Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 49 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Hamilton eventually committed to Notre Dame, then landed invitations to The Opening Finals and the 2019 All-American Bowl. Those events feature top prospects from all over the country, so there's no shortage of attitude and ego, but not from Hamilton. The Irish safety signee isn't one for dancing or celebration. "I've always tried to be more of a humble kid and not really gloat about what I have," Hamilton said. "I know I should be thankful for the position I've been put in and take advantage of it. "Nobody likes a person who goes around flaunting all his accomplish- ments." Of course, that doesn't mean Ham- ilton won't let a few words fly in the heat of competition. "I'll talk trash here and there in a game," he said. "But I've never been one to post stuff all over social media and stuff like that." The attitude of hard work and hu- mility, is something Hamilton has carried with him for a long time, on and off the field. The talented safety said he has more important matters to worry about than being flashy. "It's about the goals I set for my- self and wanting to achieve those goals," Hamilton noted. "I know if I do everything right, I'll have every opportunity in the world to do what- ever I want. "I know if I keep my head down and work hard, I can provide myself and family with great opportunities, so that really motivates me." Still, the confidence is there. Hamilton has achieved just about everything a high school prospect can hope to do. He was an All-Amer- ican, an Opening Finalist, a top-100 prospect on one recruiting service and a five-star recruit on another. In a few months, Hamilton will enroll at Notre Dame with the confi- dence that he belongs there, but also with the knowledge that everything he's achieved up to now won't mean anything after he steps on campus. "It's a humble mindset," Hamilton said. "I know all that stuff doesn't re- ally matter when you get to college. If anything, it just puts a target on your back. "I'm ready to come in, put my head down, get to work and make an impact on the team as soon as possible." ✦ KYLE HAMILTON SAFETY 6-3 · 190 MARIST SCHOOL ATLANTA RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 75 7 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 165 10 20 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 15 1 2 STATISTICS • Notched 72 tackles, eight passes broken up, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fum- ble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns as a senior. Also had 27 carries for 272 yards and two scores, 38 receptions for 804 yards and seven touchdowns, and two kick return touchdowns. • Recorded 60 tackles, eight passes broken up and six interceptions during his junior season. HONORS • 2018 USA Today All-America second team • 2018 USA Today All-State first team • 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Region 7-AAAA Special Teams Player of the Year • 2018 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Region 7-AAAA All-Region first-team kick returner • Finalist for Atlanta Touchdown Club 2018 Player of the Year • Finalist for the All-American Bowl's 2018 De- fensive Player of the Year • Atlanta Journal-Constitution Preseason Su- per 11 ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Participated in the 2019 All-American Bowl at San Antonio • Nike Football The Opening finalist RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on April 24, 2018. • Chose the Fighting Irish over a final group that included Georgia, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern and Duke. • Primarily recruited to Notre Dame by safeties coach Terry Joseph. • Officially visited Notre Dame for the Michigan game on Sept. 1, 2018. NOTABLE • Born on March 16, 2001. • Has also started games at wide receiver, quar- terback and cornerback for Marist. • His brother Tyler plays basketball at Penn. • His father, Derrick, played basketball at South- ern Miss and was selected No. 52 overall in the 1988 NBA Draft. 2019 PROJECTION • Notre Dame returns outstanding depth at safety, and current freshmen Derrik Allen and Houston Griffith will make a push in the spring. Even with that depth, Hamilton is talented enough to make an impact in his first year on special teams and at safety. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "You talk about speed, size and smarts — he's got it all. The sky is the limit for Kyle Hamilton and we are glad he's on our side." Marist head coach Alan Chadwick: "He's the kind of kid you want to get involved as much as you can. "It's very rare that you get that complete of an athlete with that combination of length, hands, skills and vision." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Hamilton has outstanding length, standing a shade under 6-4 with long arms. Notre Dame hasn't had that at safety in a long time. "He possesses outstanding balance and foot quickness, especially for such a long athlete. His movements are fluid and easy, and as a senior he showed much improved explosiveness. "Hamilton is an instinctive defender with im- proving fundamentals. He reads routes well and shows excellent range on the back end in cover- age and coming downhill against the run. "Hamilton's combination of athleticism and skill makes him one of the nation's premier defensive backs." 247Sports rates Hamilton as a five-star talent, the No. 2 prospect in Georgia, and the No. 1 safety and No. 15 overall player nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM