Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1081575
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2019 71 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Offensive Tackles (7) Senior — Liam Eichenberg (2) Juniors — Robert Hainsey (2) and Josh Lugg (3) Sophomores — Cole Mabry (4) and Jarrett Patterson (4) Freshmen — Quinn Carroll (4) and Andrew Kristofic (4) Note: Eichenberg and Hainsey started all 13 games in 2018 on the left and right sides, respectively, and could conceivably start together through the 2020 campaign … Lugg could work at either tackle or guard. Guards/Centers (8) Fifth-Year Senior — Trevor Ruhland (1) Senior — Tommy Kraemer (2) Juniors — Aaron Banks (3) and Dillan Gibbons (3) Sophomores — John Dirksen (4) and Luke Jones (4) Freshmen — Zeke Correll (4) and John Olmstead (4) Note: Although he played mostly guard last season, Ruhland is in line to succeed three-year starter Sam Mustipher at center … Jones and Correll also will line up at center, along with preferred walk-on Colin Grunhard, who took 20 snaps there as a sophomore this past season … Banks started the final eight games at left guard after an injury sidelined graduated captain Alex Bars … Like Eichenberg and Hainsey at tackle, the Banks/Kraemer tandem at guard could start together through 2020. Defensive Ends (10) Seniors — Khalid Kareem (1), Julian Okwara (1), Daelin Hayes (1), Jamir Jones (1) and Ade Ogundeji (2) Junior — Kofi Wardlow (3) Sophomore — Justin Ademilola (4) Freshmen — Howard Cross III (4), NaNa Osafo-Mensah (4) and Isaiah Foskey (4) Note: Kareem was a mainstay while starting all 13 contests in 2018, while Ok- wara's 21 quarterback hurries (in addition to eight sacks) were the most at the school since the stat first was tracked around 2001 … The previous mark was 14 by 2011 Freshman All-American Aaron Lynch, who transferred the next season to the University of South Florida. Defensive Tackles/Nose Tackles (7) Senior — None Juniors — Kurt Hinish (2), Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (3) and Darnell Ewell (3) Sophomores — Jayson Ademilola (3) and Ja'Mion Franklin (4) Freshmen — Jacob Lacey (4) and Hunter Spears (4) Note: Just like at running back and offensive line, everyone is available in the spring … Franklin likely will be limited because of major surgery on his quadriceps ... Ewell is projected to move back to defense to aid the numbers. Linebackers/Rovers (13) Fifth-Year Senior — Asmar Bilal (1) Senior — Jonathan Jones (2) Juniors — Jordan Genmark Heath (2), Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (3) and Drew White (3) Sophomores — Bo Bauer (3), Shayne Simon (3), Jack Lamb (4) and Ovie Oghoufo (4) Freshmen — JD Bertrand (4), Osita Ekwonu (4), Jack Kiser (4), Marist Liufau (4) Note: Although this position is replete with prospects, only Bilal has any starting or extensive playing experience … Eight of the 14 are sophomores or freshmen, and among them only Simon and Bauer have taken snaps on defense, 27 and 19, respectively... Oghoufo could move to end this spring. Cornerbacks (8) Fifth-Year Senior — Shaun Crawford (2) Seniors — Troy Pride (1) and Donte Vaughn (1) Junior — None Sophomores — TaRiq Bracy (3), Noah Boykin (4) and DJ Brown (4) Freshmen — Isaiah Rutherford (4) and K.J. Wallace (4) Note: Because he missed all of 2015 and 2018, Crawford could apply for a sixth season in 2020 … Pride started all 13 games last season opposite consen- sus All-American classmate Julian Love, who has turned pro. Safeties/Nickels (8) Seniors — Alohi Gilman (2), Jalen Elliott (1), and Devin Studstill (1) Junior — None Sophomores — Houston Griffith (3), Paul Moala (3), Derrick Allen (4) Freshmen — Kyle Hamilton (4) and Litchfield Ajavon (4) Note: Elliott is the lone player on defense or offense who has started all 26 games the past two seasons. Specialists (3) Senior — John Shannon (2) Junior — Jonathan Doerer (2) Sophomore — None Freshman — Jay Bramblett (4) Note: Long-snapper Shannon will begin his third season in the starting lineup … Doerer and Bramblett are the front-runners to replace four-year starters Justin Yoon and Tyler Newsome at kicker and punter, respectively. Asmar Bilal started at rover last season and finished with 50 tackles, the sixth most on the team. He could be downshifted to inside linebacker, where both Drue Tranquill and Te'von Coney graduated. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL