Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/594735
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Recruitment: One of the hottest recruits from the state of North Carolina, receiving offers from Clemson, Georgia, Duke, Ole Miss, North Carolina State, North Carolina and Pittsburgh, among others … Made an early decision to follow in the footsteps of his brother — senior defensive end Romeo Ok- wara — at Notre Dame. BGI's Take: Okwara fills the need for a player that can rush the quarterback. He is a perfect fit for the weakside end position in the Irish defense, showing a tremendous first step and outstanding agility. He explodes off the line and blows past high school tackles on his way to the quarterback. His loose hips and quickness allow him to make fast and easy second moves. Once his technique improves, his pass-rushing repertoire should be out- standing, which will make him hard to handle. As a senior, Okwara has shown better strength and toughness. His motor has also improved, which has made him a far more disruptive and dynamic player. TOP TARGETS OLUWOLE BETIKU Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra) Measurables: Checked in at 6-3½ and 246 pounds at The Opening regional in Oakland, Calif. … Ran a 4.57 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.26 in the shuttle, and leaped 33.6 inches at The Opening in Beaver- ton, Ore. Rankings: Graded as a five-star player by Scout and 247Sports … Scout lists him as the top recruit in California, and the No. 2 defensive end and No. 8 overall player in the country … 247Sports ranks him as the No. 1 player the Golden State, and the No. 1 weakside end and No. 6 overall prospect nationally … Rivals rates him as a four-star recruit, the No. 8 player in California, and the No. 8 strongside defen- sive end and No. 36 overall prospect in the nation. Statistics/Honors: Through just eight games in his senior season, had racked up 44 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks … Was named to the CalHiS- ports.com first-team Junior all-state squad. Recruitment: Committed to UCLA in August … On Oct. 23, he decided to re-open his recruitment … Notre Dame remained involved with him throughout his commitment, which has the Irish in his final list of schools that includes UCLA, USC, Texas A&M, Florida State and Florida … Plans to officially visit Notre Dame Nov. 14, when the Irish host Wake Forest. BGI's Take: Betiku, a well-built defender that is physically ready to contribute as a freshman, proj- ects well for both the weakside and strongside end positions in the Irish defense. He is powerful, pos- sesses fast hands and plays with a great motor. His intensity and strength allow him to shut down the run game, making him a great potential fit at strong- side end. Betiku is still learning the nuances of rushing the quarterback, but he has the physical traits and in- stincts to develop into a tremendous power rusher. He displays a strong burst off the line, has a knack for using his hands to win battles, and shows good instincts and comfort in space. He projects excep- Oluwole Betiku of Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra, who is rated as the No. 36 overall player in the class of 2016 by Rivals, decommitted from UCLA Oct. 23 and scheduled an official visit to Notre Dame for Nov. 14. PHOTO BY BRUIN SPORTS REPORT