Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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"Tyler is just a special, special young man," Moschetti said. "He's really one of the nicest, most hard-working and talented players I've ever coached. I'm excited about his future at Notre Dame. I think he's going to be a guy that has a great career and really takes his game to the next level." ✦ TYLERLUATUA TIGHT END 6-3 · 241 LA MIRADA H.S. PARAMOUNT, CALIF. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 285 7 33 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 107 3 10 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 12 52 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 18 52 MEASURABLES • Runs a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.20 in the 20-yard shuttle. STATISTICS • As a senior, he caught 33 passes for 412 yards and four scores. • During junior season, he recorded 43 receptions for 594 yards and eight touchdowns. HONORS • A second-team Long Beach Press-Telegram 2013 Football Dream Team selection at tight end. • Named All-California Interscholastic Federation Southeast Division first team as a sophomore and junior. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Played in the Under Armour All-American Game Jan. 2 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and tallied one tackle on special teams. RECRUITMENT • Offered by Notre Dame on May 30, 2012, and committed on Dec. 16, 2013. • Chose the Irish over Alabama (officially visited), Ole Miss (officially visited) and USC. • Primary recruiter at Notre Dame was wide receiv- ers coach Mike Denbrock. • Official visit to South Bend was on Oct. 19, 2013, for the game against USC. NOTABLE • Born on Dec. 16, 1996. • Has a 3.23 cumulative GPA for high school. • His brother, Isaac, is a redshirt sophomore offen- sive guard at Alabama. 2014 PROJECTION • Expected to redshirt during his first year in South Bend, especially because he doesn't turn 18 until December. THEY SAID IT Brian Kelly's Comments: "He's a pass-catching tight end. No, he's not the 6-5, 6-6 tight ends that we've had, but he is a really good tight end. He can catch the football. He can block for us. He's going to be able to do all the jobs that we have at the tight end position for us. We think we got one of the best tight ends in the country in Tyler Luatua." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "He's a pre- mier athlete. They didn't throw much during his senior season, but he was dominant during his junior season. He has great hands, and he's one of the nic- est kids you will ever meet. He's a natural athlete, and he's going to be a good one at Notre Dame. He has what it takes to be a big, solid tight end that can run after the catch and make plays during his career." La Mirada Head Coach Mike Moschetti: "Tyler is a special kid. He's been great to have on and off the field, and he's a leader on our team. He's impressive on the field and will be a very good at tight end at Notre Dame. He will have a great career." Luatua On Why He Chose Notre Dame: "It was just the best place for me. They recruited me hard, made me feel wanted and treated me like I was special. I think there is a place for me to play as a freshman and contribute right away."