Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY BRYAN DRISKELL A fter a stellar four-man wide re- ceiver haul in the 2015 recruiting cycle — one that Lindy's rated as the second best group in the nation — Notre Dame is in position to be picky with the current class. The Irish have already landed two wideouts and will now focus on add- ing a top-level prospect to go with them. Jacksonville (Fla.) First Coast stand- out Kevin Stepherson committed June 19 at the Irish Invasion, giving the staff its first big pickup at the position. Chase Claypool, a 6-5, 214-pound pass catcher from Abbotsford, British Co- lumbia, followed with a pledge to the Irish on July 10 at The Opening. The following is a look at the Irish's two pledges and the top uncommit- ted wide receiver prospects on Notre Dame's recruiting board, in the opin- ion of Blue & Gold Illustrated. COMMITMENTS CHASE CLAYPOOL Abbotsford, British Columbia (Abbotsford H.S.) Measurables: Measured in at 6-5 ½ and 214 pounds at The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. … Timed at 4.31 in the pro-shuttle during The Opening test- ing, a quality number for a player with his size … Posted a vertical jump of 35.1-inches during that event as well … Was timed at 4.60 in the 40 during a July combine in Eugene, Ore. Statistics/Honors: During his junior season, Clay- pool racked up 1,218 total yards and 13 touchdowns. Recruitment: In March, Claypool was largely an unknown prospect with offers from just Nevada and Rutgers. By June, the standout Canadian was one of the hottest names in the country. When he announced for Notre Dame, Claypool had earned offers from the Irish, Oregon, Michigan, Tennessee, Washington, Nebraska, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Utah. Ultimately, what Notre Dame offered him both on and off the field made his decision relatively easy. BGI's Take: Claypool just turned 17 and is on the younger side for his class. Despite his youth, Clay- pool is a physical specimen that measures in at over 6-5 and 214 pounds. Claypool does an excellent job using his length to gain good position against defenders when the ball is in the air. Claypool is a quality athlete with impressive speed and agility for his size. He plays fast, using his long strides to chew up a lot of ground in a hurry. Claypool needs a great deal of polish as a route runner, but when the ball is in the air he shows a tremendous ability to go up and out-play defenders for the ball. When the ball is in his hands, Claypool shows the vision and playmak- ing ability you would expect of a smaller and more elusive athlete. This makes him a threat to make plays after the catch. KEVIN STEPHERSON Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast H.S.) Measurables: Measured in at 6-1 and 180 pounds in March at the Rivals Speed & Skill Challenge in Orlando, Fla. Rankings: Despite an impressive offer list, Step- herson is a consensus three-star recruit … Rivals lists him as the No. 62 wide receiver nationally and the No. 46 player in Florida … Captured MVP honors for wide receivers at the Rivals Speed & Skill Challenge, winning the award over two wide receivers ranked among Rivals' top 100 players in the country. Statistics/Honors: Was part of a dominant First Coast passing attack, finishing the 2014 season with 33 receptions for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns … Put together three of his four best performances in the postseason … Hauled in four passes for 112 Big Board: Wide Receivers