Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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38 MARCH 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY DAVID MCKINNEY Growing up, competition was al- ways staring JD Bertrand in the face. It started at home, where his parents put an emphasis on academics from an early age. "My parents always pushed us," Bertrand said. "You didn't have to get straight A's, but if you gave your best effort that's all they cared about." Bertrand's parents weren't the only family members pushing him. The Notre Dame linebacker signee grew up with two older brothers, so com- petition was always brewing in his Roswell, Ga., home. "We were always competing at everything we did," Bertrand said. "I think that really helped with my competitive side." The fiercest action came on the family's home basketball court, where games were heavy on physi- cality and foul calls were a rumor. "We were so competitive," Ber- trand said. "We'd play basketball in the driveway and push each other into bushes. There were never any fouls." Watching his older brothers grow up was a valuable experience that he would carry with him as he grew up himself. "I think I learned a lot from my two older brothers, seeing their work ethic but also seeing their mistakes and learning from them," Bertrand said. "I had a great experience be- hind them." When he reached high school, Bertrand brought what he'd learned with him to Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity, where he'd go on to win two state championships playing against some of the top talent in the nation. Forging his football career in a tal- ent-rich state like Georgia was instru- mental in his development. "There are so many athletes here," Bertrand said. "Every single week you had to bring your A game be- cause you're competing against D-I guys that are going to go play at big schools." The coaching staff at Blessed Trin- ity carries a wealth of experience, including 37 years of coaching in Georgia for head coach Tim McFar- lin. Bertrand gave Blessed Trinity im- mense credit for turning him into the player and person he is today. "It taught me a lot about time man- agement," he said of his experience at Blessed Trinity. "Also, having the coaching staff I had, it pushed my own game to a higher level. "There are higher standards held there, in football and in school." After graduation, Bertrand will head north to South Bend to enroll at Notre Dame. With the learning experiences of growing up behind him, Bertrand is looking forward to the challenges ahead. "I'm very excited to join the team," Betrand said. "I'm excited to get up there and do my thing." ✦ JD BERTRAND LINEBACKER 6-1 · 200 BLESSED TRINITY H.S. ROSWELL, GA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 27* 40 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 27^ 40 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 261 18^ 28 * Inside linebacker; ^ outside linebacker STATISTICS • Finished his prep career with 278 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two passes defended and one interception. • Recorded 83 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, four sacks and an interception as a senior. Also caught nine passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. • Notched 62 stops, 8.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries during his junior year. HONORS • 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution 7-AAAA Defensive Player of the Year • 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution 7-AAAA All-Region first team • Georgia AAAA All-State selection by the At- lanta Journal-Constitution as a senior ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Did not participate in any postseason national all-star games RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Nov. 19, 2018. • Was originally committed to Georgia from July 15, 2017 to Oct. 5, 2018. Eventually chose the Fighting Irish over Florida, Florida State and TCU. • Primarily recruited to Notre Dame by defen- sive coordinator/linebackers coach Clark Lea. • Visited South Bend twice, for the Pitt game on Oct. 13, 2018, and the Florida State game on Nov. 19, 2018. NOTABLE • Born on May 5, 2000. • Helped Blessed Trinity to back-to-back Geor- gia Class AAAA state championships in 2017 and 2018. • He is a National Honor Society inductee and an Eagle scout. 2019 PROJECTION • Bertrand will likely redshirt in 2018 unless he is able to earn a role on special teams. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "This guy is a true leader on and off the field. JD Bertrand joins us ready to make an impact and help us to accom- plish our mission." Blessed Trinity head coach Tim McFarlin: "He's just the total package. He's a great player physi- cally and mentally, and he seems to see things be- fore they happen. His football IQ is off the scale, and his instincts are extremely high." Defensive coordinator Clark Lea: "He has the mindset of total domination and the leadership skills to lead his team to back-to-back state cham- pionships." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Bertrand is a fluid and rangy linebacker who lacks ideal size. He has a thicker lower half and seems to have the kind of frame that should allow him to add at least 20-25 pounds with time in a college weight room. "He uses his strong hands to effectively keep blockers off his body, and they help him as a pass rusher as well. Bertrand is a sound tackler that plays with good pad level, goes low and wraps up well. His short-area quickness, box speed and range are impressive." JD Bertrand Is A Product Of His Environment During his senior season at Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity, Bertrand compiled 83 stops, 13 tackles for a loss, four sacks and one interception. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM "I think I learned a lot from my two older brothers, seeing their work ethic but also seeing their mistakes and learning from them. I had a great experience behind them." BERTRAND