Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
FOOTBALL RECRUITING receiver in the nation by Scout.com. Statistics/Honors: Hauled in 97 passes as a junior for 2,059 yards (22.2 yards per reception) and 22 touchdowns, while leading Centennial to a state championship … Rushed for three touchdowns and returned three kickoffs for scores … Racked up 14 re- ceptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns against Gardena (Calif.) Serra, and 11 receptions for 282 yards and three touchdowns against La Puenta (Ca- lif.) Bishop Amat in the state playoffs … Selected to the Max Preps Junior All-American first-team … Named the Los Angeles Times All-Area Back of the Year … Chosen the Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Offensive Player of the Year … Named the Southern Section All-Pac 5 Division Offensive Player of the Year. Recruitment: Recently announced a final group that consists of the Irish, USC, Oregon, Ohio State and Miami (Fla.) … Visited Notre Dame on April 24 and returned for the Irish Invasion … He plans to return to Notre Dame for an official visit in the fall. BGI's Take: McKinley lacks the elite athleticism of other highly ranked receivers but his high school production is off the charts. At 6-2 with long arms, a great frame and impressive natural strength, he has ideal size and strength for the position, and he knows how to use it by out-muscling and out- positioning defenders for the football. McKinley snatches the ball out of the air with ease, thanks to his strong hands, excellent concentration and tough- ness — which also allows him to excel in traffic. Even when covered he is a threat to make a big play. As he enhances his technique and becomes a more disciplined route runner, his physical skills will take over, making him extremely hard to handle, even at the collegiate level. When his desire, strength and ball skills are factored in, there is an opportunity for him to become a Michael Floyd-caliber wide receiver. DEMETRIS ROBERTSON Savannah, Ga. (Savannah Christian School) Measurables: Listed at 6-0, 180 pounds by Rivals. com … Time at an outstanding 4.34 in the 40-yard dash during testing at The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. … Put up a 3.97 in the pro-shuttle, the fifth- best time at the event, which hosted a number of the nation's top prospects. Rankings: Tabbed as a five-star prospect by Rivals. com … Listed as a four-star talent by ESPNU, Scout. com and 247Sports … Ranked the No. 7 player na- tionally by Rivals.com, No. 52 by 247Sports, No. 62 by Scout.com and No. 79 by ESPNU … Considered the country's top athlete and Georgia's best player by Rivals. Statistics/Honors: As a junior rushed 25 times for 239 yards (9.6 yards per rush) and caught six passes for 155 yards (25.8 yards per reception) in five games … Finished with 10 total touchdowns … As a sophomore at Savannah Country Day, Robertson hauled in 36 passes for 556 yards … Racked up 90 tackles and had one pick his sophomore season … Won the 100-meter (10.86) and 200-meter (21.34) dashes at the Georgia 1A Private Schools state meet this spring. Recruitment: Former Alabama commit favors Georgia and Tennessee but remains open … Has stated a desire to visit Notre Dame over the sum- mer, but an official visit during the fall is more likely … Looking hard at Alabama, LSU, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. BGI's Take: Despite being limited to just five games as a junior, Robertson was able to score 10 touch- downs on 31 offensive touches. He is a truly dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands thanks to his game- breaking speed. Robertson is able to get to full speed quickly, has elite balance, is extremely agile and is very light on his feet, making him a nightmare in space. He makes clean and consecutive cuts without losing speed or balance. The Georgia native's instincts and vision are high-level, and his anticipation allows him to make sudden cuts into creases as soon as they open up. Robertson is skinny at this point, but he knows how to use it to his advantage in space. He can play outside just as easily as the slot or out of the backfield; that versatility is highly coveted by the Irish staff. ✦