Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
FOOTBALL RECRUITING est score for an offensive lineman ever at the event and was the best mark by any high school tackle or guard in the country that was tested this year. "I had no idea it was going to be that high," Boudreaux said with a laugh. While his 4.41-second 20-yard shuttle and 30.3-inch vertical jump were certainly the numbers that stole the show at The Opening, the 6-4, 289-pound guard wasn't the only Notre Dame commit participating in the event, which ran from July 8-10. Boudreaux was joined by Cincin- nati Elder four-star offensive tackle Tommy Kraemer, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star running back Tony Jones and Canadian three-star wide receiver Chase Claypool, who gave a verbal pledge to the Irish on ES- PNU during coverage of The Opening. Kraemer, who couldn't participate in contact drills because of an Ohio High School Athletic Association rule that prohibited him from wearing shoulder pads in the offseason, was exceptional in one-on-one drills. He was constantly matched up against Ohio State four-star commit Jonathon Cooper, the No. 7 weakside defensive end in the country, and was able to contain him multiple times. Kraemer, a 6-5, 290-pounder who is rated as the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 31 overall player in the nation by Rivals, also took reps against four-star Oluwole Betiku, the No. 4 strongside defensive end nationally, and was able to hold his own. "I think my overall performance was good," said Kraemer. "Some of those guys got me off the edge and then some of those were draws, but overall I would say that I did good." Kraemer might have been the top future Notre Dame lineman on hand, but it was Claypool who dominated the skill sessions. The 6-5 1/2, 214-pounder from Ab- botsford, British Columbia, who is rated as the No. 96 wideout in the class by Rivals, made a highlight reel of re- ceptions in seven-on-seven play and was one of the top pass catchers on hand. He won a jump ball in the end zone over U.S. Army All-American cornerback Kristian Fulton and made a diving grab just minutes later. Clay- pool was exceptional on the outside. Jones, who is often considered a power back, played slot receiver for his seven-on-seven team and fared well against some of the country's top defensive backs and linebackers. The 6-1, 213-pounder is ranked as the No. 34 running back in the coun- try according to Rivals, and was able to create separation while he also showed soft hands. "I would say I probably played like at a seven or eight," Jones said. "I know I can do better than that, but this isn't really my setting. "It's just a blessing to be out here. Watching it as a kid, you always wanted to be there, and I made it and kids were watching me." Viewers aside, the Notre Dame com- mits agreed that it was nice to see their future teammates in such a competi- tive setting. "We were talking all day and just hanging out," Kraemer said. "It's go- ing to be a couple of fun years." ✦