Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2020 43 2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ANDREW MENTOCK Defensive back recruiting at Notre Dame was scrutinized in the 2020 cycle because the Fighting Irish were unable to sign top-tier players at that position of need. Ultimately, the Notre Dame coach- ing staff prioritized players with length, verifiable 40 times, and a per- sonality and work ethic that would fit the program. The first defensive back to fit that profile and jump on board was the 6-0, 180-pound Clarence Lewis, a product of Mater Dei High School in Middletown, N.J., who pledged on June 10, 2019. "They were saying that they think I can fit in here with my personal- ity," Lewis said when he committed. "They don't just recruit a player; they recruit the person too. They were just keeping it real with me and how re- cruiting works." Lewis also fits what the Notre Dame coaches were looking for be- cause he played both ways on the football field and comes from a Cath- olic high school in New Jersey, which has been a fertile recruiting area for the staff through the years. Like many Irish recruits, Lewis also prioritized the classroom when making his decision, preferring to think about the next 40 years of his life, in addition to the next four. "That was huge for me," Lewis said after the Irish offered. "I'm look- ing for a school that has great aca- demics and also great football. Notre Dame obviously has both." He had offers from several other high academic schools, including Duke, Boston College and Vanderbilt. Lewis was recruited to play cor- nerback at Notre Dame but actually made the switch to safety during his senior year of high school. In the long term, that could be the position he plays at Notre Dame given his length and ability to play the ball. "I'm learning more about safety," Lewis explained. "So if I play that in college, it won't be like I know noth- ing about the position." Even though the Notre Dame coaching staff hasn't talked to him much about playing safety, Lewis noted he's open to changing posi- tions — flexibility that makes him valuable to a team that did not sign a safety in 2020. After the loss of cornerback signee Landen Bartleson, Lewis is the lone defensive back recruit in his class who did not enroll early. Not only could this play a factor in what po- sition he plays, but he'll also have some ground to make up in com- parison to the rest of the defensive backs. ✦ Clarence Lewis Brings Versatility To Notre Dame's Defensive Backfield Lewis helped Middletown (N.J.) Mater Dei to the state title game as a senior, posting nearly 700 yards from scrimmage on offense and three interceptions on defense. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM CLARENCE LEWIS CORNERBACK 6-0 · 180 MATER DEI EDISON, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 81 19 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 108^ 16 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 53 17 ^ Ranked as a wide receiver STATISTICS • Posted 39 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns, plus had three interceptions on de- fense, while helping Mater Dei to an appearance in the state championship game as a senior. • Reeled in 21 catches for 411 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. • Had the third highest Nike training score of any defensive back (109.74) at The Opening New Jersey Regional in 2019. NOTABLE • Named to the 2019 Shore Conference Coaches' Colonial Division first-team offense • Picked for USA Today 2019 All-New Jersey Team • Nominated for the 2019 "Heart of a Giant" award, presented by the New York Giants • Named to the 2018 All-Non-Public first-team offense in New Jersey ALL-STAR GAMES • Did not participate in a postseason all-star game RECRUITMENT • Was Notre Dame's first defensive back com- mit in the 2020 class when he announced his pledge on June 10, 2019. • Defensive line coach Mike Elston initially made contact with Lewis. • Officially visited Notre Dame June 7 and picked the Irish the day after he returned home from the trip. • Recruited by Notre Dame safeties coach Terry Joseph. 2020 PROJECTION • Lewis likely will redshirt as a freshman, but competition for the No. 2 unit is wide open. THEY SAID IT Todderick Hunt of NJ Advance Media: "Lewis has longs arms, elite athleticism and the juice to make plays on either side of the ball. He is ver- satile enough to play either safety or cornerback in Notre Dame's scheme beginning this summer, but also adds great value at wide receiver where he has the length and ball skills to make acrobatic grabs down the field. He's also deceptively strong and physical." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "Clarence impresses you with his speed off the ball, route running and hands. He does a good job working back to the ball. He shows a good vertical and rarely drops a pass. I also consider Clarence to be a big-time prospect at free safety where he shows great instincts, range, loose hips and does a great job tracking the ball."