Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2020 35 FOOTBALL RECRUITING organization — led by former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer — held the three-day competition with 20 quarterbacks in Murfreesboro, Tenn., from June 29-July 1. The eventual winner of the event was Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga's Caleb Williams, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the country and an Oklahoma commit. In addition to the MVP of the camp, there are 11 final- ists that are known as the Elite 11. The organization notes that the fi- nalists are determined by "50 percent junior season film and performance, and 50 percent camp evaluation and traits." Buchner didn't have the strongest week, which was viewed live by Blue & Gold Illustrated, but he was still named to the Elite 11. "I thought I did fine, but I could've done better," Buchner said following the event. "It was good to come out here and compete, and I had a blast." We saw Buchner perform at the Ri- vals Camp Series stop in Los Angeles March 1, and he had a strong perfor- mance. He excels most in a live-game setting where he can use his legs, but even in a drop-back throwing event, such as a t-shirt and shorts camp, he can throw it with the best of them. Buchner, who is ranked as the na- tion's No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and No. 46 overall prospect by Ri- vals, threw the ball well at the Rivals Camp but struggled at the Elite 11 Finals. He seemed to be relying on arm strength alone and not driving the ball with his lower body. "The Elite 11 coaches told me to get more power out of my back hip when I'm throwing," Buchner said. "They were saying that I have more juice that I can get out of my throw." If it were just based on Buchner's performance in the three days, he wouldn't have been named to the Elite 11, but because it was 50 percent based on film, Buchner comfortably made the list. "He didn't have the greatest week, but I think he learned a lot, and that's good," Dilfer said. "And his [junior] film is as good as I've seen in a long time. "This week was great for him. … I think there was some rust, and I think there were some nerves — and that's natural. You learn how to regu- late those nerves." BIG IRISH TARGET TO ANNOUNCE DECISION IN AUGUST Clarkston (Mich.) High class of 2021 offensive lineman Rocco Spin- dler's recruitment has been a whirl- wind. Spindler, who is rated as the No. 3 offensive guard and No. 56 overall recruit in the country by Rivals, origi- nally planned to take all five of his official visits during the spring and then make a commitment May 15. The pandemic wiped out any chance of those visits happening. However, elite prospects like Spin- dler can create their own timeline without worrying that spots will fill up. His plan was to push his time- line as far back as possible so that he could experience all five official visits and then make a decision. LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State would have been the official visit destinations, but Spindler decided to move up his commitment date to Aug. 8. "I wanted to wait it out to take my officials, but I don't believe I'm going to be able to," Spindler told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I've talked to a lot of head coaches, and they're saying the same thing of wanting to get me on campus. It probably won't happen this year, and maybe the following year it will. "And I'm fine with it; I want to play football. If that means it's for the best for the safety of everyone, then I'm fine with not taking them." Spindler notes that he'll inform col- lege coaches of his decision a few days before he announces it in front of a socially distant crowd of family, friends and reporters. "It's going to be close leading up to the final days," he added. Most pundits believe it will be Michigan or Notre Dame for the 6-5, 290-pounder. He's never stepped foot on campus at LSU, and while he has high interest in Ohio State and Penn State, he has seemed more intrigued with the Fighting Irish and Wolverines. "I believe all of my questions have been answered, and everything rela- tionship-wise has been built," Spin- dler stated. "The last thing would be getting on campus again and having a refresher, but you have to use the best judgment. You have to ask the coaches to take pictures, videos or anything like that." The Notre Dame coaching staff has been pushing hard for Spindler, and it starts with the head man. "Coach [Brian] Kelly is always tex- ting me, telling me what he's think- ing and what's going on at Notre Dame," Spindler said. Spindler also talks with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees about once a week on the phone and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn about twice a week, plus daily text messages with the Irish staff. If Spindler does commit to Notre Dame, he'd be the Irish's fourth — and likely final — offensive line ver- bal of the 2021 class, joining Avon (Ind.) High's Blake Fisher, Chicago Marist's Pat Coogan and the afore- mentioned Alt. Landing Spindler would mean the Irish would have beaten out LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma for three offensive linemen in the 2021 class, which would be a very impressive feat. ✦ Clarkston (Mich.) High product Rocco Spindler — Rivals' No. 3 offensive guard and No. 56 overall player nationally — will choose from a top five of LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State on Aug. 8. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM