Blue and Gold Illustrated

March 2023

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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40 MARCH 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY TODD D. BURLAGE A blue-collar kid and a southern gen- tleman from scenic and quiet Belmont, N.C., outside of Charlotte, four-star offensive lineman Sullivan Absher re- mained a man of his word and a drama- free recruit throughout the process that brought him to Notre Dame. So, when the Clemson coaches came calling to Absher in early November — the same week the Tigers played at Notre Dame — to try and flip the All- American tackle their way, Absher's re- sponse was brief and predictable. "No thanks, guys," he respectfully told the Tigers coaches, "I'm all set at Notre Dame." Absher and the Fighting Irish got the last laugh that week when Notre Dame handed the Tigers a 35-14 beatdown. But for Absher, the final score in the game carried little value. Win, lose or draw, Absher's promise to head coach Marcus Freeman and position coach Harry Hiestand wouldn't be broken. "To be honest, I didn't even care what the record was for Notre Dame this year," Absher shared with Blue & Gold Illustrated in January, during All-American Bowl festivities in San Antonio. "Coach Freeman, a first-year coach, he doesn't have his guys in there yet. And I want to be part of that first group." Absher was one of eight 2023 signees selected to the All-American Bowl, and one of five future Irish to play in it. Often competing against lesser com- petition back home in rural North Caro- lina, Absher savored his chance in San Antonio to work against the best of the best. He even voluntarily jumped at the chance of moving from tackle to guard during the week to maximize his experi- ence and opportunities. "It's been a great challenge and a lot of fun seeing how I stack up against the other guys," Absher explained. "These aren't your typical North Carolina ballers you're playing against every Fri- day night. These guys are going to be in the NFL in three or four years." When Absher arrives at Notre Dame in June, he'll have a lot to learn, and he's the first to admit it. Playing in a run-reliant triple-option offense at Belmont High School, Absher said he was only asked to pass block about three times a game. But any blocking improvements can wait for another four more months, as can the determination of exactly what position Absher will play for the Fight- ing Irish. "Since I won't get there until the summer, we'll probably have to wait until then to see," Absher said. "But I'm ready to do whatever and ready to play wherever I'm asked. I can't wait." ✦ Sullivan Absher Spurns Clemson In Favor Of Notre Dame Absher was one of eight Fighting Irish signees that were selected to the All-American Bowl. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER SULLIVAN ABSHER OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-7 · 305 SOUTH POINT H.S. BELMONT, N.C. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 265 20 9 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 26 12 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 29 7 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 239 12 9 NOTABLE • 2023 All-American Bowl participant. • 2022 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas all-star game participant. • 2022 and 2021 Big South 3A first-team all-con- ference team. • 2022 NC Sportswriters all-state first-team of- fense. • Also participated in basketball and baseball dur- ing his prep career. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on May 13, 2022. • Picked the Irish over North Carolina State, Clem- son, North Carolina and others. • Recruited by offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. • Visited Notre Dame four times, including his of- ficial visit on June 10, 2022. 2023 PROJECTION • Absher is likely to redshirt during his freshman season. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "Absher is one of the more dominant run blockers in what we think is a very strong offen- sive line cycle nationally. He pairs a big frame with movement skills, coordination and physicality. Absher fires off the ball and explodes into defend- ers. He is flexible enough to get underneath the pads of much shorter defensive linemen. "What separates Absher from some other top run blockers is his ability at the second level — he's a natural, effortless mover in space and serves as a weapon in the run game. He has the size and length to play offensive tackle but remains a bit of a projection in pass protection at the next level, coming from a run-heavy option offense." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He's shorter than [former Irish star] Mike Mc- Glinchey, but he has long arms. He could play left or right tackle. Absher is definitely going to put on more muscle and will be a great project for the strength coaches. "He has the frame where he could turn into a monster in a year or two. He has legit height at 6-6, and when I first saw him, I knew right away that he's a tackle. He has the McGlinchey look; you know he's a tackle. With a year in Notre Dame's weight room, he's going to turn into a monster and have the ability to grow into a No. 1 draft choice. Some guys never have that ability, but he does."

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