Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 AUGUST 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY MIKE SINGER Mars (Pa.) High offensive line- man Michael Carmody kept it in the family when he announced his commitment to Notre Dame June 16. Two summers ago, Carmody's older brother Robby committed to the Fighting Irish to play men's basket- ball. And now, the Carmody brothers will be reunited in South Bend when the four-star offensive tackle enrolls at Notre Dame next summer. Carmody's recruitment came down to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Texas A&M, according to Mars head coach Scott Heinauer. Having Robby at Notre Dame may have been the clincher for the Irish. "You really can't go wrong with any of those schools," Heinauer said. "From a Notre Dame standpoint, his brother obviously goes there, and that's a big factor. "Michael went up there and felt comfortable with those people, and it probably makes sense as far as his family is concerned. He's been up there numerous times, and I think it's a better fit for him and is easier on his family." Like his older brother, Carmody has been a basketball player for a long time. At some points of his teenage life, the hardwood was even more of a focus than the gridiron. He played football in middle school, but chose to take a year off as a ninth grader. When he returned to the Mars football team as a sophomore, he played tight end and defensive end. Heinauer and the Mars coaching staff then changed Carmody's position. "We moved him to offensive tackle last year as a junior, which is where he'd be able to play in college," Hein- auer explained. "It made more sense for us, and we needed him to play there. We thought it would be better for him, too." 247Sports ranks Carmody as a four-star talent, and the No. 12 offen- sive tackle and No. 95 overall player in the country, while Rivals has him as the No. 36 tackle nationally. In his first year as an offensive lineman, he was selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers 5A All-State Team. Not many offensive line recruits are also dropping into coverage if they happen to play on the other side of the ball, but that's exactly how Carmody is used on defense. "He's an outside pass rusher and a huge threat from an athletic stand- point," Heinauer said. "We use him to drop [in coverage] as a defensive end. "Obviously, he's played basketball and had a lot of ability. His footwork is good, so he can get into the flat and can also rush the passer from the outside." Notre Dame has a commitment from offensive tackle Tosh Baker in the 2020 class. Carmody has the ver- satility to play outside or inside. "I think he can play guard if Notre Dame needed him to do that, but with the size and mobility he has, I think it gives him a great advan- tage over a lot of people [at tackle]," Heinauer noted. "I don't think a lot of people have the ability of move- ment that he has. His footwork is great. Playing basketball has helped his mobility a great deal. "He's growing into his body. He's 290 pounds and a pretty big, well trimmed kid. When he adjusts to one sport and concentrates on it, they'll be able to mold him however they want. That will be a huge factor for him." Notre Dame offered Carmody in early May and instantly became the team to beat in his recruitment. "It was a little bit crazy," Carmody said about landing the Irish tender. " I didn't know if an offer would hap- pen, but it finally did. "With my brother being there and everything, it was kind of surreal." Carmody took two unofficial visits to Notre Dame during the second and third weekends in June, which led to his commitment. He returned to South Bend for a third consecutive week for an official visit June 21 as a committed prospect. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Michael Carmody has really filled out his frame over the last couple of years, going from less than 250 pounds to more than 280 … Has above-average length, which projects well for the tackle position … Explosive at the snap, drives hips and can deliver punishment in the run game … Shows an impres- sive punch and good finishing skills as a run blocker … Background as a basketball player has helped his agility and balance … Possesses the length, flexibility and foot quickness to thrive in the pass game once his technique improves. Areas For Improvement Has played offensive line for just one season, so there is improvement needed from a technical standpoint … Must play with a better base in the pass game and improve his timing with his hands … Needs to be more consistent with his pad level and base, which causes him to lose too many blocks late. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE MICHAEL CARMODY Family Connection Helps The Irish Land Pennsylvania Offensive Lineman Rivals rates Carmody as a four-star recruit, the No. 2 player in the Keystone State and the No. 36 offensive tackle in the class of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM "His brother [men's basketball player Robby Carmody] obviously goes there, and that's a big factor. Michael went up there and felt comfortable with those people, and it probably makes sense as far as his family is concerned." MARS (PA.) HIGH HEAD COACH SCOTT HEINAUER ON CARMODY CHOOSING THE IRISH