All-State selection at quarterback • 2018 USA Today All-State second-team quar- terback • 2017 and 2018 Edwardsville Intelligencer Of- fensive MVP • 2016 All-Southwestern Conference defensive back ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Did not participate in any postseason all-star games RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Sept. 9, 2018. • Also had offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern. • Wide receivers coach Del Alexander led the charge in his recruitment. • He first visited South Bend in April 2018 for the program's spring game, and took his official visit to the Michigan game Sept. 1. NOTABLE • Born on Oct. 18, 2000. • Was the lone junior to earn IHSFCA Class 8A All-State honors in 2017. • Participated in track during his first three years at Edwardsville. Ran a personal record 11.22 in the 100 meters during the 2018 outdoor season, per Athletic.net. • Was the first Edwardsville quarterback to earn back-to-back all-state honors since 2013-14. 2019 PROJECTION • Notre Dame's depth at wide receiver will make it hard for Abdur-Rahman and the other freshman skill players to earn significant playing time in 2019. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "Kendall Abdur-Rah- man's speed will get him into the end zone. The Irish just added an outstanding playmaker to the group." Wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander: "As a former quarterback, Kendall brings the abil- ity to see the big picture, while adding unique explosiveness. He's an extremely focused and hard-working young man on and off the field." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "He is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands, and that is something Notre Dame needs more of on offense. Abdur-Rahman has a strong lower body and runs with authority. He showed much- improved burst as a runner as a senior, displaying second-level speed and more explosiveness. "Abdur-Rahman is a nimble and fluid athlete with impressive agility and outstanding balance, which makes him very hard to get a clean shot on or bring down. "He will need to learn the nuances of wide re- ceiver play after lining up at quarterback in high school, but all the physical traits are there for a smooth transition." Kendall Abdur-Rahman Ready To Transition To Receiver Abdur-Rahman was an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 8A All-State selection at quarterback in both 2017 and 2018. PHOTO VIA TWITTER