BY ANDREW IVINS
If there's one position that has been
the Achilles' heel for Notre Dame on
the recruiting trail over the years, it
has been defensive end. The Irish have
circumnavigated the country in pur-
suit of top prospects that can rush the
quarterback from the edge, but have
found limited success at securing im-
pact players.
"In five years, we have had good
d e f e n s i v e l i n e m e n h e re , " N o t re
Dame recruiting coordinator Mike
Elson said in August. "We have been
able to sign good defensive linemen,
but it's just a different position.
"I think our evaluation process is
pretty solid. It's just on an individual
Irish Land Sought-After
Junior Pass Rusher
COMMITMENT PROFILE
ROBERT BEAL
Beal became Notre Dame's fifth pledge in the class of 2017, picking the Irish over Alabama, Clemson,
Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and a number of other top programs.
PHOTO BY PAUL STRELOW/TIGERS ILLUSTRATED
