Blue and Gold Illustrated

FOOTBALL RECRUITING No. 17 overall player in the country by both Rivals and Scout … Graded out as the No. 32 overall player nationally by 247Sports, and is No. 62 in the land ac- cording to ESPN … Rated as the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker by 247Sports, No. 3 by Scout, No. 5 by Ri- vals and No. 7 according to ESPN … Listed as the No. 2 player in California by Rivals. Statistics/Honors: Caught 55 passes for 882 yards as a tight end during his junior season, earning All-Junior All-Purpose first-team honors from Cal-Hi Sports … Named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top prep linebacker. Recruitment: Has set all five of his official visits, and Notre Dame is scheduled to get the final one Dec. 11 for its postseason awards show … Visited Michigan Sept. 18 and has set up trips to Oregon Oct. 9, Texas Nov. 6 and Oklahoma Nov. 20 … USC, Ohio State and Stanford are also still under consid- eration. BGI's Take: Kelly is a smooth and fluid athlete that can run and has a great deal of versatility. In fact, one could argue that his best position at the next level is as an H-back or as a pass-catching tight end. As a pass rusher, he displays a quick first step and the athleticism that makes it difficult for offensive linemen to get a clean shot on him. His closing speed allows him to quickly get to the quarterback and to chase down ball carriers in the open field. Kelly's speed, loose hips and change of direction ability translate into a highly effective coverage player, which makes him a strong fit for the Sam linebacker position in the Irish defense. Moving forward, he will have to get stronger at the point of attack and learn to bring more power as a tackler. JEFFREY MCCULLOCH Houston (Aldine Davis) Measurables: Listed at 6-2½ and 229 pounds at The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. … Ran a 4.72 in the 40-yard dash, had a 42.5-foot power ball toss and jumped 38 inches at that event … His 4.0 pro shuttle was the seventh-best time at the event and ranked as the top time among linebackers. Rankings: A consensus four-star recruit … Ranked as the No. 5 outside linebacker and No. 60 overall player in the country by Scout … Graded out as the No. 91 player nationally by 247Sports and No. 94 by ESPN … Rivals ranks him as the No. 18 player in Texas, and the No. 5 inside linebacker and No. 169 overall prospect in the land. Statistics/Honors: Totaled 60 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 11 quar- terback hurries during his junior season … Earned first-team All-District 18-6A honors as a linebacker … Was named an honorable mention all-state per- former by the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors and the Texas Sports Writers Association … Named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top prep linebacker. Recruitment: Notre Dame has made him a priority, and he says all the right things about the Irish … Has mentioned taking a visit to Notre Dame in the past, but has yet to set up a trip … The Irish are fighting hard to get him on campus … Took a visit to Texas A&M Sept. 19, and will choose between the Irish, USC, LSU, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Arkan- sas, Stanford and Oregon for his remaining visits … Plans to announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American Game in January. BGI's Take: McCulloch put on an athletic display at The Opening in Beaverton, Ore., this summer, but it is not his summer combine numbers that impress college coaches. He is one of the nation's most highly sought after prospects because his athleticism easily translates onto the football field. He is an explosive and dynamic football player, and is an ideal fit for all three linebacker positions in the Notre Dame defense, which is a rare trait. As a Mike linebacker, he displays tremendous short- area power and instincts. He has the open-field agility and instincts to play Sam linebacker. His sideline- to-sideline speed makes him a great fit for the Will linebacker position currently held by Jaylon Smith. He also shows explosiveness off the edge as a pass rusher. He must continue to get stronger and shore up his technique, but the tools to excel are all there. ✦

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