Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 55 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "I put together a good enough ju- nior year to get those types of offers." In the span of less than four years, Kristofic went from a skill player to a four-star offensive tackle. The 6-5, 275-pounder is gratified with how it has worked out and where his talent is at the position going into Notre Dame. "It's where I hoped it would be at this point," Kristofic said. "I still have a lot to work on and improve, but I'm happy with where I am leav- ing high school." Luckily for Kristofic, he is among the 10 early enrollees for Notre Dame and will get an extra six months of development on and off the field. "It's huge to be around people who this is their full-time job and not their side job," he said. "Whether it's the coaches or the strength and condi- tioning staff, it's their full-time job to help us maximize our full potential. Not to mention the nutritionists who went to school to be that. Just being around that will be really beneficial. "I'm excited about it with what Coach Jeff Quinn has been able to do with the guys in his first year [as Notre Dame's offensive line coach] and his career as a coach, not to mention Coach Brian Kelly's and Notre Dame's history with offensive linemen." ✦ ANDREW KRISTOFIC OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-5 · 275 PINE-RICHLAND H.S. GIBSONIA, PA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 32 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 228 24 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 120 13 1 STATISTICS • Helped pave the way for the Pine-Richland offense to average 349.9 yards and 34.6 points per game as a senior. In addition, he recorded 25 tackles and seven sacks on defense. • Was part of an offensive line that helped the Rams average more than 480 yards and 47 points per game on the way to the Class 6A state title during his junior season. Registered 41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. • Helped Pine-Richland averaged more than 450 yards and 34.5 points per game in 2016 as a sophomore. HONORS • 2017 and 2018 Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State first-team offense • 2017 and 2018 USA Today All-State first-team offense • 2017 and 2018 All-Western Pennsylvania Inter- scholastic Athletic League ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Participated in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on April 23, 2018, and enrolled in January 2019. • Although he had not made a visit to South Bend at the time of his offer in December 2017, Notre Dame appeared to be a strong contender from the beginning. It didn't hurt that he was already good friends with his teammate and Irish 2018 quarterback signee Phil Jurkovec. He took two spring visits to South Bend, along with trips to Ohio State and Clemson. However, it was his final trip to Notre Dame on April 23, 2018, that sealed the deal for the Irish. • Was initially offered by Harry Hiestand, but offensive line coach Jeff Quinn took over upon being hired. • Along with his two spring visits in 2018, Kristofic returned for the Stanford game on Sept. 29, 2018, and his official visit on Nov. 10, 2018, to watch the Irish take down Florida State. NOTABLE • Born on March 13, 2000. • Was part of Pine-Richland's Class 6A semifinals appearance in basketball during his junior year. • His father, Dave Kristofic, played offensive line at Pittsburgh. 2019 PROJECTION • An early enrollee, Kristofic will likely redshirt as a true freshman in 2019. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "It's hard to find young men with the athleticism and length to play left tackle. Andrew Kristofic joins us with a strong high school pedigree, and an eagerness to learn and grow." Pine-Richland offensive line coach Tim Sasson: "He's only scratched the surface of how good he can be. Once he adds weight to his frame and gets stronger I have no doubt he can be a tremendous player for Notre Dame. … I think the sky is the limit for him." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Kristofic is a talented player, but there is still a wide gap between what he is and what he can be. "He was a two-way player in high school and played basketball until his senior season. Those two factors kept him from developing his body and the offensive line technique he would have if he just played offense. "The tools are outstanding. Kristofic has an im- pressive frame, possessing elite length, a good build and strong hands. He is an athletic player with quick feet and good agility, and those traits project him to be a top-notch pass protector." Rivals lists Kristofic as a four-star recruit, the No. 5 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 32 offensive tackle in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM