Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 30, 2019 43 PREP PROFILES Notre Dame is in the mix for some highly ranked receivers in the 2021 class, and the Irish threw their hat in the ring for another one. On Sept. 10, Notre Dame wide re- ceivers coach Del Alexander extended an offer to Baltimore Mount St. Joseph playmaker Dont'e Thornton Jr. Rivals ranks Thornton as a four-star talent, the No. 2 recruit in Maryland, and the No. 7 receiver and No. 37 overall player in the nation. Thornton participated in a prospect camp at Notre Dame in June 2018, but didn't earn an offer from the Fight- ing Irish following that event. He did keep in touch with Alexander, and he finally received the opportunity that he coveted. "Coach Alexander told me that it wasn't because they didn't want to offer me, but he was just holding off to see what kind of person I was and how I played," Thornton said. "He talked to my coach and parents, and said there was no reason to hold back. He could see the type of person I am and really wants to build a bond together." Thornton learned a lot from Alexan- der during the camp experience. "From a coaching standpoint, he's very hands on," Thornton noted. "He teaches you all of the little things that you need to know to get your routes perfect. That means a lot to me, and he's a great person. He can help you out a lot." Notre Dame joins the likes of Flor- ida, LSU, Michigan, Oregon and sev- eral others on Thornton's offer list. He was not without big-time offers, but Notre Dame was still a school he hoped to add to his list. "Over the years, they've had some big receivers, and I'm a big receiver, so that drew my attention," Thornton explained. "Another thing is that they have a great program with the educa- tion and sports." Thornton was committed to Penn State for several months but backed off of that pledge in August. The Nittany Lions are still a top school for him and now, so are the Irish. "They're high on my list," he said of Notre Dame. The four-star recruit hopes to return to South Bend this fall. "I know for sure I'm going to try to get to Notre Dame for a visit sometime soon," Thornton said. "Other than that, I'm still looking at what other schools I'm going to visit." — Mike Singer There are some excellent prospects in the state of Indiana for the 2021 class, and Indianapolis Ben Davis ath- lete Daylan Carnell is one of the best. Rivals ranks Carnell as the No. 5 player in Indiana and the No. 231 re- cruit in the nation. Initially, Carnell was an unranked three-star recruit, but in the Rivals' updated rankings in August, he was bumped up to a four- star prospect and into the Rivals250. On the recruiting front, Carnell has been making the rounds in the Midwest. He checked out Ohio State Sept. 7 and Purdue Sept. 14. His next locked-in visit is Oct. 12 at Notre Dame when the Irish host USC. "I really like Notre Dame — the on- field, the off-the-field, the academics, all of that," Carnell said. The matchup with USC is the mar- quee visitor weekend of the fall for the Irish. Last year, Notre Dame at- tracted some top talent for the Florida State game in November, and Carnell also watched that contest from inside Notre Dame Stadium. "It was more than I expected, and I really liked the atmosphere," Carnell said. Notre Dame cornerbacks coach To d d Ly g h t o ff e re d t h e 6 - 1 , 185-pounder back in January. Carnell is listed as an athlete, and he can play on either side of the ball. "Most schools offered as an ath- lete," Carnell explained. "Notre Dame offered me as a defensive back." It's easy to see why Notre Dame wants the rangy Carnell in the sec- ondary. "They just said that they like my length and my size for that position, and they said they could make a real good player out of that," he said. Some of Carnell's notable offers are Boston College, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Purdue and Washington State. On Sept. 1, college coaches were allowed to "officially" start recruiting prospects in the 2021 class, meaning that they could directly contact them via text message or phone call. Carnell heard from Notre Dame director of recruiting Aaryn Kearney and Irish head coach Brian Kelly. Carnell is aiming to make a decision next summer, prior to his senior year, and plans to graduate high school early. — Mike Singer Big Receiver From Baltimore Has Notre Dame High On His List In-State Four-Star Athlete Has Interest In The Fighting Irish "I really like Notre Dame — the on-field, the off-the-field, the academics, all of that." Carnell DONT'E THORNTON JR. ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Mount St. Joseph H.S. Baltimore Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 180 Rivals Rankings: No. 2 player in Maryland, and No. 7 wide receiver and No. 37 overall player nationally DAYLAN CARNELL ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Mount St. Joseph H.S. Baltimore Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Athlete Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 185 Rivals Rankings: No. 5 player in Indiana, and No. 19 athlete and No. 231 overall player na- tionally "Over the years, they've had some big receivers, and I'm a big receiver, so that drew my attention. Another thing is that they have a great program with the education and sports." Thornton on Notre Dame