Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/140903
under the dome According to Prep Zone, the state with the most NFL players on 2012 opening-day rosters was California (207), with Texas (200) and Florida (189) not far behind. That is one of the reasons why Notre Dame closing each regular season in California — USC in even-numbered years and A Volatile 'State' Alas, Vanderdoes ended up enrolling at UCLA despite originally inking with the Fighting Irish. This comes with recruiting California. It comes with highs and lows, as evidenced over the last decade. • In 2002, Notre Dame landed the California Player of the Year in lineman Derek California native Eddie Vanderdoes signed with Notre Dame, but backed out before the summer semester and opted to enroll at UCLA. Per NCAA rules, the Californian will have to sit out the 2013 season. photo courtesy 247sports Stanford in the odd-numbered years — was a priority in scheduling. A presence in the Golden State is mandatory. "We would love to keep it regional, but we have to be where the players are," summarized Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. On National Signing Day this year, the two players who elevated Notre Dame to elite-level status on the recruiting trail were California natives Eddie Vanderdoes, a defensive linemen, and Max Redfield, a safety, both of whom were five-star prospects who originally committed to USC. Landri from Concord De La Salle — the same school that produced 1993 Lombardi Award winner Aaron Taylor— but was heartbroken when the nation's top-rated running back, Ventura's Lorenzo Booker, chose Florida State over the Irish. That was somewhat allayed when California wideout Rhema McKnight selected Notre Dame and became one of its top receivers ever. • Notre Dame's lone California recruit in 2003 was safety Freddie Parish IV, who later transferred to Stephen F. Austin. • The 2004 class saw another California native, defensive lineman Brandon Nico- las transfer (Colorado), but cornerback Terrail Lambert did end up having an NFL career. • California tight ends were the Bermuda Triangle of Notre Dame's recruiting from 2006-08, when Konrad Reuland (Stanford), Will Yeatman (Maryland) and Joseph Fauria (UCLA) all ended up at other schools for various reasons, ranging from personal to disciplinary. • Notre Dame landed back-to-back fivestar quarterbacks from California in 2007 (Jimmy Clausen) and 2008 (Dayne Crist). Clausen turned pro after a record-setting junior year in which the Irish were only 6-6, while Crist's college football career never panned out either with the Irish or in his fifth season of eligibility at Kansas. • In 2009, Notre Dame landed two of the prized skill-position players in the state by inking running back Cierre Wood and receiver Shaq Evans. Wood totaled nearly 2,500 yards rushing from 2010-12, but opted not to return for a fifth season. Evans transferred to UCLA after his freshman season. That same year, California's Marlon Pollard was Notre Dame's lone corner commit — but switched to UCLA prior to National Signing Day. • On 2009 National Signing Day, California junior five-star defensive lineman Chris Martin committed to Notre Dame shortly after learning that linebacker Manti Te'o had signed with the Irish — but he has been on a nomadic expedition at several schools since then, most recently Kansas. The 2010 harvest, the first under Kelly, included running back Cam Roberson and linebacker/defensive end Justin Utupo. Roberson's football career ended a couple of years ago with a severe knee injury, while Utupo has been trying to vie for snaps along the defensive front this year. • Notre Dame signed three players from California in 2011: twins George Atkinson III and Josh Atkinson, and Troy Niklas. George and Niklas enter this season as starters at running back and tight end, respectively, while Josh will try to crack the two-deep at corner. • The 2012 class was deemed top-10 caliber — until it lost both of its California recruits: five-star receiver Deontay Greenberry (an 11th-hour switch to Houston) and cornerback Tee Shepard, purportedly to an NCAA Clearinghouse issue, among other factors. California has been a volatile state for Notre Dame, but the rewards might outweigh the risks. 10 ✦ blue & gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 4-6,8,10-17.Under The Dome.indd 10 6/25/13 4:50 PM