Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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PREP PROFILES It has been rumored that USC has four-star 2015 prospect Malik Lovette from Redlands East Valley High in Redlands, Calif., locked up, but one must not believe e v e r y t h i n g h e hears. "Notre Dame is actually my first choice right now," L o v e t t e s a i d i n early May. The 5-11, 180- pound all-purpose back has nine Di- vision I offers, but Notre Dame and U S C c u r r e n t l y make up his top two — and for good reason. "Both schools have been on me since the beginning," Lovette said. "I have built great connections with the coaches at both places, and they are obviously both top football programs. "Notre Dame, though, has that legacy. It has great football and great education. I look at Notre Dame and think greatness because I can see my- self being part of that family even after graduation." His education is important to him and finding a top art program will fac- tor into the final decision. "I want to make sure I could be a normal person for the next four years there even if I can't play football for some reason," Lovette said. USC has one significant advantage that Notre Dame can't compete with for the California native: proximity to home. Yet, the Irish beat the Trojans by almost two weeks when they offered Lovette Feb. 24, and that's a feeling he won't forget. "Just to know that Notre Dame knew who I was and could see me as part of their leg- acy, and see me as a student there, I felt so honored," Lovette said. Irish linebackers coach Bob Elliot told him that they want to play him as a slot receiver, and given the choice between slot and running back, the two positions Lovette is best at, the ex- plosive runner said he would pick slot. "This whole process has been nerve wracking, but I'm enjoying every mo- ment," he said. "I'm listening to my peers who've been through it, and I will make an official decision after my senior football season." Lovette, who took a year off track and field to focus on football speed training, had 17 touchdowns and more than 800 receiving yards during his junior season. — Staci Gasser California Receiver Puts Notre Dame Ahead Of USC MALIK LOVETTE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Redlands East Valley H.S. Redlands, Calif. Status: Offered Class: 2015 Position: Running Back Ht.: 5-11 • Wt.: 180 40-Yard Dash: 4.43 247Sports Rankings: No. 128 overall prospect, No. 5 all-purpose back nationally and No. 28 player in California