Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Ronnie Stanley Finds Similarities At Notre Dame And Commits BY JASON SAPP R onnie Stanley didn't know what to expect. The Las Vegas offensive tackle de- cided to use one of his five official visits on Notre Dame after having taken trips to Arkansas on Oct. 8 and COMMITMENT PROFILE RONNIE STANLEY Nebraska on Oct. 28. He was origi- nally slated to be one of the many recruits on Notre Dame's campus for the USC game on Oct. 22, but he had to postpone due to other obligations. While his preference was to get to South Bend during the season, the post-season trip for the Football Awards Show over the Dec. 9 week- end still served its purpose, and a pledge from the four-star recruit came just days after he returned out West. "It wasn't just one moment. It was pretty much the whole trip," the 6-6, 285-pound Bishop Gorman player said of when he knew he'd be Irish. "I just felt like it was the place for me." Early playing time, championship- caliber potential and location are merely a few of the factors that are prominent in a prospect's decision, but the draw for Stanley was his mother — for more reasons than one. "The [senior parent video from the banquet] was a big part of my decision just seeing how much it meant for the parents to have kids go through the Notre Dame experience," he said. "I want to give my mom the same feelings that they talked about." Evidently, those feelings have al- ready started. "They were all excited for me and my decision," Stanley said of his family. "My mom really wanted me to go there. She kept begging me to commit. "I really like the campus a lot and the coaches. The players were all friendly, too. It reminded me a lot of my high school and the people that I'm around. … I felt like the players treated me like I wasn't just anyone there. They treated me like I was al- ready coming in — not just like a recruit." 40 FEBRUARY 2012 his school's athletics director, Sally Nieman, addressed the day of his an- nouncement on Dec. 15. "He comes from a great family and he's very involved in the school and the community," she said. "[Notre Dame] is getting the complete pack- age. He's really an outstanding stu- dent-athlete." Stanley didn't arrive at Notre Dame knowing it would be his last stop before making a verbal commit- ment to the Irish, but that didn't limit the level of excitement after realizing he quickly got to that point. "It's real big," he said of having the 247Sports ranks Stanley as a four-star prospect, the No. 1 player in Nevada, the No. 14 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 123 overall player in the class of 2012. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS Stanley, who is rated by 247Sports as the top player in Nevada, the No. 14 offensive tackle nationally and the country's No. 123 overall recruit, was recruited by Notre Dame to play on the offensive line and fill one of the remaining needs in the 2012 re- cruiting class. "Notre Dame recruited me to play left tackle," he said. "I'm more ath- letic than a lot of other linemen my size. I'm smart on the field as far as knowing my assignments, so I'm looking forward to learning more." During Stanley's time on campus he met other Irish pledges and felt he got along well with his future team- mates. However, the top target for him in the visit group was offensive lineman Joshua Garnett of Puyallup, Wash., whose final three are Michi- gan, Notre Dame and Stanford. "I got along with him really well," he said. "He's real smart and a good kid. He'll make the decision that's best for him, but I'd obviously love for him to come and play with us at Notre Dame. He'll make the right decision for himself, though." Stanley's attempt to pick up ad- ditional talent in the class falls right in line with the team-player attitude process complete. "I never thought I'd be able to play football at a school like Notre Dame when I was little, but I kept working hard and it's just a surreal feeling that all this is really happening to me. "It's a heavy dose of reality and I'm ready to take it all in." According to Nieman, Stanley will handle it just fine. "Anytime you have an outstand- ing dual athlete like Ronnie it's re- ally something to be valued and ex- pected," she said of the two-sport athlete in football and basketball. "He has worked so hard and deserves ev- erything that is coming his way." Even if he doesn't know what to expect. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Strong off the line of scrimmage … Sets up blocking schemes well with his footwork … Great lateral movement … Runs down field well for his size to seek out other defenders to block … Continues on the prowl after ac- complishing first assignment … Protects the blindside of the quarterback well and an ad- justment in his three-point stance to an up- stance position could be the difference in the passing game. Areas To Improve Will work on getting more of a bend at the knees instead of being a waist bender and los- ing leverage … Catches the defender at times instead of delivering the blow and will need to work on keeping his feet firing to keep the momentum … Pulls well, which is vital in Notre Dame's offense, but could engage more with the defender instead of a shove to get more movement in the running game. — Jason Sapp BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED