Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com FEBRUARY 2023 35 FOOTBALL RECRUITING 4. CHRISTIAN GRAY CB • 5-11, 176 ST. LOUIS • DE SMET H.S. When you get to know Gray, you realize how perfect a fit he is for Notre Dame off the field. He is someone we believe will excel in the locker room and the culture within the football program. But on the field, LSU and Ohio State — quite honestly — made a whole lot of sense for him. Both programs regu- larly pump out defensive backs to the NFL. LSU even hired Gray's mentor and former high school head coach as its cornerbacks coach (Robert Steeples). We're not talking enough about how impressive of a recruiting win this was for Notre Dame, and the Irish were able to hold on to him with ease. This is an- other huge get for the Irish. Gray, the No. 12 cornerback and No. 111 overall prospect in America, is a lockdown defender with tremendous speed and natural football instincts. 5. BRAYLON JAMES WR • 6-2, 191 ROUND ROCK, TEXAS • STONY POINT H.S. O n h i s j u n i o r ta p e , James flashed so much raw potential and took that to the next level as a senior, running crisp routes and working a lot out of the slot, while also being an absolute force as an athlete. James was initially considered a heavy Stanford lean and a long shot for the Irish, but once Chansi Stuckey was hired to replace Del Alexander as Notre Dame's receivers coach, he got right to work on James. Their relationship was crucial, leading to James' pledge to the Irish in April. James is the highest-ranked pass catcher for the Irish in the 2023 cycle as the No. 20 wide receiver and No. 121 overall prospect in the country. 6. BRENAN VERNON DL • 6-4, 250 MENTOR, OHIO • MENTOR H.S. Vernon can be a forgotten man in this class, considering he's always stayed away from the media spotlight and the most recent highlight tape he's posted was from his sophomore season. But he's a wrecking ball on the defensive line. He's beefed up from a defensive end to likely playing as a three-technique or possibly even a nose tackle for the Irish. It was a total surprise when Vernon initially committed to Notre Dame in the sum- mer of 2021 because he was considered an Ohio State lean, which was never the truth, though. He is the No. 15 defensive lineman and No. 141 overall prospect nationally. 7. JAIDEN AUSBERRY LB • 6-0, 212 BATON ROUGE, LA. • UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL It can be easy to take early commitments for granted, but what a major catch this was and still is for Notre Dame. Ausber- ry's high school is quite literally on LSU's campus. His father played for and works at LSU. His brother Austin just completed his freshman season at Auburn. Alabama was after Ausberry. But where did the four-star talent end up? Notre Dame, not the SEC. Ausberry isn't a traditional linebacker in terms of his size, but he is a sideline-to-sideline player who packs a punch and has the athleticism of a safety. Ausberry is the nation's No. 13 line- backer and No. 153 overall prospect. 8. JADEN GREATHOUSE WR • 6-2, 200 AUSTIN, TEXAS • WESTLAKE H.S. Greathouse grew up in the shadow of the Texas Longhorns with UT fans and graduates populating his family. Texas wanted him, but he opted to head to the Midwest and at- tend the University of Notre Dame. In the weeks leading up to the early signing period, the Longhorns didn't give up on him — but they'll have to now. His high school career was sim- ply phenomenal. He finished No. 1 in Westlake history in career receptions (232), receiving yards (4,035) and re- ceiving touchdowns (53). Greathouse could contribute for the Fighting Irish on Day 1. The big-bodied pass catcher is ranked as the No. 24 wide receiver and No. 158 overall player in America. 9. MICAH BELL CB • 5-10, 162 HOUSTON • THE KINKAID SCHOOL Speed, speed and more speed. Bell was named the 2022 Texas Track & Field Private School Male Track Athlete of the Year. He set conference records in the 100-meter race at 10.46 seconds and 200-meter race at 20.89 seconds. He starred The Kinkaid School at running back but is expected to play cornerback for the Fighting Irish. Geor- gia — the school his brother Dillon at- tends — made a late run at Bell, but he remained solid with his commitment. Bell is the No. 22 cornerback and No. 166 overall prospect nationally. 10. BOUBACAR TRAORE DL • 6-4, 250 BOSTON • CATHOLIC MEMORIAL H.S. Traore only reported a few offers during his re- cruiting process, which i n c l u d e d a ve ry ea rly commitment to Boston College. But after the four-star recruit visited South Bend for the first time in the spring, he went ahead and flipped to the Irish and never looked back. The talented big man is an intriguing prospect who could play on the inside or outside of Notre Dame's defensive line. Traore was injured and missed most of his senior season but should be back to 100 percent well before he enrolls at Notre Dame next summer. He is the nation's No. 20 defensive lineman and No. 176 overall recruit. 11. SULLIVAN ABSHER OL • 6-7, 305 BELMONT, N.C. • SOUTH POINT H.S. Notre Dame's 2023 offensive line class is fantastic, and Absher is one of the best tackle prospects in America.