Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 9, 2015 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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FOOTBALL RECRUITING power, and he uses it to get movement and penetra- tion against the run game. He shows a quick first step and the ability to close quickly on ball carriers. One area where Kareem projects as an upgrade over Rochell is in the pass game, where he shows strong natural pass rushing skills. He takes good angles around the edge, knows how to rip through linemen and can bull rush effectively. He has a ten- dency to come off the ball high, and when he does his first two steps do not cover much ground. This is something that can be improved with good coach- ing. As his pad level improves, his ability to dominate will increase. ADETOKUNBO OGUNDEJI Walled Lake, Mich. (Central) Measurables: Listed at 6-5 and 220 pounds by Rivals … Posted the second-best SPARQ score (a measure of overall athletic ability) among defensive linemen at The Opening Regional in Columbus, Ohio. Rankings: A consensus three-star recruit … Rated as the No. 11 player in Michigan by ESPN. Statistics/Honors: As a junior, earned first-team All-Kensington Lakes Conference honors after total- ing 66 tackles, eight sacks and 15 passes defended. Recruitment: Was originally committed to Western Michigan, but Power Five schools started to take notice over the summer … Received offers from Oregon, Pittsburgh, California, Rutgers and Toledo … Visited Notre Dame in late June and decided to end his recruitment by committing to the Irish July 16. BGI's Take: Ogundeji is an attractive prospect be- cause of his combination of great size potential, athleticism and natural strength, but he still needs a lot of work. He currently weighs only 220 pounds, but has tremendously long arms, broad shoulders and a frame that could allow him to carry an easy 260-plus pounds. Ogundeji excels in the run game right now thanks to his natural strength and ability to use his long arms to keep blockers off his body. Once his weight room strength and girth catches up to his raw skills, his game could take off. He is quick off the edge, allowing him to blow past blockers. He shows fluid hips and the closing speed you want on the edge. Right now he is all about potential and is far from a polished player. He must work on playing with better pad level, with consistent effort and with a stronger base. JULIAN OKWARA Charlotte, N.C. (Ardrey Kell) Measurables: Rivals lists Okwara at 6-4 and 220 pounds. Rankings: A consensus four-star recruit … Tabbed as the No. 6 player in North Carolina and the No. 205 overall player in the land by Scout. Statistics/Honors: Through nine games of his se- nior season, had recorded 65 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks … As a junior, totaled 90 tackles and 10 sacks … Named to The Charlotte Observer "Great 8" team, which recognized the top players in the area at each position. Walled Lake (Mich.) Central standout Adetokunbo Ogundeji, a consensus three-star prospect, picked the Irish over Oregon, Pittsburgh, California and Rutgers, among others. PHOTO BY ANDREW IVINS

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