Blue and Gold Illustrated

PREP PROFILES One of the top outside linebackers na- tionally in the class of 2017 is fielding interest from Notre Dame. Wilmington (Del.) Concord junior Avery Roberts has heard from multiple Irish coaches via social media, including recruiting co- ordinator and line- backers coach Mike Elston on Twitter. "Coach Elston's been in contact with me, and he was just letting me know that I was one of his top guys that he really likes," Roberts said. R o b e r t s , t h e No. 14 outside line- backer and No. 209 overall prospect in the country according to Rivals, has also heard recently from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Alabama, Penn State and Michigan State, and has already taken visits to Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers, Temple and Nebraska. His trip to Lincoln, Neb., may have been his favorite one yet, although Rob- erts said he liked all of them. "I went to Nebraska's spring game, so that was a pretty good one," Rob- erts said. "Some of the others were just random visits, but being at Nebraska's spring game was pretty cool. There were a lot of people there, and I was there for a good weekend. I got to spend some time with their coaches over my two days, too." Notre Dame remains a school he's well aware of, even if they haven't of- fered a scholarship just yet. "I know Notre Dame's full of tradi- tion," Roberts said. "It's one of the best programs since — forever. I know they have a great bunch of linebackers that have come through there, and that's something I'm very interested in." I t ' s s t i l l v e r y early in the recruit- ing process for the junior — although he'd like to have a decision made by the start of his senior year — and for now he's just gauging interest from programs and making different trips to schools. In the meantime, he's already decided on two factors that will be vital in his decision. "Somewhere I can play big-time foot- ball and get a good education — both are really important for me," Roberts said. "That's pretty much it for me right now, though." Roberts was named first-team all-state as a sophomore after finishing with 112 tackles, including 19 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 6.5 sacks for Con- cord High. — Jordan Wells Delaware Star Is Listening To The Irish AVERY ROBERTS ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Concord High School Wilmington, Del. Status: Interest Class: 2017 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-1 · Wt.: 213 40-yard dash: 4.65 Rivals Rankings: No. 14 outside linebacker and No. 209 overall player nationally

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