Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1081575
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 25 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE with starter Ian Book still having two seasons of eligibility remaining and with Jurkovec on board, the staff can take its time developing him. If he can improve his footwork, Clark, the No. 20 pro-style quarter- back in the nation according to Ri- vals, has a chance to develop into an impact player for the Fighting Irish. He has a strong arm, is athletic and — by leading Midlothian (Va.) Manchester to a 15-0 record and state championship as a senior — showed he is a winner. RUNNING BACK Signed: Kyren Williams Meeting Needs: Having five backs on the roster with at least two sea- sons of eligibility remaining meant numbers weren't a concern for Notre Dame. When Williams, the country's No. 34 athlete, committed he gave Notre Dame a do-it-all weapon that was one of the most productive play- ers in the class. Summary: Williams was an early offer, and when the staff missed on other targets it was able to quickly wrap up Williams. On Paper Grade: C Williams did everything in high school, rushing for 3,947 yards, rack- ing up 2,696 receiving yards and scoring 112 touchdowns. He showed improved vision and footwork as a senior, rushing for 2,035 yards and 26 scores. Williams is a good route runner with adept downfield ball skills, and when he gets the ball in space he is dangerous. WIDE RECEIVER Signed: Kendall Abdur-Rahman and Cam Hart Meeting Needs: Notre Dame landed five receivers in the 2018 class and has its sights set on another huge class in 2020, which made the 2019 efforts more targeted. Landing Hart gave the staff the vertical threat it wanted, while Ab- dur-Rahman can do damage with the ball in his hands. Summary: The Irish staff received early interest from Rivals100 recruits Kyle Ford and Trey Knox, and Ri- vals250 receiver Cornelius Johnson, but when Hart got on their radar he quickly jumped to the top of the board. After he committed on July 4, 2018, the Irish backed off their other tar- gets. Abdur-Rahman's early season success as a senior resulted in the staff making a push to add him to the class, and in September he pledged to Notre Dame. On Paper Grade: B Hart, rated as the No. 53 athlete in the country by Rivals, is an intrigu- ing player that initially preferred to play defense in college. He has outstanding size and is more agile than the typical 6-3 athlete, which has helped him become an advanced route runner for a high school wide- out. He has top-notch long speed, plays the ball well and can gain yards after the catch. Abdur-Rahman became a more explosive athlete as a senior. A quar- terback his whole career, he finished his prep days ranked as the nation's No. 59 athlete. He will have to ad- just to receiver, but he has a skill set Notre Dame lacks at the position. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Signed: Quinn Carroll, Zeke Correll, Andrew Kristofic and John Olmstead Meeting Needs: Notre Dame landed a solid four-man haul in 2018, but it wasn't the typical Irish class. Not one of the four signees ranked as a Rivals250 recruit, the first time that happened since 2005. Adding top tal- ent was crucial in 2019, and signing at least two tackles was imperative. Summary: Five offensive linemen emerged as the top targets in this class, and Notre Dame landed four of them. The group came together rather quickly, with Olmstead be- coming the first to jump on board when he announced on April 20, 2018. Three days later Kristofic com- mitted, and Carroll pledged May 1. Correll topped the class off when he joined June 18. On Paper Grade: A All four signees were graded as four-star players by Rivals, some- thing accomplished in both the 2013 and 2014 cycles. Three of the four signees rank among the top 120 play- ers in the country, a first for Notre Dame up front since Rivals started ranking the best 250 players in 2006. The Irish are the lone team in the country to land three offensive line- men ranked in the top 120. Carroll, the No. 7 offensive tackle and No. 68 overall player in the land according to Rivals, and Kristofic, Rivals' No. 32 offensive tackle in the country, give the Irish a pair of rangy and gifted edge players. Carroll is more of a power figure, while Kristofic relies on his length and athleticism. Olmstead, ranked as the na- tion's No. 15 offensive tackle and No. 118 prospect by Rivals, brings a physical presence to the inside, and Correll, Rivals' No. 6 offensive guard and No. 114 overall player in the land, is an aggressive presence that will begin his career at center. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Signed: Howard Cross III, Isaiah Foskey, Jacob Lacey, NaNa Osafo- Mensah and Hunter Spears Meeting Needs: Notre Dame reeled in quality defensive tackle Three-star wide receiver Cam Hart adds big-play potential to the Notre Dame offense. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM