Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/123805
football recruiting guard in the country and the No. 48 overall recruit nationally. Quote: "I felt really comfortable there — the whole team, the small campus, the family atmosphere. I really like the people there. I felt comfortable around the players." The Skinny: Smith has Notre Dame among his top three schools with Texas A&M and TCU … On a Midwest swing that included Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State, he favored the trip to South Bend … Also plans on getting to Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina, with Alabama and Oklahoma also in play … He'd like to use some of his official visits before deciding. March 23: Junior Day/ Spring Practice — Day Three OL Alex Bars 6-6, 287 · Nashville, Tenn. (Montgomery Bell Academy) Class: 2014 247Sports Ranking: Listed as the nation's No. 14 offensive tackle and the No. 183 overall prospect in the land. Quote: "They're obviously a great school. They have top-notch academics, great tradition and a great overall program. They also had a great season last year. It's just a great option for me." The Skinny: Bars' father, Joe, played for the Irish during the Gerry Faust era in the 1980s … Notre Dame is a program he was waiting on to offer, and he was encouraged by the fact that the coaching staff informed him he's among the top five offensive tackles they're targeting for the class … While Michigan — which is where his brother, Blake, plays — is a program to watch, the Irish have been surging and are a legitimate contender for his services. For the latest notre dame recruiting news, visit BLueandgold.com TE Jeb Blazevich 6-4, 230 · Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School) Class: 2014 247Sports Ranking: Tabbed as the No. 9 tight end in the nation. Quote: "Notre Dame is a very unique place. It's very special with great prestige in the classroom and tradition on the field. I knew what they had to offer, and it was great to see it all in person. Now it's up to me to see if I want to jump on board." The Skinny: Blazevich arrived in South Bend focused on six programs — Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Ole Miss … He admittedly favored programs in the South heading into the visit, and that remained the case despite enjoying his time on campus … He's expected to choose between Georgia and Ole Miss by the summer. DL Andrew Trumbetti 6-5, 250 · Demarest, N.J. (North Valley Regional) Class: 2014 247Sports Ranking: Rated as the country's No. 7 strongside defensive end and the No. 103 overall recruit in the land. The Skinny: Committed to Notre Dame during the junior day visit. March 27: Spring Practice — Day Five QB Jack Beneventi 6-6, 185 · Lisle, Ill. (Benet Academy) Class: 2015 Quote: "It was probably my sixth time going up there. This visit was definitely different. … I saw the football facility more. It was my mom's first time down there, and she was able to see the football side of it and meet the coaches." The Skinny: Beneventi has become very familiar with the Irish considering how many times he has been campus, and the program looks to be leading the charge early … Other programs that have offered include Illinois, Massachusetts and Western Michigan.