Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 MARCH 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Jay Brunelle's first visit to Notre Dame was in February 2019, and he left South Bend without an offer from the Fighting Irish. However, the highly productive wide receiver from Paxton, Mass., who set the Central Massachusetts record for career receiving yards with 2,666, knew exactly what he needed to do to earn the offer that he coveted. "They want to see me in person at a camp," Brunelle told Blue & Gold Illustrated after his initial visit. "I'm going to use what they told me as a good motivator for these next months and be ready the time camp rolls around." And ready Brunelle was. He made it out to South Bend for the Irish Invasion Camp June 9 and earned his scholarship offer after im- pressing the coaching staff. He was clocked running a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash and dominated the competition all afternoon. "I was definitely excited to re- ceive the offer because of how hard I worked for the camp," Brunelle said. "It meant a lot to know that hard work pays off. I love the faith, foot- ball and academic combination at Notre Dame." It took a couple weeks for Brunelle to end up committing to Notre Dame, though. He even took an of- ficial visit to Michigan the weekend of June 21, and there was a grow- ing belief that the Wolverines would land his pledge. However, Notre Dame wide re- ceivers coach Del Alexander and Co. worked hard on Brunelle, and he took to social media to announce his commitment to the Fighting Irish June 26. "Michigan made a great, late push," Brunelle said. "It came down to Michigan and Notre Dame. It was a tough decision, but I knew it was always Notre Dame. "That's where my heart was. Deep down, I felt like Notre Dame was the place I wanted to be. It was amazing to accomplish that." Brunelle's commitment to the Fighting Irish was locked solid throughout the fall and had no drama leading up to National Sign- ing Day. He inked with Notre Dame Dec. 18 and enrolled in January for the spring semester. The 6-1½, 201-pounder is eager to get started in new coordinator Tommy Rees' offense. "I see a lot of flexibility between everyone," Brunelle said of Notre Dame's receiver corps. "I was really watching their blocking this season from their receivers, and they're go- ing 100 percent every time. "We run the ball a lot at my high school and that's a big part of the game. Receivers are not just pass catchers; you need to block, too." Brunelle had specific aspects he was working on throughout his senior year to prepare himself for Notre Dame. "Being quicker in and out of my routes — really just focusing on ev- erything I've been told in camps I've been to," Brunelle said. "I've ab- sorbed a lot of knowledge. I'm try- ing to improve on the little things to become more of a complete player." Chip Long's departure from the Irish football program had no effect on Brunelle. "You don't pick Notre Dame be- cause of a particular coach; you pick it for what it's going to provide for you and after college," Brunelle stated. ✦ Jay Brunelle Brings Size And Speed To The Irish Receiving Corps Brunelle — a 6-1½, 201-pounder from Paxton, Mass., who ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at a Fighting Irish camp last summer — set the Central Massachusetts record for career receiving yards with 2,666. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM JAY BRUNELLE WIDE RECEIVER 6-1½ · 201 SAINT JOHN'S PAXTON, MASS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — — 8 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 102 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 102 6 STATISTICS • Caught 52 passes for 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns during his senior season, while helping Saint John's to a MIAA Division 3 state semifinal appearance. • Posted 69 receptions for 1,158 yards and 18 scores in 2018. • Set the Central Massachusetts record for career receiving yards with 2,666. • Has been clocked at 4.48 in the 40-yard dash. NOTABLE • Born on Jan. 19, 2002 • 2019 Massachusetts first-team offense • 2019 and 2018 Telegram & Gazette Super Team • 2019 Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association All-State Football Team • Plans to major in business ALL-STAR GAMES • Did not participate in a postseason all-star game RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on June 26, 2019 and enrolled in January 2020. • Earned an offer from Notre Dame after impressing the coaches at the school's Irish Invasion Camp in June 2019. • Had a final three schools list of Michigan, Notre Dame and UCLA. • Officially visited Michigan the weekend before he announced his pledge to the Irish. • Officially visited Notre Dame for the Vir- ginia Tech game on Nov. 2, 2019. 2020 PROJECTION • Brunelle has the chance to compete as a true freshman because he enrolled early, but he is expected to redshirt. THEY SAID IT National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Jay is a sure-handed receiver with deceptive speed and runs precise routes. He shows good straightaway speed and is a tough, hard-nosed runner after the catch who is not afraid to go over the middle and get his uniform dirty. What he lacks in great height, he more than makes up for in leaping ability, timing and anticipation."