Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 59 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY COREY BODDEN Ten signees arrived in South Bend this January to get a jump-start on their respective student-athlete ca- reers at Notre Dame. Offensive lineman John Olm- stead is one of those prospects set to go through spring ball with the Irish. Before Olmstead put ink to paper, he helped lead his Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph team to a 7-3 record in 2018, earning all-state honors in the process. "John did not allow a sack all sea- son, and had something like 100 pancakes run blocking," St. Joseph head coach Rich Hilliard noted. "I would grade him out an A. … Who wouldn't want to be running behind a 6-4, 280-pound kid? John has that special motor that he's looking to make contact anywhere. "When you get him out in space, he would find someone out there. We had a smaller back this year, and John made it a little easier for him to find room and run." Olmstead's desire to finish each block stands out the most when it comes to what makes the consensus four-star prospect special. "That goes back to something a coach can't teach," Hilliard stated. "Some may want to take credit, but you can't teach heart. He doesn't stop. "We had to yell at him sometimes. Refs are looking at him because he's always going until he hears that whis- tle. He has an unbelievable motor." With multiple underclassmen starting up front with him, Olmstead made sure to teach the group all he knew and be someone they could follow. "Each week he brought his leader- ship," Hilliard said. "He took over that role in the trenches and became the general out there. "He knew every assignment for every other position. He helped out the younger guys, taking them under his wing, and it was convenient to have him on the field being a coach for us." Hilliard will greatly miss having Olmstead around the program, but appreciates all he did for it on and off the field. "He always stayed late after meet- ings and practices wanting to watch more film, looking at other positions where he could help someone else," Hilliard explained. "The kid is un- believable. He is a pleasure to have around. He's like a second son to me. I love him to death. I've been coach- ing for over 20 years now, and you come across a John Olmstead once every 20 years. "What he did for our program, not only on the field but bringing recruit- ers to our school, speaks for itself. It's amazing." ✦ John Olmstead 'Was A Teacher' During His Senior Year Olmstead was listed as a four-star recruit by the three major recruiting services. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM JOHN OLMSTEAD OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-4 · 280 ST. JOSEPH NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 118 15 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 241 26 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 369 35 6 STATISTICS • Helped St. Joseph average 25.5 points during his senior campaign. • The St. Joseph offense averaged 35.0 points per game in 2017. HONORS • 2017 and 2018 USA Today All-State first-team offense • 2017 and 2018 NJ.com All-State first-team offense • No. 5 in NJ.com's top 50 football recruits in the state ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Invited to play in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl, but did not participate in the event RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on April 20, 2018, and enrolled in January 2019. • The Irish beat out Michigan, Minnesota, Ole Miss and Rutgers for the four-star prospect. • Was initially offered and recruited by Harry Hiestand, but Jeff Quinn took over upon being hired as the new line coach. • Took his first visit to South Bend during the summer of 2017, where he picked up an offer. He returned later that fall for the Navy game in November. • Arrived back at Notre Dame for an unofficial visit in April 2018 during a long stretch of trips, which included stops at LSU, Ole Miss, Nebraska and Michigan. NOTABLE • Born April 10, 2000. • All four of his older sisters play or played sports in college (one basketball and three la- crosse). • Started playing football in eighth grade. 2019 PROJECTION • Four starters and the entire second line re- turns in 2019, so expect a redshirt season from Olmstead in 2019. THEY SAID IT St. Joseph's head coach Rich Hilliard: "He's a humble kid and will fit in fine. He knows how to hang with the kids. "He's a good, well-rounded young man." Offensive line coach Jeff Quinn: "A special young man who dominates in the trenches, John brings all of the traits Coach Kelly emphasizes, and will be a leader down the road." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Olmstead is an old-school blocker, a throwback, a guy whose game is all about power. The St. Joseph standout is a massive young man that uses his weight to push opponents around. "He lacks the length and foot quickness to play tackle, but his pass protection improved dramatically when he moved to guard as a senior. "He isn't an overly quick player in space and is at his best when working in tight quarters. He comes off the ball well, and when he moves his feet he can punish opponents."