Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1081575
50 MARCH 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY BRYAN DRISKELL When the Notre Dame offensive coaches came across the film of Olney (Md.) Good Counsel athlete Cam Hart, they immediately fell in love with the prospect. The 6-3, 190-pound wide receiver had the traits the coaches desperately wanted in a wideout, but there was just one problem. Hart al- ways wanted to play cornerback. "There aren't a lot of 6-3 corners out there that can move," the Notre Dame signee explained. "I thought, 'Where am I going to make my money, play- ing DB or wide receiver? … If I can find a DB coach that can teach me how to move and I can be proficient at that position, then of course I'm going to play DB and make however much money in the NFL. "I was just trying to figure out how I can make my game different. Plus, I always loved playing cornerback. I can be physical, I can do whatever I want whenever I want, and I have complete control over how my game goes. I don't have to worry about the offensive tackle not blocking or the quarterback not putting it in the right spot. I have complete control over how I play." When Notre Dame came calling, Hart began to value the overall pack- age more than the desire to play a specific position. "It came down to where Notre Dame was going to offer me this situation as a wide receiver, and my dream school was the best school in the country," Hart said of his deci- sion to pick the Irish as an offensive player. "So I'll still go there, play wide receiver. "I know how to play wide receiver, I've been playing wide receiver for a while so I just have to sharpen my skills and go make the biggest impact possible." Notre Dame's staff on offense was crucial to Hart's decision to not only accept being a wide receiver, but to embrace the idea. Their pitch was specific, and Hart took to that. "They said, 'You're 6-3, you're 195 pounds and you're running routes like you're 5-8,'" Hart explained. "They said I run superior routes and that's what they were looking for. … They wanted a guy who could get out of breaks quick, could get vertical quick and do things after the catch. "They saw that in me and I see that in myself, so I felt like it was the best situation for me." ✦ CAM HART WIDE RECEIVER 6-3 · 190 OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL BALTIMORE RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 53* 11 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 32* 9 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 95^ 11 * Ranked as an athlete; ^ ranked as an wide receiver STATISTICS • Caught 37 passes for 643 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. Also racked up 30 tackles and picked off two passes as a cornerback. HONORS • 2017 and 2018 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first-team wide receiver • 2017 and 2018 Washington Post All-Met hon- orable mention wide receiver ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Ran an impressive 4.19 in the pro shuttle and posted a vertical leap of 37.5 inches at the Nike Football The Opening Regional in Florham Park, N.J., on April 8, 2018 RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on July 4, 2018. • Picked the Irish over finalists Michigan State and Virginia Tech. Also had offers from Boston Col- lege, Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Lou- isville, Maryland, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Pur- due, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia. • Was primarily recruited by receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander, and offensive coordinator Chip Long also was involved. • First visit to Notre Dame came on June 2, 2018. Visited South Bend officially on Nov. 9, the day before the Irish took on Florida State. NOTABLE • Born on Dec. 5, 2000. • Hopes to major in business at Notre Dame. • From the same high school as 2016-18 starting center and team captain Sam Mustipher. • His stated goals at Notre Dame are to be like Mustipher. Wants to become an Academic All- American and a team captain. 2019 PROJECTION • Notre Dame's current depth at wide receiver could make it difficult for Hart to climb up the ranks as a true freshman. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "Not only will he be a great addition to our locker room, but Cam Hart has the traits to be a playmaker on the field." Wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander: "Playing both sides of the ball in high school takes grit. Cam Hart is a playmaker, he's tough and he's focused with an incredible desire to achieve great- ness on the field and in the classroom." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Hart is one of the most underrated receivers in the country. He is a long, thin and athletic player that is an ad- vanced route runner for a high school player. Hart has good ball skills but must lock in better. "He shows quick feet and sudden change of di- rection skills, rare for a 6-3 athlete. His long speed is outstanding, and once he gets in the Notre Dame strength program you will see his burst and speed take off." Two-Way Star Cam Hart Is Embracing His Role As A Wide Receiver The 6-3, 190-pound Hart initially had designs on being a cornerback at the college level, but ultimately decided to play wide receiver for his self-described "dream school" Notre Dame instead. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM