FOOTBALL RECRUITING
in the 100-meter dash last spring.
THE UNDERCLASSMEN
Notre Dame and its support staff will
certainly have its eyes on the class of
2016 before and after the game against
USC, but the class of 2017 will also get
some attention.
Wills — who is ranked as the No. 1
prospect in Kentucky, and the No. 3 of-
fensive tackle and No. 13 overall recruit
in the country by Rivals — is one of the
top targets on the offensive line for the
Irish next cycle. He'll be returning to
campus after visiting for the Irish Inva-
sion in June. Notre Dame is in his top
group of schools along with Kentucky.
While Wills, who checks in at 6-4 and
316 pounds, already holds an offer from
Notre Dame, Bockhorst doesn't, but he
could be in line for one.
The 6-4, 297-pound guard also
camped for the Irish Invasion and has
been in contact with Irish offensive line
coach Harry Hiestand, who told the
lineman that the staff is still trying to
figure out how many interior players
they will take.
"I'm in a good position with Coach
Hiestand and Brian Kelly," Bockhorst
said. "They both think a lot of me, which
is great. They think I'm high-character
guy. I'm in a great place — it's just that
they aren't able to move forward in the
process right now.
"Maybe if Coach Hiestand lays his
eyes on me again he'll decide that I am
a little bit more of a priority," Bockhorst
added when asked about visit. "But I'm
excited." ✦
Cincinnati St. Xavier's Matt Bockhorst, a three-star junior offensive guard, hopes to eventually land an
Irish offer.
PHOTO BY ANDREW IVINS
