Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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prep profiles NFL Legacy Looking Forward To Notre Dame Visit Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Ponte Vedra in the spring for junior day is being tarHigh junior outside linebacker Dillon geted. Bates recalls the stories from his father, In addition to the Irish, there are five 15-year NFL veteran and Tennessee All- other programs that have his attention. American Bill Bates, about his recruit"Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio ment and how they State and probably differ from his own. Texas A&M," the Dillon Bates While the procountry's No. 214 ✪✪✪✪ cess has changed, overall recruit said Ponte Vedra High School much of it remains of his favorites. Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. the same, and the "The more I build Status: Offered younger Bates a relationship with Position: Outside Linebacker isn't going to let the players and Ht.: 6-3 · Wt.: 218 great opportunities coaches at Notre 40-Yard Dash: 4.6 pass him by when Dame, I can defi247Sports Ranking: No. 23 player in Florida, there's still plenty of nitely see them benation's No. 15 outside linebacker and No. 214 overall prospect in the land time to go. ing a top contender One of the prountil the end." grams that got his attention when he While a list of standouts has emerged, broadened his recruiting scope was he doesn't plan on rushing to a choice, Notre Dame. following the advice of his father who "When you say Notre Dame there's says he took all five of his official visits a million things that pop in your mind before choosing the Volunteers. "I've talked to my coaches and my with great players, great coaches and great tradition," the 6-3, 218-pound four- family, and they really think I should star player said while in San Antonio slow play it and wait for the right fit," for the Army National Combine and to the Florida native said. "Some people be introduced as one of the 2014 par- commit so early that it doesn't seem like ticipants in the U.S. Army All-American the right fit later in the process. "I really want to go to places and see Bowl. "It's really a humbling experience hav- where I want to live for the next four or ing that prestigious of a college wanting five years and to get a chance to see how you to play for that team and be a part passionate I am about the place. And if of that fraternity of players. It makes me football ends, which it ultimately does, but if it ends early I want to make sure I really want to get up to campus." Bates hasn't been to South Bend yet, will get a good degree that will help me but both he and his father said a stop go somewhere in life."