Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2015 RECRUITING ISSUE three interceptions on defense. Coleman has experience playing both man and zone coverage, and should thrive when allowed to focus exclu- sively on defense. Domsitz believes Coleman will need to adjust to the speed of the game and learn to contest and fight for the football. "He understands he is not going to show up at Notre Dame and just jump right out there as a starter," Domsitz noted. "We've talked, and he has a lot to learn. Because he's also played bas- ketball, he needs to get a little bit thicker in the upper body. That's going to take time. "I look at physically the difference in Malik over the first six months at Notre Dame, and you could see a definite dif- ference particularly in his upper body. NICK COLEMAN CORNERBACK 6-0 · 180 ARCHBISHOP ALTER H.S. DAYTON, OHIO RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 63 34 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 75 24 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 68 28 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 53 30 STATISTICS • Recorded 48 tackles and three interceptions at cornerback as a senior, helping Archbishop Alter to Ohio Division IV state runner-up slot and 14-1 record. He also racked up 1,125 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns at running back. • Made 39 tackles and intercepted two passes on defense as a junior. He also ran for 1,168 yards and 13 scores on offense. HONORS • Tabbed by the Associated Press as first-team Division IV All-Ohio selection at running back as a senior. RECRUITMENT • Pledged to the Irish on June 12, 2014. • Chose Notre Dame over Duke, Illinois, Michigan State and Pittsburgh. • Primary recruiter at Notre Dame was defensive line coach Mike Elston. • Officially visited South Bend on Dec. 12, 2014, plus made an unofficial trip on June 11, 2014. • Also made unofficial visits to Duke, Illinois, Cin- cinnati and Michigan State. NOTABLE • His father, Trey, played tailback for Notre Dame in 1983. • High school teammate of Irish sophomore quar- terback Malik Zaire. • Also plays basketball for Archbishop Alter. • Has the potential to earn some playing time on special teams, but could be headed for a redshirt season. THEY SAID IT Brian Kelly's Comments: "We see him as an in- side [nickel] and outside corner for us. A very good athlete, basketball player, played running back. I really like his skill set." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "He's not getting a lot of publicity. He's not as good as Shaun Crawford yet, but he can run. It's a mat- ter of more coaching, but he can be a sleeper in this group. He has good instincts and is a smart football player." Archbishop Alter Head Coach Ed Domsitz's Com- ments: "I think all of his defensive skills will be improved once he spends his entire time working over there and not spreading himself out offense and defense."