Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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NILESYKES LINEBACKER 6-2 · 220 MONTINI CATHOLIC H.S. LOMBARD, ILL. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 36 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 32 15 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 20 18 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 49 15 MEASURABLES • Runs a 4.60-second 40-yard dash. • Bench presses 330 pounds and squats 400 pounds, and has a vertical leap of 30 inches. STATISTICS • Recorded 80 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and three interceptions on defense during his senior season. Also rushed for three touchdowns on offense. Helped Montini to a 13-1 record and a berth in the 5A state title game. • Finished his junior campaign with 12 sacks for Oak Park (Ill.) River Forrest before transferring for his senior year. HONORS • Named to the Chicago Tribune's All-State first team after his senior season. • Chosen for the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area squad and the Arlington Heights Daily Herald Du- Page County All-Area team in 2013. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Selected to play for the U.S. Under-19 National Team against Canada Feb. 7 at the University of Texas at Arlington. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Dec. 15, 2013. • Also considered Syracuse, Missouri and Illinois before receiving a late offer from Notre Dame. Vis- ited Syracuse in September and December 2013, and took unofficial visits to Missouri and Illinois during the 2013 season. • Primarily recruited by safeties coach Bob El- liott. Secondarily recruited by former Irish offen- sive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chuck Martin. • Unofficially attended the Oct. 6, 2012, Shamrock Series game versus Miami at Solider Field. Of- ficially visited on Dec. 13, 2013, for the Football Awards Show. NOTABLE • Born on April 7, 1996. • Plans to enroll in the Mendoza School of Busi- ness. • Close friends with fellow Irish linebacker commit Nyles Morgan. 2014 PROJECTION • Potential contributor at inside linebacker. THEY SAID IT Brian Kelly's Comments: "He's a versatile player. He can play inside. He can play outside. He is a physical player. He's got very good ball skills, in- stincts, and again, another versatile player in our front seven that's going to add to the depth of our football team." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "I saw Sykes play last year and really liked him. He can run, and he can hit. When he moved to Montini last season he played good competition and still dominated. This guy makes plays from sideline to sideline and was a leader on a new team even though he was there less than a year. "If he comes in with a little more weight and strength, he can contribute right away like Nyles Morgan. He was the big sleeper in the state of Illinois this year." Montini Catholic Head Coach Chris Andriano: "He's a playmaker that makes sacks and can play the pass. He is an amazing athlete."