Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 43 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ence at his future position, he knows the extra time on campus as an early enrollee will reap rewards later. "It's going to be hectic, but I'm go- ing to have calm time to work on my craft and enjoy it," he said. "If you let it overwhelm you, then it won't be an enjoyable experience. I obviously want to do the best I can and work as hard as I can. "I will be able to practice and go against grown men to get that experi- ence before many of the other guys in the class. I'll be able to get college lift- ing to help me get much bigger, faster and stronger than I could have here [at home]. It's a six-month head start." Notre Dame has a major void to fill at center with three-year starter Sam Mustipher vacating the spot. No matter who wins the job to open the 2019 season, the Irish will start a player with zero college starts at the position. Like senior Trevor Ruhland, sopho- more Luke Jones and others, Correll will aim to prove he's worthy of the nod on the road against Louisville. "They said they will throw me in the mix for spring ball," he said. "I hope I can seize the opportunity and take advantage of it. Not just play there, but maybe even start. That would be amazing. They all hold us to really high standards. They said they will throw me in the mix and that I need to work on the intricacies of center every day." ✦ ZEKE CORRELL OFFENSIVE LINEMAN 6-3 · 275 ANDERSON H.S. CINCINNATI RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 114 6* 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 148 4^ 3 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 81 3^ 3 * Ranked as a guard; ^ ranked as a center STATISTICS • Helped pave the way for Anderson to average 33.1 points per game in 2018. • Anderson averaged 40.6 points and 400.2 yards per contest during his junior year. HONORS • 2018 Anthony Munoz Foundation Offensive Lineman of the Year • 2017 and 2018 USA Today All-State first team • 2017 and 2018 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Asso- ciation Division II All-Ohio first team • 2017 and 2018 first-team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference selection ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on June 18, 2018, and enrolled in January 2019. • Chose the Irish over finalists Ohio State, Clem- son and Stanford. • Offensive line coach Jeff Quinn headed his recruitment following the departure of former position coach Harry Hiestand. • Picked up his offer in October 2017 following a visit to South Bend for Notre Dame's win over North Carolina State. He returned for multiple visits over the spring before his official June 15-17. NOTABLE • Born Nov. 10, 2000. • One of nine children. 2019 PROJECTION • Senior Trevor Ruhland is expected to start at center next season and current freshman Luke Jones and sophomore Dillan Gibbons are working at the position as well. Enrolling early should give Correll a chance to jump immediately into the competition at the position, and a strong spring could give him a chance to make a push in the fall. THEY SAID IT Anderson head coach Evan Dreyer: "He does a great job of finishing plays and is able to move with his feet. … If it's a one-on-one matchup, I think he takes it to heart to win that matchup." Offensive line coach Jeff Quinn: "He under- stands what sacrifice and teamwork is all about. He blocks with tremendous effort and competes to the echo of the whistle." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Correll has good length for his size, which is ideal for an in- terior player. He has a thick lower half, and after some time in the strength program he should become a physical force. "Correll is also a feisty and competitive blocker. He plays with a good base and is an excellent fin- isher in the run game. "He is an athletic blocker that explodes out of his stance. He constantly beats defenders off the ball, and his foot quickness allows him to handle fast penetrators and quick line games." Correll worked at center and then saw his first game action at the position in January at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM