Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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66 PRESEASON 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PREP PROFILES Notre Dame is off to a hot start in the 2021 class with five commitments coming from four-star prospects. The Irish coaching staff would love to continue the strong start and add an elite player in the secondary. Wood- stock (Ga.) High class of 2021 safety David Daniel would certainly fit the bill. Daniel, the No. 75 overall player in the 2021 class per Rivals, earned an offer from the Fighting Irish in March and has been in consistent commu- nication with safeties coach Terry Jo- seph. They've had discussions this summer. "He told me that he's coming after me with open arms," Daniel said. "He wants me to get up there so he can show me the atmosphere." Joseph and Daniel have formed a strong early relationship. On Sept. 1, college coaches will be able to reach out to 2021 recruits via phone calls, and Daniel would likely be a pros- pect who is quickly contacted by Jo- seph and company. "He's nice, and he relates to me about a lot of things," Daniel said. "He's easy to talk to." The 6-2, 185-pounder hasn't mapped out his fall travel plans, but South Bend is a place he feels strongly about visiting. "I'm definitely trying to get to Notre Dame," Daniel stated. "I was thinking about the USC game and also going over to Athens for the Georgia game against Notre Dame." There are several things Daniel is looking for in a school, including where it stands with its safety depth and how early he could play. "Family connections, treat me with respect and keep it real with me," Daniel added. "Academics are a main thing. You need that." Daniel has the size and skill to be a versatile defensive back at the next level. He's being recruited at both the safety and nickel spots. "A lot of schools like my size and how physical I am, and they want to use me all over the field," the de- fensive back said. "With my tackling abilities, they can see me play up in the box or cover." Daniel, who is also Rivals' No. 8 recruit in Georgia and No. 3 safety in the 2021 class, also holds offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma and Tennessee. — Mike Singer Lakeland (Fla.) Christian class of 2021 defensive end Cade Denhoff en- tered the summer as a prospect with several big-time offers, but before his junior year has started, he has become a national-level recruit. In June and July, he earned offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. "It's been pretty crazy. I'm just tak- ing it all in," Denhoff said. "A couple of these offers came from camps — Notre Dame and Alabama for sure. I was at both of their camps. Clem- son's offer was a little bit based on that, and I was at their camp last year and was up there for a visit in March." Some of his new offers came as a surprise, but not the Fighting Irish tender. Notre Dame was showing very high interest leading into his camp visit in mid-June. "I kind of expected the Notre Dame offer," he explained. "The other ones were big surprises for sure. Alabama was a really, really big surprise. I went there for a camp, looking to do my best and outwork my opponents. "I did that, and it came as a sur- prise that they had so much interest in me." Denhoff, who received spring eval- uation period visits from defensive line coach Mike Elston and offen- sive line coach Jeff Quinn, saw South Bend in June for the Notre Dame Lineman's Challenge. He left cam- pus armed with an offer from the Fighting Irish. "The camp was great," Denhoff added. "I got a lot of quality reps, and I loved working with Coach Elston. I like the way he coaches. I'll definitely continue to build a rela- tionship with him." Denhoff got to see Notre Dame's campus and what that had to offer. "The campus was beautiful, and the stadium was huge," he noted. "The facilities were great, too. I like how they keep a lot of tradition with their architecture." The 6-5, 225-pounder has a few schools in mind that he'd like to see this fall for game visits. "I don't have anything planned yet, but I'd like to head out to a couple of games if I have time," Denhoff said. "Maybe Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida State and Florida." — Mike Singer Top 2021 Safety Is Looking To Visit Notre Dame 2021 DE Camps In South Bend And Lands Irish Offer DAVID DANIEL ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Woodstock H.S. Woodstock, Ga. Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Safety Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 185 Rivals Rankings: No. 8 player in Georgia, and No. 3 safety and No. 75 overall player nationally CADE DENHOFF Lakeland Christian H.S. Lakeland, Fla. Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Defensive End Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 225 Rivals Rankings: Unrated "He told me that he's coming after me with open arms. He wants me to get up there so he can show me the atmosphere." Daniel on Notre Dame safeties coach Terry Joseph "The campus was beautiful, and the stadium was huge. The facilities were great, too. I like how they keep a lot of tradition with their architecture." Denhoff on Notre Dame