Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/109499
"He has that turnover in his hips that you can't coach — it's just there," Belles said. Luke didn't start on the Hamilton varsity until his junior year, mainly because two seniors on the Huskies' roster that year would go on to play at the small-college level. As a junior in 2011, Luke immediately blossomed into an all-state performer, highlighted by picking off six passes and returning three of them for scores. "He had a phenomenal junior year when nobody knew about him, and his senior year hardly anybody threw to his side just because of the reputation of what he had done the previous year," Belles said. "Needless to say, he got a little frustrated at CB Cole Luke times his senior year, but when they did throw to him, he made them pay." Other than the decommits of USC five-star players Max Redfield at safety and Eddie Vanderdoes along the defensive line, Luke might have been the most pleasant "wow factor" surprise on the Irish recruiting trail this year. Although Luke took his official visit to the Sept. 22 home game against Michigan, he patiently bided his time, and projections had him destined to either Oklahoma or Texas. But while at Norman on his official visit to Oklahoma's showdown with Notre Dame, Luke's earlier gut instincts about the Irish reached full circle, and five days later he gave his commitment to the staff. The reasons were two-fold. "Notre Dame didn't sign any corners last year [not including running back Russell], so I couldn't pass up that great opportunity," Luke said. "That's what mainly attracted me to the program — including the 40-year decision." F u r t h e r m o re , t h e "IrishMob13," the nickname for the 2013 class and their bond, appealed to Luke. "It is an amazing group, and the fan base is the same way," he said. "That makes Notre Dame who they are on a national level with all of that support." More than in quite some time, the corner position at Notre Dame also is building a stronger support system. ✦ 6-0 ✦ 180 ✦ Hamilton High School ✦ Chandler, Ariz. Notable: Born on June 30, 1995 … Listed with a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash … He and UCLA signee Priest Willis were generally considered the two best prospects in Arizona in 2012, with Willis getting a slight edge because of playing multiple positions … Luke's uncle, Darren Woodson, is a five-time Pro Bowl pick and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys from 1992-2004, and he is the Cowboys' all-time leading tackler with 1,350 hits … Luke's powerful Hamilton High team, coached by 1985-89 Notre Dame player Steve Belles, was in Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 1 2012, the same weekend when Notre Dame opened its campaign with a 50-10 win against Navy … Hamilton lost 27-15 to fall to 0-2, but went on to win its next 12 games and capture a state title. Rankings: Rated as a four-star recruit, the No. 2 prospect in Arizona, the No. 9 cornerback in the nation and the No. 77 overall player in the land by 247Sports … Listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 2 player