Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2021 43 BY MIKE SINGER If you sat Brenan Vernon down in April and told him he would be com- mitting to Notre Dame at the end of June, what would his response have been? "I would've said, 'I guess we'll see how things play out' because I had no emotion to where I wanted to go," Vernon answered. "My relationship wasn't anywhere near what it is now [with Notre Dame] back in April. It would have raised an eyebrow." The four-star defensive end from Mentor (Ohio) High surprised many when he announced his commit- ment to Notre Dame June 29. Pundits pegged him to land at Ohio State. He visited the Fighting Irish the first and last weekends of June and loved everything he saw. He also checked out Alabama and Ohio State, but in Vernon's eyes Notre Dame was the best fit. And he had seen enough to make a commitment before the start of his junior year of high school. "The atmosphere was different man," Vernon said of Notre Dame. "It totally suits me as an individual compared to all of the other schools. Notre Dame is different, and it's a whole lot different. "It suits my lifestyle, and it clicked as soon as I got on campus. I knew it was special." While the football component of Notre Dame was important to Ver- non's decision, it was the off-the-field factors that seemed to be most cru- cial. "First of all, it's a low-key school," he added. "You're talking about 8,000-something students compared to 50,000 if you were to go to an Ohio State, Alabama or a school like that. I'm more of a low-key individual, and I like to keep to myself and go about my business. At Notre Dame, that's what I can do. "At a smaller school, you know everyone, and everyone is family there. When you're in a classroom with 20 people, you're going to know everyone's name compared to other schools. It suits me; I need that con- nection." Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston led the charge in Ver- non's recruitment, and defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman and defensive recruiting director Chad Bowden helped move the needle as well. "They meant the world; I love those guys," Vernon said. "They made such an impact. They're au- thentic people. You can feel that true love and authenticity. "They weren't spitting bull crap. They are real people and I felt cared for." Vernon echoed similar thoughts about Irish head coach Brian Kelly. "He's such a down-to-earth guy, and like the rest of the staff, he's so authentic," Vernon said. "He cares about his players, and you can see it. He always has a smile on his face and is such a great guy to talk to. He's a caring individual, and I know I can go to him with anything." Vernon is Notre Dame's second commitment in the 2023 class. A day before he announced, Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep defensive end Keon Keeley committed to the Irish. It's quite the strong start for Elston, who now has his vyper in Keeley and a strong-side end in Vernon. "I'm going to run that big end posi- tion," Vernon said. "I'm working to be the powerhouse of our defensive line while Keon is rushing that edge. He's our quick, fast guy and is one heck of a player. I'll be the big boy who wreaks havoc and destruction. I'm going to work and make the of- fense feel my presence." Alabama, Cincinnati, Duke, Indi- ana, Iowa State, Kent State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Ohio State made up Vernon's offer list, per Rivals. Rivals ranks Vernon as the No. 3 strong-side defensive end and No. 9 overall player in the 2023 class. There are currently only four five-star play- ers early on in the 2023 rankings, but it looks like the Irish may end up having its first Rivals five-star de- fensive lineman since Daelin Hayes in the 2016 class with Vernon in the fold. During Vernon's freshman year, he played with a torn labrum that re- quired offseason surgery. As a sopho- more in 2020, he played in five games but battled a foot injury that required offseason surgery. ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE BRENAN VERNON Irish Pull Off A Shocker, Landing Elite 2023 Defensive End Pundits pegged Vernon — the No. 3 strong-side defensive end and No. 9 overall player nation- ally per Rivals — to Ohio State, but Notre Dame pulled off a big upset. PHOTO BY MIKE SINGER FILM ANALYSIS "The state of Ohio has produced two five- star defensive ends in the previous four classes, and Brenan Vernon has all the tools to be the third in five years. Now up to 250 pounds, Vernon is still growing into his frame. "He plays with athleticism and agility usually seen in smaller players, but also takes advan- tage of the strength his size gives him." — Rivals national recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt "He's such a down-to-earth guy, and like the rest of the staff, he's so authentic. He cares about his players, and you can see it. He always has a smile on his face and is such a great guy to talk to. He's a caring individual, and I know I can go to him with anything." VERNON ON NOTRE DAME HEAD COACH BRIAN KELLY