Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109499
five-star prospect, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the country, the No. 3 player in California and the No. 21 overall recruit in the class of 2013 by Rivals.com … Tabbed by ESPNU as the No. 1 player in California, the No. 1 recruit in the West region, the No. 1 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 33 overall player regardless of position … Identified as a four-star performer, the No. 6 defensive end in the country and the No. 43 overall player in the nation by MaxPreps. Statistics: Compiled 72 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as senior in 2012 … Recorded 65 tackles, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2011. Honors: First-team defensive lineman on 247Sports All-America squad and second-team USA Today All-USA High School All-American … Sacramento Bee first-team All-Metro defensive lineman for 2012. All-Star Games And Camps: Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 5 in San Antonio, recording three tackles and a sack … Participated in The Opening, an elite football camp in Beaverton, Ore., from July 5-7 in which he was named MVP among defensive linemen. Brian Kelly's Comments: "Strong, physical at the point of attack. He's rated as a five-star player. We don't put a lot of stock into stars, but we can tell you this: in our evaluation he's one of the finest defensive players in the country. To add him to this class with the kind of balance that we have really puts the entire class at a different level." Placer Head Coach Joey Montoya Comments (via SportsStars magazine): "I've never had anything close to the talent and skill level that he has. He moves like a running back and is as strong as they come. Those combinations don't come around often." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "He's kind of a Kevin Hardy-type of athlete [1964-67 Notre Dame All-American tackle], one of my first heroes who lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He just has the natural athletic ability. He's quick-footed without being super fast, but he can get to the quarterback and make plays laterally. A premier player and quality kid." Recruitment: Committed to USC in July shortly after The Opening camp in Oregon, but re-opened his recruitment on Dec. 27 before selecting the Fighting Irish on National Signing Day Feb. 6 … Main recruiter was receivers coach Mike Denbrock, but also defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and defensive line coach Mike Elston. Why He Chose Notre Dame: "I just liked the people better. It was more friendly out in that area, and it's more my type of people living out there. I live in Northern California. It's slower, smaller towns out here, not the big city thing like in Southern California." Jason Sapp's Scouting Report: An absolute mauler … For a player his size, his motor is endless … Has a strong base, shows a powerful punch and makes great use of hands to not just elude a block, but dominate it … He has day-one ability and is seen as a Louis Nix-type of player down the line. 2013 Projection: Like Aaron Lynch and Stephon Tuitt in 2011 or Sheldon Day last season, Vanderdoes will be in the rotation as a freshman, health permitting. It wouldn't be a stretch to say he could be at least a co-starter at the graduated Kapron Lewis-Moore's position.