Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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"I went up there again in the sum- mertime, and I just got that feeling like it was the place for me. I was in the recruiting center, and they were showing me the graduation rates and what guys have gone on to do outside of football, and I was really impressed." Beal played primarily linebacker as a sophomore at Norcross High, but moved full-time to defensive end this past summer. Rivals recruiting analyst Woody Wommack said that it was a move that bodes well for Beal's future. "He's a perfect example of a hy- brid defensive end/linebacker," Wommack said. "He has the athleti- cism to play in space, but can also put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer. He still has some growing to do and depending on how much weight he adds he could be a full- time defensive end. For now, I see him as a guy who can do a variety of different things." Regardless of how Beal lines up once in South Bend, it's clear that Notre Dame wants him to do one thing: rush the quarterback. "Their history of putting guys in the league at my position and having them last once they get there is one of the reasons I made my choice," Beal said. "I felt like it was the best school that fit everything my parents and I were looking for." Rivals ranks Beal as the No. 16 recruit in Georgia and the No. 129 overall prospect in the country. He is in line to be the highest-ranked defensive prospect from the Peach State to sign with the Irish since Isaac Rochell back in 2013. ✦