Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING carry) and 11 touchdowns … Also caught 20 passes for 547 yards (27.4 yards per reception) for nine scores … As a defensive back, racked up 72 tackles and five in- terceptions … Was named the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year … Also named the 2014 Pioneer Press Football Offensive Player of the Year and earned Chicago Tribune first-team all-state honors. Recruitment: Ended his recruitment before it could take off, choosing Notre Dame shortly after visiting for Junior Day March 28. BGI's Take: Love projects very well to the corner- back position, showing physical traits that are similar to current starting cornerback Cole Luke. The Illinois native has loose hips and quick feet. He possesses good speed and the ability to accelerate quickly. His strong instincts are most apparent when he is at safety, where he showed good range and playmaking ability. He is more than willing to mix it up in the run game, and that strength will eventually serve him well in man coverage. The tools are there, but he needs to continue working on his technique on the outside. He had an excellent summer, and if he can carry that over into his senior season his ranking should rise. TOP TARGETS DAMAR HAMLIN Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Measurables: Measured at 6-1 and 182 pounds at The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. … Posted an average time of 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, but his 4.09 shuttle was outstanding … Leaped 34.4 inches and posted a 108.81 SPARQ score (an overall measure of athletic ability) at that event. Rankings: Rivals ranks him as the No. 4 player from Pennsylvania, and the No. 9 safety and No. 126 overall recruit in the country … ESPN lists him as the No. 12 cornerback and No. 128 overall player nationally. Statistics/Honors: During his junior season, made 45 tackles and picked off four passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns … Named to the 2014 Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State AAAA Team. Recruitment: Has emerged as the top cornerback on the board for Notre Dame … Trekked to South Bend in March, and the Irish made a strong impres- sion … In-state schools Pittsburgh and Penn State seem to have emerged as his leaders, but a July 31 trip back to Notre Dame proved beneficial … Crucial to Notre Dame will be getting him back on campus for an official visit during the fall. BGI's Take: Hamlin's length is the first thing that stands out on film. His long arms and natural strength make him a force at the line of scrimmage. Even if he does not get an immediate jam, he has the length and strength to quickly get his hands on a receiver, where he is able to then re-route that player while they work up field. He is good in the run game, where he closes quickly on the ball carrier and is able to deliver strong contact. He plays faster than his times, but he is not a burner. His length, instincts, strength and athleticism allow him to make up for his lack of top-end speed. He has smooth and fluid hips, which help him make fast tran- sitions. He is also a well coached and fundamentally sound player. DONTE' VAUGHN Memphis, Tenn. Whitehaven High School Measurables: Has elite size for the cornerback posi- tion, measuring at 6-3 and 195 pounds at The Open- ing regional in Atlanta … Over the summer, was timed at 4.79 in the 40-yard dash and 4.49 in the 20-yard shuttle, and posted a vertical jump of 32.8 inches. Rankings: A consensus four-star talent … Listed as the No. 5 player in Tennessee by Rivals, ESPN and Scout … Rated as the No. 18 safety and No. 250 over- all player in the land by Rivals … ESPN tabbed him as the No. 19 safety and No. 300 overall prospect na- tionally … Scout ranked him as the No. 18 cornerback and No. 257 overall recruit in the country. Statistics/Honors: Made 50 tackles, broke up 10 passes and notched four interceptions during his junior season … Earned a spot on the 6A all-state first team. Recruitment: Has listed Notre Dame, Auburn, LSU,