Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 61 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY COREY BODDEN Notre Dame was one of the first few programs to enter the mix for four-star cornerback Isaiah Ruther- ford of Sacramento (Calif.) Jesuit. However, the defensive back didn't make a game-day visit during the fall of 2017, nor a trip in the winter or even the spring. So it wasn't a surprise when Rutherford narrowed his recruitment to California, LSU, Oklahoma and Or- egon July 26, leaving out the Irish. The Notre Dame staff did not give up and eventually convinced Ruth- erford to take an official visit, and the rest is history with the Califor- nia product committing in October and signing with the Irish during the early period. "It wasn't anything they did," Ruth- erford said of Notre Dame's absence on his summer list. "I don't know why, to be honest. I released it and I wasn't thinking about it too much. "I got more serious about them when they officially offered me in Au- gust — and they were still interested in me even after dropping that list." A continued strong push from the Irish coaches after the list prompted Rutherford to take his official visit when Notre Dame hosted Michigan to open the 2018 season. He didn't know what to expect when he arrived, but he is relieved he made the trip. "They were one of my early offers, too," Rutherford stated. "It would be stupid for me not to go visit them, because they're a big-time school. So I went and checked them out … I didn't know much about Indiana or anything really. "I had a brief history about Notre Dame, but I still didn't know a lot. The visit, obviously, did what it was supposed to do. They really caught my, and my family's, attention." The people involved within the Notre Dame program sold Ruther- ford on South Bend being his home the next several years. "They were all very good people," he said. "They weren't just talking about football — and really talked about life after football. That opened my eyes. Football ends at some point no matter who you are. "It's great to have that type of ré- sumé coming out of Notre Dame." Even with just one visit to check out the Irish and late pushes from other programs, Rutherford didn't waver. "Oregon was still pushing pretty hard," Rutherford said. "I was fully committed and was telling all the schools that, too. Some other schools tried to come in. I was on board with Notre Dame, and there wasn't any- thing that could break it." It wasn't a typical recruitment be- tween Rutherford and Notre Dame, but both sides are plenty pleased the pursuit did not end in the summer. ✦ ISAIAH RUTHERFORD CORNERBACK 6-0 · 175 JESUIT H.S. SACRAMENTO, CALIF. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 110 12 17 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 29 38 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 231 23 30 STATISTICS • Finished his career with 50 tackles and three interceptions, 2,809 yards and 38 touchdowns rushing, 13 100-yard rushing games, and 45 recep- tions for 563 receiving yards and seven scores. • Compiled 678 yards and 12 touchdowns on 90 carries, and added 185 yards and four scores on 11 receptions during senior season. Also made 14 tackles on defense. • Rushed for 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns on 169 attempts, while recording 27 stops and two interceptions on defense in 2017 as a junior. HONORS • 2018 National Football Foundation All-Sac- Joaquin Section first-team defense • 2018 Sacramento Bee All-Metro first-team defense • 2017 MaxPreps All-Sac-Joaquin Section Team • 2017 MaxPreps All-Northern California Foot- ball Team All-Purpose selection and Junior of the Year • 2017 Sacramento Bee All-Metro first-team offense ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl, and made two tackles while also breaking up a pass • Participated in the Nike Football The Opening Finals in June 2018 RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Oct. 13, 2018. • Picked the Irish over Oklahoma, LSU, Oregon, California and Colorado. • Cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght and Special teams coordinator Brian Polian led the charge in his recruitment. • His first trip was his official visit on Sept. 1, 2018, for Notre Dame's season opener against Michigan. He also took an official to Colorado a couple weeks later. NOTABLE • Born on June 2, 2000. • Also ran track and played basketball during his time at Jesuit. • Son of former Cal and NFL running back Rey- nard Rutherford. • His first scholarship offer came from Alabama. • Is the highest-ranked cornerback, per Rivals, to sign with Notre Dame since Shaun Crawford (No. 82 in 2015). 2019 PROJECTION • Like Noah Boykin and D.J. Brown in 2018, expect Rutherford to preserve a season of eligibil- ity as a true freshman in 2019. THEY SAID IT Jesuit head coach Marlon Blanton: "His ath- leticism is right there with all the national recruits. He's that guy that makes plays for your team to have success on offense and defense. He's the kind of guy you want leading your team. He does all of the necessary things to help the team win." Cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght: "Isaiah is an extremely physical playmaker with versatility and range that is hard to come by. His Cali swag and gritty mindset is a welcome addition to the squad." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Rutherford is a long and agile defender that must improve his flexibility and vertical speed. His foot quickness is impressive, and once his technique improves his ability to thrive in man coverage should see a big jump. "Rutherford's length helps him to effectively catch up to receivers if he gets beat at the line, and it allows him to still make plays on the ball even when receivers have a step on him." Strong Summer Pursuit Pushes Isaiah Rutherford To ND Rivals rates Rutherford as a four-star recruit, the No. 17 player in California, and the No. 12 cor- nerback and No. 110 overall player in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM