Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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44 OCT. 12, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PREP PROFILES Notre Dame hosted Bakersfield (Ca- lif.) Liberty athlete Ramon Henderson for an official visit on the weekend of Sept. 28. The 6-3, 180-pound three-star pros- pect has been a top target for the Fight- ing Irish as a versatile defensive back for the past few months. Notre Dame rolled out the red carpet for Rivals' No. 49 recruit in California, and he was impressed. "One thing that really stood out to me was their graduation rate among African-American people," Henderson said. "That was really cool. We learned a lot of different stuff about the school. It's a pretty good school overall." Notre Dame special teams coordi- nator Brian Polian has been the main Irish coach recruiting Henderson, and they spent quality time together dur- ing the visit, including breakfast before Henderson flew back to California. The prospect felt that he got to know all of the Irish coaches on the trip. "I met mostly everybody — the re- ceivers coach, defensive coordinator, everyone to be honest," Henderson noted. "They all seem really cool — good people, good fathers, good hus- bands. I liked everyone that I met. I hit it off with everyone. "With the coaches that I had only spoken to over the phone, our rela- tionship grew stronger. Finally seeing someone face-to-face is better than just talking to them over the phone. I could see in their face that they were serious about me, and they could see that in mine. It was good." According to Henderson, the Irish coaches didn't want to just tell him about Notre Dame's benefits. They wanted him to experience it all for himself. "The coaches wanted me to see for myself that it was a great place," explained Henderson. "They have a great brotherhood. Their fans are legit. They didn't want me to just hear it from them; they wanted me to see it for myself. "They have a great school and pro- gram. Their players are tight knit. At some schools, the defensive players don't really know the offensive play- ers. But they know each other really well and are tight." Henderson does not have plans any time soon to announce a commitment. He doesn't have any other visits sched- uled at this time either. "I'm not sure. I'll just play it by ear," he said. "I plan on seeing a couple of UCLA games. I'll be out there soon." — Mike Singer Andrel Anthony was hoping to earn a scholarship offer to play foot- ball at the University of Notre Dame. The East Lansing (Mich.) High class of 2021 wide receiver participated in a prospect camp in June at Notre Dame in hopes of impressing the Irish coaches, but the opportunity didn't come at that point. Anthony returned to South Bend for Notre Dame's home opener against New Mexico Sept. 14, and a few days following the visit he landed the offer that he coveted. "It was definitely a surprise," An- thony said. "I didn't think it was coming that soon, but I was very ex- cited that it happened." Notre Dame joined Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and others on Anthony's offer list. "It was very exciting," Anthony added. "It meant a lot to me because I grew up watching Notre Dame. I really like their program. "My visit was amazing, and I could really see myself playing there." Irish wide receivers coach Del Al- exander delivered the good news to the No. 12 recruit in Michigan and the nation's No. 56 wide receiver per Rivals. "He was talking to me about how he likes my film and what I can do," Anthony said. "He likes the type of person I am, and I'm very dedicated to my schoolwork and have a high GPA. He said he looks forward to working with me." A handful of Notre Dame's top 2021 targets have been hearing from Irish 2021 offensive tackle pledge Blake Fisher. He's been working hard to get other top prospects to join him in South Bend, which includes An- thony. "He texted me after my visit and was talking to me about it," Anthony said. "He asked me if I got the offer would Notre Dame be one of my top schools, and I said that they definitely would be. "He texted me after I got the offer, and he said, 'You already know what the move is.'" Michigan and Michigan State will be involved in Anthony's recruitment for the long run, but the Irish may be the team to beat right now. "I don't have a top list, but they're definitely one of my favorites," An- thony said. — Mike Singer California Defensive Back Is Serious About Notre Dame The Irish Become A Favorite For Michigan Pass Catcher "It was definitely a surprise. I didn't think it was coming that soon, but I was very excited that it happened." Anthony on his Notre Dame offer "I could see in their face that they were serious about me, and they could see that in mine. It was good." Henderson on the Irish coaches during his visit to South Bend RAMON HENDERSON ✪ ✪ ✪ Liberty H.S. Bakersfield, Calif. Status: Offered Class: 2020 Position: Athlete Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 180 Rivals Rankings: No. 49 player in California ANDREL ANTHONY ✪ ✪ ✪ East Lansing H.S. East Lansing, Mich. Status: Offered Class: 2021 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 165 Rivals Rankings: No. 12 player in Michigan and No. 56 wide receiver in the country