Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/400621
BY TOM LOY For months, it's been Notre Dame or Michigan for Indianapolis Ben Davis four-star linebacker As- mar Bilal. Although the 6-3, 210-pound recruit had narrowed his focus to two finalists, a decision wasn't expected until after his senior season. That all changed on Oct. 16 when the in- state standout chose to end his recruitment and commit to the Fighting Irish. "Notre Dame is a great school," the class of 2015 prospect said. "The aca- demics are great. The football is great. There's so much his- tory and tradition. It's also very conve- nient, and my family can come see all my home games. It's just a perfect fit and the right move for me." The fact that Bilal chose Notre Dame wasn't a shock to many. It was the tim- ing of his announcement that came as the surprise. It turns out that another linebacker may have slightly influenced this decision. "I heard [four-star linebacker] Tevon Coney was deciding soon, and I wanted to get it out of the way too," said Bilal. "I know he's deciding between Florida and Notre Dame next week. I just didn't need to wait any longer. I decided to choose the school that I fit best to and pick the school where I belong. I committed because I knew where I wanted to be." Defensive line coach Mike Elston was influ- ential in getting Bilal interested in the Irish over the past few years. However, Bilal's time with defensive coordi- nator Brian VanGorder proved a game changer. "Coach VanGorder played a really big role in my commitment," Bilal said. "He mapped out on the board where I would fit in and how he would use me. I was up there on campus and he showed me, in detail, exactly how I could come in and make plays and be successful. "Coach VanGorder compared me a lot to [Notre Dame starting linebacker] Jaylon Smith and said that I can come in and make just as many plays as he does. He said that I have the speed and talent to be great. He said he's excited to coach me and watch me develop." Bilal is extremely quiet on the recruit- ing trail and doesn't like the spotlight. In-State All-American Pledges To Notre Dame COMMITMENT PROFILE ASMAR BILAL Per 247Sports, Bilal is the No. 168 overall player in the nation, the No. 3 inside linebacker in the country and the No. 2 prospect in Indiana. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS